Winter is coming, it’s cold, it brings that cutting wind, the rain, multiple layers of clothing in your body, that you almost feel like the Michelin doll. You want to go out and do something, but you are saving money for the holidays but don’t feel like spending today. No worries, did you know that Amsterdam offers a plethora of free activities during the winter season? Here are the top 5 free winter activities you can enjoy in Amsterdam.
All these are great activities for winter but also year round and best of all, FREE.
1. Free Walking Tour – Sandeman’s New Europe
One of the best ways to discover Amsterdam and learn about its history is by joining a free walking tour. Sandeman’s New Europe offers free Amsterdam walking tours led by young guides working on a tip-only basis. The tours depart at 11:15am and 1:15 pm from the National Monument at Dam Square.
Location: National Monument at Dam Square
2. Visit The Floating Flower Market
The famous floating flower market is a must-visit. Enjoy the colorful flowers and wonderful smells for free, look at all those tulips and grab your own bag of tulip bulbs and plant them. One of the unique features of the flower market in Amsterdam is that it is floating on the Singel Canal.
Location: Singel 610, 1012 XN Amsterdam
3. Take A Free Boat Trip
Behind the Central Station, you can take the free Amsterdam Public Transport ferry to the North of Amsterdam. It’s not actually a boat that crosses the canals, but it is a ferry that crosses the river IJ (pronounced “eye”) and you will have a wide view of the Amsterdam waterfront from both sides. There are 3 different routes, each offering a unique perspective of the city. We definitely recommend doing it since you can enjoy the view of Central Station and Amsterdam Center from the North, but also in the North side you can take a nice walk and enjoy a different scenery in the IJ area.
Location: 1012 AB Amsterdam
4. Explore The Canal Belt
As we know and you will also know now, if you don’t know, in August 2010, the Amsterdam Canal belt was added as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The canal belt (Grachtengordel) was built in the 17th century around the old city center. Many beautiful Canal Houses are located on the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht with typical architecture for these gabled houses. During any time of the year, whether tourists or locals, it is always refreshing to take a walk through the canal belt and just do a Shortwalk, clear your mind, enjoy the beauty, have a chat with a friend, it is really relaxing.
Location: Leidseplein, 1017 PT Amsterdam
5. Visit The Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is the ideal place to visit for an escape from the noise of the city. To explore this secret courtyard, find the heavy wooden door in Amsterdam’s busy center (entrance on Spui), push it open, and an oasis of 14th-century houses and gardens appears, along with two churches. The Begijnhof is at medieval street level, which means a meter below the rest of the old city center. Also here is Amsterdam’s oldest house (one of the city’s only two remaining wooden houses), dating from 1475.
Location: Begijnhof 1, 1012 WS Amsterdam
These activities are all free, so anyone can do it and repeat it, you will regret it. It has many benefits, not only allow you to experience the charm of Amsterdam during the winter but also help you save money and there is always something new that you observe when walking through the city. So put those comfy socks and shoes, grab a nice jacket, step out, and start exploring this beautiful city!
