Amsterdam is one of the best cities in the world to explore when you’re young – with great travel links, a vibrant culture, brilliant restaurants and so much to experience. And the good news is that it doesn’t have to be expensive either – with these travel tips there are ways to explore this amazing place on a budget and still have an incredible time.
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Cost Effective Culture Vulture
The city offers hundreds of niche museums that provide some of the best talking points of any trip – but all of those entry fees can quickly add up. But if you plan your visit carefully, you can select a few of the main highlights without breaking the bank. Amsterdam’s airport, Schiphol, plays host to a smaller outpost of NEMO, the interactive science museum, which offers free entry in contrast to the €15 entry fee of the main building in the centre.
If you shop around you may also be able to find discount tickets for the Heineken museum – brewery tours are a big attraction in Amsterdam. Many of the smaller, niche museums offer entry from as little as €5, such as the Houseboat Museum, or sign up to the newsletters of the larger art galleries in order to be notified about free entry events or upcoming discounts.
Sign Up For Free Walking Tours
One of the best ways to explore this compact and bustling city is on foot, and when you throw an expert guide into the mix, it’s even better. Luckily for budget travellers, there are plenty to choose from. The Original Amsterdam Alternative Tour, which runs daily, is one of the best, featuring a taster of many offbeat city sights, including street art gems. You’ll learn about the city’s history, construction and golden age, spanning everything from the Nazi invasion to the legalisation of the red light district – well worth a look.
Sample The Street Food
Good food is plentiful in Amsterdam, but the restaurants can be somewhat on the pricey side – so save money by opting for the just as delicious street foods you’ll find, eaten canal-side taking in the views. Start with the legendary pancakes and waffles you’ll find, topped with savoury or sweet treats – everything from Thai red curry to goats cheese and pine nuts. Fancy pudding? Fresh strawberries and cream in a cup are available from street vendors on every corner when in season, or seek out some of the city’s legendary Indonesian cuisine for a taste of something different.
Find a Budget Base
The backpacker hostels in Amsterdam are amazing and located in some of the hottest neighbourhoods, including former industrial zone Noord, which now hosts trendy bars and the EYE Film Institute, which often hosts free events. ClinkNOORD offers dorm rooms from just €18 in a historic 20s building with a stylish bar and a library – and you can easily catch a ferry across the Ij to be in the centre in around five minutes. Generator Amsterdam is another design-led hostel located near Oosterpark that is highly Instagrammable and yet won’t break the bank.
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Happy Travels
