Amsterdam Cheap and Free
See also:
Amsterdam for families
Culture & nightlife in Amsterdam
back to Amsterdam highlights
Free Amsterdam
The Schuttersgalerij (Civic Guards Gallery)
You have to pay to get into the Amsterdams Historisch Museum but not into its Schuttersgalerij, a covered passageway that holds 15 Civic Guards paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.
(Amsterdams Historical Museum, 92 Kalverstraat, 357 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwaal, 27 Sint-Luciënsteeg; tel: 523 1822; open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; entrance fee. www.ahm.nl
Harbour ferries
Ferries crossing the IJ channel between Centraal Station and Amsterdam-Noord are free; a perfectly acceptable short harbour cruise. Both the number of ferries and the routes they serve have increased, a process likely to continue as the old harbour waterfront opens up for new housing developments (some ferries also carry passengers with bicycles).
The Begijnhof
This oasis of tranquillity is one of the city centre's stellar sights and experiences. Flanked by the Historical Museum, the Begijnhof is a magnificent diamond-shaped cobblestone courtyard of 17th-century buildings and among the most picturesque places you can visit in Amsterdam's centre.
Lunchtime concerts
Both the Concertgebouw and the Muziektheater have free 30-minute rehearsal concerts once a week (on most weeks) from 12.30-1pm, the Concertgebouw on Wednesday and the Muziektheater on Tuesday. Visitors get a chance to hear the resident (or guest) orchestra in rehearsal at the Concertgebouw. www.concertgebouw.nl, www.muziektheater.nl
National Museum Weekend
On the last weekend in April, admission to many museums is free; others charge reduced fees. For the rest of the year, museums and galleries charge modetate entrance fees - typically 5 or 10. Some of the larger places have reduced rates for families; discounts are also available for the under 24s, or visitors over 65.
Money-saving Tips
Amsterdam Pass
Available for 1, 2 or 3 days, the pass gives good savings on public transport, museum entry and other expenses - but only if used to the best advantage.
It can be purchased at any of the VVV offices in Amsterdam and at many of the city's hotels. It is an alternative for visitors to the Museum Year Card, which is mainly used by local residents.
Strippenkaart
For short-term, intermittent use of public transport around the centre, these multiple-use tickets can be better value than single tickets or day passes.
Tickets are available from the GVB Tickets and Info office next to Centraal Station, as well as at railway stations, tourist offices, post offices, some tobacconists and at major hotels.
Canal Boats
Tickets for both the Museumboot (Museum Boat) and the Canal Bus give reductions on certain museum entry prices, and using the boat trip as a substitute for a dedicated canal-boat tour only adds to the potential savings.
The Canal Bus 52-seat cruiser provides a regular service between Centraal Station and the Rijksmuseum, with three stops on the way. For further information, tel: 623 9886.
Hotel rates
Many Amsterdam hotels depend on tourist visitors. At times when tourist numbers are low, particularly in winter (and especially on week days in winter), outside of the Christmas and New Year period, rates are lower and good deals are often available.
Hotels that are primarily oriented towards business visitors are likely to offer deals aimed at tourists at times when business travel is reduced. Four- and five-star hotels may drop their rates by one or even two levels. It's always worth asking about this.
At an increasing number of hotels you can book directly through their website. You'll often get the best rate by doing so - but not always. It may be worthwhile to compare the internet rate with the one you get from a direct call to reception or reservations accompanied by a request for a discounted rate.