free things amsterdam

Free Things to do in Amsterdam

By Dom Bewley

The concept of paying nothing for something intrigues many of us, like moths to a flame. So if you're visiting Amsterdam and are a little strapped for cash, you might be wondering what free things there are to do in the city. Well, wonder no more! Here are our picks for the best free things to do in Amsterdam!

Including:

  • Exploratory boat trips
  • Park hangs
  • Market browsing
  • Walking tours
  • Film fun
  • and more!
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Ferried Away

One of the Amsterdam's best-kept secrets is a river away. Even if you arrive in the city via Centraal Station, either by Eurostar or an airport-connecting train, you may pass right by and never even realize they exist. But they do. We're, of course, referring to the free ferries that run all day, every day, over to Amsterdam Noord.

Not only is boarding a ferry fun, because ferries are fun, but it also takes you to a completely different part of the city. Pay nothing, hop off, and go explore the northern neighborhood for yourself. There are bars, restaurants, clubs, street art, breweries, parks, and much more just a free ride away. And best of all, they run until around midnight, and if you miss the last one, you can simply book a taxi to take you the long way round back to town.

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Explore Amsterdam's beautiful parks!

Amsterdam prides itself on its fantastic green spaces. Whether you are, you're probably a 10-15 minute walk from one, so pull up your map and see what's close!

Our picks are Amstelpark which has fantastic facilities for kids, including a massive playground; Westerpark, a sprawling space full of picnic spots, bars, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment; or Vondelpark, with its looping paths and live entertainment.

But those are just three of the best. Really, there are too many to talk about here. So go out and explore them for yourself.

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Check out the city's market scene

Like many modern cities, Amsterdam has a bunch of markets to choose from, no matter what you're in the mood to peruse. And yes, while none of them will give you anything for free, window shopping won't cost you a dime.

If you're in the market for fresh produce to cook up a storm, try Nieuwmarkt in Central, or Noordermarkt-Boerenmarkt in Jordaan. In the market for some rare books or other paper-related artifacts? Check out Boekenmarkt. Feeling peckish and want a world of foodie goodness in one place? Foodhallen's got you covered.

Or, if you're looking for something else, check out our guide to the city's best markets.

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Free walking tours

If you're looking for informative walking tours to learn more about Amsterdam, you can even get them for free!

Sanderman's offers free tours around some of the city's biggest landmarks, from the Red Light District to the Anne Frank House. Their young yet experienced guides rely on tips to pay the bills, so while these are technically free, you really should tip them. You're not a monster, after all. Unless you are, in which case no, you should still tip these fine young men and women for teaching you facts and feeding your curiosity.

See, we weren't lying when we said there were free things to do in Amsterdam!

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Image courtesy of VanderWolf Images/Shutterstock

Visit the EYE Film Institute

You'll need to board one of those sweet free ferries to sample this next bite of free Amsterdam fun. You'll even see the EYE Film Institute from across the water. This strange, towering monument emerges from the ground like a robotic bird's head.

Step inside, and you'll find free film goodness in the form of interactive displays about Dutch movies. And, if you like them enough or want to show your support, you can pay a small fee to see whatever arthouse wonders they've got on rotation. Or, if you need more information about the institute, you can pay to explore the main exhibitions. Despite all that, getting in is still free, so it counts.

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Get on your bike

It's no secret that Amsterdam is a city designed around cycling. Everywhere you'll look, you'll find packed cycle lanes which help keep the air clean and the roads free from anything but the most intense traffic jams.

Cycling is simply the best way to get around a city, so if you have yours handy, go out and explore on your two-wheeled wonder. You'll make quick work of Amsterdam's more compact size, whizzing and darting to every landmark imaginable in a matter of hours. Just make sure to snap some pics of your discoveries to leave all your social media 'friends' green with jealousy.

Given the city's affinity for the humble bike, riding around is easily one of the best free things to do in Amsterdam.

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Image courtesy of Maykova Galina/Shutterstock

Free museums

Yes, even some of Amsterdam's museums have free areas you can explore with light pockets. While you'll be turned away from Amsterdam Museum, you will very much be welcomed into the Civic Guards Gallery, where you can gaze upon the opulent portraits of the city's elite through the centuries, as well as the wonderful sculpture depicting the biblical tale of David fighting Goliath.

Or, learn more about the city's history at the Amsterdam City Archives. The Treasure Room is a splendid time capsule of city artifacts that date from the mid-1920s through to today. And yes, it's free. Free as a bird.

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Great views of the city

Amsterdam is a city with undeniable beauty, from its many rivers and canals to its architecture. So, if you're looking for great views of the city without touching the piggy bank, then we've got you covered there too.

Head to the Amsterdam Central Library (for free), make your way up to the 7th floor (free), and then enjoy amazing views of the city from the panoramic terrace (for free!).

Or, scale the NEMO Science Centre, emerge onto the room, and look out upon the city, and marvel at its brilliance. There are also some free science exhibits up there, though you're missing a trick by not paying and seeing the entire museum.

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Cat boat!

Known as Poezenboot, this floating cat sanctuary has taken care of strays since the Sixties. It's pretty self-explanatory, what with it being a boat full of cats up for adoption, but it's nonetheless a great trip for those of you with feline sensibilities.

While it's free to board and browse, the sanctuary does rely on donations to keep afloat (pun intended, we'll take credit for fantastic wordplay whenever we can). So do toss them a few coins if you want to hop on.

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Free gigs!

Yep, you can even find free gigs on most days of the week if you know where to look. If you know your tenor from your senor, you might appreciate the free Tuesday concerts courtesy of the National Opera & Ballet. Or, if you like to get a little more hands-on, Bimhuis offers at least one free evening concert, workshop, or jam session every week.

And those are our picks for the best free things to do in Amsterdam!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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amsterdam public transport
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Getting Around Amsterdam - Public transport

Often dubbed one of the greatest of the world’s small cities, Amsterdam is not a particularly monstrous city. Indeed, with a footprint of just a little over three square miles, the city center could quite easily be covered in a day on foot alone. And yet, the city is often recognized for having some of the best transport infrastructure in Europe. From the emblematic canals delightfully splitting up the Dutch capital’s neighborhoods to its famous tram system covering just about all of the city, there’s a capable range of options for getting around Amsterdam to help you explore the city on your own terms. Public Transport Bus Amsterdam boasts an extensive network of buses servicing both the city center and the surrounding neighborhoods. Operated by three companies – GVB, Connexxion and EBS – Amsterdam’s buses offer a reliable means of getting across the city fast, with many routes servicing stops close to key social hubs and attractions. The city also operates twelve night bus routes to help you get around while exploring the city’s famous nightlife scene. Each of these routes helps to connect the city center with the surrounding suburbs, and buses typically depart every 30 minutes between midnight and 7AM. Tram Second only to bicycles, trams are perhaps the most recognizable mode of transport in Amsterdam. Connecting Amsterdam Central Station to the city’s many key areas and further neighborhoods, Lines 1, 2, 5, 9, 13 and 17 are typically your best bet for getting around the city. Depending on the day and time, the frequency of trams will vary, typically arriving every 5 – 10 minutes. Metro The Amsterdam Metro system offers an alternative means of traversing the central spine of the city and accessing the outer suburbs. Operating across five lines and servicing a total of 39 stops, the Metro offers the fastest and most efficient means of crossing through the city, passing through all major business and office districts alongside many train stations. Operating Times The three modes of public transport that make up the transport infrastructure of Amsterdam all operate on roughly the same schedule and ticketing service. The majority of services begin operations at 6AM and will typically continue until 12:30AM the following morning. Tickets & Passes Tickets and passes are wholly dependent on how long you intend to stay in Amsterdam and how often you plan to use public transport. For casual use, single and return tickets are available on all services on demand. You can also purchase passes which allow for unlimited travel for periods of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, offering slightly discounted rates as long as you get plenty of use from them. If you plan on staying in the Netherlands for more than three days, then your best bet would be to purchase and top-up an OV-chipkaart from any major transport hub. This pass is heavily used by locals and can simply be scanned whenever you hop on your transport of choice. On the Water Amsterdam’s canals are more than just an iconic photo op. Originally serving as means of water management, defense and facilitating trade, the labyrinth of canals accounts for 25% of the city’s surface area. Most of the traffic on the canals now consists of pleasure sailing, both private and commercial. If you’re looking for a unique means of getting around the city, there’s a plethora of boat tours available at your convenience to get you from A to B with a little local insight thrown into the mix. Alternatively, it’s also fairly simple to rent a boat for yourself, whether it be a manual pedal-boat, a small capacity electric boat or a full-sized barge for you and your friends. Cycling You may have heard it said that Amsterdam is home to more bicycles than people, and that’s no simple exaggeration. With roughly 1.1 bikes to each resident, it’s plain to see that the locals readily uphold the age-old image of the Dutch cycling nation. With over half of Amsterdam’s 800,000 residents relying on their bicycles as their daily mode of transport, it should come as no surprise that the city caters heavily to their preferences. In fact, with over 470 miles of cycle lanes making up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, cycling can often be the easiest means of getting around. To capitalize on this trend, there is now a huge selection of bike rental stores dotted throughout the city. You should expect to pay somewhere in the range of €10/day for rentals. If you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than a month, then purchasing a second-hand bike is a much more cost-effective option, with many going for between €50 and €200. Avoid buying bicycles on the street from unverified vendors, as these are likely to have been stolen and can land you in a lot of trouble. Cycling Safety Be sure to exercise some basic cycling safety and etiquette if you choose to ride in Amsterdam. Stick to roads and dedicated cycle lanes. Keep to the right-hand side and leave space for other cyclists. Make sure you have working front and rear lights when riding at night. Observe other cyclists’ body language to anticipate their actions and signal your own. If you intend to use your phone for directions, make sure to use a legal handlebar mount. Cyclists should overtake each other on the left, but can overtake other vehicles on the right. Only ring your bell when necessary. Always stow your bike in dedicated spaces and ensure you use a reliable lock. Taxi While road traffic is fairly minimal in Amsterdam, that can be quite the boon for those who need to get themselves across the city fast. Whether you’re looking for airport transfers or need to make it to an event quickly, taxis can be your best friend. Most taxis are regulated by the municipality to charge pre-set rates, so you should never have to face a surprise fee for your journey. Like in most cities, you'll find taxi ranks at the airport and most major transport hubs. Taxis can also be ordered at your convenience by calling up your chosen taxi firm, or you can make a booking via the TCA app. Alternatively, the likes of Uber and Bolt also operate in Amsterdam.
Anne Delorean
Amsterdam canals by night
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Things to do in Amsterdam at Night

Sure, Amsterdam comes with a slightly, shall we say, seedy reputation, but there’s so much more to this city’s vibrant nightlife than just red lights and cannabis cafés. Join us on our journey through all the best things to do in Amsterdam at night.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
valentines day amsterdam
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Valentine's Day in Amsterdam

Love. Perhaps the strongest of human emotions, according to some space-faring films, love can transcend time itself. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's start small, with everyone's favorite corporately-enforced love-iday, Valentine's Day. It's the one day a year when you're allowed to express your love to another, so make the most of it. And where better to do that than Amsterdam? One of Europe's most picturesque cities, it's ripe for Valentine's Day shenanigans. But if you've never been, or need a little help planning out the big day, we've come in clutch. Here's everything you need to know about Amsterdam to make Valentine's Day a day to remember. Including: Breakfast and brunch fun Romantic travel Loved up picnics in the park Love imitating art A canal send-off and more! Rise and shine Start things off with a bang - an amazing breakfast, of course! Amsterdam has plenty of brilliant breakfast and brunch spots, so take your pick. If you're looking for the Dutch spin on a full English, check out Greenwoods. If you've got plenty of activity packed into your Valentine's Day, you'll need a good meal to fuel you up. If the full English doesn't float your boat, they do pancakes, scrambled eggs, avocado toast, and loads more. Heading out later than breakfast? Grab brunch at G's Really Nice Place. Their chicken and waffles are to die for, especially when paired with a couple of cheeky cocktails. You could even dial the romance up to 11 and take your beloved on a boat brunch cruise through the city. Splendid. Looking for something lighter? Try Rum Baba. This coffee house/bakery/cafe has plenty of freshly-made treats, including vegan cake slices and other pastry treats; ideal if you want to stop off briefly before your date-day commences! Move it When your food has settled, and you're ready to bounce, don't hail a cab or board a tram. No! Get those limbs working, you jabroni. Amsterdam is such a beautiful city, so get your walking boots on or rent a couple of bikes to get to your next destination! You can laugh, cry, and enact all the other perfectly normal Valentine's emotions while seeing the beautiful city up close. Amsterdam is a city built with cycling in mind, so if you choose two wheels over two feet, you're in for a treat. You could even cycle out of the city to a romantic destination of your choosing. The Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, for instance, are only an hour or so away by bike, and offer fields upon fields of beautiful, multicolored wonders for you and your loved one to appreciate. Then, when you've had quite enough of the plants, cycle back and carry on your day. A bit of sweat never hurt anyone, right? A Valentine's picnic, anyone? What says 'I love you, but I don't want to spend much money proving it to you' more than a thoughtful picnic in the park? All that greenery, the sound of various fauna enjoying the sun, and the complete absence of pollution. Does it get any more romantic than that? If you're nodding your head right now, you'll be pleased to hear that Amsterdam is teeming with public parks. If you're looking for natural beauty over opportunity, pack a basket and take your picnic to Hortus Botanicus. This stunning park is punctuated with a set of greenhouses, which contain tons of exotic plants from all over the world. Find a plant that matches your partner's hair, and point it out to them - it could be romantic? Or, if you want a world of entertainment just a stone's throw away, take your picnic plans to Westerpark. Not only do they have tons of space to set out your picnic blanket and food, but they also have a plethora of bars and restaurants on-site that can do all the heavy lifting for you. You could even catch a show there, if you're theatrically inclined. Artistic license If you want to get your creative juices flowing, why not try a little art? Amsterdam has plenty of brilliant art galleries and museums for you to visit. If you've spent all day running around outside, perhaps a little inside contemplation would be just the ticket. Fans of post-impressionist landscapes, strange self-portraits, and ear-cutting hijinks, then there's a museum that's perfect for you. We're talking, of course, about the Van Gogh Museum. Learn all about the life and times of the master painter, explore his works through the years, and maybe pick your loved one up a gift at the shop if they're into it. Or, go modern with a trip to the Moco Museum. This thought-provoking collection of street art, featuring spray juggernaut Banksy, will open your mind and have you stroking your chin in thought. Then, when you're done, take proceedings to the nearby Cobra Cafe to grab a coffee or refreshing drink, and discuss what you just saw and how it made you feel. Valentine's Day is all about feelings, and in Amsterdam, it's no different. A smooch cruise Then, with the sun slowly setting, it's time to end your evening. If your partner's hungry, tell them you'll get takeout, but not before you stroll to Centraal Station to see the boats. Then, without warning, surprise your beloved with a luxury dinner cruise! They'll never see it coming, you devious dog. This two-and-a-half-hour cruise comes with a 5-course dinner, topped up with champagne, and features a plethora of meat, fish, or veggie options. A candlelit dinner has never been more romantic, and will end your Valentine's Day in Amsterdam with a bang! And that's our plan for Valentine's Day in Amsterdam! If you're visiting the city over the romantic period, you might be wondering what else to do while you're there. Wonder no longer. You thrill-seeking types will love our guide to adventurous japes. Forced to drag the kids along with you? Apologies, but we can help keep them entertained. Or, if your Valentine's Day in Amsterdam broke the bank, there are a bunch of cheap things you can do until payday. You are very welcome.
Dom Bewley

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