free things in Amsterdam you want to see or do
In Amsterdam, there are plenty of things to do for free. Perfect for whatever reason you have not to spend money and to enjoy the city anyway! And trust us that Amsterdam is cool, even without spending anything. We made a list with the 17 X the nicest free things to do in Amsterdam so that you won’t get bored when your budget is low. Completely free! Perfect for the visitors of our beautiful city but also for the locals. Get to know the city even better and check our list with our favourite free things to do in Amsterdam!
40 Free Things to Do in Amsterdam, Because Not Everything Has to Cost Money
Free Cinema at ‘t Zonnehuis
‘t Zonnehuis in Noord occasionally organises free film evenings and afternoons. The dates and films are posted on their Instagram.
Zonneplein 30, Amsterdam – Instagram
Free Art Viewing and Making at Pexpo
At Pexpo in Amsterdam-Noord, you can walk in for free to view art. They also regularly organise free workshops to spark your creativity.
Van der Pekstraat 47, Amsterdam – pexpo.nl
Beautiful Distress
The Beautiful Distress House focuses on making visible people with mental disorders, who are still too often excluded by society. The art at Beautiful Distress (Noord) aims to increase understanding and break taboos.
Ms. van Riemsdijkweg 41a, Amsterdam – beautifuldistress.org
The Morning Service at Carrรฉ
On the last Sunday of the month, Carrรฉ organises the Morning Service, which is free to attend. Every month, musicians Xander Vrienten and Daniel von Piekartz invite a third artist, but it is always a surprise who you will encounter. The concert starts at 11.00 am, and no registration is required.
Amstel 115-125, Amsterdam – carre.nl
ยฉ KONINKLIJK THEATER CARRร
Rijksmuseum Gardens
If you are not in the mood for viewing art or standing in long queues, you can thoroughly enjoy the gardens of the Rijksmuseum. Right next to the museum, you can enjoy the lush greenery and perfectly trimmed hedges.
Museumpromenade 1, Amsterdam
Theatre van Deyssel
On the border of Geuzeveld and Slotermeer, you will find Theatre van Deyssel – a tiny theatre run by and for the neighbourhood. Admission is free, but registration is a must.
Lodewijk van Deysselstraat 91, Amsterdam – frascatitheater.nl
Farmer Framed
Each year,ย Farmer Framed’s platformย organises various exhibitions, cultural and educational programmes, and exhibitions in Amsterdam-Noord and -Oost, free for everyone to visit. The themes are inspiring, educational, and relevant, such as ‘Art and Knowledge in Times of Crisis.’
framerframed.nl
ยฉ Farmer Framed, @farmerframed
Spui25
At Spui25, you can attend exciting lectures on various topics – from psychiatry to history and literature. Registration is a must.
Spui 21, Amsterdam – spui25.nl
Secret Garden
Want to discover Amsterdam’s secret garden? You will find it between Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and Nieuwendijk. The location is impressive, but what is also done with it? A new artist curates the garden every few months, making multiple visits a year worthwhile. Enter the garden via Sint Nicolaasstraat 19.
Free Art Exhibitions at MILK
Melkweg is, of course, a cultural hotspot in Amsterdam, but did you know about the associatedย MILK? Various artists exhibit here, with the central theme being ‘identity’.
Marnixstraat 409, Amsterdam – melkweg.nl/en/milk
Puppet Show on the Dam
Did you know that there is a puppet show every Sunday in the heart of Amsterdam? From May to October, puppeteer Egon Adel performs two shows every Sunday on the Dam, at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Contributions are voluntary.
Lunch Concert Buiksloterkerk
Theย Buiksloterkerk organises a free lunch concert monthly. On Sundays, the concerts start at 1:00 p.m. andย last about half an hour. Registration is a must.
Buiksloterkerkpad 10, Amsterdam – buiksloterkerk.nl
Audio Tour Vliegenbos Amsterdam
You will find a lush sculpture garden on the edge of the well-knownย Vliegenbos in Amsterdam. It is free to visit with a free audio tour, which is handy when you spot a bird.
vliegenbosamsterdam.nl
ยฉ Vliegenbos Amsterdam, @vliegenbosamsterdam
Speelboscafรฉ
Every Wednesday is playtime in the Noorderpark! Every Wednesday is a party for the little ones between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm because the Speelbos is open for kids. Think of clambering and swinging through the forest while parents enjoy a snack or drink in the cafรฉ (which is for a fee but not mandatory).
Noorderpark, Amsterdam – noorderpark.nl
Tekenwandeling
Get to know Amsterdam-Noord in an entirely new way and see this particular part of the city through the eyes of an artist. Liesje van den Berk organises a free drawing walk every month, and it is precisely what the name says: drawing your way through Noord. The walk starts at Boekhandel van Noord (Buikslotermeerplein), where all materials are provided. Registration is a must.
Buikslotermeerplein 70, Amsterdam – liesjeberk.nl
Museum voor onbedoelde kunst
The Museum voor Onbedoelde Kunst (MOK) has been collecting objects and installations from the public world that were never meant to be art but suddenly seem like it when placed in a museum.
t.t. neveritaweg 61 strand, Amsterdam – hetmok.nl
Pakhuis de Zwijger
Pakhuis de Zwijger organises hundreds of free events each year – from lectures to groundbreaking panel discussions. Almost every day, you can go for an evening out. Free reservations can be made online.
Piet Heinkade 179, Amsterdam – dezwijger.nl
Porsche Exhibition
At Move Amsterdam (the building where Wils and Wils Bakery Cafรฉ are also located), you can visit a free exhibition about Porsches – the dream of many car enthusiasts.
Stadionplein 28, Amsterdam – move.amsterdam
Soundwalk Oosterpark
Experience the Oosterpark in a new way. Try the Soundwalk, an initiative by Echoes. All you need is a phone and earphones and the Echoes app. It provides a route of about forty minutes, and when you stand under the different trees, they come to life through sound.
Echoes app
Oosterpark
Free Comedy/Kafรฉ at Studio/K
On the second Tuesday of the month, Studio/K organises a free evening to train your laughing muscles. During Comedy/Kafรฉ, Studio/K offers the stage to inexperienced comedians – and it often turns out surprisingly well. If you dare, you can also get on stage yourself.
Timorplein 62, Amsterdam – studio-k.nu
Free Meditation and Exercise at Verbroederij
At Verbroederij in Amsterdam-Noord, they regularly organise free events, such as meditation and exercise classes. There is De Bewegerij (free outdoor exercise) and a meditation class by Tessa. No registration or experience is required.
Johan van Hasseltweg 21, Amsterdam – deverbroederij.nl
Dwaalspoor – Stout Konijn
Every Saturday, there is a party at Tolhuistuin, where you can pick up a free map at the Leeshuis between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The map contains clues for a treasure hunt leading you through the enormous maze Stout Konijn has dug under the Tolhuistuin building. In short, it is fun for young and old.
Tolhuisweg 3, Amsterdam – stoutkonijn.nl
Slatuinen van West
In Amsterdam-West, you will find the Slatuinen van West – a relatively unknown part of Amsterdam. Here, you will feel like you are outside the city for a moment, in about 4000 square metres of greenery.
Slatuinen 45, Amsterdam – natuurtuinslatuinen.nl
City Walking Routes
Feel like stretching your legs with a nice stroll through the city? We’ve mapped out several enjoyable routes for you, taking you along Amsterdam classics and perhaps uncovering new spots.
โบ Route though Amsterdam Jordaan / Westerpark
โบ Route though Amsterdam-North
โบ Route though Amsterdam-East / Centrum East
FUN PLAYGROUNDS IN AMSTERDAM
On a dry day, enjoy a visit to the playground with the kids. In Amsterdam, there are plenty of fun playgrounds to explore that are free to visit. Discover our list of the 4 X coolest playgrounds in Amsterdam-Centrum and the Jordaan >>ย
Animal/ petting FARMS
Did you know that there are as many as 18 children’s city farms in Amsterdam? Fun to visit with the kids. Some animal farms have special feeding times when the little ones can feed the animals. For example, at the Goat Farm in the Amsterdamse Bos, you can get bottles of milk to give to the goats.
Het Begijnhof
This court is hidden behind a door at the busy Spui in the centre of Amsterdam. Once you enter, it feels like you are in a completely different world. The courtyard is so peaceful and beautiful! While you’re standing there, you wouldn’t think this place is so old, but it’s actually been there since the fourteenth century!ย Religious women used to live in this courtyard. Now it’s a perfect spot to escape from the busy city centre.
NEMO ROOFTOP TERRACE
On sunny days, you can make the most of the sun on the rooftop terrace of NEMO. Accessible for free via the 120 steps on the rooftop. So, pack your sunscreen and enjoy the sun and the view on the NEMO rooftop terrace.
More fun things to do in Amsterdam that are free
Musea
{temporarily closed} Amsterdam has a lot of museums and yes, a few of them are for free! Close to the Begijnhof you can find the Schuttersgalerij which is part of the Amsterdam Museum. Impressive portraits of the Dutch nobility can be seen here.ย Are you curious about the treasures of Amsterdam? The Stadsarchief van Amsterdam gives free access to the treasure room! So, no need to buy expensive tickets if it’s for free! |Tip: With a museum card, you get access to over 500 museums throughout the Netherlands. A great ‘investment’ to then be able to go to museums ‘for free’ for a whole year.
Take the Ferry
Another great trip is to take the ferry to Amsterdam North. During this trip on the water, it’s so nice to see the view across the IJ and to get some fresh air! Take the ferry to the NDSM wharf to seeย street art on the industrial walls of the warehouses. ย Afterwards shopย at one of the cool addresses like Blom & Blom and Neef Louis, or have a drink and a biteย at Pllek, Cafe de Ceuvel.
Churches
Maybe not so trendy, but Amsterdam has beautiful churches that are definitely worth a visit! A lot of churches are used for exhibitions, like the Old- and New Church. Do you want to visit a church that still performs services? The Noorderkerk and the Westerkerkย in the Jordaan are accessible.
Markets
Nothing more enjoyable than strolling through the market! In addition to the many(food) markets held in Amsterdam, there are a few classics that locals love to visit. Curious about which markets you can explore? Check out our lists of the best weekend markets, flea markets, and organic markets in Amsterdam.
More free things to do in Amsterdam
Amsterdam festivals
Every year there are plenty of free festivals andย events in Amsterdam. These festivals are, for example, the Amsterdam Light Festival, Kingsday, Gay Pride, Uitmarkt, Open Monumentendag, Grachtenfestival, and the Vondelpark concerts.
The smallest house
In Amsterdam, you can find the most miniature house in the world. It’s only 1 meter, and you can find it on Singel 7 in the centre of Amsterdam. And it’s not the complete house, but the faรงade that’s so small. But still. You can also find the smallest house of Europe in our city. A 2 by 6 meter place on the Oude Hoogstraat 22, now open as aย tea and ceramics boutique shop. Nice to see, nice to visit, and all for free!
Street art
Are you also a fan of street art? It’s always exciting to spot new, extraordinary artworks, and there’s plenty to see in Amsterdam. We’ve mapped out the most incredibleย street art routes for you, from North to South, in the ย Jordaan,ย Spuistraat,ย Wijdesteegย and theย city centre.
Spotting artworks by StreetArt Franky
In addition to the many pieces of street art in Amsterdam, you can also spot the artworks of StreetArt Franky. The artist is known for his humorous street art, each telling its own story. Every week, new artworks can be discovered in the most unexpected places throughout the city.
More fun things to do in Amsterdam that are free to do
Parks
What obviously can’t miss on this listย are theย great parks in Amsterdam. During the summer, having a picnic or barbecue in the park or going for a walk or run is ideal. The parks are the ideal place for the locals to get some fresh air. A thing that makes me very happy is the green parrots at Vondelpark! One day they escaped from the zoo and madeย the Vondelpark their new home. Other great parks are the Westerpark, Amstelpark, Oosterpark, and Sarphatipark.
Walking and cylcing
The best way to explore the city is by bike or by foot. After living here for several years, I still spot new cool places while riding my bike or by taking side roads while waking. There is so much to discover in the small streets of the Jordaan, for example! Take a walk through the Jordaan and visit all the hidden courtyards. Cycle through one of the parks in Amsterdam or walk past the beautiful canals.
Movie nights
During the summer, open-air movie nights are organized at various locations throughout the city. Are you curious about where you can enjoy a film? Keep an eye on the open-air cinemas in the summer. You don’t need to bring anything except a chair for most movie nights!
Vondelpark open-air theater
The same is true for the open-air theatre in the Vondelpark. From May to September, the theatre is open, and that means you can attend music concerts, theatre performances, readings, and even cabaret performances for free.
There are so many free things to doย in Amsterdam. Try them all!
Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
โ Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
โ A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
โ The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
โ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
โ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
โ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
โ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
โ MOCO Museum for street art
โ Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
โ Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
โ Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
โ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
โ Red Light District tour
โ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>
Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // โฌ
โพ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
โพ The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
โพ Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
โพ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
โพ Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
VERY VERY NICE // โฌโฌ
โพ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
โพ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
โพ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
โพ Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
โพ Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
โพ Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
โพ Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
โพ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
โพ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
โพ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
โพ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
โพ QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // โฌโฌโฌ
โพ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
โพ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
โพ L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
โพ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
โพ W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
Follow @yourlbb on Instagram
| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>
