Amsterdam is one of those destinations that has made its way onto the bucket list of many world travelers. The beauty, history, and rich culture of the city make it a unique, unforgettable place to visit that will undoubtedly leave you with priceless memories. But those priceless memories do, unfortunately, come at a cost.
Amsterdam, on average, costs an individual traveler planning to take in the city’s sights and tourist offerings over $2,000 per week to visit.
While the average rate to visit Amsterdam can be costly, as with most trips, the price tag can fluctuate depending on the individual choices you make regarding your travel expenses. Deciding whether or not you want to have a first-class experience, when you plan to go, how long you plan to stay, and what you plan to do on your Amsterdam getaway will all factor into the affordability of your trip.
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Is Amsterdam Expensive to Visit?
Amsterdam is an expensive place to visit due to the basic economics of supply and demand. Because it is a highly sought-after travel destination, and there is a limited amount of space designated for visitors, the cost of traveling to this legendary city is one of the highest in Europe.
Multiple factors make Amsterdam such an in-demand and hot tourist spot for today’s travelers. Those include:
- As its capital city, Amsterdam is a one-stop-shop to taste the culture of the Netherlands. Because of its small size and numerous museums and historical sights, per capita, Amsterdam is THE most culturally rich destination in the entire world. It is a can’t-miss for any visitor looking for a trip into the background of not just the city but the whole country, as well.
- It is one of the safest places to visit in Europe. In fact, Amsterdam is classified as one of the top 25 safest cities in the entire world. This element indeed puts Amsterdam on the map as a popular wayfarer’s haven.
- It is, simply put, beautiful. Amsterdam itself is constructed around its gorgeous canals, making its architecture one of a kind. Its consistent rainy weather is cause for its extensive green surroundings, making its outlying areas pleasing to the eye. And those are just two contributors to Amsterdam’s beauty.
- Its cultural diversity. This city is well-known for being accepting of virtually all walks of life. This is a major contributing factor that makes Amsterdam a favorite destination for travelers worldwide.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to Amsterdam for a Week?
As with most vacations, the final price on a trip to Amsterdam will vary depending on many factors. Ordinarily, as previously stated, you can expect an average trip to Amsterdam for one week to run an individual tourist about $2,000. This cost includes the cost of local travel, meals, lodging, and attractions/entertainment.
If your visit includes first-class accommodations and taking in as many tourist attractions as possible, then you can expect your costs to increase from around $2,000 per week to upwards of over $3,000 per week.
On the other hand, with budget accommodations and only taking in a minimal amount or no popular tourist attractions, an individual can visit Amsterdam for around $500 per week.
What Is the Cheapest Month to Go to Amsterdam?
Almost every destination’s cost varies from month to month. Generally speaking, this variance is based upon that particular location’s weather. The better the weather, the more expensive it is to visit that location. The most consistent part of the weather in Amsterdam is its inconsistency, so the most significant factor determining the cheapest month to travel here is based upon what is going on in the city.
Generally speaking, the cheapest month to travel to Amsterdam is January. Prices typically start to lower in November, arise again around Christmas, go down again after the holiday, and then rise again at the end of February. During this time, you will typically find that the main tourist attractions have fewer visitors, so if you don’t want to fight the lines and crowds, it is another reason for it to be an optimal time for your trip.
How Many Days Do You Need to Spend in Amsterdam?
As previously mentioned, per capita, Amsterdam has more culture than any other city in the world. While it is not a vast city, size-wise, it is has a HUGE amount of things to see and do, so it is challenging to determine precisely how many days, as a tourist, is optimal for a propper visit to Amsterdam.
As the cost that we have gauged our trip by thus far has been a week, it is safe to say that you will not be without things to do, see, or experience with a seven-day stay in Amsterdam. However, suppose you do not have that much time or money to spend on your getaway. In that case, it is recommended that you schedule no less than three days in this culturally rich city to be able to take in its absolute must-see attractions and sights.
What Are the Most Popular Tourist Destinations in Amsterdam?
So many things to see. So little time. If, as with most tourists, you have a limited amount of days to spend in Amsterdam, and you know that there are numerous things to see, you want to make sure to hit the most popular tourists attractions the city has to offer during your stay.
Anne Frank’s House
Whether or not you typically find yourself visiting historic landmarks, no one should visit Amsterdam without visiting the house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during WWII. Frank wrote her famous diary here, giving her family’s account of their plight to survive persecution when their only crime was being Jewish. The home retains its same state as when the Frank Family found a temporary sanctuary within its walls.
As this IS one of the most popular attractions the city has to offer, it is recommended that you purchase tickets to Anne Frank’s house before planning your trip. It is not uncommon for this historical landmark to be sold out for months in advance, so if you want to make sure you can take in this once-in-a-lifetime site, then plan ahead.
Van Gogh Museum
One of Amsterdam’s most visited attractions since its opening in 1972, the Van Gogh Museum is home to the most extensive collection of artwork and memorabilia of Vincent Van Gogh’s. The majority of the collection was donated to the museum by his brother and other family members.
Two of the collection’s most famous pieces include The Potato Eaters and Sunflowers. It boasts ownership of many pieces of personal correspondence from the painter. It also regularly exhibits artwork from other renowned artists inspired by Van Gogh.
The Van Gogh Museum has a wide array of tours available, including a multi-media presentation that allows you to see the painter’s works from different angles and perspectives while offering an audio accompaniment, just to name a few of its features. There are also educational workshops that are often provided as well.
Check for times and availability during your Amsterdam trip to make the most of your visit to this can’t-miss attraction.
Canal Tours
One of the best ways to take in a tremendous amount of Amsterdam’s offerings is through a canal tour. As the city was built around its over 100 canals, this is the biggest bang for your buck to see the city’s unique, beautiful architecture, natural surroundings, and most coveted views.
These tours vary vastly in length and what is offered, so doing some research into this before your trip will ensure that you take the tour best suited for you.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum (National Museum) is another can’t-miss attraction on virtually everyone’s list, and it lies at the heart of Amsterdam’s Museum Square. Since its inception in 1798 to house the countries most significant historical pieces, the museum has acquired over one million artifacts. It boasts artwork from famous painters such as Rembrandt and has over 8,000 pieces of art on display at any time.
Operation Night Watch is a renovation project dedicated to preserving and restoring Rembrandt’s work. The museum’s guests can watch this work in progress, as the restoration crew is working hard on the project live during viewing hours.
The museum is also home to a Five-Star Michelin Restaurant, offers many daily tours, including a canal art tour, and welcomes over 2.5 million guests per year. This attraction will appeal to virtually every traveler and should be on every tourist’s list of must-sees.
The Red Light District
No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a trip to its infamous Red Light District. This area is the home to myths and legends the world over, and the city’s sites even say that probably what we have heard is all true. However, the area has taken on a more family-friendly, safe vibe in recent years.
Home to legal prostitution for decades, the Red Light District is probably more family-friendly and safe during daylight hours, but after dark is when you will get a better vibe for what the area is known for: a place where virtually anything goes.
Things to keep in mind while visiting the Red Light District include:
- Don’t take pics of the “occupied windows.” This is strictly forbidden and can cause lots of problems.
- Don’t go if you are easily offended.
- Watch out for pick-pockets.
- Try to go in a group.
- DO NOT buy ANYTHING from dealers.
While an area steeped in history, the Red Light District is a place that is not for the faint of heart, but what visit to Amsterdam would be complete without it?
Amsterdam Is Calling
If Amsterdam is calling your name, it is attainable to heed the call and visit this historic, culturally-rich city if you have the right amount of funds to see you there and home again. It is sure to be a trip filled with experiences that will be well worth the expense, but the expense could be just as great as the memories made there.
While there are things you can do to make your trip to this legendary city more affordable, planning for it to take a chunk out of your wallet is the most logical course of action to take to prepare you for the reality of the situation. A week in Amsterdam is, no doubt, going to be expensive, but it will also, no doubt, be worth the time and effort it takes to save up and take this once-in-a-lifetime trip to a city like no other.