Free things to do in Amsterdam

Free sights

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  Dam Square · Centre · Always open
  The historic heart of the city, with the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk and the National Monument.

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  Begijnhof · Centre · Daily 09:00–17:00 (quiet courtyard)
  A hidden courtyard of 14th-century almshouses, with the oldest wooden house in the city.

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  Bloemenmarkt (floating flower market) · Centre · Mon–Sat 09:00–17:30, Sun 11:00–17:30
  The world’s only floating flower market, with tulip bulbs, plants and souvenirs on the Singel.

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  Westerkerk · Canal Belt & Jordaan · Mon–Sat 10:00–15:00; tower closed for restoration
  The 17th-century church with the tallest church tower in the city, near the Anne Frank House; Rembrandt is buried here.

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  De Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) · Canal Belt & Jordaan · Always open (shops mostly Mon 12:00–18:00, Tue–Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 12:00–18:00)
  Nine small streets between the canals, full of boutiques, vintage shops, cafés and galleries.

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  Jordaan · Canal Belt & Jordaan · Always open
  Former working-class quarter with narrow streets, hidden courtyards, brown cafés and small galleries.

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  Vondelpark · Museum Quarter · Always open
  The city’s biggest park, with ponds, lawns, a rose garden and open-air terraces.

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  Albert Cuyp Market · De Pijp · Mon–Sat 09:00–17:00
  The city’s biggest street market: stroopwafels, cheese, fish, flowers and clothes along Albert Cuypstraat.

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  Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) · Plantage & East · Always open
  The photogenic white double drawbridge over the Amstel, lit up at night.

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  Brouwerij De Prael · Centre · Mon 14:00–24:00, Tue–Sun 12:00–24:00
  Brewery with a tasting room in the Red Light District, run with and for people with a disability.

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  Oedipus Brewing Taproom · Noord · Wed–Thu 16:00–22:30, Fri 16:00–00:30, Sat 14:00–00:30, Sun 14:00–21:30 (closed Mon–Tue)
  Playful craft brewery with a big taproom and food in Amsterdam-Noord.

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  Tony's Chocolonely Super Store · Centre · Daily 10:00–19:00
  Flagship store of the fair-trade chocolate brand, with a design-your-own-bar station and tastings.
• Puccini Bomboni · Centre · Mon, Sun 11:00–19:00, Tue–Sat 09:00–19:00
  Small chocolatier with handmade bonbons and truffles, near Nieuwmarkt.

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  De Bijenkorf · Centre · Mon 11:00–20:00, Tue–Sat 10:00–20:00, Sun 12:00–19:00
  The Netherlands' best-known department store, right on Dam Square, with a rooftop restaurant.

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  Magna Plaza · Centre · Mon–Wed, Fri–Sat 10:00–19:00, Thu 10:00–21:00, Sun 11:00–19:00
  Neo-Gothic former post office turned shopping mall behind the Royal Palace.

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  Kalverstraat · Centre · Always walkable; shops usually daily about 10:00–18:00
  Amsterdam's busiest pedestrian shopping street, from Dam Square to Munt, lined with high-street chains.

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  Waterlooplein Flea Market · Plantage & East · Mon–Sat 09:30–18:00 (closed Sun)
  Amsterdam's oldest flea market, with about 300 stalls of vintage clothes, books, records and bric-a-brac.

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  Noordermarkt · Canal Belt & Jordaan · Mon 09:00–14:00 (flea market), Sat 09:00–16:00 (organic farmers' market)
  Monday flea market and Saturday organic farmers' market around the Noorderkerk in the Jordaan.

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  Foodhallen · Museum Quarter · Daily 12:00–23:00 (food counters until about 22:00)
  Indoor food hall in the former tram depot De Hallen, with 20 counters and craft beer.
• Amsterdam Cheese Museum · Canal Belt & Jordaan · Mon–Sat 09:00–22:00, Sun 09:00–21:00
  Small cheese shop with a free museum in the cellar and free tastings of Dutch cheeses, opposite the Anne Frank House.

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  OBA Central Library · Plantage & East · Mon–Fri 08:00–22:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–20:00
  Huge modern library by Oosterdok; take the escalators to the 7th-floor café and its terrace with city views.

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  NDSM Wharf · Noord · Always open (outdoor area)
  Former shipyard turned creative hub, with giant cranes, street art, studios and waterside terraces; free ferry from Centraal.

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  Westerpark · Canal Belt & Jordaan · Always open
  Relaxed park with lawns, a playground and a petting zoo, next to the Westergasfabriek's cafés.
• Brouwerij Troost Westergas · Canal Belt & Jordaan · Mon 11:00–00:00, Tue–Thu 11:00–01:00, Fri–Sat 11:00–03:00, Sun 11:00–23:00
  Independent craft brewery and bar in Westerpark with terrace seating.

Markets to browse

Free to wander around; see the full guide for days and times.

• Albert Cuypmarkt
• Noordermarkt
• Waterlooplein flea market
• Bloemenmarkt (floating flower market)
• Dappermarkt
• Ten Katemarkt
• Lindengracht market
• Spui book market

All markets, days and times →

More ways to save

Cards, not cash

• Amsterdam is very card-friendly: most shops, cafés, trams and museums take contactless payments (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Some places are pin-only or take debit cards only: Maestro and V Pay were phased out in the Netherlands, and Dutch banks are replacing them with Debit Mastercard/Visa Debit by the end of 2026
• A few smaller places and market stalls do not accept credit cards or foreign cards; keep €20–50 in cash for markets and small bars
• Cash is not accepted in some museums, on GVB vehicles and in some cafés: pay by card or with a ticket