Free things to do · Amsterdam · Netherlands
7 free things to do in Amsterdam
Amsterdam without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Amsterdam without paying an entry fee: Canal Ring walk, The Jordaan, Vondelpark and The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) are all free. Amsterdam's tourist tax is charged as a percentage of the room rate and is among the highest in Europe; check that quoted prices include it.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Canal Ring
1.Canal Ring walk
Walk at dusk, when lights come on in the canal houses and reflect in the water.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Jordaan
2.The Jordaan
Visit on a Saturday morning for the Noordermarkt and the Lindengracht market, then sit outside a brown café.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Couples
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Park · Museum Quarter
3.Vondelpark
Pick up picnic supplies in Oud-West and head for the lawns by the central ponds.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Street · Canal Ring
4.The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes)
Combine with the Anne Frank House at the northern end, and stop for apple pie or coffee along the way.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
Market · De Pijp
5.Albert Cuyp Market
Buy a hot stroopwafel made to order, then explore the cafés around Sarphatipark.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Historic site · Old Centre
6.Begijnhof
Keep voices down — people still live here — and visit in the morning before groups arrive.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Neighbourhood · Amsterdam-Noord
7.NDSM Wharf
Take the free NDSM ferry from behind Centraal Station for a 15-minute harbour ride each way.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Shopping
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Canal Ring | Canal Ring walk and The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) | 2 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Jordaan | The Jordaan | Half a day |
| Museum Quarter | Vondelpark | 1–2 hours |
| De Pijp | Albert Cuyp Market | 1 hour |
| Old Centre | Begijnhof | 30 minutes |
| Amsterdam-Noord | NDSM Wharf | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
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Museum · Canal Ring
Anne Frank House
Check the museum's website for when tickets are released and book as soon as they appear; there are no tickets at the door.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Experience · Canal Ring
Canal cruise
Choose a small open boat on a fine evening or a covered boat in winter, and compare operators rather than booking from touts at Centraal Station.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Couples
- Views
- Iconic
Palace · Old Centre
Royal Palace Amsterdam
Check the website before going, as the palace closes to visitors when it is in royal use.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Old Centre
Our Lord in the Attic
Visit in the morning, when the Red Light District's canals are at their calmest on the way.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
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Garden · Plantage
Hortus Botanicus
Have coffee on the Orangery terrace, then walk across to Artis.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- Amsterdam's tourist tax is charged as a percentage of the room rate and is among the highest in Europe; check that quoted prices include it.
- Stay in Noord, Oost or Oud-West, or in Haarlem, for lower rates with fast links to the centre.
- Renting a bike for several days can cost less than tram tickets and is often quicker in the centre.
- Free experiences include the IJ ferries, the Begijnhof, the NEMO roof terrace, the Vondelpark and the canal ring itself.
- The I amsterdam City Card pays off only if you visit several included museums and use transport every day.
- Supermarkets and market stalls are much cheaper than cafés for lunch.
- Avoid King's Day and Amsterdam Dance Event weeks on a tight budget; hotel prices climb steeply.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam expensive to visit?
Amsterdam is expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Amsterdam?
Canal Ring walk: Walk at dusk, when lights come on in the canal houses and reflect in the water.