NEWS
EVENTS
ON A BUDGET VS. SPOIL YOURSELF
Friday 9th September 2011 | Osh
Amsterdam, Holland
If you are looking for a city break across the waters, then Amsterdam is only a 40 minute plane ride away. Whether you are lucky enough to splash out or merely on a cheap weekend bender, we’ve come up with the best picks of restaurants, clubs and culture to help you get the most out of this stunning city.
On a budget
Stay
Hostel Croydon - £27.99 / £29.99
Situated just a five minute walk from Central Station, the ironically named Hostel Croydon decorates the bank of the canal rather nicely. With the infamous Red Light District round one corner and Dam Square round the other, the basic, clean rooms provide the right ambiance for those who plan to tour the city by day and party by night.
Find Me: Warmoesstraat 75
Lunch
Takeaway - £2.99
We are familiar with the term fast food, but it doesn’t come any faster than this. Around any busy tourist street you will find popular takeaway shops double the size of the usual UK vendors, piled high with burgers and chips. Remember, the Dutch enjoy their chips with lots of mayo.
Find Me: Anywhere
Dinner
Broodje Bert - £10
Do not be fooled by appearances. This tiny corner café offers delicious and very generous portions of Turkish food at a steady price. Ranging from lamb meatballs in pita bread to omelettes, you’ll need to catch this one before closing time at 5pm.
Find Me: Singel 321
Clubbing
Rembrandtplein - £2.50 / £12
If you are looking for a night out on a budget, a crawl around the selection of free bars in the Rembrandtplein area is your best option, with music ranging from house to R&B and Heineken on tap from £2.50. If this is not your scene, the square itself is leaking with tourists who want to have fun.
Find Me: Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square)
Culture
The Sex Museum - £3
It is inevitable. Renowned for its Red Light District, Amsterdam’s sex museum offers an insight into the history of the city’s nether-regions; human sexuality and eclectic pieces of art offering an, shall we say, alternative view on sex, are also on show.
Find Me: Damrak 18
Spoil Yourself
Stay
Hotel De Paris - £80
If you have cash to splash then this hotel is the way to go. Slightly outside the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Hotel De Paris is situated near the other entertainment area of Leidsplein. All rooms offer a mini bar, air con and luxury amenities, making this hotel ideal for business trips and families.
Find Me: Marnixstraat 372-374
Lunch
The Hard Rock Cafe - £25
Dine in the American Hard Rock Cafe with a Dutch twist and watch the canal boats gliding past you. At £25 per head the restaurant will more than satisfy your stomach and tide you over until the evening, serving mouth-watering steaks and hot fudge sundaes for when you’re craving a bit of comfort food.
Find Me: Max Euweplein 57-61
Dinner
Rain - £35
A restaurant of many faces; by day a place to eat and by evening a place to drink. If your taste buds are feeling adventurous, this exciting menu offers a peculiar mix of world cuisine from crispy duck salad to hazelnut brioche. Modern, lively and music-fuelled, this is the place to be.
Find Me: Rembrandtplein 44
Clubbing
Escape - £12 / £20
If you’re looking for an intense clubbing experience complete with strobe lighting and a throbbing bass, then Escape is the place to visit. Located in the main square, it is one of Amsterdam’s largest clubs, hosting five rooms and a variety of DJs every weekend.
Find Me: RembrandtPlein 11
Culture
Canal Cruise - £6.70
Sightseeing by foot can be tiring, so Amsterdam saves you the trouble of walking with mini cruises on their canals. The one hour journey takes you around the historical city, giving you the opportunity to view the spectacular Medieval churches and Golden Age buildings from a different angle.
Find Me: Prins Hendrikkade 33a
