10 free things to do in Amsterdam: : the best tips
As known, Amsterdam is not a cheap city trip destination. Therefore, we looked for 10 free things to do in Amsterdam to spend a cool day in Amsterdam. This was not hard, because there are plenty of things to do for free in Amsterdam. Ideal for whatever reason you have not to spend money and at the same time enjoy city life in Amsterdam.
10 free things to do in Amsterdam: discover the beautiful city
We came up with a list with the best things to do for free in Amsterdam, so that you will get to know Amsterdam even better!
Free City walk through Amsterdam
For a city walk through Amsterdam you do not need to book a guided tour! Take matters into your own hands by downloading a city guide on your phone. Examples of where you can find such free city guides are VVV, Lonely Planet and the Telegraph.
Free Museums in Amsterdam
Several museums have parts that are free to visit. For example the Schuttersgalerij that is part of the Amsterdam Museum. It offers an impressive collection of both historical and modern portraits of the Dutch nobility. Or take a look at the Treasury (the safe of the former Dutch Trade Company) in the Amsterdam City Archives. It has been named by The Guardian as one of the ten best free museums in Europe. The gardens of the Rijksmuseum are also freely accessible to the public on a daily basis. This sculpture garden is a new city park and an extension of the museum where visitors can relax. And last but not least: The Eye Filmmuseum, which is open every day from 10.00 until 16.00 so you can enjoy their movie collection for free!
Free ferry in Amsterdam
One of the popular attractions in Amsterdam is a cruise through the canals. If you do not want to spend money on this, but still want to sail, you can take the free ferry behind the Central Station and sail through the old harbor. From the ferry you have a beautiful view of the skyline of Amsterdam and the modern buildings.
The Begijnhof
One of the most special places in the center of Amsterdam is behind a door on the Spuiplein. This door leads to the Begijnhof: a medieval courtyard where the women of the Catholic sisterhood lived. It is unclear when exactly, but somewhere in the 14th century this court was founded as a living environment for the Begijnen. These women lived like nuns, but lived more independently and had more freedom. In the 16th century, the Catholic faith was forbidden. The Beguinage was the only Catholic institution that remained, because the houses were private property of the Beguines. They did have to give up the chapel. Later, a new church was built behind the facades of a few houses, a so-called hiding church. You can still visit this one.
Nice to know: once you enter the Begijnhof, it will feel like you are in a completely different world. The beautiful and peaceful courtyard is perfect to escape from the bustle of city life!
Free Festivals in Amsterdam
There are plenty of free festivals where you can go to in Amsterdam. Few from the many are Kingsday, Gay Pride, Uitmarkt, Open Monument Day, Grachtenfestival, Roots Open Air and Amsterdam Light Festival.
Looking for festivals which are not for free?
Free Concerts in Amsterdam
Free concerts in Amsterdam? Oh yes! In the National Opera & Ballet you can be present at free concerts every Tuesday afternoon at 12.30 pm. Also the Concertgebouw organizes free lunch concerts on Wednesday afternoons at 12.30 pm. You can also go to the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ one Thursday a month for a free lunch concert. Het Bimhuis treats you weekly at at least one evening concert, workshop or jam session. In addition, there are free concerts every week on several days at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
Parks
On the outskirts of the city you will find the largest and greenest playground in Amsterdam: the Amsterdamse Bos. Walk past freshwater lakes, visit the goat farm and look past the art installations that you encounter along the paths everywhere. Still prefer to stay in the city? Then take a walk through the Vondelpark (Amsterdam City centre), Oosterpark (Amsterdam East), Flevopark (Amsterdam East), Westerpark (Amsterdam West), the Sloterplas or Rembrandtpark (Amsterdam South) and settle down for a picnic.
Gassan Diamonds
At the diamond company Gassan Diamonds you can watch for free over the shoulder of diamond cutters, who explain why Amsterdam has been called the ‘City of Diamonds’ for 400 years and how the diamond process works.
Free Markets in Amsterdam
After you have been to Gassan Diamonds, you can walk on to the lively (neighborhood) markets that Amsterdam is rich of, such as the famous Albert Cuyp, the Noordermarkt, the Dappermarkt or the Ten Katemarkt.
Street art
Do you enjoy watching some real good street art? In Amsterdam there’s plenty of street art to see. For example Spuistraat, NDSM wharf, Schellingswoudebrug, Marnixstraat, and Wijdesteeg.
