The demand to get into the Anne Frank House found its rival in the Van Gogh Museum, and meanwhile, the Rijksmuseum has been attracting huge numbers since it reopened in 2013. The Red Light District is crammed almost every night, and the party plazas never seem to be empty of, well, party people.

Tips for visiting Amsterdam attractions

We’ve talked about alternatives to Amsterdam’s most popular sights in previous posts, but despite the growing crowds, it’s worth it to visit Amsterdam’s biggest attractions. Even in high season, when tourism is at its peak, there are still easy ways to help you enjoy the top tourist attractions.

With these simple tips and a little bit of patience, you can survive and thrive amid the crowds at Amsterdam’s most famous spots.

Lining up early outside of the Van Gogh Museum. Photo: Michael Coghlan

Get there early. Repeat: Get there early.

It seems like a no-brainer, we know, but we still can’t stress this tip enough. “Rise and shine” timing is everything when it comes to beating the crowds in Amsterdam. Don’t rely on inclement weather or hope for a slower weekday visit to minimize the lines. Plan to get up and out early, and do it. Plus, you have extra incentive with plenty of places to grab a Dutch breakfast for some early morning energy.

Get tickets online

Commit to a museum the night before, wake up early, and get there as close to opening time as you can. If it’s the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum, you have to get tickets online.

Be prepared for the day ahead

Make sure to leave your hotel prepared for the day’s adventure. Pack some rain gear if the forecast says clouds, sunscreen if it says clear skies, plus water, snacks and something to read while you wait for the doors to open.

Anne Frank House

You can’t wing it. And you can’t play it by ear. You have to come prepared if you want to see this historic house. The line used to be so long that you could literally read Anne Frank’s diary from start to finish while waiting to enter the museum. Now you can only get tickets online, so you have to plan ahead. Showing up without a plan is one of the top rookie travel mistakes in Amsterdam.

For the most comprehensive overview, read our full guide for buying Anne Frank House tickets. Here are a few highlights from the article.

Buy tickets in advance

This is the easiest way to save countless hours during a trip to Amsterdam. And you can do it online before your trip. Just commit to a time and use your credit card to purchase passes on the Anne Frank House website.

Experience every inch of the space

Once inside, it’s easy to brush over the empty rooms that Anne Frank and her family hid in for two long years. However, plan to linger a little bit here. Soak in and visualize the scene as much as possible, because this is the most unique part of the museum.

But go soon — there are already plans in motion to seal off some of these areas with glass.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is an open and airy museum that’s easy to handle in one visit… if you can make it through the heavy crowds. Boasting one of the world’s greatest collections of Van Gogh paintings, the museum is incredibly popular, attracting more than 1.9 million guests in recent years.

You don’t need the audio guide

The layout is easy to follow with three floors exhibiting the artist’s work chronologically during his 10 years as a painter. Large text on the walls explain enough of Van Gogh’s life and style, so don’t bother paying extra for the audio guide.

Don’t waste time taking photos

In fact, don’t even think about snapping a picture, because they’re not allowed anywhere in the museum. This smart policy is to specifically avoid the problem of too many smartphones obstructing your experience of gazing upon a Van Gogh masterpiece.

Artworks by other artists are mixed in

Surprisingly, not everything you see on the wall is by Van Gogh. Paintings by other big names like Monet, Gauguin and Manet are interspersed into the museum’s Van Gogh galleries. Strange? Yes, but that’s why we’re telling you in advance. Reading those placards are more important than you think!

Rijksmuseum

With dozens of galleries on four floors exhibiting thousands of pieces of artwork, the Rijksmusuem is a labyrinth of a building for visitors to navigate. It also houses a treasure trove of relics across 900 years of history, so it’s no surprise that it can easily become an overwhelming experience. Knowing how to get to the top artworks is key to saving time and enjoying your visit.

Pick up a free museum floor plan

The Rijksmuseum floor plan is the key to your visit. You can find this free pamphlet at the information desk. (Pro tip: you can also download the museum’s app before you go, and it has floor plans, free tours and more.) It’s a perfect pocket guide that gives a general overview of where all the top hits are located.

The biggies on the second floor include “The Night Watch” (Nachtwacht) by Rembrandt and the adjoining hallway known as The Gallery of Honour, which holds several works by Vermeer, Steen and others. Another area that always proves popular is the Breitner, Gabriel and Van Gogh room on the first floor that contains several masterpieces.

Use the gallery cards to quickly find the highlights

Don’t know what to focus on upon entering a gallery area? Look for the handheld laminated info cards that describe each room’s particular artworks in detail.

Special treat

We highly recommend ducking into the 19^th-century Rijksmuseum library (bibliotheek) on the second floor to admire the preserved architecture and book collection stacking up to four floors high.

Book in advance

Want to pre-purchase your ticket and skip the ticket line entirely? You can do that here.

The Red Light District glows every night with a sea of fun-loving tourists. Photo: qiou87

Red Light District

Despite its sultry and shady reputation, Amsterdam’s Red Light District is actually quite safe. There is always a big police presence in the neighborhood, and there are many hidden cameras keeping extra eyes on the streets. You also don’t have to worry about finding yourself alone on an empty street, because, for better or worse, rarely is the quarter ever quiet.

Watch out for boozers

The biggest concerns for visitors are usually from intoxicated tourists, like bachelor parties on a weekend bender. While most of these roaming groups are just out for a good time, they can also occasionally be a little intimidating and out of control. Just be aware of your surroundings, and you will be fine.

When to visit for a more mellow experience

To avoid the more rocking side of the Red Light District, it’s best to stroll around midday and early evening (before 8 p.m.). If you’re looking for a less sexy time to visit, with fewer ladies in the windows, visit from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. when many shift changes take place. During this dinner break, many windows are empty and the curtains are drawn.

The fun heats up in the evening

After 8 p.m. is usually the best time to see the Red Light District alive, a little rowdy, and glowing its dim shade of crimson. If you can handle (or are looking for) drunk tourists and big crowds, come here in the evening to find the big party atmosphere. Keep your wallet close and your purse zipped at all times, and expect most of the bars and coffeeshops in this district to be very touristy.

Related: 5 tips for surviving the Amsterdam party scene

A fun choice for budget hotels

Surprisingly, it’s also a really affordable place to stay. Just note, we only recommend staying here if the Red Light District scene is your idea of fun. If so, then you can find many rates around $100 at cheapo picks like Hotel International and Winston Hotel.

Otherwise, check out all of our budget hotels in Amsterdam. We have plenty of other choices far from the fun chaos of the Red Light District.

The post Tips for saving time and money at Amsterdam’s top attractions appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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.

Here are five reasons for Cheapos to be excited about visiting Amsterdam in 2013:

1. The 400th anniversary of the canal belt

During Amsterdam’s 17-century Golden Age, building grand canal rings around the city proved better for business and easier for commerce, given that boats were the country’s main form of transportation. (Bicycles came later.) The need for practical trade routes led to the creation of the Canal Belt, one of Amsterdam’s most recognizable features, and scenic spots for romantic views and photo ops followed.

Winning a UNESCO World Heritage title in 2010, these brick buildings, bridges and breathtaking waterways are still standing after 400 years. To celebrate along these dazzling canals, expect a cheery jumble of live music, outdoor multimedia projects and art festivities throughout the year.

The Rijksmuseum is set to reopen in the spring of 2013. Photo: Ben Kempner

2. The revealing of the new Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum

The Rijksmusem is one of the largest buildings in the city center, and for a decade the art museum’s external scaffolding has been a constant eyesore. But come spring 2013 its newly renovated 1.5 kilometers of space will hold over 8,000 pieces, revealing 800 years of Dutch history and culture – including Rembrandt’s “Night Watch.”

Nearby at the Museumplein, the neighboring Van Gogh Museum will also reopen entirely in April 2013. Just in time for Mr. Gogh’s 160th birthday. (Until then, visit the Hermitage Amsterdam to see a wide collection of Van Goghs.)

3. 125 years of a music masterpiece.

Amsterdam’s famous concert hall, the Concertgebow, celebrates 125 years of performances by filling the city’s streets with music. Plans are in the works to project live concerts throughout Amsterdam onto giant screens for free public viewing pleasure.

Throughout 2013, the grand and glamorous concert hall will live stream a selection of the 700+ performances scheduled for 2013. In addition, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and its 120 musicians take off for a world tour around the world, and a home performance is expected in August.

Happy 175, Artis Zoo! Photo: Nigel Swales

4. Oldest zoo in the country turns 175.

Set in the heart of the leafy Plantage neighborhood, Amsterdam’s old Jewish quarter, the Artis Zoo turns 175 in 2013. Artis houses an impressive collection of more than 6,000 animals, plus some gorgeous tulip-filled gardens, and a relaxing café atmosphere just next to the flamingo sanctuary. Expect some family-friendly events at this cultural oasis throughout the year.

5. 150 years of equality.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of abolishing slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies in the Dutch Antilles and Surinam. To celebrate, the Foundation for the Commemoration of Slavery is planning to hold events July 1.

Throw in Queen’s Day April 31 and Liberation Day on May 5, and the dozens of arts and music fests stringing the weeks together prove that summer in Amsterdam is going to be hopping with celebration in 2013.

Coming to Amsterdam in 2013?

If you’re planning to visit Amsterdam in 2013, be sure to stop by our guide to budget hotels in Amsterdam to find a good, central and cheap sleep for your stay. All of our editor’s picks have been inspected and approved. Read more in our Amsterdam guide.

The post Amsterdam in 2013: Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh reopen, canals turn 400, and more. appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Choosing the right ‘hood, therefore, is a good first step in ensuring that you’ll be well-positioned to get the most out of your trip. Keeping that in mind, here is my quick guide to Amsterdam’s neighborhoods, according to travelers’ varied tastes:

Museumplein
For art lovers

The Museumplein (Museum Quarter) is a charming neighborhood filled with museums and beautiful buildings dating back to the 19th Century. There are plenty of art-related activities here, from museums like Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum to everyday buildings boasting interesting architecture.

Classical music fans will benefit from the neighborhood’s famous Concertgebouw concert hall. Not only will its classical concerts dazzle visitors, but the building’s design will fascinate them. Keep an eye out for free lunch-hour performances.

For glimpses of local art and architecture, stroll down P.C. Hooftstraat and the neighboring lanes.

De Pijp
For students, eating out

Unlike the overtly European touch of the Museumplein, De Pijp offers flavors from all over the world. This is evident in the various architectural touches, the types of shops and activities, and of course, the fantastic eateries.

This neighborhood has a definite multicultural feel that will appeal to travelers looking for something off the beaten path. Given its bustling atmosphere and student community, this neighborhood will appeal to younger travelers and students. From exotic Moroccan food to dainty French cuisine, this is the perfect spot to eat out. Check out Bazar and Burgermeester for some yummy dishes at affordable prices.

Jordaan
For seniors

The Jordaan has an interesting history that includes an influx of immigrants, working class developments, and later, a redevelopment of the neighborhood. As a result, the area today boasts a unique and exotic vibe.

Because of its rich history and relaxed atmosphere, older travelers tend to fall in love with the neighborhood. For example, you can walk down meandering lanes lined with boutiques, studios, and galleries. You can visit historic spots like Rembrandt’s house on Rozengracht and his studio on Bloemgracht.

And there are quirkier spots, too. If you are curious about the way of life in a house boat, the Houseboat Museum is the place to go. The Pianola Museum, meanwhile, features a number of different pianos and other instruments.

Grachtengordel (Canal Belt)
For bar hopping

This area is easily recognizable because of its semicircular set of canal rings. (In our Amsterdam guide, the neighborhood is divided into Grachtengordel South and Grachtengordel West.) Formed mainly from three bigger canals called Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, this canal belt has a variety of attractions for everyone. However, since the canal belt surrounds the center, and hence the most popular tourist spots, this area offers a number of lively nightlife activities.

Catering to different types of travelers, this hood offers a variety of different bars and cafes. There’s the rustic De Pieper (Western Canal Belt Prinsengracht 424), the laidback Café `t Arendsnest (Herengracht 90), Bar Struik (Rozengracht 160) for the hip young ones, and for those who love sampling different liquors, try the De Admiral (Herengracht 319).

The post Amsterdam: Which neighborhood is right for you? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Editor’s Note: Pete and Meredith just spent a long weekend in Amsterdam. This is a post from their recent journey.

A little bit of history

In 1488, St. Anthony’s Port – today a weigh house that stands in the center of Nieuwmarkt Square in Amsterdam – opened its doors and became one of the Dutch capital’s original city gates. Later, the building was reconstructed to function as a guild house for surgeons and doctors studying medicine and conducting experiments.

An elaborate octagonal ceiling loomed over the resident medical ampitheater where Amsterdam’s finest practioners could dissect and then study the corpses of recently executed criminals. The general public was welcomed into the demonstrations, and they became as popular as a trip to the movies might be for us today.

Making history

In 1632, Rembrandt painted “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” in the guild house ampitheater. Today, you can visit this historic stomping ground simply by stopping into the Cafe In de Waag, a restaurant and bar now housed inside the original weigh station, in the center of Amsterdam’s Nieuwmarkt Square.

Today’s special

While dinner is a tad expensive here, a Cheapo can purchase a Heineken for €2.50 or a soda for €2.20.  The evening that we visited ‘In de Waag,’ we opted for nightcaps (two glasses of wine set us back €8). Since the wait staff wasn’t busy with a crazy dinner rush, we were able to linger long over our drinks and ask lots of questions about Rembrandt’s heyday, and how the building fit in to it all.

While we couldn’t exactly peek into the original room where Rembrandt painted the masterpiece, we felt close enough to the real deal. Considering that the Rijksmuseum‘s admission price is €10 per person, we felt like it was all a pretty good deal and a great Cheapo night out!

The post Cheapo Night Out Amsterdam: Cafe In de Waag appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.