Thursday, September 21, 2023

15 experiences in Amsterdam which are must try and absolutely free!

Even the locals may find a thing or two from the list!

You are in Amsterdam and you realise "damn, the city is expensive". I know. Can't agree more! From having the most expensive public transport system in Europe to eating out that makes your wallet lighter by many many euros, most of my student days were spent by not spending. 🤣 But there are a few free things to do in Amsterdam which I absolutely love and I am more than happy to share it with the world. 

Disclaimer: These experiences are free considering you have a cycle/bike to reach the places. And if you ever need FREE wifi get into one of the supermarkets (Albert Heijn/Dirk/Lidl)

1. Mezrab - it's the house of stories and the perfect place to spend a cold Friday evening (which is the weather on most days in Amsterdam). If you like listening to stories, esp multi-cultural ones, meeting new people, and a nice bike ride along the IJ river, give Mezrab a try. I was addicted to it!

2. On your way back from Mezrab and towards Centraal Station, there is this empty space between buildings which has lights on the floor. It almost makes you feel like you are walking on and between stars.


3. As you keep approaching Centraal station, on the right is Bimhuis. Overlooking the IJ river it provides some stunning views of the gorgeous Amsterdam's sunset (that is when the sun is out 😜). If it is a warm (or rainy or cold) Tuesday in June, chances are that they are having a free jazz/symphony concert up there which goes on until midnight. If music is your thing, go here! 

4. Oh they also have swings by the waterfront, which are absolutely free, unlike the swings on the Adam's tower. Go swing away to your heart's content!


5. This stretch from Mezrab to Centraal station is my absolute favourite - be it to catch the sunset or bask in the golden hour or to see the twinkling reflection of lights on the IJ river. Yess! The views are absolutely free and very very different from the Amsterdam that you see on the internet. No tourist trap here at all!

6. Walk further down and when you reach behind the Centraal Station, you see a few ferry stations. Hop on to them and take a ride to Amsterdam Noord. The ferries are absolutely free and function 24x7! So, rest assured you can return back to this point after that ferry ride. 

7. Also, check out the OBA (library) nearby. While there are many OBAs in Amsterdam, the one near Centraal is probably the biggest. And what a sight it is! The interiors are amazing and if books don't interest you, I would still recommend you head to the 7th floor for the spectacular view of Amsterdam from there. And as the blog title mentions - it's free!


8. If heights dizzy you, then head to Artis (the zoo). While it has a ticketed entry, the flamingoes are visible from a section of Artis that has free entry. Carry a book and sit there for hours while the pink flamingoes give you a visual treat and company. 

9. Amsterdam has a fair share of parks and more than a fair share of canals. Take a picnic mat, some cushions, take a book (or not), some fine wine (you will have to pay for this though!), glasses and cheese and make a picnic of it. Sit in a park by the canal and enjoy a hearty conversation. This is THE thing to do in summer. Also, check out the terrace of the Nemo museum or the vast Museumplein where you can bask in the sun (if and when it is out) in the green lung space between Rjks museum and Concertgebouw.

10. Party like no one is watching on Kings day in April, or dress up in rainbow colours to watch the gay canal parade. I bet you have never seen anything like either! Soak in the spirit and party without parting with your euros. On Kings Day there are some places where you can dance to Dutch music without paying a cent. De Oranjerie is one such place. If you are one whose idea of partying is to sip some amazing but expensive cocktails in peace then try the nearby Vesper. 

11. Attend the annual Prinsengracht festival held in the 2nd half of August. Tickets are hard to come by and so are the perfect viewpoints. But you can stand all along Prisengracht for free. The standing is all worth it - for there is nothing like staying back until the end of the concert and seeing the true blue Amsterdammers swaying to what could be the city anthem. 


12. If history interests you, head to the city hall where you can find the visual history in the form of maps of the growing Amsterdam city. Also, you have probably heard that the city is below sea level. See the level of sea for yourself within tubes at the city hall and feel blessed to not be wading in water there. 😉

13. Go to any of the cheese stores doting the city and try their samples - absolutely free! Hehehe.. my personal favourite is the one in the red light district as they have quite a variety for free sampling. 

14. The city has so many statues and art work around. Some with reason, some without. Some by known artists, some by anonymous groups. You don't have to get into a museum to see these artworks. You can do it for free as long as you have a keen eye!

NDSM
       
       Street art by Frankey
Anonymous sculptor's work

15. Go to the water fountain opposite the arch at Haarlemerplein and feel free to play with water. Or sit by the fountain and look at ppl playing with water - that is absolutely free too!  

Bonus content: Follow these two Instagram accounts. They are hilarious and an accurate representation of life and cultural differences that you may face in the Netherlands.

1. Let's double Dutch

2. Driplist

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