Amsterdam is a city full of places to go and things to see and do.
And there are many things that you can do and see for free which is even better so I have jotted down a few ideas here and have included links wherever possible
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For some good views of the city go to the cafe at the top of the Metz department store - you may have to buy a coffee it is true but the views are worth it! The Metz store is situated at Keizersgracht 455 on the corner of the Leidsestraat.
Another good place for rooftop views is the cafe at the top of the Kalvertoren www.kalverpassage.nl/ And they are even better if you go one storey higher again to the floor where the toilets are situated!
Or take a walk over to the Nemo building www.e-nemo.nl to the east of Centraal Station - the huge green ship which is actually a science museum for children - for wonderful views from the cafe at the top.
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Walking anywhere in Amsterdam is a delight whether it be along the grachtengordel to view the architecture and spot the different gablestones or to walk in one of the many open green spaces
And this company offers FREE tours ~ www.newamsterdamtours.com/
One of the most popular attractions is the floating flower market on the Singel and to take a stroll along here costs nothing at all
Or discover one of the cities many parks such as
www.hetvondelpark.net www.amsterdamsebos.nl www.park-frankendael.nl
www.amstelpark.nl www.vriendenbeatrixpark.nl
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There are a couple of hidden gems just off the Kalverstraat - the main pedestrianized shopping street in the city - which are , you've guessed it , FREE!
A short way down the Kalverstraat at 92 is one of the entrances to the Amsterdam Historic Museum. Entrance to this is not free but it costs nothing to take a peek into the museums cafe and see the giant Goliath statue in side. And just outside the entrance to the cafe in the courtyard of what was formerly the city orphanage you can still see the row of wooden cupboards where the orphaned boys would place their belongings
If you walk through the courtyard of the museum you will come to the Schuttersgalerie which is a glass covered passageway and is part of the Historic museum. In here is an extensive collection of huge 17th century paintings of Amsterdam's civic guards. It costs nothing to walk through here and view the magnificent portraits
And just beyond the Schuttersgalerie is one of Amsterdams best kept secrets https://begijnhofkapelamsterdam.nl/
Here you will find an oasis of peace and tranquility just yards from the busy city centre
The Begijnhof is the best known example of Amsterdams Hofjes - almshouses - but there are many scattered around the city and if you respect the fact that these are peoples homes then you are usually welcome to take a peek
*****
Transport can also be free in Amsterdam!
If you walk out of the rear doors of Centraal Station there are several free ferries which you can ride. They go every few minutes and will take you over to Amsterdam Noord or to KNSM Eiland - you get a super view of the rear of the station and of the open harbour from the ferry
*****
It is also possible to enjoy a lunchtime concert totally free of charge if you know where to go.
On Tuesdays from October to June there is a free lunchtime concert in the Boekmanzaal at the Stopera www.stopera.nl complex between 12.30 and 1pm
And each Wednesday between 12.30 and 1pm there is a free concert in the Grote Zaal at the www.concertgebouw.nl
Here's one more freebie for the musically minded: the www.bimhuis.nl – the core of Amsterdam's influential jazz scene – hosts a rollicking jam session every Tuesday at 10pm from September to June. Join the band, or just listen in.
*****
If you are in Amsterdam during the summer you could take advantage of the Uitmarkt. At various venues throughout the city there are small FREE 'try-out' performances www.uitmarkt.nl to see
*****
The city is famous the world over for it's major art galleries such as the Rijksmuseum but there are many small galleries which invite you in at no cost so art need not come at a price in Amsterdam
*****
Another very pleasant way to spend some time is at the markets and Amsterdam has a market somewhere every day of the week
There are general markets such as the Albert Cuyp and the Dappermarkt and more specialised ones such as the Friday book market held on Spui or the art markets on Spui and Thorbeckeplein on Sundays
There is also a very good indoor market www.antiekcentrumamsterdam.nl/ which is fun to browse ~ especially on a wet day!
And there are many things that you can do and see for free which is even better so I have jotted down a few ideas here and have included links wherever possible
*****
For some good views of the city go to the cafe at the top of the Metz department store - you may have to buy a coffee it is true but the views are worth it! The Metz store is situated at Keizersgracht 455 on the corner of the Leidsestraat.
Another good place for rooftop views is the cafe at the top of the Kalvertoren www.kalverpassage.nl/ And they are even better if you go one storey higher again to the floor where the toilets are situated!
Or take a walk over to the Nemo building www.e-nemo.nl to the east of Centraal Station - the huge green ship which is actually a science museum for children - for wonderful views from the cafe at the top.
*****
Walking anywhere in Amsterdam is a delight whether it be along the grachtengordel to view the architecture and spot the different gablestones or to walk in one of the many open green spaces
And this company offers FREE tours ~ www.newamsterdamtours.com/
One of the most popular attractions is the floating flower market on the Singel and to take a stroll along here costs nothing at all
Or discover one of the cities many parks such as
www.hetvondelpark.net www.amsterdamsebos.nl www.park-frankendael.nl
www.amstelpark.nl www.vriendenbeatrixpark.nl
*****
There are a couple of hidden gems just off the Kalverstraat - the main pedestrianized shopping street in the city - which are , you've guessed it , FREE!
A short way down the Kalverstraat at 92 is one of the entrances to the Amsterdam Historic Museum. Entrance to this is not free but it costs nothing to take a peek into the museums cafe and see the giant Goliath statue in side. And just outside the entrance to the cafe in the courtyard of what was formerly the city orphanage you can still see the row of wooden cupboards where the orphaned boys would place their belongings
If you walk through the courtyard of the museum you will come to the Schuttersgalerie which is a glass covered passageway and is part of the Historic museum. In here is an extensive collection of huge 17th century paintings of Amsterdam's civic guards. It costs nothing to walk through here and view the magnificent portraits
And just beyond the Schuttersgalerie is one of Amsterdams best kept secrets https://begijnhofkapelamsterdam.nl/
Here you will find an oasis of peace and tranquility just yards from the busy city centre
The Begijnhof is the best known example of Amsterdams Hofjes - almshouses - but there are many scattered around the city and if you respect the fact that these are peoples homes then you are usually welcome to take a peek
*****
Transport can also be free in Amsterdam!
If you walk out of the rear doors of Centraal Station there are several free ferries which you can ride. They go every few minutes and will take you over to Amsterdam Noord or to KNSM Eiland - you get a super view of the rear of the station and of the open harbour from the ferry
*****
It is also possible to enjoy a lunchtime concert totally free of charge if you know where to go.
On Tuesdays from October to June there is a free lunchtime concert in the Boekmanzaal at the Stopera www.stopera.nl complex between 12.30 and 1pm
And each Wednesday between 12.30 and 1pm there is a free concert in the Grote Zaal at the www.concertgebouw.nl
Here's one more freebie for the musically minded: the www.bimhuis.nl – the core of Amsterdam's influential jazz scene – hosts a rollicking jam session every Tuesday at 10pm from September to June. Join the band, or just listen in.
*****
If you are in Amsterdam during the summer you could take advantage of the Uitmarkt. At various venues throughout the city there are small FREE 'try-out' performances www.uitmarkt.nl to see
*****
The city is famous the world over for it's major art galleries such as the Rijksmuseum but there are many small galleries which invite you in at no cost so art need not come at a price in Amsterdam
*****
Another very pleasant way to spend some time is at the markets and Amsterdam has a market somewhere every day of the week
There are general markets such as the Albert Cuyp and the Dappermarkt and more specialised ones such as the Friday book market held on Spui or the art markets on Spui and Thorbeckeplein on Sundays
There is also a very good indoor market www.antiekcentrumamsterdam.nl/ which is fun to browse ~ especially on a wet day!