Even when travelling on a budget, there is plenty to do in Amsterdam! These are my top 10 recommendations for seeing the very best Amsterdam has to offer for FREE.
- Wander Through the Canals in Jordaan
- Marvel at the Royal Palace
- Have a Picnic in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark
- Visit the Anne Frank Huis
- Go Window-Shopping in Negen Straatjes
- Have a Peaceful Stroll Around Rijksmuseum Gardens
- Grab Dinner at Foodhallen
- Sample the best cheeses at Amsterdam’s cheese stores
- Take a stroll throughout Bloemenmarkt
- Capture some classic photos of Dutch Houses at The Begijnhof
You might’ve heard…Amsterdam can be pretty expensive, especially for those travelling on a budget, but PLEASE do not let that stop you from seeing and experiencing this beautiful city. Although a busy city center – as to be expected – it is a must to take in its natural beauty and experience the laid-back lifestyle that makes any tourist feel safe and right at home here.
Whether you’re Backpacking Around Europe (click here for my free itinerary!) or Amsterdam is your final destination, these are the best free things to do in Amsterdam on your summer travels.
The best part – you can experience and marvel at these wonders on foot or, feel like a local and rent a bike in Amsterdam to get around easier and faster!
Wander Through the Canals in Jordaan
With narrow cobblestone streets lined with cafes, shops, and most importantly, bicycles, this is your chance to immerse yourself in the traditional Amsterdam experience that we all know and love. Jordaan offers a feel of traditional tranquility away from the masses that gather around the central train station.
Every now and then you will come across the small bridges over the canals lined with bicycles and flowers which are simply picture-perfect. Grab a coffee to go at a local cafe (my favourite little spot is Saint-Jean coffee) and have a wander through the peace and quiet. Make sure to always keep your eyes open for bikes while walking!
Do you prefer to have a LOCAL GUIDE show you around through Jordaan, the canals, AND indulge in amazing food and beverages? My favourite Amsterdam Food Tour: Canals & Jordaan offers a fun local guide who knows everything about anything in Amsterdam and The Netherlands – the food tastes amazing too.
Marvel at the Royal Palace
A stunning piece of architecture, the Royal Palace is but a mere 5-minute walk from the central train station. The square in which the Palace is situated is home to several large and beautiful buildings to be engulfed in. It does get busy here – so this would be a good one to marvel at as your first stop on your Amsterdam tour or there’s nothing better than beating the masses and heading there early in the morning for a peaceful look at the Palace.
Looking for a Unique Experience? In the same square is Amsterdam’s own Madame Tussaud’s wax museum. If you’re on the lookout for a unique experience on your European adventure, this would be a fun one to try out (especially if you’re travelling with children!). Tickets and information for Madame Tussaud’s Amsterdam can be purchased here.
Have a Picnic in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark
What better way to stick to your budget and indulge in the tranquility of Amsterdam’s Vondelpark than head to a local grocery store and pick out your favourites for a wonderful lunch in the park? Vondelpark is a special place – upon walking in at first glance it looks like a simple park, but take the time to walk through the center.
You will become enchanted by the simple way of life of the locals; from artists painting beautiful scenery art on their canvases to a group of individuals performing a tai chi lesson, to young couples laying the grass looking at the sky. Vondelpark is yet another place for peace within the busy center of Amsterdam. Walk around, find a beautiful spot on the grass or a park bench, and enjoy the simplicity of life.
Travel doesn’t have to mean expensive and luxurious meals every day – it’s simply unrealistic – especially if you are abroad for months at a time. In many ways, finding your own little spot and having a simple picnic is the easiest way to immerse yourself into local culture and way of life.
Visit the Anne Frank Huis
This one need not a large explanation. Dig into history and head over to the Anne Frank Huis for a humbling and insightful shock into events that took place in said location during the war. Although the museum is beautiful and an eye-opening experience, you don’t necessarily need to pay the entry fee to feel the history held within the walls of this building. There are several columns of information and explanations of what happened at this House surrounding the building if this is of interest to you. The door to the house is on the Main Street where you will find masses lining up to snap their photos.
If you are interested in purchasing your tickets to the house prior to arriving (the cheaper option), and would like to learn about the significance this house holds, you can purchase your tickets for the best Amsterdam Jewish Quarter Anne Frank Walking Tour here.
Go Window-Shopping in Negen Straatjes
The Nine Streets, lined with shops, cafe’s, and restaurants, is a beautiful area directly south of Jordaan. If you have the time, take a wonder through these cobblestone streets and simply take a look around you to see the beautiful buildings lined up along the canals. It can be quite fun to get lost within these streets and simply look at the beautiful hanging flowers in the narrow alleyways. Wandering in and out of the unique stores that line these main streets can be a fun and culturally immersive adventure. You will be surrounded by locals going about their normal lives and who knows – you may even find something you simply love.
Have a Peaceful Stroll Around Rijksmuseum Gardens
Upon entrance, you feel engulfed by the Rijksmuseum; it’s pristine garden, on the other hand, is a peaceful oasis of tranquility. Either take a stroll and marvel at its beauty, take some photos, or grab a coffee and chill out here in the sun.
When stepping into the gardens, there is an immediate feeling of stepping away from the busy streets of Amsterdam and stepping straight into the quiet and beauty it offers.
Grab Dinner at Foodhallen
For food lovers and budget-friendly travellers! If you’re looking for an incredibly tasty meal, head to Foodhallen where you will feel engulfed in the fun and hip atmosphere. Comprised of 47 food stands, complete with food from around the world, this is the place to be if you’re looking to try something new.
Do you prefer to have a LOCAL GUIDE show you around Amsterdam AND indulge in amazing food and beverages? My favourite Amsterdam Food Tour: Canals & Jordaan offers a fun local guide who knows everything about anything in Amsterdam and The Netherlands – the food tastes amazing too.
Sample the best cheeses at Amsterdam’s cheese stores
If you’re looking to really save money on food in Amsterdam and want to try some local culture, take a stroll on any main shopping street (for example, streets around the Central Train Station or Bloemenmarket) and sample some amazing cheeses! This seems like an odd one – but one of the funniest memories of Amsterdam is the number of cheese stores they had! The cheeses taste incredible and if you find one (or several) that you fancy, they’re quite inexpensive to buy a small amount!
Take a stroll throughout Bloemenmarkt
If you’re heading to Amsterdam, this one is obviously a must. Filled with tulips, flowers, and souvenirs to remember your trip by, Bloemenmarkt is simply beautiful for the flower lover. As the only floating flower market, it is located directly on a large canal in Amsterdam lined with classic Dutch picturesque houses. Take a peaceful stroll and enjoy the unique beauty!
Capture some classic photos of Dutch Houses at The Begijnhof
Step back in time and head to The Begijnhof. This historical landmark in Amsterdam is a courtyard of classic dutch houses dating back to the early 14th century. These houses take you away from modernized Amsterdam and demonstrate the well-roundedness the city has to offer. Yet again, as you step into this courtyard, you’ll feel the quiet and seclusion away from the busy city where you can take the time to remember all that stood before you before heading back into reality.
By LucyTravelsGlobal
June 12, 2023
