The best things are often free. And to prove this, we’ve put together 10 things you can do in Amsterdam without spending a cent.
1. Conservatory Concertgebouw
Get into a concert for free at one of the best conservatories in the world? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s true: every Wednesday afternoon you can get into the Concertgebouw for free. You need to pick up your entry ticket at the box office at 11:30 am, but it’s better to come early. The concert itself will run from 12:30 to 13:00. The program is updated regularly, but you can follow it on the conservatory’s website.
2. Rijksmuseum Gardens
Be sure to take a walk in the gardens of the Rijksmuseum, where in addition to stunning nature you can also find objects of street art: a huge chessboard, a fountain by the contemporary Danish artist Jeppe Hein and the work of the architect Aldo van Eyck. From time to time, new sculptural exhibitions are brought here. One of the latest is a collection of works by the Spanish master Joan Miró.
3. Muziektheater
The Muziektheater, which regularly hosts opera, dance and music performances, also hosts free weekly concerts on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 13:00 (September to May). Several times a month, in addition to the concert, you can also be offered a free tour of the theater building. You can check the exact dates on the website.
4. Bimhuis
Bimhuis is a legendary jazz venue that is also free to enter every Tuesday. The musicians usually start playing at 22:00, but come early to get a better seat.
5. Central Library
You can get into the largest library in the Netherlands – Centrale Bibliotheek – for free, however, as well as access to its materials, only wi-fi will be paid. On the 7th floor of the library there is a cafe with a magnificent terrace, offering a beautiful view of the city.
6. Gallery Civic Guard
The Amsterdam Museum houses a collection of portraits from the Golden Age. Anyone can see them absolutely free.
7. Walking tours Sandeman’s
The free three-hour walking tour (in English and Spanish) of the city’s main attractions usually runs several times a day: at 10:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 2:15 p.m. They usually start at the National Monument on Dam Square. It’s best to reserve your place online, but you can come without a reservation, 10 minutes before the start.
8. City archive Stadsarchief
While on the second floor of the Stadsarchief you can see the exhibition for a small fee, on the first floor you can find even more materials about the history of Amsterdam. The period of documents stored here is quite long – from ancient maps to the times of Nazi occupation. And some people find the collection on the first floor much more interesting than the one on the second.
9. Free tour to the Gassan Diamond Factory
You can learn about the 400-year history of the diamond industry in the Netherlands completely free at the Gassan factory. But you need to book the excursion in advance.
10. Film Institute EYE
Entering the territory of the EYE Film Institute with its stunning architecture and unusual interactive exhibition is completely free.
Moreover, the way here will be unusual: you need to take the free Buiksloterweg ferry departing from Central station.
Source: travelandleisure.com
