Amsterdam is a city in which you can seemingly do anything. Internationally known for coffee shops and relaxed laws on substance use, Amsterdam is much more than simply a place to party and features some of the most beautiful parks in Europe. Though traveling to Amsterdam on a budget can be difficult, in a city so scenic there are bound to be ways to entertain yourself without breaking the bank. This is true, and one of the main reasons we love Amsterdam.

The next time you’re in Amsterdam, try these eleven free things to do, and keep your hard-earned Euros!

Vondelpark

Entrance to Vondelpark

Built in 1865, Vondelpark is an Amsterdam landmark and a great free attraction to do in the city that is especially great for couples of any kind. The park is massive, at 120 acres, and attracts an estimated ten million visitors per year who want to throw frisbee, have picnics or just simply relax. The park is a center of epic beauty, from the statues and public displays that adorn it to a beautiful tea room, called the Blauwe Theehuis, which opened in 1937.

Also at Vondelpark is the Vondelpark Openluchttheater, an open-air theatre with shows from June until August. Performances here are varied, consisting of classical, pop, electric and dance music as well as featured musical theater performances and cabaret. While the theatre does receive a subsidy from the city government and all performances are free, visitors are asked for a donation of one euro as a courtesy to the upkeep of the park and the continued support of such events at Vondelpark Openluchttheater.

For couples in Amsterdam, the peaceful setting of Vondelpark makes for a great casually romantic spot for a mid-day break!

Bloemenmarkt

Almost every color on the wheel…

The flower market, or Bloemenmarkt, is one of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam. The market has existed since 1862 as an area where traveling merchants would take up shop to sell their goods to travelers coming into and out of the city.

Situated in the city’s southern canal ring, it includes 15 florists and garden shops, as well as a range of souvenir gifts and is another great couples activity in Amsterdam. The market is one of the main suppliers of flowers to central Amsterdam, and is among the most visited attractions in Amsterdam for photographers. Additionally, it makes for one incredibly scenic and romantic walk.

Canal Ring

Amsterdam by night…

If you know anything about Amsterdam, you undoubtedly know that it’s all about the canals that concentrically surround the city’s inner core. The waterways were constructed more than 400 years ago, as Amsterdam flourished as a port city at the height of it’s cultural and militaristic powers. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the canal rings serve as a great way to walk or ride a bike in Amsterdam, all while being in what is essentially an outdoor museum!

While you travel around the canal rings, make sure to stop off at one of the many brick and mortar museums in the city – nearly all of which are within walking distance from a canal. Among these are the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank Museum. Our personal favorite is the Rijkmuseum, a sprawling complex featuring the widest breadth of Dutch art in Amsterdam. While you’re there, make sure to stop by the IAMSTERDAM Monument, located on Museumplein at the back of the Rijkmuseum. The entire city is perfectly

Sandeman’s New Amsterdam Tours

Walk (or bike!) your way through Amsterdam on a free tour.

We’re huge fans of free walking tours in Europe, and the one in Amsterdam run by Sandeman’s is among the most breath-taking anywhere. Experts on the city take you on a three-hour walk about the city, free of charge, to locations such as the Anne Frank House, the Red Light District, and The Dutch East India Company.

Free Walking Tours are especially great at the beginning of any stay in Europe, as it familiarizes you with the city itself, and navigating by foot or bike. Additionally, many of the things on your checklist to see will be included on the tour, and seeing them early in the trip will give you the option to come back and spend more time, or decide if perhaps your time is better spent elsewhere. It’s somewhat like a “preview” of the city – all for no charge.

Do make sure to have a few Euros on hand, however, as the tour guides work very hard and depend solely on tips as their payment for the great tours they give!

Blijburg beach

Photo credit: Franklin Heijnen

Despite the fact that Amsterdam isn’t located by a true beach, the Dutch simply made one. The artificial island of IJburg hosts Blijburg Beach, where locals come to swim and sunbathe in a location that is generally not well-known to tourist. Additionally, this is a popular spot for 20-somethings to party, and nowhere parties like Amsterdam.

Beach party in Amsterdam? Yes, please.

Cannabis College

Whether or not you intend to partake, the Cannabis College is an interesting stop.

Even if you don’t indulge, the Cannabis College in Amsterdam is incredibly interesting and provides a look into the very core of Amsterdam culture. In fact, Cannabis College is essential for anyone who intends to spend any time in a coffee shop in Amsterdam, as they provide essential information regarding coffee shop etiquette. If you’re going to smoke weed in Amsterdam, there’s no worse way to go about it than gawking or acting inappropriately while in a coffee shop.

Additionally, for those more inclined to partake, there are product samples, device samples and great information on what types of Amsterdam’s favorite herb you might be able to find at the most well-known coffee shops. Additionally, hemp products such as purses, small wallets, and jewelry can be purchased very reasonably.

Stadsarchief Amsterdam

A perfect stop for history buffs like us.

If you’re a history buff (and we are), you’ll love the Stadsarchief Amsterdam. Given that we’re a couple who both have ancestral ties to Amsterdam, we only wish we could’ve stayed longer.

The stadsarchief, or “state archives”, include incredible history about the founding of Amsterdam as well as detailed documentation about Amsterdam’s former residents. Curious if you have heritage in Amsterdam, or anywhere else in Holland? This is a great place to start your quest for finding out information.

Nieuwe Kerk 

Amsterdam’s “New Church” is breath-taking.

The “New Church”, as it is said in English, was built in 1408 and still maintains all of its royal splendor as the former site to coronations for several generations.

Now used for large exhibitions, the Nieuwe Kerk does charge admission, but visitors can enter through the gift shop and get a sneak peak (and maybe a few photos?) of the beauty inside.

Concertgebouw on Wednesdays

Aside from the free concerts, date nights at the symphony are great in Amsterdam.

Constructed in 1886, Concertgebouw is one of the most prestigious concert halls and attractions in Amsterdam. Though normally the site of for-pay events such as symphonies, operas and theatrical performancess, Concertgebouw does open during the summer for free lunchtime concerts from mid-September to June.

Beginning at 12:30 daily, the concerts are wildly popular as a mid-day break for Amsterdam’s over-30 crowd. Also, the nightly performances here (while not free) make for a perfect date night centerpiece.

Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam

Openbare Bibliotheek, which provides one of the best views in Amsterdam.

Even libraries aren’t just libraries in Amsterdam. The Openbare Bibiotheek Amsterdam has a rooftop where the entire city is viewable, providing for some of the most beautiful scenic opportunities in the city. While on the rooftop, make sure to enjoy a late, casual lunch at the cafe located perfectly situated for those enjoying the view.

Located on the north side of Amsterdam, the library features a collection of nearly two million books, with access of total works on lend of more than five million. Immediately identifiable from the River Amstel, which flows through the heart of Amsterdam dividing north from south, the library has a near-futuristic design that pops from the surrounding buildings.

There are plenty of ways to save money in Amsterdam, because the city makes it so easy to enjoy yourself without opening your wallet. The beautiful parks, architecture, and naturally aesthetic setting make for a peaceful place to do practically anything.

Make time for a few free attractions in Amsterdam, perhaps even a free walking tour, and start your next stay in Holland off just right!