While you may not think this is possible, Amsterdam can be enjoyed on a budget. There are plenty of freebies, so to call them, around the city, while other things are pretty cheap and you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy them.

 

Of course, what’s expensive in Amsterdam is accommodation, but we’ll give you some tips on that as well. Nevertheless, a tourist can explore, discover, and enjoy Amsterdam on a backpacker’s budget!

Therefore, without any further ado, let’s see how you can enjoy Amsterdam on a budget – explore the streets, eat well, have fun, and get your fair share of culture.

Walking Tours

We all know the hassle of walking tours – you have to get on their list and then be there at the right time, or you lose the chance to see the city and even some money in case you paid beforehand.

However, you don’t have to worry about that in Amsterdam - you have to be in the right place at the right time. This is because Amsterdam has two free walking tours to help you discover the city.

One is the Original Amsterdam Alternative Tour, which starts every day at 2pm. You just have to head to Spuistraat and enjoy it – remember that this tour does not limit itself to only known areas and might even take you to hidden graffiti or places of street art squatter. The Sandemans New Amsterdam has two tours of three hours each day. If you join this tour, you’ll see the Red Light District, the courtyard that leads to the Civic Guards Gallery, the Begijnhof Convent, and many more.


Cheap Food

Of course, cheap food is not always bad – and we have Amsterdam’s pannenkoeken to prove that. They are crepes that come in a package as big as a pizza and can offer you most of your daily caloric intake.

If you want to try these, you can head to Pancakes Amsterdam, Pancake Bakery, or Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs. But if you really want to try anything regarding crepes, then tell your Amsterdam airport taxi driver to take you to Pancake Bakery, because here you can have crepes with Indonesian peanut sauce or even Thai red curry – we think your accommodation can wait a bit when it comes to such pancakes.

Accommodation – Hostel or Hotel

You can choose between a hostel and a hotel depending on your company and your lifestyle. For example, you could spend your nights in the ClinkNOORD hostel, which has dorm rooms starting at 18 euros, and double rooms starting at 76 euros.

However, ClinkNOORD is at a significant distance away from the historic centre. So, if you want to stay there, you could check in at Ecomama’s, which has dorms starting at 23 euros, and double rooms at 84 euros.

Of course, there are plenty of places, one cheaper than the other, available throughout Amsterdam. Therefore, before calling the Amsterdam airport transfers company of your choice, you should research accommodations.