Amsterdam has a reputation as an expensive city, yet the finest things to see here often cost nothing at all.
Free across the city
Before you buy a single ticket you will already have seen a good part of the city.
The setting is the attraction: the seventeenth-century canal ring has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010, and walking along it costs nothing.
Compact enough to walk: nearly everything in the centre is within walking distance, so you save on public transport straight away.
Several museums have sections you can visit without a ticket.
The Schuttersgalerij: this covered passage belongs to the Amsterdam Museum and displays monumental group portraits from the Golden Age alongside modern counterparts. You simply walk through, from the Kalverstraat to the Begijnhof.
The Treasure Room at the City Archives: in the former vault of the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij, the City Archives display remarkable pieces of the city's history. The Guardian named it one of the ten best free museum spaces in Europe.
The Rijksmuseum gardens: the gardens around the Rijksmuseum are open daily at no charge, with sculptures, a fountain and changing open-air exhibitions.
Gassan Diamonds: at Gassan you can join a free guided tour and watch a rough stone being cut into a piece of jewellery.
The Begijnhof: behind an unremarkable gate on the Spui lies this quiet fourteenth-century courtyard, home to the oldest wooden house in the city. Free to enter, but bear in mind that people still live there.
The Public Library: the OBA near Central Station is free to walk into, and the seventh-floor roof terrace offers one of the finest views across the city.
Free concerts
In Amsterdam you can attend a concert almost every week without paying for it.
The Lunchtime Concert at the Concertgebouw: weekly at 12:30, usually on a Wednesday, the Main or Recital Hall of the Royal Concertgebouw hosts a free Lunchtime Concert, ranging from chamber music to an open rehearsal of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Note that you need a free ticket booked online in advance, a maximum of two per person, and there is no programme in July and August.
Dutch National Opera & Ballet: at the former Muziektheater on Waterlooplein there are free concerts on Tuesday afternoons at 12:30.
Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ: the Muziekgebouw programmes a free lunchtime concert each month, with a view over the IJ during the interval.
The Bimhuis: the leading jazz venue in the Netherlands puts on at least one free concert, workshop or jam session every week.
The Conservatory of Amsterdam: students give freely accessible concerts on several days each week, from classical to jazz. Check the concert calendar in advance for dates and venues.
Street theatre and summer stages
In the summer months much of the city's cultural life moves outdoors.
Street musicians and performers: on Leidseplein and Dam Square you come across street theatre almost daily, and some acts are surprisingly good.
The Open Air Theatre: the Vondelpark runs a free programme of music, cabaret, dance and children's shows from late May to the end of August, mostly at weekends.
A stage everywhere: free events are also held regularly in summer on the Museumplein and in the Westerpark.
Free festivals through the year
The festival season runs from April into January, so there is something on almost every month.
King's Day: on 27 April the entire city turns into one enormous orange street party, with live music, flea markets and boats on the canals. The biggest free event of the year, and also the busiest.
The Holland Festival: in June, with various free performances and fringe activities alongside the ticketed programme.
Pride Amsterdam: the Canal Parade in late July or early August is free to watch from the quaysides, as are the street parties across the city.
The Grachtenfestival: in August classical concerts are staged on pontoons, in courtyards and in unexpected spots along the water, a good many of them free.
Open Monument Day: in September hundreds of listed buildings open their doors, letting you inside places you would normally never see.
Amsterdam Light Festival: from late November to mid-January light installations illuminate the canals. Watching from the quayside is free; only the boat trip along them costs money.
Free audio tours
With your phone and a pair of headphones you walk the sights yourself, with commentary along the way.
Rokin audio tour: about two hours. An architecture guide takes you along the Rokin and tells the story behind fifteen striking buildings, from the Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club to Hotel De L'Europe.
Nes audio tour: about an hour and a half. On monasteries, theatres and tobacco, and on the endless transformation of one of the oldest streets in the city.
Worth knowing: bring earphones and make sure your phone is charged, as the tours run entirely on your own device.
Free walking and cycling routes along the canals
Three routes past the finest open-air sights along the canals of Amsterdam, arranged by the century in which each area took shape.
<Old centre route (1275 to 1600): one of the oldest and loveliest parts of the city. Despite its rough reputation you will find winding cobbled alleys and fourteenth-century architecture here, with the Gothic Oude Kerk at its heart. Around 3 km.
All from the outside: you need not go inside anywhere for these routes to be worthwhile. The façades, bridges and canals themselves are the attraction.
Take a bike: all three routes can be cycled, though walking is often more pleasant in the narrow streets. See our pages on walking and cycling.
Free routes that follow one story
Three routes that trace the life of a single person. The walk itself costs nothing; you only pay if you go into a museum along the way.
Anne Frank route: from her family home on the Merwedeplein and her school in the Rivierenbuurt to the Prinsengracht and the statue on the Westermarkt. Six stops over around 6 km, of which only the Anne Frank House charges admission.
Johan Cruyff route: past the places from the life of the most famous footballer Amsterdam has produced, from the neighbourhood where he was born to the stadium that carries his name.
The outside is enough: these routes work perfectly well without any museum visit. For Anne Frank you see the statue and the façade on the Prinsengracht; for Rembrandt the Westerkerk and his statue on Rembrandtplein.
A free guide in your pocket: each route sets out what you see at every stop, with a map you can follow on your phone. See also the free audio tours above.
Top 10 - Free things to see and do in Amsterdam
From all the free options we have picked the places you really should not skip on a visit to the capital.
1Begijnhof
Hidden behind an unassuming door on Spui lies the Begijnhof, a serene oasis of peace and beauty in the bustling heart of Amsterdam. This historic courtyard, dating back to the 14th century, was once the home of a group of religious women known as the Begijnen, who had taken vows of chastity. What to Expect at the Begijnhof? -
Visit the Skylounge at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton and experience breathtaking panoramic views of the city. This exclusive lounge offers a unique experience with its stylish decor and unparalleled vistas. What to Expect at the Skylounge? - Spectacular Views: Enjoy stunning views of Amsterdam, including iconic landmarks such as Central Station, the historic city ...
The Rijksmuseum Gardens, a 'green outdoor hall' of over 14,500 m², are an oasis of calm and beauty. These beautiful gardens, surrounding the famous Rijksmuseum, offer a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. What to Expect in the Rijksmuseum Gardens? - Diverse Historical Garden Styles: Discover a variety of historical garden styles with beautiful ...
Civic Guards Gallery Hidden in the heart of Amsterdam, the Civic Guards Gallery offers a fascinating glimpse into Dutch history and art. This historic gallery showcases impressive civic guards pieces from the Golden Age. What to Expect at the Civic Guards Gallery? -
Experience the enchantment of diamonds at Gassan Diamonds, one of the most prestigious diamond polishing factories in the heart of Amsterdam. This historic location offers a unique insight into ...
The impressive Treasury: the permanent and free exhibition of the Amsterdam City Archives. Explore the collection of historical documents and artifacts that are essential to the history of ...
The Public Library Amsterdam at Oosterdok offers one of the most beautiful views of the center of Amsterdam. With an area of 28,000 square meters, it is also the largest library in the ...
Blue°Amsterdam is a surprising viewing point right in the centre of Amsterdam. At the top of the glass tower of the Kalverpassage, close to Muntplein and the Singel, you can enjoy a beautiful ...
Enjoy a unique and cost-free experience in Amsterdam with the freeferry across the IJ. These ferries offer not just a practical mode of transport but also stunning views of the city and its ...
The Westerkerk in Amsterdam is one of the city's most famous churches, built in the Dutch Renaissance style and filled with historical highlights. Located on the edge of the Jordaan, along the ...
A view without a ticket: the SkyLounge on the roof of a hotel near Central Station and the OBA roof terrace are both open to all.
Window shopping as a pastime: wandering the Nine Streets or the antique-filled Spiegelkwartier is a sight in its own right.
Free museum entry for young people: children and young people up to and including 18 get into many museums free, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum among them.
