We’ve recently updated our listings of recommended cheap hotels in Amsterdam, and have singled out the following seven as our best cheap hotels in Amsterdam. It was no easy task — Amsterdam fortunately still has a long list of great, family-run properties in its city center.

However, these hotels below all stand out for their unique combination of a great location, low average rates, high user ratings, and enough amenities that you’ll be quite comfortable with your choice. Note that the rates quoted below were all found for stays one to four months in advance. Another thing to note? Hotel rates in Amsterdam and across Europe have increased significantly in recent years. We’ve narrowed down options that provide the best value.

A friendly reminder: Book as far in advance as possible. These are also among the most popular hotels in Amsterdam, and availability can be tight.

Our Amsterdam Guide

• Read all hotel reviews
• Booking a hotel in Amsterdam? Read this first.
• More ways to save on your trip Amsterdam

Top 7 best budget hotels in Amsterdam

Hotel Hortus is cheap, clean, and centrally located, making it a real Cheapo gem. Photo: Booking.com

Hotel Hortus

Plantageparklaan 8
Neighborhood: Plantagebuurt
Double room average: $128

The rooms at Hotel Hortus may be on the simpler side, but they’re spotless, reliable, and right next to the Botanical Gardens. Save more by opting for a shared bath. The hotel offers a communal kitchen, so you can also save by making some of your meals here, then spend more on sightseeing. Read the full review

The Neighbour’s Magnolia features bright rooms with a dash of color.

The Neighbour’s Magnolia

Willemsparkweg 205
Neighborhood: Museums & Vondelpark
Double room average: $139

Looking for a trendy little spot near Vondelpark? The Neighbour’s Magnolia offers a friendly home base with 21 playfully designed rooms, all equipped with TV, telephone, free Wi-Fi, and modern furnishings. You’ll even find a small stuffed animal (named “Sparky”) waiting on your bed. Breakfast included. Read the full review

The lovely breakfast room at Hotel Verdi.

Verdi

Wanningstraat 9
Neighborhood: Museums & Vondelpark
Double room average: $150

Hotel Verdi is a cozy, clean, family-run establishment near the Concertgebouw, where visiting classical musicians have frequented for decades. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, and breakfast is included in the room rate. Cheapos who want to save a little extra money can book one of the few rooms with a shared bathroom. Read the full review

Bicycle Hotel is a fun spot with affordable bike rentals (of course!).

Bicycle Hotel

Van Ostadestraat 123
Neighborhood: Pijp
Double room average: $153

Located near the heart of the trendy Pijp neighborhood, the Bicycle Hotel is cheap and cheerful, with low rates, clean rooms and (appropriately enough) cheap bike rentals for guests. The hotel’s 16 rooms are basic and no-frills, but all have a TV and free Wi-Fi, while a few have a balcony (ask ahead). Breakfast is included. Read the full review

Enjoy a cool, rock n’ roll vibe for a low cover charge at BackStage Hotel. Photo: EuroCheapo

BackStage Hotel

Leidsegracht 114
Neighborhood: Grachtengordel South
Double room average: $159

You’ll be ready to rock with the BackStage Hotel, a popular and cheapo-friendly spot on the Leidsegracht canal. You’ll find plenty of bars, performance spaces, and even the famous concert venue, Melkweg nearby. As for the rooms, they are adorned with a rock-and-roll vibe that has welcomed many musicians over the years. Like a famous rockstar, you’ll enjoy plenty of amenities here, including free Wi-Fi, LCD televisions, and more. Read the full review

Hotel Museumzicht is stuffed with old-world charm.

Hotel Museumzicht

Jan Luykenstraat 22 II
Neighborhood: Museums & Vondelpark
Double room average: $160

You can’t sleep much closer to the Rijksmuseum than the Hotel Museumzicht (“Museum View”). The hotel is a vintage cheapo pick and is great for those who don’t mind that the hotel has hardly changed since the 1960s. The hotel’s 14 rooms are decorated in a grandmotherly fashion, with old oil paintings and antique (or simply “old”) furnishings. Some rooms have private facilities, but most share toilets and showers in the hall. Breakfast included. Read the full review

Stayokay Amsterdam is a great option for groups.

StayOkay Amsterdam Vondelpark

Zandpad 5
Neighborhood: Museums & Vondelpark
Double room average: $186

Tucked into the northern tip of the Vondelpark, the StayOkay Vondelpark is a big, budget-friendly operation that appeals to students, families and other budget travelers. It’s a massive place, with 536 beds laid out in a wide variety of configurations. Triples? Quads? Eight-bedded dorm? They got ’em. While couples and single travelers certainly stay here, the StayOkay is an especially convenient option for larger groups. Read the full review

More hotel options

Want to read more about Amsterdam? We have dozens more options in our guide to affordable hotels in Amsterdam.

The post Best budget hotels in Amsterdam for 2026 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

After a few days in this vibrant city, usually next on the list would be a day trip to Rotterdam, the Keukenhof flower garden or The Hague.

But staying in Amsterdam offers a variety of other day trips for Cheapos. Escape the crowds and mainstream sites by trying one of these five other options just a bike or train ride away.

Our favorite Amsterdam day trips

Haarlem

The original town where New York City’s Harlem gets its name from is a quaint and cute Dutch city. A day can easily be spent wandering the old streets and canals of Haarlem that date back to the 1600s.

Admiring Grote Kerk square with a coffee on a terrace is a must. Corrie Ten Boomhouse is where a family hid hundreds of Jews during World War II. Today, the house is a free museum with a 1940s feel that captures an important moment in Haarlem history. It also rarely has a wait (unlike the Anne Frank House). The Jopenkerk is a popular microbrewery inside an old church. Out-of-towners also come for live music at the Patronaat concert hall. Shopaholics love Haarlem for the endless dress boutiques and department stores, while foodies can appreciate the casual dining from organic vegetarian to Indian and Japanese.

Getting there: Trains from Amsterdam Centraal Station leave a few times an hour. The trip is about 20 minutes one way and a roundtrip ticket costs around €5-€9.

Related: A guide to visiting Haarlem on a budget

Bicycle Trip to Volendam

Vollendam is a tiny place off the coast of the Islomeer lake with an adorable sailboat harbor. You can get there by an hour bike ride through the Dutch countryside with a couple of cheese farms and clog shops open to visit along the way. The small-town strip is dotted with souvenir shops, fried fish stands, ice cream parlors and authentic brown cafes.

Artists like Picasso and Renoir liked hanging out here, and nowadays it feels like a lazy Dutch seaside town. The traditional garb of bonnets and striped vests are usually spotted on a few locals, with a couple of dress-up photo shops in business as well. There is also a ferry here that goes to the Marken peninsula — a somewhat forgotten fishing village with traditional wooden houses and adorable lighthouse.

Getting there: Take the Amsterdam Central ferry across the Ij River to Amsterdam Noord. From there, follow bike path signs to Broek in Waterland (the original town Brooklyn is named after) and continue north to Monnickendam and then Northeast to Volendam. The green bike signs mean scenic, the red ones mean quickest. It takes about an hour each way. Want to bus it? Take number 316 from the north side of Amsterdam Centraal and get off at Katwoude, Hotel Volendam. The trip takes about 25 minutes, and a roundtrip ticket costs €6-€8.

Zaanse Schans is a quaint district of Zandaam with a museum and windmills. Photo: Bert K

Zandaam and Zaanse Schans

The town of Zandaam is famous for its scenic collection of six historic windmills, clusters houses and water landscapes. The windmills at Zaanse Schans here are leftover from its 17th-century heydays as a major milling area for oil, saw, dye and mustard. Most windmills are still open to the public, and some still sell what they make.

The village looks like it never left the 1600s. There is an old Albert Hein market (the major grocer of Amsterdam), a clog factory and a cheesemaker. Tourist buses love to drag visitors on board a day trip, but just go on your own to absorb the historic feel of Zandaam and its surroundings. It’s easier to dodge the crowds that way. Try to catch a boat tour on the Zaan river, it’s a €12 ride running April to September and a great sightseeing perk.

Getting there: The trip is an hour bike ride each way, but it’s best to have a map for the loopy turns. Otherwise, local trains (aka Sprinter) going to Alkmaar from Amsterdam Centraal Station stop at Koog-Zaandijk are about a 35-minute ride. Hop off there and walk along the “dijk” towards the windmills (about 10 minutes). The cost of the train is about €19.50 roundtrip. You can also get there if you purchase an Amsterdam & Region Day Ticket.

The gorgeous Castle De Haar is straight out of a fairy tale. Photo: Ryan Beck

Dutch Castle: Den Haar

One of the best perks about visiting Europe is all of the castles, and the Benelux region is full of them. Just outside of Utrecht is Castle De Haar, a beautiful place open for viewing and hanging around the lush gardens. The oldest parts of the foundation are from the early 1500s, but most of the castle you see today was built in the 1890s by the same architect who designed Amsterdam Centraal Station and the Rijksmuseum. The exterior is a beautiful garden of flowers and trees between a moat and small canal ways. Guided one-hour tours are the only way to see the inside. The Dutch family who owns this property have wined and dined celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot and Roger Moore during their heyday.

Castle details: The gardens are open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., while the castle is open Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An adult ticket is €20, but if you just want to admire the castle from the outside and wander the gardens, it’s only €8. More info at www.kasteeldehaar.nl

Getting there: Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht Central Station, and change trains to catch the Sprinter to Vleuten on platform 18 (train destination: Den Haag Centraal, not the intercity, but the sprinter). At Vleuten take bus 127 to Kockengen and get off at the ‘Brink’ bus stop in Haarzuilens. From Monday to Saturday the bus departs every hour, on Sundays every two hours (from 12 noon on). It is a 15-minute walk to the castle from the bus stop. It’s about a 60-minute trip in total and the travel costs are about €20 roundtrip.

Only 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Utrecht is well worth the visit. Photo: Olivia Notter

Utrecht

A student town with a healthy dose of canals, cafes and character, a day trip to Utrecht offers a look into life in Holland that’s laid-back and breezy. One of the most unique sights in Utrecht is the old wharfs along the main Oudegracht canal that have been transformed into cafes wither waterside terraces. People come here to wander around the old city center and take a look at the big Dom Church that was destroyed by a storm in the 1600s. It also has budget hotel options if you want to stay outside of Amsterdam.

At night, the cafes bring out the dinner menus with Dutch classics like fish and steak tartar. Check the music listings at Tivoli too, a five-room concert venue that pulls in impressive and popular acts of all genres.

Getting There: Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht Central Station. It’s about a 20-minute train ride and the cost is about €21 roundtrip.

The post Amsterdam: 5 easy and affordable day trips appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Amsterdam locals know the ins and outs of Amsterdam dining on the cheap. Here are our top tips for Amsterdam budget dining.

From our budget guide to Amsterdam:

• Top budget hotels in Amsterdam
• Hotel advice: Read this first
• How to avoid the crowds at Amsterdam’s biggest attractions

Amsterdam budget dining tips

1. When and where to eat

First off, lunch in Amsterdam usually runs from noon to 4 p.m. and dinner begins around 6 p.m. Between lunch and dinner, many cafes will have small fried snacks, nuts or cheese, and meat plates to nibble on. And late at night, you’ll see snacks a-plenty catering to the bar crowd.

When it comes to finding the best local eats, the more off the beaten path you hunt, the better. If your accommodation is outside the city center, that’s great — check out the nearby dining digs there first before heading into the central tourist areas. And if you’re eating in the center, keep your eyes (and ears!) open for locals. Find a place packed with Dutch diners? Check out the menu, and take a chance — even if it’s not in your guide!

Related: 8 Affordable restaurants that Amsterdam locals love

2. Lunch is cheaper than dinner. Always.

First, there are many typical Dutch “brown cafes” that double as gastropubs. Just ask to see their list of cheapo-friendly lunch sandwiches. These are usually a hearty, open-face affair with fresh, melted, or toasted toppings. Sandwiches range between €4 to €6, but come evening, the menu shifts to dinner with plates at twice the price.

Tip: To save big, consider eating bigger at lunchtime and having a more modest dinner to end your day. It’s probably healthier, too!

Related: Coffeeshop? Cafe? Understanding coffee in Amsterdam

3. Lunch at the upscale restaurants

If you’re looking to dive into a plate of fine French, Mediterranean, and Euro-fusion decadence on a budget, check your dream restaurant’s lunch menu. There are many Michelin-star restaurants, upscale set-course menus, and white tablecloth dining establishments that offer a delicious gourmet meal during lunch for a third of the dinner price, or sometimes even cheaper.

Dutch bakeries offer flaky treats for €1 to €2 a piece. Photo: uncle leo

4. Consider skipping the hotel breakfast

If breakfast isn’t included in your stay, don’t pay more than €5 for it – anything more would be overpriced, unless it’s a huge spread of hot and cold catering smorgasbord. There is always a bakery nearby to duck into for flaky croissants, savory and whole grain rolls, quiches, and coffees for cheap.

Related: Where to have a traditional Dutch breakfast | Top 10 budget hotels in Amsterdam

5. Avoid Argentinian steakhouses in the tourist center

Sure, they might seem like a good deal with their “lunch specials” of steak, fries, and salad. Plus, they’re all over the city center. However, beware of Argentinian steakhouses around Dam Square, Rembrandtplein, and Leidseplein nightlife areas — these places just serve thawed-out, packaged dinners to rooms full of tourists. If you’re looking for a steak, it’s best to splurge on a real-deal steakhouse.

6. Get thee to the grocery store

Amsterdam is overrun with Albert Heijn grocery stores, and they’re very convenient for anyone looking for a lunch “to go” or to eat al fresco in the park. Check the refrigerators around the produce sections for sandwiches, salads, and fruit smoothies, and also the cheese and meat counters for tapas-size portions of tasty take-away nibbles, including dips like guacamole, hummus, tapenade, and pesto.

Top it all off with a chilled bottle of white or a Belgian beer sold by the bottle, and you’re set for a perfect Dutch picnic!

7. Munch in the markets

The Albert Cuypmarkt (open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Sunday), the weekend markets at Noordermarkt and Nieuwmarkt, and the neighborhood markets like Dappermarkt and Ten Katemarkt are all great places to pick up fresh snacks and street food on the cheap. The markets have it all, from healthy kebabs (yes, they do exist) to fresh (or fried) fish, homemade baked goods, and exotic eats.

And check out the cafes that border the outdoor markets — you’ll see a lot of budget-friendly Indonesian, Surinamese, Turkish, or Chinese eats.

Related: Our favorite Amsterdam street markets

8. Thirsty? It never hurts to ask.

Yes, Amsterdam is one of those European cities where restaurant servers are known to refuse tap water to customers. But not always. When you sit down, ask for “water van de tap” or tap water. If the server says it is “not possible”, don’t take it personally — they’ve been saying this all day to disappointed customers.

When you’re forced to order a bottle of water, you should definitely take a quick look at the drink menu first and make sure it’s worth it. Quite often a beer, house wine, or coffee is the same price… or even cheaper!

Waiters and waitresses in Amsterdam make a good wage, so you don’t have to worry about leaving too big a tip. Photo: FH

9. Tipping is NOT a big thing here

Being a super generous tipper in Amsterdam is not seen as impressive, kind, or flattering. It’s actually more likely to be perceived as ridiculous and flashy.

Why? Because servers, baristas, bartenders, and others in the hospitality industry are paid a normal and healthy wage that isn’t heavily reliant upon tips. So, bartenders serving beers do not expect tips, and when paying for a round of drinks for table service, just leave some small change if service was exceptional. For dining, 10% is the norm unless the service was out of this world.

Related: How much should you tip in Amsterdam?

10. Going Dutch is a big thing here

Anyone going out for dinner with a local should know that splitting the bill and “going Dutch” is the norm. It’s definitely not rude to split the bill with your date (especially if your date is Dutch). If they’re not Dutch, then you might want to skip this advice and trust your own instincts.

Your Amsterdam budget dining advice

Have tips, advice or questions about dining on a budget in Amsterdam? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post Amsterdam: 10 tips for dining on a budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whether you want to sleep on a boat, immerse yourself in art, sleep in a futuristic neon cube or surround yourself with the Red Light district adult entertainment, there is an accommodation to suit your needs.

Related: Amsterdam Hotel Advice: Read this first

Unique and cheap Amsterdam hotels

To help make your trip to “The Venice of the North” more interesting, here are four unique hotels in Amsterdam:

The modern design doesn’t mean sky high prices at citizen M. Photo: Provided by hotel

1. citizenM Hotel: Sleep with modern style

Double rooms start at $115 per night

Upon entering citizenM Hotel, your first thought will be you somehow landed on an episode of The Jetsons. In reality, you’ve actually landed in the hotel of the future. Located in the Zuid-Amstel neighborhood, technology and design-enthusiasts will love the 215 futuristic rooms that feature remote-controlled amenities and mood lighting, censor-automated showers, electronic window blinds and pod-enclosed toilets that open and close with the push of a button. Not surprisingly, free Wi-Fi is offered throughout the building.

Even the common areas reflect the rock n’ roll attitude at Backstage Hotel. Photo: EuroCheapo

2. Backstage Hotel: Sleep like a rock star

Double rooms start at $71 per night

Considered “Amsterdam’s Rock and Roll Hotel,” Backstage Hotel offers guests the chance to be a rock star for their stay. Walking down the halls, you pass vintage posters and modern cover art, while the lobby showcases a grand piano and a chalkboard talking up the city’s current shows. Snare drums and saxophones adorn the bar walls and Guitar Hero is always ready to go.

Black-and-white rooms feature high-wattage vanity mirrors, sexy artwork, drum light fixtures and even a spotlight on the bed to help you feel even more like a VIP. If you’d like to go out and paint the town red, the hotel is located near Leidseplein close to an array of music venues.

Get ready for wacky and wild rooms with artistic flair at St. Christopher’s at the Winston. Photo: EuroCheapo

3. St. Christopher’s at the Winston: Sleep with art

Double rooms start at around $110 per night

For those who want an accommodation that’s also an attraction, St. Christopher’s at the Winston is like staying at an interactive contemporary art gallery where you sleep inside the installations. Located in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, the property was the first in the Netherlands to offer an art-focused hotel, with each of the seven floors and its rooms offering a different creative theme.

Some fun rooms you may want to request include the Heineken Room, with a green-bottle theme, the Tranquility Room with black and white photographs and the Ultraviolet Room with neon works. And, don’t think this hotel is afraid to push the limits. Some rooms contain paraphernalia like kinky dominatrix photos of women.

Futuristic rooms add a come with high-tech perks for a low price. Photo: Courtesy of hotel

4. Qbic Hotel Amsterdam: Sleep in a cube

Double rooms start at $107 per night

Located south of Amsterdam’s center in the city’s financial district (and near RAI convention center and Schiphol airport), the Qbic Hotel Amsterdam offers an interesting budget accommodation option for those willing to make the hike out here. Along with modern amenities like Wi-Fi, cable TV, a restaurant, air conditioning, a restaurant and bar/lounge, this quirky hotel offers guests the chance to stay in a “cubi.” These futuristic cube-shaped rooms resemble Japan’s cubicle hotels, but with more space.

Room features include an extra-long Hastens bed, LCD TV, creative work-and-dine sets and, the best part, the options to create your own atmosphere with changeable lighting and glow, like a mellow yellow, techno-trance purple, cool blue or sexy red. The lobby also fits into the futuristic theme, with a touch screen digital kiosk acting as your local tour guide.

More hotels in Amsterdam

For many more interesting accommodation options, visit our guide to read reviews of our favorite cheap hotels in Amsterdam, all visited and inspected by EuroCheapo’s editors.

The post Amsterdam: 5 budget hotels that offer a unique sleep appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’re here to help, with 14 things that you should understand before booking your hotel.

A quick intro

First, a few words to introduce myself. I created EuroCheapo back in 2001 to be a straightforward guide to the best budget hotels in Europe’s most expensive cities. We launched our first Amsterdam hotel recommendations that same year, and have been busy updating our recommendations every year since then.

In fact, just six weeks ago I was back in Amsterdam revisiting, reinspecting and re-photographing all of the recommended hotels in our Amsterdam guide.

I thought I’d pull together an overview of what you should expect from a hotel, and what you should know before you book. Enjoy, and please post any questions to me in the comments section at the bottom of the page!

Amsterdam hotel advice: Read this before you book your hotel

It simply doesn’t take that long to crisscross this city of canal rings. All photos by Tom Meyers

1. Amsterdam is small.

Let’s start with the basics. Compared to other cities that we cover, Amsterdam is geographically teeny-tiny. You can walk from top (Centraal Station) to “bottom” (well, of the tourist zone, basically in the middle of the Vondelpark) in about 45 minutes. This swath of town covers almost everything that most travelers visit in Amsterdam. Compare that to London, Rome or (egad!) Berlin, and you’ll see why I call it teeny-tiny.

In terms of choosing a hotel, this means that really, almost every hotel in the city is “central”, will be easy to get to, and will give you easy access to the big sights. During my last stay, I arrived at Centraal Station during the city’s marathon, and the event had stopped all the trams in their tracks. My hotel was down near the Rijksmuseum, which seemed like across town, but was really just a 45-minute walk (even though I kind of bellyached about it in this post — it was raining, after all).

2. Think twice before staying in the bulls-eye of the center.

When traveling around Europe, I tend to choose hotels that are as centrally located as possible. For example, in Paris, I like to be in the western part of the Marais or near the Louvre. However, in Amsterdam, the absolute center of the city is Dam Square, an often chaotic spot surrounded by department stores, government buildings and tram stops. Nearby, the Red Light District is also about as “central” as it gets, but its streets, packed with bars, sex shops, and roving stag parties, are not a great fit for most tourists.

Instead, I’d recommend opting for something a bit farther out (yet still very easy to get to). It will be quieter and might have that canal view you’re dreaming of. Unless, of course, you’re part of a roving stag party!

The Hotel Rembrandt Square will be fine for those who don’t mind sleeping above the “Coffeeshop Smokey.”

3. Watch out for hotels around nightlife.

In addition to the nightlife options lining the raucous, neon-lit streets of the Red Light District, more mainstream bars and clubs cluster around a couple of squares, including the Leidseplein and the Rembrandtplein. If you plan to head out for some drinks or to see a show, chances are you’ll end up at (or at least pass through) one of these two squares.

Hotels cluster around both of these squares as well, especially on, and above, the Rembrandtplein (like the Hotel Rembrandt Square, above). Unless your hotel has excellent soundproofing, budget hotels on these squares will be ideal only for travelers who plan to stay out late, can fall asleep to a thumping beat, or have great earplugs. Travelers looking for a quiet night’s sleep should look elsewhere — at least a few blocks away.

Sleeping near the Vondelpark (above) still puts you within easy walking distance of nearly everything.

4. Okay, so which neighborhoods do I recommend?

In terms of my favorite neighborhoods in Amsterdam for sleeping, I quite like the western and southern canal rings (referred to in our guide as Grachtengordel West and Grachtengordel South), which are still very much in the thick of things, but offer a bit more serenity, along with some charming canal-side rooms. The “west” neighborhood puts you very near the Anne Frank house and Westerkerk, while the “south” is closer (but not too close) to the museums, Leidseplein and nightlife (around Rembrandtplein).

Now, romantics will swoon for the Jordaan, a more residential neighborhood farther west of Grachtengordel West, today home to lots of great small restaurants and bars. Another quiet option is the more studious Vondelpark and Museumplein neighborhoods. I spent several nights here on the last trip (at the Cheapo-friendly Museumzicht), and found it very convenient for dropping into the Rijksmuseum and attending a concert at the Concertgebouw.

Finally, there’s the Pijp, a neighborhood that was once largely home to the city’s immigrant population, but is now also home to some of the city’s trendiest bars and restaurants. I also spent a couple of nights here (at the Bicycle Hotel), and quite enjoyed the more varied dining options, and the quieter, more residential vibe of the neighborhood.

Watch your step! The daunting (but not unusual) stairs at the Hotel Museumzicht.

5. Get ready to climb some stairs!

Most of Amsterdam’s central and small hotels are located in centuries-old canal houses that are protected by zoning laws, thus making it very difficult (if not impossible) for the hotel owners to add an elevator. A majority of the hotels we recommend in our guide do not have an elevator. It isn’t that they don’t want to add an elevator, it’s just that, in many cases, they can’t add one to the building.

But wait, it gets better! Many of the stairs are shockingly steep. We’re talking about open-the-front-door, laugh-out-loud, you-gotta-be-kiddin’-me, steep. It’s not (technically) a ladder. It’s a staircase — there’s a railing.

There is some help to be had: Some hotels have devised ingenious rope-and-pulley systems to hoist your luggage up the stairs (see photo below, at the Hotel Prinsenhof). Others will help carry your bags up for you. However, they won’t carry you up. If you don’t feel that you’re up for the climb of your life, book a hotel with an elevator.

The Hotel Prinsenhof utilizes an old fashioned hook and pulley system to hoist up luggage.

6. Need an elevator?

Hotels that are situated in newer structures are much more likely to have an elevator. And by “newer,” I mean something built after the advent of “talkies”. Your best bet for finding an affordable hotel with an elevator is to head a bit outside the most central neighborhoods, as the buildings will be newer. Try the hotels around the Vondelpark.

7. Hotel rates can be unpredictable.

You might have noticed that hotel rates can be all over the place in Amsterdam. One week it’s €79 a night, and the next it’s €129. That’s because most hotels now use dynamic pricing, which causes rates to swing all over the place depending on their own availability. (This is the case all over Europe, not just in Amsterdam. You can read my entire post on this subject here.)

Interestingly, Amsterdam currently has too many hotel rooms on its hands, which has led to very low rates in the low season (October – March, excluding holidays). How did this come about? Shortly before the 2008 recession, the city permitted the construction of thousands of additional hotel rooms in order to meet the increased demand that the city was experiencing at the time. These new (and expanded) hotels have since opened, but the global recession that followed has caused a slowing of demand.

This all adds up to…

8. Hotel rates fall big time during the low season

Thus, during the slower “off-season” months, three-, four- and five-star hotels slash their rates to fill their rooms, making for some great deals. This has also made life hard for smaller budget hotels, some of which have closed or just shutter for the winter months.

But bargain travelers looking for hotel deals should be pleased with their choices in these slow months: October, November, December (excluding holidays), January, February, and March. However…

9. Hotels try to make it up during the high season

On the flip side, during the high season (late April – late September, plus holidays and special events), those same hotels inflate their rates substantially in order to make up for those cheapo winter months. And I’m not just talking about typical old “high season” rates. Because of the slashed low season prices, hotels have to make up lost revenues like never before — which they do during the summer. Even hostels are in this game, charging rates for dorms that can make a Cheapo shudder.

Note that by “high season” we mean the late spring, summer and early autumn months. However, this also includes major holidays and special events. This includes music and theater festivals, gay pride, the city’s marathon, and business conferences. Dates change every year, so it’s best to check the list on the city’s tourism site.

Boarding an Intercity train at Centraal Station is a snap.

10. Priced out of Amsterdam? Options abound in nearby towns.

So what can you do if you wind up visiting Amsterdam in the heat of the high season or during a business conference that has packed every hotel in town? Consider sleeping in a number of nearby (and also very charming) cities. The train system in the Netherlands is so efficient that you can easily sleep in a half dozen nearby cities and still be in Amsterdam’s Centraal Station in under an hour. Yes, you become a commuter, but it’s a snap.

Cities to consider include: Haarlem (15 minutes by train west of Amsterdam), Utrecht (30 minutes southeast of Amsterdam), Rotterdam (45 minutes south of Amsterdam), even the Hague (48 minutes southwest of Amsterdam).

During a recent trip, I didn’t realize until booking my hotel that I was visiting during the marathon. That meant that every hotel was packed, wiping out every affordable option. Instead, I opted for a charming and much less expensive hotel in Utrecht for my first two nights. It was great to get to know another city, and the commute to Amsterdam every morning was a breeze.

A friendly reminder not to smoke (with closed windows) from the Hotel Abba.

11. Most hotels are non-smoking.

Amsterdam might be a city popular with smokers the world ’round, but most hotels in the city are smoke-free. There are a few hotels that allow you to puff away, but these are usually places that have a dedicated patio, deck or room for smoking. If you’re booking a “normal” two-, three-, or four-star hotel, you won’t be able to smoke in your room.

To drive the message home to visitors who might be excited to light up in their rooms, many hotels post notices in the hallways reminding guests that, not only will they be charged extra if they smoke, but that the fire department will automatically be called! (Our favorite sign, in the Hotel Abba’s hallway, simply encourages guests to open their windows if they really must smoke!)

12. Air conditioning is not needed.

Most one-, two- and even many three-star hotels do not have air conditioning. It simply doesn’t get hot enough in the summer to require it. More upscale three-star hotels and almost all four-star hotels will offer it, however.

In my experience, it really only comes in handy in Amsterdam if the room is stuffy (for some weird reason) or if I’m trying to drown out other noises inside or outside the hotel.

The lovely breakfast room at the Hotel Museumzicht overlooks the Rijksmuseum.

13. What’s for breakfast?

Most hotel rates in Amsterdam include breakfast. A typical Dutch breakfast will include coffee/tea, juice, bread, sliced cheeses and meats (usually ham), and maybe yogurt. It’s a nice start to the day, but don’t come expecting scrambled eggs and bacon.

Ironically, more expensive three- and four-star hotels are more likely to charge you for breakfast (although those breakfast buffets are also more likely to be more extravagant). Always check if the breakfast is included when booking your hotel.

The city is famous for its pancake houses too, of course. (Here are some of our favorites.) While they make a fine hotel breakfast alternative, they’re not just for breakfast in Amsterdam.

14. Prepare your budget for new fees.

Starting in January 2020, Amsterdam will be adding a €3 fee per person per day for all travelers visiting the city. This is in addition to the 7% tax on all accommodations. The city has been debating new taxes on tourists in recent years, but this is the final proposal and will place Amsterdam in a whole new category by itself — no other city in Europe has a percentage tax AND flat fee. Stay tuned to see if this affects the number of visitors to Amsterdam. Somehow we doubt it.

15. You don’t need to join the party.

Finally, let’s talk about the other guests you might encounter, shall we? Amsterdam is obviously a popular destination for merrymakers from across the globe. These include “hen” and “stag” (bachelorette and bachelor) parties, study abroad students, I-can’t-believe-I’m-turning-30/40/50 binges, etc. If you fit into one of these categories, great — you have nothing to worry about (because you’ll be sleeping just fine).

However, that group is only a part of the city’s tourist population and a minority at that. If, like me, you value a quiet night’s sleep, consider choosing a hotel outside of the Old Center and Red Light District. In our reviews, we’ve tried hard to sniff out whether or not a hotel attracts a “party crowd”. However, pay attention to the user reviews, and take special note of complaints about noise, thin walls, and loud neighbors.

Yes, it’s easy to find a “party hotel” in Amsterdam. But it’s just as easy to find a nice, affordable and quiet place to call home.

More hotel information

• To read more, please check out our list of recommended budget hotels in Amsterdam.

• Also, click here to read more blog posts about ways to save when visiting Amsterdam.

Your questions about Amsterdam’s hotels

Have a question about sleeping in Amsterdam? Ask away below!

The post Amsterdam Hotel Advice: Read this first appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Of course, standing out is not necessarily a bad thing, and it’s certainly a practical way of dressing. We are all for Cheapos embracing the style that makes them feel the most comfortable. But it’s also nice to blend in with the locals and not be automatically treated as a tourist.

And best of all, you don’t need a million bucks to spruce up your wardrobe to match the Amsterdam style. It only takes a few simple tricks. We’ve given tips on how to dress in Madrid and Florence, now it’s time to turn out attention to Amsterdam.

Related: Headed to Amsterdam? Read this hotel advice first.

How to dress like a local in Amsterdam

So, if you’ll excuse some blatant stereotyping, here are seven sensible tips to help Americans blend in a bit better in Northern European countries like the Netherlands:

1. Men: Your college sweatshirts do not impress anyone

Look, I know college sweatshirts are comfortable, and many of us have lived in them for years. But leave those stinky and stained pieces of thick cotton with bold letter embroidery behind. They take up a lot of room when packing, and men here usually wear sweatshirts only when going to/coming from sports.

Instead, a zip-up hoodie with a solid color or cool pattern works just as well, is easier to roll up and is more practical for traveling.

2. Women: Pack some tights

Black, medium thick tights that end at the ankle are a staple here for ladies’ fashion. And when packing, they’re lighter and take up less space than a pair of dress pants. Women wear them under dresses, skirts and sometimes shorts. Tights dry faster than pants, make your legs look slim and still cover your lower torso when bicycling.

Tourist fashion in Amsterdam. Photo: Bruce T.

3. Men: Ditch the white sneakers

European men wear sneakers, but not chunky, white basketball shoes that engulf your feet to the ankles. Colors are good, comfort is important, and try on a pair that’s roomy and low cut. From Converse to Puma, Adidas to Nike, men here love their sporty brands, especially if it resembles a soccer shoe. And go for the ankle socks (what are you afraid of anyway with those high cotton socks, scratching your lower calves?).

4. Women: These boots are made for walking

Chances are you won’t need a pair of hiking boots in Europe unless you plan to spend a good week trekking the Alps. Even a day trip can be easily achieved with a normal pair of sneakers with good soles on a walking trail. Land is flat in much of Europe, and filled with hand-laid cobblestone. So stay away from thin Stilettos, leave the expensive hiking shoes at the shop, and go for a comfortable boot with a thick heel that can handle the streets (and bad weather, like fake leather).

Slap on a pair of those tights and a short skirt with a slinky top and you’re ready for a night out. A good, cheap buy is a thin sole insert that can make any shore supportive.

5. Both: Baseball caps and golf visors are a giveaway

I’m just saying, again. I know they’re practical, but no other culture over-wears them quite like we do. There are many cool and fun hats in Europe that are affordable, just as useful on bad hair days and make for great souvenirs.

6. Both: Don’t flip-flop

While we’re at it, save the flip-flops for beachwear only. If it’s hot, find some sturdy sandals.

Sometimes you just need to embrace being a tourist in Amsterdam. Photo: oxlaey

7. Both: Shhhh…

Think before you decide to yell across the bar/restaurant/train car/street for your friend’s attention. You could just walk over there. That’s what the locals would do. Or they would wait until their friend approaches them, avoiding any attention-drawing actions altogether. The last thing you want to be is that stereotypical loud-mouth American whose call out leads to a lot of rolling eyeballs.

Your advice?

Have any tips for acting more like a local? Don’t care at all if you don’t look like a local? Share your thoughts in our comments section!

The post Amsterdam: How to dress and act like a local appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But how do you do it on the cheap?

Here are some suggestions to let the good times roll… without rolling out too much dough.

Related:

•  8 Affordable Amsterdam restaurants that locals love
• 10 Simple ways to save in Amsterdam
• 5 Tips for navigating Amsterdam’s party scene

1. Brown bars are your best friend

The brown bars, or bruin cafés, are classic hang out spots in Amsterdam. Much like an old-school pub, they’re dark, dusty, and seeping with historic charm. This is where the locals drink refreshing biertjes, small Pilsner beers on tap like Heineken, Amstel, or Grolsch with a frothy head in tall, skinny glasses. They’re a perfect spot to order round after round and watch the world go by. House wines are also cheap, with choices of beers and wines starting around €2 or €3 per glass.

These pubs are a cozy choice for an evening out, but they’re also open all day starting at 10 am until well after midnight.

2.  Clubbing? Buy tickets online in advance

If you’re headed to one of the country’s well known electronic DJ gigs or even a special club night in the city, buy your tickets online for the best prices. Even with a Ticketmaster or credit card charge, tickets at the door can jump up 30%.

An even better tip is to download the app TicketSwap if you’re looking for a safe way to buy sold-out tickets in the second-hand market by concertgoers who have to cancel or are selling extras.

3. Coffeeshops: Get local

Smokers should steer clear of coffeeshops located in the Red Light District, Rembrandtplein, and Leidseplein. These shops are usually run by not-so-savvy clerks who are selling overpriced bud. Instead, do your research and find the ones who’ve been “Cannibis Cup” winners in the past and have a reputation for truly loving and knowing their products.

Some tops choices for Coffeeshops are Barney’s, De Dampkring, Greenhouse, Grey Area, Kadinsky, and Katsu.

Related: Coffee Confusion in Amsterdam: Cafes, coffee and coffeeshops

4. Festivals deal with “muntjes” as money

Did you score a ticket to a summer festival? Most events and major clubs did away with money handling ages ago. Now patrons change in their currency for something called “muntjes”, little plastic chips that act as festival money. The catch is that one chip always is more expensive than one euro, so figuring how much you’re spending on food and drinks gets confusing, fast. It’s annoying for everyone, but something you should be prepared for.5. Cocktails can add up fast

Whether it’s a fashionable Negroni or a simple gin and tonic, liquor drinks are expensive in Amsterdam and rarely will you find a happy hour to take the pricey edge off. Long drinks start around €6 because you’re being charged for a shot and a mixer separately, and classy cocktail bars are a trending ordeal, so it’s impossible to escape an order without putting down €12 to start.

What to do? If you want to cut the cost of a rum and Coke in half, for example, pour half of the Coke in your first round and save the rest for your second. And for the cheapest cocktails in town, the laidback Café Cuba on Nieuwmarkt usually has the best deals.

6. Live music can be free

Amsterdam has a lot of live music options every night, and some of it’s free. Jazz spots like Café Alto and the Bimhuis have free entrance nights (check online), and other boozy and bluesy jam and rock bars have covers for €5 or less like Bourbon Street, The Last Waterhole, and metal bar The Cave. Café Mulligans is an Irish pub with free gigs nightly, also spots like Skek, Pacific Park, Roest, Nieuwe Anita and Graceland host live music by bands passing through, or open mic nights, or events at donations price.

One of the best perks about nightlife in Amsterdam is that many of the usual dive bars and pubs bring in DJs to spin fun tunes into the late hours, from disco to funk and soul.

7. Hotel bars are expensive (but not hostel bars!)

Some hotel bars offer happy hours, but it’s probably better for Cheapos to look elsewhere for a drink. Our solution? Hostels! They have some of the best drink deals in town. Quite a few have their own bar and cater to backpacker budgets with 2-for-1 deals and pints for half price.

Some hostels require that you be a guest to enjoy their bars, like the Flying Pig and StayOkay, but others open their doors like St. Christopher’s at the Winston and Hans Brinker.

8. Skip the main square bars

Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the party squares of the city, but don’t settle for a round at the first bar you see. Most of the cafes and pubs around these squares are tourist traps.

However, there are authentic and affordable choices that are usually only a block or alley away. Check out some of EuroCheapo’s favorite affordable bars and online review sites like Yelp, Spotted By Locals, and TripAdvisor for a quick overview to see where the locals go. If you like beer, check out these Amsterdam bars pouring great pints.

9. Buy half-priced last minute tickets for concerts and performing arts

If you want to catch a performing arts act but don’t want to pay the €20 or more ticket to see it, LastMinuteTicketShop.nl is your go to for half-off tickets to acts that haven’t fully sold out the day of show. Listings for available tickets go live around noon, and buyers can purchase deals on the website. You can either print your ticket or save it as PDF so it is scannable on your smartphone. From theater to classical and jazz, event listings change daily so there’s something for every taste.

10. Get home, sans taxi

It’s late, the bars are closing, and public transportation looks like it is shut down. Or is it? There are a few things to know before hopping in a cab that can’t wait to cash in on a late-night weekend fare. First, there are a dozen late-night bus routes that leave from Amsterdam Centraal Station and pickup/drop off at Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein, and many other neighborhoods in the city. The trip costs about €4.50.  Here is a PDF map of the night routes.

Alternatively, the European headquarters for Uber is in Amsterdam, so finding a driver is never an issue and is still usually cheaper than a cab.

The post How to save on nightlife in Amsterdam appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The city is very walkable, so don’t stress about spending money on transport around town. Another bonus is that most of the city’s attractions are free, and wandering the city itself is probably first on the to-do list.

Related: 5 Easy and affordable day trips from Amsterdam | A budget guide to Haarlem, Netherlands

Here are some of our best tips for saving on your trip to Utrecht.

Getting there

A roundtrip ticket from Amsterdam Central Station is €14.80 and takes about a half hour each way. And prepare yourself for a busy scene upon arrival: Utrecht Central Station is the busiest and largest station in the country, because it’s a giant train hub.

The station is also connected to a large and somewhat confusing shopping center (parts of which seem to always be under construction), Hooog Catharijne. With more than 200 food joints and stores, however, it’s certainly convenient. Leaving your train, you’ll probably pass through the maze of a mall — stay calm and follow the signs that say “Centrum”. You’ll escape in no time.

Free attractions in Utrecht

Domkerk
Achter de Dom 1
Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. high season, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. low season

Once you’ve exited the mall madness, spot the giant church tower against the skyline and head that direction to get to the heart of Utrecht. The Domkerk is a mammoth cathedral with grand lancet windows, among other crowning achievements of Gothic architecture.

The 14^th Century tower, located across from the cathedral’s front door, reaches more than 350 feet into the sky. Entry to the church is free, but you’ll need to pay €9 to climb the 465 steps to the top of the tower (reserve at the information center next to the tower). A massive storm destroyed much of the church’s middle section in the 17^th Century, and today it stands in two parts with a well-kept courtyard to wander through. The church is really the landmark of Utrecht, so don’t miss it.

Willibrordkerk
Minrebroederstraat 21
Tues. – Sat. 11 a.m.-  5 p.m.

Willibrordkerk is a hidden gem of a church in the heart of Utrecht. Once you locate its unassuming entrance, head inside, as it’s much bigger and impressive than its exterior might lead you to believe. The Neo-Gothic architecture is complimented by a wrapping of colorful and glittering painted patterns on its arched walls, columns, brilliant ceiling, and floor.

Bloemenmarkt
Janskerkhof
Saturdays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

If visiting Utrecht on a Saturday, you’ll have the fortune of experiencing the town’s flower market (Bloemenmarkt). While Amsterdam’s flower market is dominated by tourists and tulip bulbs, the selections in Utrecht have space to show off their blooming, brilliant colors and sweet scents. Free and fabulous for photo ops, it’s worth tiptoeing through these tulips.

Museums

We wouldn’t put any of Utrecht’s museums on the must-see list, especially if you’ll be spending time at the biggies in Amsterdam. However, if your cultural cranium is hungry for a little bit of arts and history, the Centraal Museum is a mish-mash of old and modern art, with a focus on iconic Rietveld contemporary design and passing exhibitions.

Music buffs and historians shouldn’t miss the impressive collection of antique organs, squeeze boxes, and more at the National Musical Box and Street Organ Museum (Nationaal museum van Speelklok tot Pierement).

And the Railway Museum (Het Spoorwegmuseum) is always a hit with kids or any amateur conductors.

Food, nightlife and entertainment

Grabbing a drink along the canal is an Utrecht tradition. Photo: mikecogh

Oudegracht Canal wharfs
Wijnlokaal Aal (Oudegracht 159D)
Chez Willy (Oudegracht 73)
Den Draeck (Oudegracht 114-122)

Much like in Amsterdam, canals wind through Utrecht, creating a city of small bridges and photo ops. However, unlike in Amsterdam, along Utrecht’s central Oudegracht canal the old wharves (and cellars of canal-side factories and mansions) have been transformed into cafes and restaurants with picturesque waterside terraces. Wander the canals and find a terrace that makes you thirsty.

Café Olivier
Achter Clarenburg 6

A great and unique place for a few beer rounds with the locals is Café Olivier. This Belgian beer bar is housed inside a former hidden Catholic church, and its interior is impressively preserved from the 1800s. You’ll find high ceilings, old wooden décor, and a full lunch and dinner menu. Look for it just outside the train station (the entrance is to the left).

Stadskasteel Oudean
Oudegracht 99

Looking for another interesting dinner and drinks option? How about inside a 13th-century medieval castle? The Stadskasteel Oudean is located in the city center, so it’s got it all: canal views, outside terrace, its own brewery, and massive Medieval dining areas.

Cheapo food favorites

The great news for budget travels in Utrecht is that this college town offers an endless supply of food outlets catering to student budgets. While the options are seemingly endless, check out:

• Grand Café Lebowski (Domplein 17 ) has great hearty food and snacks in a restaurant resembling an American hunting club.

• Kimmade (Mariastraat 2) gets great ratings because their Vietnamese food is cheap, fresh and flavorful.

• Meneer Smakers (Nobelstraat 143) is a trendy favorite for towering New York-style burgers served with crispy fries.

Live entertainment

Tivoli is an independent music business that books most of the concerts in town at one of their two locations. From pop to classical and family friendly events, check the site to see what’s on when planning a night out in Utrecht. Depending on the program, admission can be very budget friendly.

Otherwise the Stadsschouwburg theater is where locals go for performance and dance.

Hotel Admiraal is a 10-minute walk from the city center with balcony rooms and modern touches. Photo: Booking.com

Affordable lodging

Generally speaking, the hotels in Utrecht are quite a bit more affordable than those in Amsterdam. This not only makes it a great overnight option for travelers looking to trim their budgets a bit, bit it also makes it an attractive alternative to Amsterdam’s hotel scene. As it’s only 30 minutes by train to Amsterdam’s Central Station, you could easily sleep in Utrecht and “commute in” every day to visit Amsterdam. (The same can be said for Haarlem.)

Search hotels in Utrecht.

Your Utrecht budget tips?

Have a tip for ways to save in Utrecht? Share with us below in the comments section!

The post A budget guide to Utrecht, Netherlands appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It also makes an excellent destination for budget travelers. It has historic streets galore, impressive Gothic architecture, and plenty of free attractions to keep you busy. Plus, if you have the Amsterdam City Card, entry to a few Haarlem museums are now included. There are also lots of affordable restaurants and tons of fun shopping options.

Best of all, adorable and quaint Haarlem is just a 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam Central station, making it an easy day trip, overnight, or affordable home base for those visiting Amsterdam by day. Some tourists just come for its lower-priced hotels and quiet vibe, then commute by train into “the city” in the morning and evening.

Getting there

The train from Amsterdam Central station is the simplest way to Haarlem, with frequent trips every 10 or 15 minutes. Round-trip tickets cost about €8.20.

Beach Tip: For an extra special getaway, buy a round-trip from Amsterdam to Zandvoort aan Zee for €10.80. This North Sea beach destination is a mere 10 minutes more from Haarlem. Trains go either direct from Amsterdam Central, or include a change in Haarlem. Spend a day in the two areas by starting with a morning beach session and ending with an evening around town. If plans change on the fly, bus No. 81 rides from Haarlem Central to Zandvoort aan Zee in half an hour for about €3.

Related: Pros and cons of the Amsterdam & Region Day Ticket

Catch a ride into town (or just rent your own!). Photo: chelmsfordblue

Things to do in Haarlem

Getting to Haarlem’s center is a 10-minute walk from the station. Exit the bus station side (look for the Starbucks), and head down either Kruisweg or Jansstraat. Either choice spits you right out at the Grote Markt.

Strolling the historic streets and gardens

Jansstraat is lined with enough impressive 17th- and 18th-century homes and buildings to be deemed one of the city’s historic streets. Be sure to check out the 12th-century Janskerk (Jansstraat 40) and St. Barbara women’s hospital, which dates from the 1430s (Jansstraat 54).

Additionally, Bakenessergracht and Spaarne, which run along the river toward the Adriaan Windmill, are two more notable historic streets that are worth a wander. Throughout the city you’ll notice small courtyards around private houses and old buildings. There are “hofjes”, or small gardens, and are open to the public for free to peruse and admire the peaceful vibe and greenery.

Kruisweg is a shopping street full of bakeries and boutiques. Grab some fries at the organic potato shack Friethoes (Kruisweg 43).

Corrie Ten Boom house (free)

Most notably, Kruisweg leads to the home of the Corrie Ten Boom House – a family that helped hide and protect more than 800 Jews during the Nazi Occupation, until they were betrayed in 1944. Named after the family’s only survivor, the home is now a free museum, much like the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, where visitors can walk through the home and hiding areas that resemble its time during the Occupation.

Grote Markt is the center of Haarlem where tourists and locals mix. Photo: zemistor

Main square: Grote Markt

The heart of Haarlem, the central market square (“Grote Markt”), is topped by the massive 15th-century Gothic-style Grote Kerk. It’s only €2 to go inside and admire the soaring stained glass windows, graves in the walls, and the gigantic 18th-century St. Bravo Organ.

This bustling open square is lined with other attractions, including the De Hallen Museum of contemporary art, cafes and restaurants (most featuring “tourist prices”).

The Grote Kerk’s St. Bavo organ is a stunner. Photo: bertknot

Archeological museum (free)

Haarlem’s Archeological Museum is located in the celler of Grote Markt’s 17th-century Vleeshaal (meat hall), and is a small museum exhibiting amazing archeological finds discovered throughout Haarlem, some of which date as far back as the Stone Age (4,000 years ago).

Shopping in Haarlem

Shopping is huge in Haarlem, with dozens of independent shops that range from toy stores to department towers. For fun browsing, try visiting the Grote Market on a Saturday, when the square is overtaken by the farmer’s market or Monday’s clothing market.

The main shopping streets include most of the walkways between Gedeempty Oudegracht and the Spaarne River: Barteljorisstraat, Zijlstraat, Gierstraat and Grote Houtstraat, to name a few. Sales are common (and dangerous!), and most accept credit cards.

Eating and drinking in Haarlem

Looking for a terrace to grab a bite with a view? Try the Botermarkt Square, a quaint alternative to the Grote Market, with slightly cheaper drinks and snacks. It’s also a bit more lively, as the locals prefer the more snug and cozy setting.

Nothing compares to the Jopen microbrewery and restaurant that’s housed in the Jopenkerk church. Choose from more than a dozen beers on tap and bottle, plus feast on snacks like homemade fried bitterballen with homemade mustard that (ordered by the piece, €1 each). The lunch menu is decently-priced; expect a beer and burger for about €10.

Also nearby is Woodstone Pizza and Wine (pizzas around €9), but the real cheapo winners are the authentic Crostino Gelateria, and the massive Albert Hein grocery store with its ready-to-eat salads, sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, and more.

The best sandwich shop hands down is Baguetterie Vlaar, a small nook with fresh cheeses and veggies on soft baguettes starting at €2. The corner department store V&D has a gourmet lunch canteen upstairs on the top floor called La Place (Grote Houtstraat 70). Fruit smoothies, stir fry, salad bar, you name it – all affordable and freshly prepared. To compliment the food, the seating area offers spectacular rooftop views of Haarlem.

Near Grote Markt, Sumo (Riviervismarkt 11) is a well-known Japanese place that offers an all-you-can-eat philosophy. For two hours patrons can stuff their faces with dozens of rolls and Japanese-style tapas, like grilled salmon and shrimp tempura. Lunch starts at €19.50 per person, dinner €24.50, excluding drinks.

Music and nightlife

Going out in Haarlem is a blast for those who enjoy taverns and live gigs. For brown cafes, try the authentic Dutch hotspot In de Uiver just off Grote Markt (Riviervismarkt 13). Belgian beer lovers and pub food goers should try the friendly and atmospheric Café Bruxelles (Lange Wijngaardstraat 16).

Vinos will want to check out the retro chic Vigh (Grote Markt 4), but the glasses start at €5. A top choice for a summer spot on the cheap is the city beach bar and food bungalow De Oerkap (Harmenjansweg 95). A hangout spot with a waterfront view, plus sand and beach chairs for catching sun after work, this is really a local’s bar with a location (literally) on the other side of the train tracks, but it’s worth the trip. Snacks and sandwiches start around €4, and pizza is €10.

The main concert hall is the Patronaat (Zijlsingel 2), a big music hall bringing acts from Pink Martini to Pharcyde and Counting Crows. Next door, the Patronaat café has a smaller stage with local gigs that are more on the pop and jazzy side. For a jazz and blues hangout, musicians and locals hang at the small brown bar and jazz club Café Steils (Smedestraat 21) near Grote Markt.

The family-run Amadeus Hotel is a top pick for budget stays in Haarlem. Photo: Booking.com

Affordable hotels in Haarlem

Compared to pricey Amsterdam, Haarlem offers a great hotel bang for your buck. Several affordable hotels are located right in the middle of town, including the Amadeus Hotel, located directly on Grote Markt, with rates as low as €60. From modern boutiques to charming old-world guesthouses, you can search here to see availability for over 100 Haarlem hotels.

Haarlem also makes a suitable alternative for a home base if the best budget Amsterdam hotels are filled up. Remember, Amsterdam is only 20 minutes away by train!

The post A guide to visiting Haarlem, Netherlands on a budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But there’s good news for the budget traveler, because the city’s culinary culture has recently been undergoing a shift, as restaurants experiment with new food “fusions” and apply imported techniques to otherwise ordinary national dishes. Add in the colonial past of the exotic spice trade, and you’ve got an exciting new food scene.

Now the only thing missing is where to find the best deals at a local price. That’s where we come in.

We’ve written before about ways to save when dining out in Amsterdam and what to tip at a restaurant, and now we present eight of our favorite affordable restaurants where the locals eat. Almost all of these places offer dishes under €10, so not only will you enjoy a tasty meal, but your budget will be happy, too.

Latei is a cozy and tasty place to start your day in Amsterdam. Photo: Alper C.

Breakfast: Latei

Latei is a cute and quirky breakfast nook big on eggs over toast, homemade apple pie, coffee any way you like it, and the comforting combination of soup and sandwich. Serving up organic eats with a homey atmosphere and laid-back staff, it’s a “hidden in plain sight” kind of find. And all of the kitschy decor is for sale, from the retro furniture to the little vintage tables and DIY knickknacks.

Zeedijk 143
Tel. 020/6257485
Mon. – Wed., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thu. – Fri. 8 a.m. -10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Meals around €7.50

Alternatively, for something more traditional in the morning, you can always hop aboard the Pancake Boat!

Dim Sum: Oriental City

Oriental City is the top choice of anyone with a hankering for affordable dim sum. The chefs are straight from Hong Kong, and there are dozens of options to choose from. Go for the prawn dumplings or the steamed Chinese buns with roast pork. Actually, go for anything: No matter what you choose, you really can’t lose here.

If you can, go with friends, as the larger the party, the more dishes you can try. Reservations suggested.

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 177-179, tel. 020/6268352
Daily 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Meals around €12

Dutch fusion: Skek

Skek offers a 30% discounts to students everyday, which is an amazing deal considering their menu is above average for a normal café located off Zeedijk. Run by students who embrace slow cooking (and at times slow service) and savory simmerings, the kitchen keeps up to date on food trends from juicy thick burgers to hearty seasonal Dutch plates. Add in live music nights, a decent local beer list, and the old brown café vibe, and it’s a great choice for visitors to get a sense of the local scene.

Zeedijk 4-8, tel. 020/4270551
Sun. – Thu. noon – 1 a.m., Fri. & Sat. noon – 3 a.m.
€13 before discount

Sandwiches: Small World Catering

Small World Catering is a lunch paradise for gourmands who prefer their sandwich stuffed beyond bite size. Choose from a list of mouthwatering options like meatloaf with honey mustard, pastrami and coleslaw, and avocado and bacon on ciabatta or focaccia. Small, quaint and friendly, this place is a gem. Small World Catering is the local’s “not so hidden secret” for brown bag lunches.

Binnen Oranjestraat 14
Tue. – Fri. 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m.
Dishes around €7.50

Soup: Soup En Zo

Soup En Zo is a soup kitchen famous for its wide variety and freshness, from stews to chowders. Big simmering pots of daily soups are on offer, and are all listed on the wall menu along with a full list of ingredients. Pick from one of three sizes, plus your choice of a bread roll, and take a seat either at the inside bar our outside benches. Expect seasonal soups, vegan and veggie options, exotic spices and hearty picks.

Jodenbreestraat 94 and Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 54, tel. 020/3307781
Mon. – Fri. 11 am. – 8 p.m., Weekends noon – 7 p.m.
Dishes around €5

Surinamese & Indonesian: Toko Joyce

Toko Joyce is a fine example of a delicious Surinam-meets-Indonesian take-out joint serving up spice on the fly. And best of all, it’s cheap. Try the roti, green beans, hot meats and savory tofu – all fillings usually available as a sandwich or as mix-and-match specials. Toko Joyce is a scrumptious and authentic pick, right on the Nieuwmarkt.

Nieuwmarkt 38, tel. 020/4279091
Mon. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tue. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dishes around €6

Thai: Thais Snackbar Bird

Thais Snackbar Bird is located across the street from its big brother restaurant, and offers dishes to go or eat in. The small, one-room lunch bar is cramped like a cozy tavern, and the small kitchen is quick with signature Thai green and red curry dishes (and of course Phad Thai). To-go orders are enjoyed best at nearby Nieuwmarkt square. Servings are big, include rice, and vary from mild to flaming spicy.

Zeedijk 77, tel. 020/4206289,
Daily 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dishes around €8

Turkish: Bazar

When around Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp, duck into Bazar for tasty Turkish tapas (“mezas”), refreshing lunches and large portioned dinners. The place lights up after 6 p.m., where the affordable dinner menu is illuminated by strings of fairy lights around the floor and wraparound balconies. Open, colorful and bustling, it’s a sugary Turkish Delight with starters, mains, and even authentic specials on the cheap.

Albery Cuypstraat 182, tel. 020.6750544
Daily 10 a.m. – midnight
€12 mains

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