Fancy a bargain weekend break? Why not go Dutch…

EASY to get to, elegant and cheap to enjoy – Amsterdam’s a must if you’re after a whistlestop weekend break.

Spend Friday evening in the canal district at the lovely little Algerian cafe, Rainarai (Prinsengracht 252; rainarai.nl) with a delicious soup or cous cous salad for under £5, and watch the boats go by.

On Saturday morning, wander the side streets of the quiet Jordaan neighbourhood.

Historic houses here are smaller but no less charming than the grand homes lining the canals. For lunch, grab bread, cheese, fruit and stroopwafels (Dutch pancakes with caramel filling) at the Lindengracht Market.

Take a break at The Central Library (Ooster dokskade 146; oba.nl), near Centraal Railway Station, for great views of the city from its top-floor terrace. Back in the centre, Elandsgracht offers budget options for dinner, whether you want Indian, Thai or a modest eetcafé.

Then it’s a short walk to Leidesplein, where you can enjoy free live music at the intimate jazz bar Cafe Alto (Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115; jazz-cafe-alto.nl).

After a refreshing morning, wander by the canals, fuel up at lunchtime on sandwiches at Italian cafe Caldi e Freddi at Spuistraat 106, before a trip to the National Monument on Dam Square at 1.30pm for a last look at the city with a free walking tour (freewalkingtoursamsterdam.com). A €1.55 (£1.30) entertainment tax is charged at the start of the tour.

Eurostar (eurostar.com) has tickets from London St Pancras from £78 return. Double rooms cost from £132 at The Hoxton Amsterdam (Herengracht 255; thehoxton.com).