Hardy, har, har. While the city undoubtedly has a “party” vibe around town, things have changed since the 1970s and ’80s. And most locals lead an ordinary life that’s healthy and genuinely sober. Sure, we have our weekend nights out, but the bottom line is that it’s fun to party in Amsterdam free of vice indulgence.

There is a quality of living in Amsterdam that is rich, affordable and full of good eating and natural exercise. Here are some easy ways that you can still sample some of Amsterdam’s most colorful attractions, while staying healthy.

Little known fact: Coffeeshops in Amsterdam actually serve coffee too. Photo: Timo

1. Sip coffee at the “coffeeshops”

Believe it, you don’t have to be a pothead to enter coffeeshops. You don’t have to buy weed inside, and you don’t have to smoke it. They’re called coffeeshops because there’s an actual coffee bar inside, with lattes, cappuccinos, teas, etc. It’s not uncommon to see regulars inside just for the cozy atmosphere, a good book and a cup of joe. (They’re just hidden behind that cloud of smoke. But they’re there!)

2. Window shop in the Red Light District

Unlike other Red Light Districts in Europe, the women working in prostitution here are not on the streets. They won’t drag you into their sex bed, and they won’t follow you around. The Red Light District is an attraction that lures the majority of tourists in for a stroll at least once. Window shopping is the main activity, going in to “purchase” is another story.

Bars in Amsterdam serve plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, too. Photo: seven pillars

3. Order a non-alcoholic drink

Alcohol-free beers in Amsterdam include Bavaria 0.0% and Amstel (“alkoholfrei”). Rarely will they be on tap, but almost every bar and café will have them available in a chilled bottle. (The city has yet to see alcohol-free wine, but everywhere serves soft drinks and sparkling water in cute European-style bottles.)

Related: 5 affordable and fun bars in Amsterdam

4. Buzz about without caffeine

Don’t even ask a café if they serve decaf, because even if they do, chances are it’s expired. However, the few Starbucks around town (at Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, Central Station and near Dam Square) and the local chain Coffee Company will be stocked with caffeine-free espresso and coffee. Alternatively, try the fresh mint tea as a refreshing and very Dutch alternative.

It’s easy to stay healthy in Amsterdam (with or without dogs). Photo: Michiel S.

5. Sweat it off with a bike

Overall, it’s easy and cheap to have a healthy stay in Amsterdam. A weekly bike rental can average out to €5 a day, and the city is extremely walkable. The city’s outdoor markets and Turkish food stores have piles of fresh produce that’s naturally organic, and smoking cigarettes inside has been banned since 2008.

Related: 10 tips to bike like a local in Amsterdam

Enjoy you’re time in Amsterdam. And one last tip: If you are going to partake in other “colorful” activities that the city has to offer, remember that moderation is key. Not only will you stay healthier, but you’ll actually leave town with memories of your time in Amsterdam.

Your tips for staying healthy

What suggestions do you have for staying healthy while visiting (and enjoying) Amsterdam? Share with us in the comments section below.

The post Amsterdam: 5 ways to make your visit healthier appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As a global city with a long tradition of liberal policies, the Dutch capital is no exception. Travelers arrive in this open city armed with a host of stereotypes that don’t always ring true. We’ll now try to shed some light on those popular (and often funny) misconceptions.

1. Everyone in Amsterdam is high

It’s true we have hundreds of marijuana coffeeshops, it’s legal to grow plants at home, there’s an annual Cannabis Cup and, don’t forget, the city has a marijuana museum. There’s even a Cannabis College where you can enroll in classes about weed…

Just kidding about the classes, but visit the Cannabis College because it’s a free information center all about the soft drug industry in The Netherlands. Videos, books and documents report on everything you want to know about cannabis culture worldwide.

One fact you’ll find is that less than 10% of the Dutch smoke weed, and the coffeeshop culture in Amsterdam runs strong on the tourism industry. Dabble in the green goods all you want, no one here is judging (nor are we completely innocent). But don’t forget that most of the locals find other ways to relax in our spare time.

Related: What’s the difference between a coffeeshop and cafe?

The Red Light District is looking a lot spiffier than it used to. Photo: Audrey Sykes

2. The Red Light District is dirty

In the 1970s and 1980s the Red Light District was not a safe place to be. There were junkies taking up street corners selling hard drugs. The Hells Angels ran brothels and windows like pimps. And the safety level of the neighborhood more closely resembled anarchy than protection.

But things have cleaned up in the past 30 to 40 years, big time. The government has pushed the junkies and hard drugs out of the district. The number of prostitute windows has dropped, pimping is illegal, police are around and security cameras are everywhere. While unethical situations still breed in these conditions, the Red Light District is safe to visit.

Tip: Don’t take pictures of the prostitutes, don’t pick fights with hooligans, and don’t buy anything from random strangers—not even a bicycle. (Here are some more scams to avoid.)

Related: Affordable hotels in the Red Light District

Sure, Heineken is popular in Amsterdam, but it’s not the only beer in town. Photo: facemepls

3. Heineken is the best (and only) beer in town

I’ll admit that the green bottles and smiling “e” letters reign over Amsterdam like Budweiser in the US. And their marketing is impeccably creative and cool.

On the flip side, there are plenty of domestic and craft beers in the Netherlands to indulge in. You can easily find classic pilsners like Grolsch, Brand, Hertog Jan, Lindeboom and Amstel beers on tap in many bars around the city.

I’m personally a sucker for the Netherlands microbrewery culture. In Amsterdam, Brouwerij ‘t Ij and De Prael are staples in craft beer. (Here are some of my other favorite beer bars in Amsterdam).

Haarlem has the Jopenkerk, a craft brewery in a church. Some brewers have taken their knowledge of USA craft “beerology” and applied it to their home turf, like Ramses and Emelisse. Check out the Netherlands Beer Week website (in Dutch) for a list of every brewery in the country. You’ll quickly see that Heineken has some healthy competition.

Sorry to disappoint, but this is not a typical Dutch outfit. Photo: Michael Coghlan

4. Everyone wears wooden clogs

The story of the wooden clogs comes from the farmland. Dutch farmers wore wooden clogs for orthopedic purposes, and I don’t mean for foot comfort. The curved clogs aimed to keep their feet in good shape when walking on marshy land. In fact many cheese farms that open their door for visitors have a clog-making room. Cheese farm tours usually include a live clog-carving demonstration, with wood chips flying in the air and rows of painted podiatry product to purchase.

While farmers still rock the clogs now and then, the only wooden shoes you’ll find in Amsterdam are the giant ones you can sit in for a photo op at Dam square. There are cheesy souvenir shops that sell clog-shaped slippers, which can make kitschy, fun white elephant gifts for home.

Otherwise that’s it, and we don’t have a secret pair hiding in the closet.

5. Manneken Pis is here

It’s in Brussels. Yes, I’m sure.

Tall people on tall ships in Amsterdam. Photo: Bert Kaufmann

6. The Dutch are the tallest people in the world

Actually, that stereotype is true.

The post Everyone is high in Amsterdam – and 5 other myths about the city debunked appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But if you’re not careful, charges can add up quickly for everything from drink prices and cover charges to taxi fares back to your hotel. To keep your tab low, here are 5 pointers that will help Cheapos save when heading out for a night on the town.

1. Wine and beer, have no fear

Much like the rest of Europe from Berlin to London, cocktail culture is a new phenomenon in Amsterdam and pricey at a typical cafe. Beer and wine are the usual orders and only cost a few euros.

If you are a beer person, stay away from pint orders. Bigger is not better in Amsterdam drinking, and the average Dutch pilsner will lose its freshness after any size above .33cl. If you’re going for vino order the house wine, that’s usually a nice French or Spanish pick that’s smooth and easy to drink.

2. Trams before taxis

Trams and daytime buses stop running at around midnight—even on weekends. This makes taxis your only option when returning from a night out. Night buses are also available, but not very practical for visitors staying in the city center.

If you can brave bicycling back to your hotel or hostel, be careful and cautious. Otherwise know a walkable route before you let a sobriety slip. In any case, getting a tram back means an early night out. Nightlife in Amsterdam can begin relatively early however, so calling it quits around midnight isn’t the end of the world.

3. The clubs less traveled

Amsterdam’s party hubs are Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein and the Red Light district. Here you will find many small clubs, most of them beckoning in the passersby with drink specials and a flashy storm of lights inside.

Here’s my big tip for clubs in Amsterdam: you look for the club, the club doesn’t look for you. The better clubs of Amsterdam, like Trouw, are on the outskirts of both the party squares and the city center. Be ready to drop about €20 for entrance, and once inside beer and wine are around €3 to €4, cocktails twice as much. And plan to cab it back home for another €20, as clubs in Amsterdam close around 5am on weekends.

4. Live music lovers should think small

Amsterdam has an amazing aura that draws national and international artists to the city on an nightly basis. If you’re lucky, Paradiso or Melkweg will be hosting your favorite band at a smaller price and in a more intimate setting than back home.

Smaller venues like Winston Kingdom, Bitterzoet and Sugar Factory also carry impressive monthly programs at a lower cost, but of course the city has its fair share of free entertainment. Venues like Mulligan’s Irish pub at Rembrandtplein, Jazz Cafe Alto at Leidseplein, and Cafe Skek near Central Station offer free music almost on a nightly basis.

5. Don’t mix coffeeshops with cafes and clubs

Let’s be honest, it’s easy to go overboard with partying in Amsterdam. From the strong Belgian beers to the heavy marijuana joints and magic mushrooms, your vice(s) can run amok here. To keep a night out fun and safe, don’t mix your party picks.

Know the basics. First, beers in Amsterdam start at 5 percent alcohol by volume and can easily hit 9 percent when dipping into Belgian ales. Be moderate with your partying, and you’ll be able to enjoy Amsterdam pub culture more extensively (and vividly).

Second, smoking weed when you’re intoxicated leads to black outs and vomiting for many many people. We all know that many dumb ideas sound great when you’ve been drinking, and that’s one of them.

Third, consume cannabis with caution. Space cake potency is equivalent to four or five joints, and the highs can last for over 24 hours. Those wanting to purchase cannabis at a coffeeshop should inspect carefully what they buy. Many coffeeshops in Amsterdam have been caught lacing their products with chemicals and other substances to seem like a better deal.

Last, know that any hard drug that finds its way inside the clubs of The Netherlands are illegal, not regulated by the government, and the repercussions are serious. Have fun, but stay safe!

The post 5 tips for safely and cheaply hitting Amsterdam’s party scene appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s our quick guide to introducing yourself to Amsterdam — without paying too much for the experience!

Friday night

Get saucy

You’ve arrived at Amsterdam Centraal station with just enough time to check in and have a night out. Do not take the taxi to your hotel unless you’re ready to spend €20 on the ride. At €2.75 for a one-hour ticket, trams are a better option in general for Amsterdam transit.

Note: If you haven’t yet found a place to stay in the city, swing by our guide to central budget hotels in Amsterdam. We’ve inspected, reviewed and chosen our favorite hotels that are all within walking distance of the sights mentioned in this itinerary. (Read more in our Amsterdam guide.)

Amsterdam’s Red Light District at dusk. Photo: Qiou87

Amsterdam Friday nights as a first timer basically demands a visit to the Red Light District. Take in all the eye candy by wandering through the oldest part of the city. Aim for streets like “Oudezijds Voorburgwal” and “Oudezijds Achterburgwal,” and all the alleyways in between. The Red Light District is safe and secure, more of an attraction than seedy streets. (Still, here’s a quick guide to scams to avoid when visiting.)

Enjoy a night cap at one of the many old sailor Dutch “brown cafes” off Nieuwmarkt or Zeedijk, the oldest street in the city. I’d recommend a micro brew at De Prael, a local brewery where each beer is named after a late great Dutch celebrity. A midnight stroll through the romantic Jordaan canal district is a top-notch way to end a first night out (for free!).

NOTE: For cannabis smokers, try to refrain from coffeeshops in the Red Light District. They’re all over priced and geared towards the uneducated pot smoker. Save your “down time” for later in the visit when you’ve got all the “must sees” checked off the list. (Coffee confusion? Read our article on the difference between coffeeshops and cafes.)

Pedal off on a bike tour. Photo: Hans S

Saturday

Bike it, and build around one idea

The best way to see Amsterdam is by bike, so rent one at least for a day. These bikes are easy going, fun and simple to use. Even the less-coordinated pedal pushers will love it. The streets were made for biking here. It’s healthy, it’s safe, and it beats being dragged around in a tram all day. Get to know the local bike safety rules, and pedal off!

For a daily dose of history, go for a guided bike tour. There are many to choose at competitive prices (€15 to €25 for a few hours).

If you do decide to ditch the bike idea, at least check out a walking tour. Tours are great for wrapping your head around new cultures and getting your bearings in a new city. Check out New Amsterdam Free Tours for stellar guides working on a tips only basis (tours at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm daily from Dam Square).

By afternoon you’ve seen the city life, and it’s time to step indoors. You can’t see the Anne Frank Huis, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt Huis and Heineken Experience all in one day. So pick one that tickles your fancy most, and build your afternoon around it.

Anne Frank and free activities in the Jordaan

Since we’re strapped for time and in a Cheapo frame of mind, let’s say your pick is Anne Frank House, located on Prinsengracht just next to the magnificent Westerkerk (West Church). Don’t go right in the middle of the day, as it will be far too crowded. Instead, first spend some time walking down the canal towards Noorderkerk (North Church).

Between these two churches are a plethora of (free) pit stops. The Cheese Museum has an endless supply of free samples fresh from the farms. Next door, the Tulip Museum is an adorably quaint look-see of everything tulip.

Another block down is the Go Gallery, a fun and creative look at the city’s latest urban artists. And music and photography lovers will dig the Rock Archive’s collection of stunning black and white posters of rock legends.

Coffee breaks on the canal are best on the P96 café boat, but authentic and cozy brown cafes dot the Prinsengracht with charm and character. By the time you’ve arrived at Noorderkerk you’ll be in the thick of Saturday’s organic food market. Look for fresh oysters, baked goods, exotic herbs and pressed juices. It’s also a good spot for trinkets and postcards.

When it’s time to hit the Anne Frank Huis, make sure you buy your Anne Frank House tickets online. It’s the only way to get in now.  Here are some more time-saving tips for visiting Amsterdam.)

Give yourself at least an hour inside to get the full experience of this incredible and emotional piece of important history.

Cheap music and drinks at Mulligans Irish Bar. Photo: Illustir

Free music for the night out

Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the hotspots for going out at night. This is when your wallet can run amok, so keep it cheap by finding quick eats. Places like Wok 2 Walk for Asian food, Maoz Falafel, and pizza joints are everywhere. Choose these over burgers and fries for a healthy meal, satisfying for both your tummy and wallet. (Read more about cheap eats in Amsterdam.)

Get a taste of nightlife on the cheap by checking out live music spots. Mulligan’s Irish bar has nightly live music at Rembrandtplein, but my pick is Jazz Café Alto at Leidseplein. It’s exciting, energetic, small and intimate; well worth the €5 for a Saturday night.

Other places like Bourbon Street Blues (€5) and the Last Waterhole (€1) keep the party going with live tunes until 4 am! But if relaxing is your forte, a brown bar on Nieuwmarkt can dish out a cold Heineken as you people watch from one of the many outdoor terraces overlooking the square.

Sunday

Wrap up with a canal cruise, coffeeshop, and cultural cuisine

It’s your last day in Amsterdam, and you’re exhausted from a busy Saturday. Take it easy this morning by opting for a lazy canal cruise (€12 to €16+) to float you around the center. Boat tours really give visitors a chance to step back and marvel at the funny facades of Amsterdam’s buildings. And it’s a way to be active while giving your body a rest!

Lunchtime is the best time to dine out on the cheap, menus offer lower prices and restaurants aren’t as busy. Thai Bird on Zeedijk has excellent lunch deals, while Burgermeester spots are great for healthy, hearty burgers. Outdoor markets like Albert Cuypmarkt, and Albert Heijn grocery stores have many options to go, and all-you-can-eat sushi is best at Sumo on Leidseplein and Vijzelstraat.

Or you could grabs a coffee or tea and experience one of Amsterdam’s fine “coffeeshops.” Stay out of the Red Light District or pay too much for bad quality. If you’re looking for the classic setting and decent cannabis, you’ll love places like De Dampkring. The more experienced smokers will want to try Grey Area. Whatever you decide, be responsible, and never mix cannabis with alcohol.

Early dinner?

Café Klos on Kerkstraat has the best ribs in town with a cozy brown bar ambiance. Not far is Café de Zotte, a Belgian beer bar that locals love for their selection and steak. Be ready to pay about €20 for a plate, but it will always include a salad and frites!

Those curious about Dutch cuisine should try stamppot at Moeders, down the Rozengracht West from Westerkerk. Crazy for pancakes? I’d say the Pancake Bakery on the Prinsengracht has the best setting and selection (although I recommend two additional pancake joints here). And spice lovers who want to turn up the heat can find Indonesian, Thai and Chinese dishes along Zeedijk, Amsterdam’s Chinatown. Dishes at these spots can range from €10 up.

Come back!

End your weekend with a bird’s eye view of the city from OBA, the free public library just by Amsterdam Centraal station. Soak it in, grab your bags, and hop on the train. We’ll see you again!

The post Weekend in Amsterdam: The perfect first trip for budget travelers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.