Travel to Amsterdam and Save - Freebies

Visits to the beautiful continent of Europe can get very expensive. Therefore you often have to look at the best ways to save money. In my opinion, there are some places you can easily cut costs, but with others, you have to book the best to ensure you get the best out of your vacation.

Let’s take a look at how you can save while visiting a country like Amsterdam.

10 Free Things to do in Amsterdam

1 - The Bloemenmarkt

Visit one of the many flower markets and the Bloemenmarkt (The Bloemenmarkt is the world’s only floating flower market.) – just walking through the beautiful flower markets is a real treat. Address: Singel, 1012 DH Amsterdam.

2 - The narrowest house in Amsterdam

Go to Oude Hoogstraat – referred to as ‘the narrowest house in Amsterdam‘ was built around 1600 and stands at only 2.02 meters wide and 5 meters deep. (Oude Hoogstraat 22, 1012 CE in Amsterdam is also the home of Salon de Thé – the smallest house in Amsterdam.)

3 - Free ferry rides

Go on a free ferry ride – Ferry services across the IJ are free. Keep a lookout for the free blue and white GVB ferries.

4 - Amsterdam Gallery

The Amsterdam Gallery @ Amsterdam Museum is open to the public – free admission.

5 - Markets on Sundays

Also visit other markets like the Pure Market, Art, and Flea markets – this is also a great way to save on buying food and souvenirs. (Every 1st Sunday of the month you can visit the Sunday Market @ Westergas.)

6 - De Negen Straatjes

You can also go shopping or just browse the streets of De Negen Straatjes – a neighborhood located in the Grachtengordel that is also a UNESCO World Herritage Site.

7 - Max Euwe Centre

The Chess Museum is located on Max Euweplein (between Leidseplein and Vondelpark) – Free admission.

8 - Vondelpark

The beautiful Vondelpark: A 47 ha (120 acres) city park with ponds, walkways, and play parks for the kids, is free fun for everyone. (The park is particularly beautiful in Autumn and Summertime.)

9 - Rijksmuseum Garden

You can visit the Rijksmuseum Garden – free access daily between 09H00 and 18H00.

10 - De Gooyer

And what would a visit to Amsterdam be without a windmill… At 26.6 meters in height, De Gooyer is the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands – located between Funenkade and Zeeburgerstraat.

On a budget-friendly holiday in Amsterdam, you can definitely save on transport costs as well as sightseeing activities.

Traveling to a foreign country is all about experiencing beautiful places and you can easily do that without breaking the bank. Walking or using public transport is safe and if you cycle the rest of the time, you’ll be able to cover quite a large part of the city.

If you’re traveling solo, consider joining a group. Book a ready-made holiday tour in order to save and still have the best experience. On a tour, you’ll have the option to share with other solo travelers and when traveling with friends you’ll have the benefit of group discounts.

Book-lovers can enjoy places like local / city libraries, which is often very impressive and it’s free.

Another way of saving is to buy your own food and have a picnic in a beautiful park. You’ll find more than enough picnic spots all over Amsterdam.

Save on Transport

One of the best ways to explore this beautiful country is by bike. So why is it so popular?

The country consists mostly of flat terrain and there are many (approximately 515km (320 miles) of dedicated) bike lanes that you can use with confidence. Driving a car is mostly not fun at all as parking fees can be very expensive and many of the streets are for pedestrians only. Therefore you will be able to save quite a lot on transport costs.

Exploring by bike is fun and you need not worry to get a country spesific driver’s license. 🙂

If you have extra spending money…

A visit to Keukenhof would definitely be one of the highlights of your trip to Amsterdam. Giethoorn is another beautiful place to visit. (These are additional options for when you have more time and money to spend. Maybe for your future bucket list…)

Amsterdam Bike Rental Shops

Black Bikes (Het Zwarte Fietsenplan) – Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 146/Lijnbaansgracht 283/Oudekerksplein 62/Reguliersbreestraat 41/Wolvenstraat 18/Falckstraat 47/1e Constantijn Huygenstraat 88/Koninginneweg 267-269/Beethovenstraat 86/Gustav Mahlerplein 118/Land van Cocagneplein 1E/Maasstraat 106-108/Czaar Peterstraat 14
MacBike – De Ruijterkade 34/Oosterdokskade 63A/Waterlooplein 199/Weteringschans 2/Overtoom 45
Yellow Bike – Nieuwezijds Kolk 29/Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 16
Green Budget Bikes – Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 103/Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 101/Raadhuisstraat 29/Oudezijds Voorburgwal 147E
Orange Bike – Buiksloterweg 5C
DamStraat Rent a Bike – Damstraat 20-22
Bike City – Bloemgracht 68-70
Mike’s Bike Tours – Kerkstraat 134/Prins Hendrikkade 176
Star Bikes Rental – De Ruyterkade 143
AmsterBike – Piet Heinkade 25
Frederic Rentabike – Binnen Wieringerstraat 23
King Bikes – Kerkstraat 143/Spuistraat 1C/Barndesteeg 9
Bike 4U – Kinkerstraat 1/Geldersekade 17HS

list credit amsterdamtips.com

Travel Tips

Many hotels offer airport transfers (free or at a very low fee)
Don’t use headphones while cycling: You need to be aware of your surroundings and watch out for the trams and pedestrians. Always lock your bike when you leave it somewhere.

More options...

Virtual Tour

Not ready for a trip to Amsterdam yet...Still too expensive...or maybe you first want to see a bit more before you go? Do a Virtual Tour from your own home.

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You can also save on / when:

You go as part of a group – see more info below.

There is more to Amsterdam than just the city center, which can be expensive. Traveling just outside of the city you’ll find beautiful places and it might make your bank manager happier. Then do a one or two-day tour into the city center.

Get a City Pass to Amsterdam and save big time.

Stay in budget-friendly hotels or hostels to save money. (see below)

Ready-Made Holiday Tours and Trips

Save by booking a ready-made holiday

Booking a trip or tour with a group is a fabulous way to save. If you're single you'll have the option to share or just by being part of the group you'll save as they do offer great package deals.

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Something you must try while you’re there is Bitterballen – You can make it at home – we have the recipe for you, read more…