Survive as a backpacker
Backpacking is an excellent way to see Amsterdam and the city welcomes backpackers with open arms.
Where to stay
The city has numerous hostels that start at around €13 per night depending on the time of year. Hostels are well equipped with both group dormitories and family rooms. Some of these have private bathrooms but cost a little bit extra. Most of the hostels have a communal kitchen area where you can cook yourself a simple meal, if you don’t want to eat out. Don’t forget to clean up though, and maybe steer away from using the microwave to cook kippers. The communal aspect of hostels is one of the big attractions to backpacking in Amsterdam and it is an easy way, especially if you are travelling on your own, of meeting new people.
Eating on a backpacker’s budget
If you are planning to eat out whilst in Amsterdam the street food is excellent and you can pick up a good meal for around €5. There are foods of all cultures to be found with in particular a heavy Indonesian influence. Most cafes too offer the traditional Dutch open sandwich – not just a snack but a meal in itself. These sandwiches come heavy laden with sliced meats, cheese and salad, with plenty of vegetarian options too. Another cheap way to eat is to visit one of the city’s buffet restaurants where you can get an ‘eat all you want’ dinner for around €10. There are several good buffets to be found in the busy Kalverstraat offering everything from herrings to pasta.
Attractions
There is an enormous amount to do in Amsterdam whilst you are visiting – in particular the city is famed for its diverse museums. If you are planning to visit the more well-know ones such as the Van Gogh museum you can purchase individual tickets. However if you are staying in the city for a few days a Museum Card is an excellent investment and will set you back €40. This will give you access to many of the city’s 50 museums and is valid for a whole year. There are also some excellent free museums you can visit such as the Amsterdam History Museum. This museum will easily fill a whole day and is full of both interesting and exciting exhibits.
Recommended accommodation search: Alpharooms - Hotels - Hostelbookers
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