Free things to do in Amsterdam

21.07.2023 - 07:52 / roughguides.com

With its olive-green canals and handsome gabled houses, waterfront bars, bustling markets and exquisite art, Amsterdam never fails to charm. It’s a city that’s proud of its character, and the perfect balance between business and bohemia. Amsterdam undoubtedly has a lot to offer for every taste, but what about entertainment that doesn't eat into your wallet? In this guide, we've rounded up free things to do in Amsterdam.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Amsterdam, your essential guide for visiting Amsterdam.

There's no charge to wander past the stalls of the city’s wonderful floating flower market, the Bloemenmarkt (daily 9 am–5 pm, some stalls close on Sun), which extends along the southern bank of the Singel. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the market is one of the main suppliers of flowers to central Amsterdam, but its blooms and bulbs now share stall space with souvenir clogs, garden gnomes, Delftware and similar tat.

Flower market, Amsterdam © Stephen Barnes/Shutterstock

On the northeast edge of the city centre, Zeeburg has become one of the city’s most up-and-coming districts. Actually, a series of artificial islands and peninsulas connected by bridges, the docks here date back to the end of the nineteenth century. By the early 1990s, the area was virtually derelict so the city council began a massive renovation, which has been going on for the past fifteen years or so.

As a result, this is the fastest-developing part of Amsterdam, with a mixture of renovated dockside structures and new landmark buildings that give it a modern (and very watery) feel that’s markedly different from the city centre. The best way to explore is by bike.

Zeeburg, Amsterdam © joyfull/Shutterstock

A little gateway on the north side of the Spui leads into the Begijnhof, where a huddle of immaculately maintained old houses looks onto a central green. This is one of the city centre’s most beguiling sights, and one of the free things to do in Amsterdam.

It was founded in the fourteenth century as a home for the beguines – members of a Catholic sisterhood living as nuns, but without vows and with the right to return to the secular world.

Begijnhof, Amsterdam © Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock

This tailor-made trip will bring you the best of two countries: the Netherlands and Belgium. From the quaint streets, canals and windmills of Holland to beer and Belgium chocolate tasting in three beautiful Belgium cities. This trip has it all.

Just wandering the length of the city’s best (daily except Sun 10 am–5 pm) is a fine way to pass the time. It stretches for over 1km between Ferdinand Bolstraat and Van Woustraat and is the largest in the city, with a huge array of stalls selling everything from