Free Things to Do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is expensive. It doesn't have to be. Everyone tells you Amsterdam is pricey. And sure, a beer by the canal or a ticket to the Rijksmuseum isn't cheap. But the city is full of things that cost nothing at all. You just need to know where to look.

Cross the IJ for free

The ferries behind Centraal Station run 24 hours a day and are completely free. They take you across the IJ river to Amsterdam Noord in about five minutes. It's the easiest way to escape the tourist centre and see a completely different side of the city. The NDSM Wharf, a former shipyard turned creative hub, is a short bike ride from the ferry terminal. On weekends there's often a flea market.

Walk through the Jordaan's courtyards

The Jordaan is full of hofjes: hidden courtyards behind unassuming doors. Most are still residential, but several are open to visitors during the day. The Karthuizerhof on the Karthuizerstraat and the Claes Claesz Hofje on the Eerste Egelantiersdwarsstraat are two of the most beautiful. Walk in quietly, enjoy the garden, and walk out. No ticket, no queue.

Visit the city's free museums

Not every museum in Amsterdam costs money. The Civic Guard Gallery at the Amsterdam Museum (the passage between Kalverstraat and the Begijnhof) is free and always open. The Schuttersgalerij displays enormous group portraits from the seventeenth century. It's like walking through a smaller, calmer version of the Rijksmuseum. The Begijnhof itself, through the door at the end of the gallery, is one of Amsterdam's most peaceful spots. A medieval courtyard of small houses surrounding a garden and a chapel. Free to enter, but easy to miss.

Explore the markets

The Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp is the largest street market in the Netherlands. Over 250 stalls, open six days a week. You don't need to buy anything to enjoy it. The people-watching alone is worth the trip. For something more local, the Noordermarkt on Saturday morning is where Amsterdammers buy their organic produce, cheese, and bread.

Listen to the city

The Concertgebouw, one of the best concert halls in the world, offers free lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays. The quality is world-class and the acoustics are legendary. Arrive early because seats fill up fast. And then there's the simplest free thing of all: walking. Amsterdam is a city built for it. Every canal, every bridge, every narrow street has something to discover. The best things in this city aren't behind a ticket counter. They're around the next corner.