Here are some simple ways that you can find your dream accommodation on the Cheapo:

Look beyond the center

Amsterdam is densely populated because the city itself is small, so don’t jump on the first affordable hotel located in the “center”.

The reason: Hotels in any UNESCO district – like Amsterdam’s center – are under strict renovation limits. The 21st-century “bigger is better” mentality doesn’t mesh with 17th-century space.

What can you do? Neighborhoods like Jordaan, De Pijp and Plantage offer settings more peaceful than the Dam and Red Light District. Prices can be cheaper and rooms are likely to be a tad larger in size. Plus there’s a higher chance the hotel has been renovated with a modern touch.

The Museumplein area keeps you close to the cultural hotspots like Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum, while the more adventurous should try man-made islands like houseboats at Westerdok Eiland, Prinseneiland and modern Zeeburg for ideal waterfront living. Night owls should drift towards Leidseplain and Rembrandtplein: Amsterdam’s two entertainment hubs with hotels usually cheaper than the center.

The steep stairs in Amsterdam, such as these at the Hotel Internationaal, might have you feeling a little dizzy

Prepare for (chutes and) ladders

One thing about Dutch architecture that’s unavoidable are steep stairs. The main gripe among Amsterdam visitors is the unexpected, unpleasant exercise of climbing four flights many times a day to get to their guest rooms.

The reason: Notice the hooks that hang above most Dutch buildings. The hook and rope pulley system was (and still is) an Amsterdammer’s moving method. A housing tax based on a building’s width was imposed during the 17th century, hence the steep stairs. Today, buildings can only make minimal renovations. As a result, the ladders (that locals call “stairs”) remain painfully intact.

What can you do? Be ready for unreasonable staircases, knowing that all of Amsterdam’s city dwellers live this way. Travelers with disabilities or heavy luggage should consider rooms on ground levels, or hunt around for hotels with elevators (which are few when on a low budget). Assistance is on standby at most places of course, and some even offer grip bars on the walls when handrails aren’t enough.

Who needs A/C when you can chill outside in cool garden, like this one at the Nadia Hotel?

Losing air (conditioning)

Every hotel in Northern Europe will have heating, but air conditioning is usually unavailable at budget hotels, and even fans can be hard to come by.  To keep rates low, you’ll need to stop thinking of A/C as essential.

The reason: North and Central Europe have problems with cold spells, not heat waves. When heat waves do arrive in areas like Spain, Italy and Greece, fans and nature’s ocean breeze is the remedy. Rationalizing the cost of air conditioning for a one-week summer just doesn’t happen.

What can you do? Amsterdam is humid, and the very few days that temps pass 75 F can be a sweaty experience indoor and outdoor. The best thing to do is pack something light to sleep in, and get out of your hotel early. Head to the beaches, shady parks and comfortable canal side cafes. It’s what the locals do.

Hostels, such as the wonerful St-Christopher’s at the Winston, can be a great budget option for groups.

Hotels or hostels: Tit for tat

Hostels have a reputation for being the deep-budget accommodation option in Europe, but in Amsterdam, this isn’t always necessarily the case.

The reason: During Amsterdam’s high tourist season – summer – Amsterdam’s hostels hike prices as much as budget hotels. In a city with as much to attract youth and budget travelers as Amsterdam, hostels can face quite high demand.

What can you do? So how does a cheapo know to go for a hostel or hotel? If camping isn’t an option, consider your situation. Hostels and hotels can both be very cheap, but they each are better fit to different travelers with different needs.

Here are some things to think about when choosing between a hotel and hostel:

• Food options: If breakfast included in the price, what’s on the menu? If the meal charge is still a good deal compared to what you’d spend otherwise, sneak a little extra for a lunch sandwich or snack.

• Group size: Traveling with a group? Hostels are good at fitting many people into one room. For hotels, make sure it’s not a double turned into a triple (or a triple turned into a quad). Things can get cramped and the room will get stuffy.

• Introvert or extrovert: Hostels in Amsterdam are great for social travelers flying solo, with perks like pool halls, hostel bars (and smoking rooms), hangout areas and internet lounges. Amsterdam hotels carry a more cozy and private experience, and are best for independent travelers with their own agenda.

Hotel suggestions

Now comes the fun part… the hotel hunt! To read unbiased reviews written by our editors, head to our Amsterdam hotel guide. Have a suggestion or a favorite hotel in Amsterdam to share with our readers? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

The post Amsterdam: Simple tips for finding cheap hotels 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.

Anne Frank House Museum

You and everyone visiting Holland knows the tragic and inspiring story of Anne Frank. Even in the heaviest of rain, the line for the Anne Frank House Museum is a constant feature of the building’s exterior. Luckily, the museum has a few tricks up their sleeve to help curb this well-known issue.

One big win is the option to buy tickets beforehand on the museum’s website, and bring a print copy along to skip the line and head straight to the “special entrance.” Visitors can order up to 14 tickets online, and the payment system is credit-card friendly (but not student-discount friendly!).

On top of that, the museum’s opening hours stretch into the evening. Spring and summer closing time isn’t until 9 p.m., and high season closing (July and August) is 10 p.m. Try your luck after 7 p.m. for the lowest waiting time. If you plan to visit during the low season, stroll by around 5 p.m. to scope out the stand by scene.

Amsterdam’s Jood Historisch Museum offers an interesting alternative to the Anne Frank Haus. Photo: Museumnacht

Skip it and head to the Jewish Historic Museum

Amsterdam’s Joods Historisch (Jewish Historical) Museum is a great alternative if lines look hopelessly long at the Anne Frank House, especially if your interest lies within Jewish culture and history in Amsterdam. About 11,000 art and historic artifacts are housed here, and the museum offers deep insight into Nazi occupation in Holland from 1940 to 1945.

The museum entry is €12, but it includes admission to the Portuguese Synagogue next door, and the nearby Holandsche Shouwburg.

Van Gogh Museum

Situated in the middle of Museumplein, the Van Gogh Museum is the most visited art museum in Amsterdam. And after paying a not-so-cheapo fee to see Van Gogh’s work, it’s all the more frustrating when the charge includes a wait in the rain.

From September 2012 to late April 2013 the museum’s collection is being temporarily housed in the Hermitage Amsterdam museum, which might diminish the number of visitors, simply due to the inconvenience. If that’s not the case, timing is of the essence. While Anne Frank Huis is a better visit in the evening, Van Gogh is roomiest right at the opening.

Give yourself about an hour at the Van Gogh once you’re inside. If things get busy, take a break at the cafe and try the packed areas again later. The museum is good at keeping people moving. It’s easy to wait out the waves of large groups by just stepping aside for a few minutes.

Skip it and head to the Stedelijk Museum

The more die-hard art lovers might prefer the newly-renovated Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, full of modern and contemporary art and design from the 20th and 21st Centuries. Late Greats like Andy Warhol and Henri Matisse are exhibited there, along with even a smaller Vincent van Gogh collection.

The Stedelijk is located just around the corner from the Van Gogh, and well worth the admission if Vinny’s “Sunflowers” are taking forever to get to.

The Red Light District attracts tourist throngs most nights. Photo: Jburgin

Red Light District

As early on in the week as Wednesday evening, Amsterdam’s Red Light District looks more like a maze of wall-to-wall tourists ogling and snickering as they shuffle by beautiful blondes in moodily lit windows. By weekend things are packed, people get pushy, and drunk bachelor parties are downright ugly. The last place you want to be is between a prostitute hurling a bottle at some idiot taking her photo (which, it goes without saying, you should never, ever, do!).

Still, the Red Light District offers a big barrel of traditional Dutch charm. It’s the oldest part of the city with buildings dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries, and it’s should most definitely not be overlooked. Stroll early afternoon. Even by 10 a.m. a few brown bar cafes are open and ladies are running the “morning shift.” The canals are just as dazzling by day, and the mood is quiet.

Avoid getting sucked into tourist streets like Warmoestraat and Damstraat. These streets make up the borders of the Red Light District, offering a mess of low-quality coffeeshops and tourist bars. Stick to the main veins of Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal for the ultimate Red Light District view (but remember, snap pics at the canals and clearly away from any windows with women in them!).

Skip it and head to the Jordaan

The Red Light District isn’t the only area in Amsterdam with woman selling services under red-lit windows. An area near the Singel canal, just before the Jordaan, exhibits the same setting on a smaller scale. Plus the Jordaan offers just as much character in its buildings as the Red Light, with impressive canals, churches, gardens and alleyways.

The post Amsterdam: How to avoid crowds at the city’s biggest attractions and smart alternatives appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.