Amsterdam on a budget?

[GetOrfMyBin]

Hi,

DH and I are going to Amsterdam for 5 days at the beginning of August. We’re going for my mum’s birthday. We’re in the middle of moving house and so our spends budget is really going to be tight. Can anyone recommend cheap places to eat or things to do please?

DH has been to Amsterdam before but as a teenager. He thinks we will be bored by day 3 and won’t have anything to do. I’m not much of a drinker (either is he really) and don’t wish to partake in any of the weed scene.

Any hints/tips would be very much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

We went last year and were both dying of head colds so no drinking. We had a fab time. The flower market is amazing but you need to go pretty early in the morning, the tours are fab and our favourite thing was just to walk around it. We’d take the metro into the central station and just walked around. Some beautiful restaurants off the main tourist streets that are very reasonable.

Make sure to get a travel ticket - we got ours at our hotel. It was €15 and mean free trains, buses and trams so getting anywhere was sorted.

He thinks we will be bored by day 3 and won’t have anything to do.

This is hilarious.

What kind of things do you like to do?

If it’s nice weather you’ll be able to picnic—along with the rest of the city— which will save you a packet.

No kids to entertain I take it?

Whereabouts will you be staying?

Go on the free ferry to the north Amsterdam area! You can walk inland and its so beautiful. Could you hire bikes as you can take a picnic and cycle along the poulders watching the herons - it's just so peaceful.

Omg. Bored by day 3! No. Way. Amsterdam is amazing and there's heaps to do on a budget without smoking or drinking. I can assure you we do neither!!

I'm an Amsterdam blogger and you'll find masses of ideas on the blog. Do check out the accommodation section. The family post has ideas at all price levels. Amsterdam is small and hotels in the centre are expensive so consider staying a little out of town. Perhaps Haarlem which is a quick train ride in. Take a look at my "neighbourhood guide" for info.

www.amsterdamwonderland.com

Let me know if I can help with anything. X

Thank you for the replies so far, they’re really helpful.

No the kids are staying with MIL, so just ourselves to entertain. The hotel has already been booked we’re staying in Hotel Roemer, which my mum sorted out. I think the last time DH went it was a piss up and so in his mind if we’re not partaking in much drinking that there won’t be much else to do that doesn’t involved a lot of money. I’ve never been to Amsterdam so want to try and make the most of it.

I discussed the Anne Frank house with DH and he wasn’t keen on that, though I’d still like to go so maybe I can park him at a nearby cafe and go myself.

Thanks for the info RE the travel ticket, that will be useful. How much would you budget for 5 days? The hotel is room only, so need to sort food for breakfast, dinner and tea.

Thanks again.

Ooh fabulous location. Will be back at some later stage with ideas, got to run just now.

Definitely visit the AF house if it interests you. You can book your ticket online which will save you time. I recommend going late in the day if you can as it’s likely to be quieter and you’ll get a better feel for what it was like.

I remember renting a bike at the train station and just riding up and down the canals and through the parks. Lovely in the nice weather!

And the canal boat tours are great. Do an evening one, too!