Amsterdam

[fayelc123]

Me & my bf are thinking of going to amsterdam for a weekend. What area is the best for cafes, bars etc.. is it Dam Square? and does anyone know of any cheap hotels or websites with cheap deals?

Thanks in advance x

[nickmo]

http://www.apartmentsapart.com/Europe/Netherlands/Apartments/Amsterdam/Studio for an apartment of your own which lets you get around to the whole city and choose how you eat and relax. Also here: http://lovingamsterdam.com/?source=overture

Dam Square prices are higher than some of those around 'cos you are at the heart of the tourist area - loads of cafes and bars all over the city to choose. Good guide at : http://www.timeout.com/amsterdam/ for the Time Out guide which is pretty reliable. You can't go too wrong - but suggest you stay away from the area to the left of the Central Station - take care wandering around as it is a big city and has the usual chancers, but it is a good place for a break and really recommend it.

Cheap to get to, trains to the city centre from the airoport are quick and eay, and loads to do with your time.

[twinkle2]

try www.laterooms.com, I always use this when going away somewhere.

As above, Dam square is the main place for shops, bars, cafes etc...

x

[Gef]

There are also some good restaurants and bars in the Red light district. If you stick to the busy streets you will have no problems. I bought the "Rough Guide" and it was well worth the money.

[smurfchops]

Where ever you stay make sure you visit the Anne Frank house, go early morning or later afternoon cos of queues. And take a hanky with you. You will love Amsterdam, it's a great place.

[Narolines]

Agree with Gef - some good places in the Red Light District, also on the far side of the Damrak (ie on the right if you stand with your back to Centraal Station). Don't know how cheap you consider cheap, but we usually stay at the Hotel France, literally 5 mins walk from the station, on the edge of the Red Light district and within falling distance of any number of bars & restaurants. Can't remember the URL offhand, but Google should find it. Most of the really cheap places are well out of the centre. It might be worth your looking around the Leidseplein area, down towards the Rijksmuseum - it may not be so much now, but until very recently it was a fairly bohemian district much frequented by students, intellectuals, musicians and the like. Have a good trip - lovely city.

[Narolines]

nickmo, when you say "to the left of Central Station" do you mean the left facing the station or the left with the station behind you? The left with the station behind you includes the red light district, which has some cracking bars & restaurants, and I've never felt in the slightest threatened wandering round there. Obviously you take the same sensible precautions as you would in any city, but I would have said it wascertainly no more dangerous than strolling round Soho in London - probably safer, in fact.

[Narolines]

That's France Hotel, but it answers to Hotel France as well! www.francehotelamsterdam.com

[Donquixote]

Head down towards the Heineken Brewery, into the student area of the city...loads of cool bars, great atmosphere, and not full of stoned tourists falling about all over the place!

[fayelc123]

Thanks for all your helpful answers!!