Amsterdam is one of the favorite cities for travelers in Europe, and in this post we’ll give you 15 tips with everything you need to know to save money on your visit. Want to know how to travel Amsterdam on a budget? Keep reading…
🔝 If you’re visiting the city of canals, check out this article things to do in AMSTERDAM in 4 days, Amsterdam in 3 days and Amsterdam in 2 days.
1) Use public transportation
One of the best ways to get around Amsterdam is with public transportation. The network includes buses, trains, subways, trams, and ferries. Currently, tickets can only be purchased electronically, using a credit or debit card.
You can buy tickets for one hour of use or get passes for longer periods. Some of the best options are:
- GVB day pass: valid for all public transport, available from a minimum of 24 hours up to 7 days.
- I Amsterdam City Card: this card not only gives you access to attractions, but also covers public transport for the duration of your card.
2) Find cheap accommodation in Amsterdam
In this city, accommodation can be a real challenge for your budget. You’ll find a wide variety of options like hotels, hostels, and even boat hotels, but most of them come with high prices.
The best way to save money is to book in advance, so you can find those popular places known as the 3 B’s: “good, nice, and cheap.” These get booked out quickly, so planning is key to getting a room at a good price.
Another alternative is to stay outside the tourist center, about 15–20 minutes away by train or bus, or even across the wider canals. Prices are much lower, and you’re still close to the center by public transport.
🏨 Find the best accommodation in Amsterdam here.
3) Where to eat cheap in Amsterdam
Amsterdam supermarkets are a good option for ready-to-eat meals that just need reheating, or for fresh salads and sandwiches.
If you want to try local food, markets are excellent places to taste it at reasonable prices (see some options below). At the food stalls you can find fish, cheeses, and the famous stroopwafels for under 10 euros.
Most restaurants offer a set lunch menu where you can eat for about 20 euros.
Finally, you can always go for fast food chains, which have standard menus like burgers or pizza at prices similar to market stalls.
🍺 In Amsterdam, restaurant kitchens usually close between 9 and 10 pm. Make sure to go out for dinner early to have all options available.
4) Visit Amsterdam’s markets
Amsterdam has a wide variety of markets that are really worth visiting. From flowers and food to second-hand goods, they’re ideal for exploring without overspending. The most important ones are:
- Flower Market: the famous Bloemenmarkt is the only floating flower market in the world. It specializes in plants, bouquets, bulbs, and even seeds.
- Albert Cuyp Market: located in the De Pijp neighborhood, it’s been running for over 100 years and is the largest open-air market in Europe.
- Waterlooplein Market: one of the city’s oldest, and along with Albert Cuyp, it only closed during the war.
- Spui Square Market: an art market held on Sundays.
- Nieuwmarkt Square: focused on organic products and the only one open every day of the week.
💯 Planning to explore the country? Check out our recommended 5-day Netherlands itinerary.
5) Enjoy free music
If you like music, take the chance to enjoy free performances every Wednesday at noon with a 30-minute concert at the Concertgebouw hall. This runs from September to June, and it’s best to arrive early since many locals take advantage of this free show.
In the Boekmanzaal hall, from October to June every Tuesday you can enjoy rehearsals of the Philharmonic orchestra, the opera choir, and the ballet orchestra.
If classical music isn’t your thing, you can also catch jazz sessions at Bimhuis on Tuesdays at 10:00 pm.
6) Free panoramic views in Amsterdam
At the NEMO Science and Technology Museum you can access a rooftop terrace with panoramic views without paying admission, just head to the stairs or elevator.
You can also visit the Amsterdam Public Library. In addition to housing over a million items, it has a restaurant on the 7th floor with a terrace overlooking the city. Entry to the library is free, and it often hosts temporary exhibitions, group readings, and concerts.
Another option is the Okura Hotel. Take the elevator to the top floor to enjoy panoramic views of Amsterdam. It’s one of the best places for a bird’s-eye view of the city.
7) Travel for free on the Ferry
Sailing through Amsterdam’s canals is one of the most expensive activities in the city, but here’s an alternative: the free ferry.
The city runs a network of 6 ferry lines to get across different points. They usually connect one side of the canal to the other.
You can also take a longer ride by using the service that goes to NDSM Werf, departing from the dock behind the Central Station.
8) Explore Amsterdam with a free walking tour
Take advantage of your visit and discover the city’s highlights with one of the many Free Walking Tours available. This way, you’ll learn about Amsterdam’s history and culture from an expert guide.
9) Stroll through the parks
- Vondelpark: with more than 50 hectares, it features 6 playground areas. In summer, there are open-air theater performances.
- Rembrandtpark: besides ponds and play areas, it has a children’s farm with an entertainment center. Kids can learn to make jewelry, ride horses, or build huts, among other activities.
- Rijksmuseum Gardens: admission to the museum requires a ticket, but the gardens are free. They feature sculptures, fountains, ponds, plants, and flowers. You can also request a free printed guide with information on everything in the gardens.
10) Get the I Amsterdam Card
Most of Amsterdam’s top attractions require an entrance fee, so buying a city pass is a smart idea.
This card includes free entry to 70 museums, including the most important ones such as the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and NEMO Science Museum.
It also includes a 1-hour canal cruise, free bike rental, discounts at the Heineken Experience, and, as mentioned earlier, public transport access.
📷 Ready? Buy your I Amsterdam City Card here.
11) Take a guided diamond tour
For over 400 years Amsterdam was known as the city of diamonds. Today you can visit Gassan Diamonds for free and join a guided tour of their polishing factory. At the end, you’ll have the option to purchase a diamond souvenir (although this part might not be the cheapest).
Coster Diamonds also offers free tours every day in several languages starting from 9 am.
12) Visit Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is a secluded courtyard dating back to the 14th century, accessible during the day through its garden gate. This small community was once inhabited by nuns devoted to helping others. Inside, you can visit the English Church and Amsterdam’s oldest house, called Het Houten Huis.
Besides this traditional inner courtyard, there are other similar ones in the city center that often share the same name. All of them are peaceful spots worth visiting.
📌 Remember you can only walk along the paths marked for visitors and avoid taking photos of the residents.
13) Check the festival calendar
Throughout the year, the city hosts a wide variety of events and festivals, with the busiest season running from April to October. You can see the full schedule at this link.
Some of the most important ones include:
- King’s Day: celebrated on the King’s birthday, which changes with each monarch. It’s one of the biggest festivals in the country. Locals dress in orange and celebrate proudly in the streets and canals. Expect boat parades, concerts, markets, and DJ sets in city squares.
- Amsterdam Light Festival: held between December and January, this winter event illuminates the city with light installations created by architects and artists.
- Open Monument Day: in September, during one weekend, monuments and museums open their doors for free.
- National Tulip Day: celebrated in January to mark the start of tulip season. Over 200,000 tulips are displayed in Dam Square, and visitors can take home a free bouquet.
- National Windmill Day: celebrated on May 10, when windmills across the country open to the public for free. It’s a way to showcase heritage and local traditions.
📌 Just a few kilometers from Amsterdam you can visit Zaanse Schans, where you’ll find some windmills still in operation.
14) Visit Museums with Free Admission
Most museums in Amsterdam charge an entry fee, but there are still a few options you can visit for free.
- Stadsarchief, the City Archives: this is Amsterdam’s historic documentation center. It holds maps, drawings, photos, films, and even audio recordings about the city. You can visit a gallery with art pieces about Amsterdam, a hall dedicated to the canals (part of the UNESCO heritage), and on Sundays there are free activities for kids.
- Schuttersgalerij, the Civic Guard Gallery: although it belongs to the Amsterdam Museum, this gallery with portraits of high society is free to visit every day. It includes works by Rembrandt, Hals, and others.
15) Take a Night Tour of the Red Light District
This neighborhood owes its name to the windows where sex workers pose or dance to attract clients. Although prostitution is legal in Amsterdam, workers are not allowed on the streets, so this is the elegant way they offer their services.
On your visit you’ll also find coffeeshops, bars, and plenty of nightlife. You’ll see sex shops too, with the most unusual items you can imagine. The best time to go is after sunset, when there’s more activity from both workers and tourists, with the busiest time around 11 pm.
⚠️ WARNING! Taking photos of the workers is strictly forbidden. You won’t get fined, but expect at least a warning from venue owners. Pickpockets are also common in this area, targeting distracted tourists.
📷 Join this guided tour of Amsterdam’s Red Light District.
Map with the Places Mentioned for Traveling Cheap in Amsterdam
This map shows all the places mentioned in the “Things to do in Amsterdam in 4 Days” article as well as those included in this guide.
🔝 Don’t forget to check out this article if you want to know things to do in Amsterdam in 4 days (and surroundings)!
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