Discover the hidden Begijnhof

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, then make your way to the Begijnhof. This secret garden of sorts is surrounded by 14th century houses including number 34 which is the oldest house in Amsterdam dating back to 1420. The houses here are strictly for single females only and in the garden you will find a church and some statues.

Explore the many canals and bridges

Amsterdam is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ because of the many canals that the city is built upon. A great way of exploring the city of Amsterdam is to take a walk along the cities many canals and bridges. This is also a great free thing to do in Amsterdam at night as the canals and bridges are lit up and look amazing. If you do have a bit of cash to spare we recommend that you splash out on a boat tour along the canals as it gives you a new perspective on the city.

Browse through the outdoor street markets

Amsterdam is home to many open air markets and whether you want to buy something or not, a stroll through these markets is a great free thing to do in Amsterdam. One of Amsterdam’s most famous markets is the Bloemenmarkt which is the Flower Market on the Singel. This market was once floating on the canal however it is a permanent fixture today. Another popular Amsterdam market is the Albert Cuyp Market which has over 250 stalls selling almost everything. This market is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and is located close to the Heineken Experience. You will also find some smaller pop-up markets in certain areas on set days of the week like the popular book market in Spui.

Explore Vondelpark

Make your way to Vondelpark in the south of the city where you can spend hours enjoying this beautiful public park. This is a really popular place for both locals and tourists. It’s the perfect place to take a walk or a cycle or to just lie back and relax in the sun.

Enjoy the atmosphere in the city squares

Another feature that you will find throughout Amsterdam is city squares. Around these squares you will often find many restaurants, bars and coffee shops. They are also a great area to sit out in and watch the world go by. Popular Amsterdam squares include Dam Square where you will find the National Monument as well as a lot of tourists. Museumplein is home to the Rijksmusuem as well as the Van Gogh Museum. It is also where you will find the popular ‘I amsterdam’ sign along with many tourists getting their picture taken with it. Spui is one of the quieter squares but it has some lovely restaurants and shops surrounding it. Leidseplein is known as the entertainment district as there are plenty of bars and restaurants around here. Rembrandtplein is also another popular spot for nightlife and restaurants, as well as coffee shops. It’s also a great square to sit out in and soak up the atmosphere in the evenings.

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