Your journey to Amsterdam will not be a boring one. That’s because you are provided with a large number of activities to take part in during your stay and enjoy the time. The best thing about these activities that you can find in Amsterdam is that most of them are free. Here is a list of few of the most prominent free to do activities that you can find in Amsterdam. These activities are in a position to transform your holiday into a fascinating one. You will definitely love what you are being offered by these activities as well.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. .
Table of Contents
Take a selfie with the Amsterdam sign
If you have been following people who visit Amsterdam, you must have seen those individuals posting selfies that were taken in front of the “Amsterdam sign”. This can be considered one of the most popular activities that people do when they visit Amsterdam. The sign is located in City Square of Museumplein. It has become an iconic landmark within the city, and can quite busy during the day so I recommend visiting early morning to beat the crowds. To help ensure you get the best selfie possible, remember to take your selfie stick with you.
Go to one of the free lunchtime concerts
Every Wednesday, you will be able to find free lunchtime concerts taking place at the Royal Concertgebouw at 12:30 pm, and see classical music performances. However, it is important to keep in mind that the seats at these concerts tend to get filled up quickly. Therefore, I recommend getting there with plenty of time to spare, so that you can secure a seat with a good view to enjoy the concert.
Visit a church
There are free churches all over the city, so if you’re in need of a little spirituality during your stay then head over to one of these beautiful places. One of these free churches is Zuiderkerk. This beautiful church was built in 1601, and was converted over to a Protestant church during the Reformation.
Zuiderkerk has events taking place throughout the year, although these may not be free. Check out their website for more information. Their website is in Dutch, so you may need to use Google Translate.
Take part in a brewery tour
A large number of free brewery tours have also been organized for the people who visit Amsterdam to take part in. I recommend taking part in the Tour of Brouwerj. It is one of the small breweries that you will be able to find in Amsterdam. These organized tours are accompanied by an English speaking tour guide so don’t worry if you cannot speak Dutch. However, keep in mind that free tours are available only on specific days of the week, with paid tours taking place at other times.
Free walking tours
Free Walking Tours take place throughout the day at various locations, which cover everything from history to food. You can discover why Amsterdam is the most liberal city in the world, as well as Dutch Food and culture. The tours last for 2 hours and cover the red light district, the Royal Palace, Amsterdam’s drug history, The history of Voc and more.
Booking is required, with a maximum of 15 people per group. To learn more and book your walking tour, visit their site here.
Go on a free boat trip
Free boat trips are available for the individuals who are interested in exploring Amsterdam. By taking part in a free boat trip, you will be provided with the opportunity to explore Amsterdam from a unique viewpoint. To take a free boat trip, visit the Central Station of Amsterdam and you will be provided with the opportunity to catch the ferry. There are frequent departures of ferries from morning through to the evening. During the boat trip, you’ll be able to see the waterfront of the city.
Visit the floating flower market
If you want to surround yourself with beautiful flowers in Amsterdam, you should visit the floating flower market, and is one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam. The local flower market of Amsterdam has a rich history, which dates back to 1862. You can visit the flower market from Monday to Saturday, and entry to the market is free. If you do wish to purchase anything at the Amsterdam Flower Market, you should keep in mind that it may be illegal to take bulbs or flowers back to your home country. Make sure to check customs and import laws for your country before buying anything.
Hang out in the Vondelpark
In Amsterdam, you will be able to discover a large number of local parks. Out of those local parks, the Vondelpark is the most well-known and a favorite of locals. Whether you are a solo traveler or traveling with friends or family, this park is a wonderful place to hang out and relax. At Vondelpark, you will be able to discover one of the most beautiful rose garden in the world, filled with more than 70 different varieties of roses. You will also be able to discover a large number of restaurants and cafes in the park and an open-air theatre to view some amazing performances.
While not free, while at Vondelpark you can head over to the Museumplein where you’ll find 3 of Amsterdam’s most popular museums. You’ll be able to see famous Dutch artists’ sculptures such as The Thinker by Auguste Rodin and Girl with Red Hair by Bernini at the Stedelijk Museum. Explore The Rijksmuseum’s impressive collection of artwork that includes Rembrandt paintings as well as Japanese artworks from Monet’s era. You can also visit Vincent Van Gogh’s house if you have time!
Visit the Cat boat
If you are a cat lover, then make sure to visit the Amsterdam’s Cat Boat. The Cat Boat, which is also known as Pozenboot, is a sort of floating animal sanctuary. Abandoned and stray cats from all corners of Amsterdam are brought here to help ensure they live a better life. During your visit to the Cat Boat, you will be able to make a donation, which can help them provide better living conditions for the cats.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Hotels in Amsterdam
| Hotel | Stars | Discount | Price before and discount | Select dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swissôtel Amsterdam | ★★★★ | -13% | 423 370 | |
| Hotel Amsterdam De Roode Leeuw | ★★★★ | -17% | 813 677 | |
| Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam | ★★★★★ | -12% | 1 277 1 127 | |
| Best Western Dam Square Inn | ★★★ | -11% | 437 389 | |
| Hotel Die Port van Cleve | ★★★★ | -12% | 2 359 2 087 |
Discounted flights to Amsterdam
Need to find cheap flights to Amsterdam? Then read my secrets to finding cheap flights or search below!
Cheap flights to Amsterdam
| Origin - Destination | Departure at | Return at | Find tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samarkand ↔ Tashkent | 30 June 2022 | 1 July 2022 | |
| Tashkent ↔ Fergana | 29 June 2022 | 1 July 2022 | |
| Fergana ↔ Tashkent | 29 June 2022 | 1 July 2022 | |
| Bukhara ↔ Tashkent | 28 June 2022 | 2 July 2022 | |
| Namangan ↔ Tashkent | 30 June 2022 | 3 July 2022 |
There are so many free things to do and see while visiting Amsterdam. I hope this post has helped make your trip planning easier by giving you lots of suggestions for free activities during your stay here!
