The Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel Amsterdam

Amsterdam is known for being one of the most welcoming places in Europe. Not only are they know for being incredibly kind but the country as a whole is accepting and progressive. The following is my ultimate guide to solo travel Amsterdam. You will find some budget tips, things to see, and things to watch out for. You can find one of my other posts about travel safety during solo female travel here.

Budget Tips

When you are making your Amsterdam budget you will want to make sure that you are scheduling about €40-€80/day. As many travelers know, most major cities in Europe are not the cheapest but there are ways that you can save and several opportunities where you can spend more.

Make sure that you venture outside of the city center for deals on meals. Amsterdam is not known as a foodies paradise and even mediocre restaurants can be expensive. You can also save money by getting your food from take-away shops instead of traditional restaurants.

Amsterdam is a great place for hostels. If you can find a good hostel then you can save a bunch of money instead of staying in a hotel. I would also suggest that you look into getting an Airbnb. I speak religiously about Airbnb and you really will save a bunch of money.

Amsterdam is also a place that has really good public transportation. You can use either the bus or the “tram” and save some money. You can get a full day of use for about 8 euros.

What to See

1. Rijksmuseum: The museum was build in 1809 and has a collection of art work and antiquities. There are millions of art pieces and 35 thousand books. If you download the museum’s app then you can take advantage of their free self guided tours.
2. Van Gogh museum: This is a museum dedicated to the life and art of the famous artist named Vincent Van Gogh.
3. Ann Frank Museum: This should be on the list for everyone even if they aren’t into history. I don’t know how handicap friendly the museum but it is worth looking into.
4. Royal Palace: The palace was built in 1648 and is the official residence of king of holland
5. See Street Art: In some cases this is actually art that is drawn on the ground. It is really a site to see.
6. See the Floating Flower Market: This is the only floating flower market in the world and totally free to see.
7. Vondelpark: Largest urban park and totally free to go to.
8. See the Canal Ring Area: I personally am a sucker for a good looking gingerbread house. If you are into bikes then you will find that the Canal Ring Area has a bunch of them.
9. Take one of the free walking tours.
10. Enjoy the Houseboats: Take the opportunity to see the houseboat museum. There are a bunch of houseboats in Amsterdam and it is definitely something to look into.
11. Try to see the Albert Cuyp Market for good eating.
12. Take a boat cruise through the canals
13. Check out the famous windmills in Zaanse Schans

Things to Keep in Mind for Solo Travel Amsterdam

Don’t forget about the red light district. Amsterdam is very liberal when it comes to sex. Amsterdam has legalized prostitution, soft drugs, and pornography. All of which is readily available in Amsterdam. If brothels and sex shops are not your thing, you can still take advantage of the pubs, restaurants, and the cities charming canals.

Make sure you take advantage of all the amazing dutch baked treats. The Belgians are known for chocolates and the French are known for pastries but don’t forget about the dutch. They also make delicious treats and it is definitely worth-while to go and stop in a couple of shops. Try Winkle 43 for world famous apple pie.

There are a bunch of neighborhoods in Amsterdam. Any traveler should make sure that they take the time to research the different neighborhoods and find one that will fit their trip. There are several different parks that people can also enjoy. Try to spend some time in the fresh air and see one.

Try to prebook your tickets to museums. The lines can get very long and it will save you some time. Make sure that you pay attention to the bike lines. The locals are known for being more than willing to run people over. There is also this fun fact that many restaurants are going to close around 5pm to 6pm during the week.

There you have it. At least 25 different tips that you can use for solo travel in Amsterdam.