If you’re seeking a city filled with art, music, fashion, architecture, and nightlife – Amsterdam is the city for you! Known for its’ Red Light district, street lined canals, and historical museums, Amsterdam is definitely more than what meets the eye. It’s a great city to go to any time of year. Although it can be on the pricier side, there are definitely ways to make it more affordable. Fill your days with museum visits and free walking tours – save your nights for a show at the Paradiso, a little bar hoping, or eating at one of the delicious restaurants Amsterdam has to offer. Also, do yourself a favor and go into a local cheese shop – the cheese from the Netherlands is some of the best! Either way, if you’re on a budget or rolling in the dough, Amsterdam should be on your list of cities! Grab a bike and start exploring!

Some Must See Sites

Anne Frank Museum

• Cost: 9 Euro
• Timing: 9AM-10PM.
• Note: Starting 1 May 2016 from 9 AM to 3:30 PM the museum will only be open to visitors with an online ticket for a particular time slot. From 3:30 PM until closing time you can visit the Anne Frank House without an online ticket and purchase them directly at the museum entrance. Make sure you buy those tickets as soon as you book your flight!

Van Gogh Museum

•  Cost: 17 Euro
• Timing: 9AM – 6PM 1
• About: This entire museum is dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and I promise you won’t be disappointed! If you’re a fan of his infamous sunflower painting and/or would like to learn more about his personal and family life, this is the place for you!

Stedelijk Museum

• Cost: 15 Euro
• Timing: 10AM-6PM
• About: The Stedelijk is an international museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design. It has a great combination of photography, fine art, fashion design, and product design that is all perfectly curated!

Rijksmuseum

•  Cost: 17.50 Euro
• Timing: 9AM – 5PM
• About: This museum is as stunning on the outside as it is on the inside. Jam packed with Dutch arts and history, you’ll be able to find old boat models, to sculptures, to beautiful pieces of fine arts. A definite must see in Amsterdam to immerse yourself in the culture!

Paradiso

• Cost: Prices vary depending on the show you decide to see.
• About: The Paradiso is an amazing venue, which is why I’ve declared it as a must see in Amsterdam. If you’re a lover of music, go check out a show here! This old church turned venue has incredible acoustics, an affordable bar, and beautiful architecture that will leave you dazzled!

Dam Square

•  About: Dam Square is otherwise known as the Times Square of Amsterdam. With it’s convenient location in the heart of the city, many different events take place here making it a great stop on your list. Make sure to check out what’s around when you’re there!

Heineken Experience

• Cost: 16.00 Euro
• Hours: 10:30AM – 5:30PM
• About: The Heineken Experience is a great way to break into some early day drinking while learning a bit about one of Amsterdam’s famous beers! If you’re a fan of Heineken, or brewery tours in general, don’t miss out of this one!

American Hotel

•  The American Hotel is a classy place. Great for an afternoon tea, coffee, or lunch. The architecture in this hotel is absolutely stunning and should be seen regardless of your hunger or thirst needs. You won’t be sad you missed it!

Typical Costs Food/Drinks

•  Coffee: 2.00 – 5.00 Euros
• Beers & Cocktails: 6.00 – 12.00 Euros
• Meals on a Budget: 5.00 – 15.00 Euros
• Restaurant Meals: 20-25 Euros Accommodation
• Hostels: 15-30 Euros/night for a shared dorm room, privates are around 80 for a double.
• Hotels: Around 60 Euros/night and up Transportation
• Intra-city trains and buses are about 3 Euro for a one way trip.
• Renting bikes is a great, cheap option – all the locals do it!
• Tram: 2.90 Euro for a one hour ticket
• Taxis: Definitely on the pricier side and somewhat unnecessary. Public transportation in Amsterdam is great and reliable.
• Walking: The beautiful thing about walking – it’s FREE. Give yourself some extra time to walk from place to place if you’re feeling up for it! The canals in Amsterdam are best experienced when just winding around the city and letting yourself get “lost”.

Helpful Tips

• Currency: Euro
• Everybody speaks English
• If you’re lost – pop into a cafe or restaurant to get some wifi and find your way. Most have easy to access, free wifi. When I got a little turned around, all I had to do was stand outside of a coffee shop and connect!
• The summer time is peak season, which means prices go up, and lines get longer. Going in the low season will get you better deals and shorter lines. The weather in February is fairly mild, and not too cold!
• Download the offline map of Amsterdam on the app Maps.Me – best maps for tourism!!
• Make sure you mark where you’re staying, and always carry around a business card from them.
• *Must Try Traditional Food – Bitterballen: Bitterballen is a traditional Dutch snack that is a deep fried ball of goodness! Made with sausage mash and served with a delicious mustard dip, it’s a great snack to go along with your afternoon beer! Be like a local and make sure to try some of these!