FREE THINGS TO DO IN AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam is a city of countless opportunities. Although traveling to Amsterdam on a budget can be difficult, in such a picturesque city, there are so many ways to have fun without breaking your limits.

Want to party on a budget on specific days? Check the event calendar for free club entry and affordable party options.

While you can always simply walk around, there is no better way to experience the authentic atmosphere of Amsterdam than a tour on the canals.

There are paid tours all around the city but in order to do it for free, you should look for the white and blue boats behind the Central Station. They pass through all of the main canals of the city all the way to Amsterdam Noord.

Honestly, you will miss a lot if you decide to skip the boat tours. It is one of the most popular daily tourist activities in the Netherlands, not only in Amsterdam.
We do have the cheapest combination offer in town where you only pay 15 Euro for a canal cruise, if you do decide to see the entire city by boat.

Stadsarchief is the largest municipal archive in the world. If you are a fan of history and want to learn more about the history of Amsterdam, you can take a look at their different exhibitions. These include photos and documents of high importance.

However, only the ground floor of the building is free of charge. If the exhibitions there wake your interest, you can always pay the small fee which will give you access to the entire building.

There is more than one spot where you can enjoy free concerts in Amsterdam. In Vondelpark, for example, which is literally one of the most beautiful parks, there is a stage from May to August where you can see concerts and shows in different genres. Make sure you take a look at the program online and simply choose a show which interests you.

In Concertgebouw, for example, there is a free concert every Wednesday around lunchtime. It is only a 30-minute show but you need to know that this venue is known as one of the three best concert halls in the world.

As you can see, there are a lot of free things to do in Amsterdam and we are just getting started.

Last updated: September 29, 2026

There are few places in Amsterdam that will give you the chance to see the entire city from a high spot for free. You can do that from the roof of the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam.

On the terrace itself, there are benches where you can simply sit and enjoy the view. There is no better opportunity to take some incredible photos of Amsterdam, especially if you brought a camera with you.

Gassan Diamonds is a diamond company with over 400 years of craftsmanship behind it and they offer a free guided tour. You can learn everything about diamonds, see some incredible pieces of jewelry, and watch the employees in their working environment.

Even if you can’t afford such expensive jewelry, you can still enjoy their beauty. It is one of a kind experience which will leave you breathless.

We all love animals, don’t we? In Amsterdam, there is an old houseboat that was transformed into a cat sanctuary in 1966. Today, it still has the same functions and houses around 50 cats.

You can enter for free but any donation is highly appreciated. The majority of cats are up for adoption so who knows; maybe you can leave your vacation with a loving furry friend.

Chess may not be such a popular game for the younger generation but if it is one of your interests, then you should visit this spot in Amsterdam.

Max Euweplein is a square named after one of the greatest chess players in the history of the game. He was a Dutch world champion almost a century ago and the square was named this way to honor him.

Today, there is a large chess board on the ground which is used by old locals every day. Do you think you stand a chance against them or would you prefer to just watch a fun large-scale game? The chess pieces can be used from 10:00 local time up until the late-night hours.

Last updated: September 29, 2026

Last updated: September 29, 2026

Want to party on a budget on specific days? Check the event calendar for free club entry and affordable party options.

Nightlife in Amsterdam doesn't have to break the bank; for just €10, the Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket unlocks 30+ top clubs and free welcome drinks. Buy your ticket online now.

Last updated: September 29, 2026

As previously mentioned, you need to be prepared to spend a lot if you want to party in Amsterdam. Visiting just one or two clubs will not be enough to experience the true nature of the crazy nightlife. Unfortunately, the majority of the clubs and venues have surprisingly high entry fees.

If you landed on our website, then the chances are that you have already heard of our Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket. It was created by us with only one purpose – to give you the opportunity to have the time of your life without spending a fortune.

As we already gave you a long list of suggestions for free things to do in Amsterdam during the day, let us give you some information on the cheapest way to party at night. With our Nightlife Ticket, you can enter over 30 venues and clubs unlimited for 1 day for just €10.

Among the dozen other extras, you also get a free ride with UBER for up to €10 as well as other incredible discounts at key entertainment spots in Amsterdam. For example, there is no way that you will miss visiting the famous Hard Rock Café. Well, with the Nightlife Ticket, you will get a 2 for 1 offer on all cocktails, free access and a drink inside Holland Casino and much more.  All you need to do is show them your ticket.

With this said, you can see a list of all clubs and venues that we are partnered with on our home page as well as a calendar with the special events in town.

Missing the nightlife in Amsterdam will be your big mistake. Combining the free activities we listed above and the opportunity to party almost for free is the one best option for you if you are visiting Amsterdam on a budget.