Top Free and Cheap Things to Do in Amsterdam for Young Travellers

From free parks to interesting neighbourhoods, to budget food spots and plenty of walking options, there’s lots to get excited about if you’re a uni student or graduate looking to hit up another European city with some relatively cheap travel deals in the bag.

It’s all about spending a little bit here and there, complemented with a lot of the aforementioned. Some solid forward planning is also really handy if you want to make the most of the city without blowing your whole weekend travel fund in one fell swoop.

Explore Amsterdam’s Canals and Historic Streets for Free

One of the easiest ways to enjoy Amsterdam is to take a long walk through the city. Little bridges, bright houseboats and canal-side cafes provide endless photo opportunities, and there are costs involved, so you don’t need to book a tour to discover the city. We recommend starting in Jordaan for a meander through its galleries, courtyards and independent shops.

Travellers considering budget Amsterdam city breaks can fill an entire afternoon with a walking itinerary. Set off from the city centre, take the canals towards Jordaan and follow them to the Nine Streets shopping district.

Relax in Vondelpark and Discover Local Green Spaces

Vondelpark is probably the greatest of all of Amsterdam’s attractions. The park’s walking routes, lawns and ponds offer valuable respite from the city’s streets, and are especially welcome in the warmer months. Travellers of all ages can pick up food in the city’s supermarkets and stop for a picnic here, enjoying the vibes without forking out for a cafe lunch.

It’s also a good spot to take things slowly between hits on the tourist trail, and in spring and summer the park typically hosts open-air performances and musicians, although event dates and locations can be hard to pin down. Leaning to the more excellent side, the Westerpark provides a combination of open space, top entertainment venues and places to simply chill with friends.

Find Affordable Food at Markets and Local Cafés

Eating out for three meals a day can be a blow to your finances, and this is even more evident in a city like Amsterdam. That is what makes Amsterdam’s markets such an excellent alternative, with food stalls and opportunities to grab a ready-to-eat snack, a full meal or a few local delicacies. If you are heading to the De Pijp area anyway, then a midday meal on Albert Cuyp Market is a fun and interesting solution.

For younger, rather less adventurous people, this will mean being constantly on the lookout for stroopwafels, Dutch fries and herring. You can also find large supermarkets where you can stock up on breakfast foods and snacks for later. For casual lunches, there are many sandwich places to eat for a good price, and obviously these will be much less expensive than any restaurant near Touristy Square.

It might be nice to have a look at the menu before taking your seat to help you make that decision. Eating in a public square further from the centre is going to save you a whole lot of cash for your night’s drinking.

Enjoy Culture Without Spending a Fortune

Amsterdam has lots to offer for free, nestled between its many museums. You can locate churches beyond their beautiful facades; there are murals to spot, and plenty of streets and buildings to admire. There are also a number of bookshops and small galleries around the city. The main squares in the heart of the city are also a great place to experience ordinary Amsterdam life.

For those attractions where you do have to pay, you may decide to only visit one museum if it is your favourite rather than dashing around the city to lots of them. Make sure you check the entry price on the official website, as well as student discounts and how to get in for free, before you visit, as this varies between museums.

Get Around Amsterdam on a Budget

Much of central Amsterdam lends itself to walking, and confident city cyclists might also find themselves in their element. If the weather’s poor, are your kids up to tackling traffic on a bike? We also used public transport to get to further-out attractions, although the cost of individual journeys can add up. Check what’s included where on the Amsterdam city card.

We like to mix a bit of advance planning with flying by the seat of our pants. Choose accommodation with good access to public transport, list everything nearby you want to visit together, and leave some slack in your itinerary for exploring.

Amsterdam is a pleasure to explore on foot with children who enjoy a bit of poking around, and so many of the best things to do in Amsterdam are free. With pretty walks, parks, markets and an activity or two we saved our money for, they’ll have a ball on an open-wallet city break.