Backpacking Tips for Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a very popular backpacking destination. It’s hard not to love the enchanting canals, the ringing of bells from local cyclists and the charming Dutch houses. You can spend many happy (and free!) hours wandering this good looking city, but every backpacker needs to eat, sleep and drink and that is when things start to look pricey. Amsterdam is not the cheapest city but with a little know-how and these Amsterdam backpacking tips, you can make your money work harder for you…

Where to stay
More economical than hotels, Hostels are great places to hook up with like-minded travelers and staff are always clued-up on cheap things to do and fun local nightlife venues. To avoid paying to eat out three times a day, book a hostel with guest kitchens. Other important facilities to look out for include personal lockers, Wi-Fi access or internet kiosks and hostels offering a free breakfast.

Here are a couple of top-rated places to stay…

AmicitiA: A moored barge just 10 minutes’ from central station with both shared and private rooms. The hostel offers a free breakfast and all your linen is included. From €19.50 per person, per night.

The Flying Pig Downtown Hostel: A popular small chain with a lively onsite bar, free internet access and a free city tour included in their rates. From €12.50pppn

Cocomama: A charming boutique hostel perfect for couples. They have both stylish shared and private rooms, a cute garden, bicycle hire and very friendly helpful staff.

What and where to eat and drink
If you have booked a hostel that offers a free breakfast and has self-catering facilities, you won’t need to eat out three times a day. There is a good food market along Albert Cuypstraat in the De Pijp neighborhood so you can pick up some local produce to cook with from there. A hostel with an onsite bar often has cheap drinks deals so you can start your night on the town from there. For a traditional Dutch meal Haesje Claes serves hearty helpings of stamppot, variations of sausage, bacon, vegetables and mash for about €15. Bourbon Street (Leidsekruisstraat 6-8) is a great late-night venue with live music (funk, soul, jazz and rock n roll) most nights of the week for as little as €3-€5 admission. For the late night munchies, Febo is popular and cheap fast food joint which dispenses burgers, sausages and croquettes from a vending machine – an experience in itself!

How to sight-see on the cheap
When in Rome…well, in this case Amsterdam, do as the locals do and hop on a bike to explore the city. There are lots of routes plotted and you can pick up a map from the tourist information center (there is one next to the central station). Rates vary between €8-€12 per day and make sure you get a lock. On sunny days, Vondelpark is a pleasant spot for a walk or a picnic and there are often free concerts held here in summer so check out the program. An alternative to a boat tour is the ferry from central station over to the IJ in Amsterdam-Noord, the oldest part of the port, for a fine view of the city’s waterfront. The Bloemenmarkt is a beautiful floating flower market and is a colorful spectacle throughout the year and, of course, it is free to browse and smell!

When to visit
Like most places, Amsterdam has both its warmer and colder months. But all seasons have something going for them. Around Christmastime there are festive markets, twinkling fairy lights over the snowy canals and of course, New Year in Amsterdam promises a free and spectacular party atmosphere and fireworks at Museumplein. In summer a number of man made sandy beaches are created so you have the chance to swim in central Amsterdam. To glimpse the colorful tulip fields, backpackers should consider visiting between late March and early May while Queen’s Day in April and Amsterdam Gay Pride are perhaps the most popular events with a party atmosphere. Be aware that their popularity also makes it an expensive time of year to visit so book a hostel well in advance to get the cheapest deal possible or visit in low season.