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The credit crunch affects everybody around the world. During this difficult time we need time to relax, have fun with your friends, laugh and mainly don’t stress. Relaxing, having fun and especially not worrying about the credit crunch to much is the main goal we want to achieve.
Relaxing is for some people watching TV and lie on the couch, but for other people is that traveling and see new people and cultures. Do you want to travel and don’t spend too much money at the same time? I’ve combined these 2 aspects and applied them on the destination Amsterdam. If you happen to be visiting Amsterdam, here is a list of 10 cheap things to do as a tourist in Amsterdam in a recession in my point of view.
1. Red light district – For the people who don’t know the Red light District; The 2 busiest streets according to prostitution are the ‘Oudezijds achterburgwal’ and the ‘Nieuwezijds voorburgwal’. It is the huge contrast that is interesting to see. On the one hand the prostitution and on the other hand the monumental canal houses that survived the Golden Age.
2. Amsterdam Canals – The first things you will see when you arrive in Amsterdam are ‘the typical canals’. Amsterdam is well known because of them. There is a big history behind the Amsterdam Canals but the main thing to know is that the 31st of July is there a big open-air festival on the canals and you cannot afford to miss it.
3. Window shopping and spotting celebs – Although it can get you into a depression, the best place to (window) shop is PC Hooftstraat.It is an expensive street with shops such as Gucci, Chanel, Cartier and Louis Vuitton. In this street you can see many national and international celebrities shopping and wearing a big sunglass, some with bodyguards and some without.
4. Anne Frank House – For some education for adults and children you must see the Anne Frank House. Inside is a very personal atmosphere and it feels like you are in her story. Price is EUR 8, 50 per adult, EUR 4, – for children 10-17 year and children 0-9 year is for free.
5. Vondelpark – Amsterdam is full of parks and the Vondelpark is one of the biggest. Many people, not only Dutch people but also tourists, are coming here every day just sitting, reading, laughing, listening to music, playing guitar, walking, cycling and relaxing.
6. Floating Flower market – For the flower lover there is a large floating flower market with many stalls stands on houseboats. This market is the whole year.
7. Rembrandtplein – The first things you will see when you walk onto the Rembrandtplein are the many terraces. Especially when the sun is shining, it is the best situation to go there and just enjoy watching people walking by. Even if you love theatre there are plenty of theatres to visit.
8. Amsterdam Walking Tours – In my point of view the best way to see and explore Amsterdam is by foot because it is hard to go there by car. There is a variety of tours that shows you the different highlights of Amsterdam.
9. Rijksmuseum – To see the paintings of Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer in real, you must go to ‘Het Rijksmuseum’. ‘De Nachtwacht’ in real is much more impressive than on TV, internet, books or magazines. It is a very special experience and if you have never loved art before than you will when you have visit this museum.
10. Hanging out in the Jordaan – The Jordaan is an area in Amsterdam with very narrow streets. In this area are many boutiques and shops, so this certainly is a place where you can shop till you drop. There are interior-shops, bars, cafés and markets.
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Holiday rentals Amsterdam & Boutique Hotel rentals.
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