Free summer things Amsterdam
Summer in Amsterdam has officially started! And guess what? Amsterdam is even more beautiful during summer for a short stopover. The canals come to life with its boats, locals chill in the famous Vondelpark and there are literally traffic jams of cyclists on the streets.
The average temperature in summer is around 20 °C with exceptional peaks of 30 °C. The Dutch can’t stop smiling when temperatures reach over 25 °C. This can be seen in parks, on city beaches and on terraces: it’s packed with Amsterdammers enjoying the sun. Here a list to take full advantage of during a short stay in Amsterdam during your stopover of a few hours. And guess what? Most suggestions are completely free. Enjoy the free summer things Amsterdam!
1. VISIT A FREE CONCERT AT THE OPEN-AIR THEATER IN THE VONDELPARK – Free summer things Amsterdam
Vondelpark Amsterdam
The Vondelpark is the ‘Central Park’ of Amsterdam. It’s right next to the famous entertainment areas Leidse Square and Museum Square and connects the center with the beautiful Old-West neighborhood. Really cool is to visit one of the free concerts that are given at the open-air theater from the 5th of May till the 10th of September. Most performances are given on weekends. Check the program by clicking here.
2. GO SWIMMING AT BLIJBURG AT SEA OR STRANDZUID – Free summer things Amsterdam
Blijburg at Sea beach
For the real hot days you might want to visit Amsterdam’s city beach: Blijburg at Sea. From here you’ll have a beautiful look over the IJsselmeer, the largest lake in Western Europe. Another luxurious option is: Strandzuid. This beach is better reachable by public transportation and nice for its beach beds and sandwiches, although they start from EUR 8. Swimming at Blijburg is more pleasant and you can bring your own sandwiches bought from a supermarket for EUR 2-3.
3. TAKE THE FREE FERRY TO AMSTERDAM NORTH – Free summer things Amsterdam
Ferry from Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam North
Not that much time in Amsterdam? Doing something really local? On the backside of Central Station you’ll find the ferries to Amsterdam North. All of these ferries are free. Take the ferry to Buiksloterweg (5 min) and make sure to have a spot on the side to be able to enjoy the beautiful view over ‘t Amsterdamse IJ’. Once there you can chill on fatboys in the sun at the laidback Tolhuistuin. When taking the longer ferry to NDSM werf (14 min), make sure to go to Pllek, the creative hangout or give a visit to the IJ-hallen, the biggest flea market of Europe for those vintage jeans you still missed.
4. THE AMSTERDAMSE BOS – Free summer things Amsterdam
The forest of Amsterdam is three times the size of Central Park and famous for its rowing track, art and own theater. You can do whatever you like in this park and having a beer at Grand Café Bosbaan is a must when visiting the Amsterdamse Bos. For festivities, exhibitions and information in the forest visit the Boswinkel. They will tell you all ins and outs of the forest.
5. JORDAAN DISTRICT + DRINK AT THE WATERKANT – Free summer things Amsterdam
Jordan District, Amsterdam
The Jordaan District is known as a romantic and lovely quarter. It’s famous for the people that grew up there and its songs but most of all because of the lively and small streets. The district used to be one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Amsterdam. Nowadays this 17th century district is one of the most famous and rich areas to live in. You will find there many artists, students and young professionals. After walking through the Jordaan District having a drink at the Waterkant is a must. This café below a parking lot is a recent hype because of its laid-back atmosphere where you can sit next to the water.
6. VISIT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY AND ENJOY THE LOOK OUT OVER AMSTERDAM – Free summer things Amsterdam
No hours to spend in Amsterdam? A five minute walk west from Central Station you’ll find the public library of Amsterdam (OBA). Open everyday from 10am to 10pm. Everybody can enter this beautiful library and it is of course: free. On the seventh floor you’ll find the view point over Amsterdam from which you overlook the canals and the whole centre of Amsterdam. This is free and you do not have to buy anything at the attached restaurant as the view point is not part of the restaurant. This is a far better and much cheaper option than the A’DAM Lookout in Amsterdam North. Another great view point is Café Blue. There you’d have to buy yourself a cheesecake though, it’s delicious.
7. GO TO THE ALBERT CUYP MARKET IN VIBRANT NEIGHBOURHOOD DE PIJP – Free summer things Amsterdam
Albert Cuyp Market, De Pijp Amsterdam
This is the place to find locals shopping for groceries, fabrics, clothing, textile, leather goods and jewellery. The Albert Cuyp market is open six days a week from 9am to 5pm and is located in the vibrant neighbourhood the Pijp. When visiting the market make sure to go to Gerard Douplein for a drink or go to Restaurant Bazar, located in the Albert Cuyp street. This Eastern fairy tale restaurant is located in a former church and will blow you away with its artistic colours and music.
8. WESTERPARK AND WESTERGASTERREIN – Free summer things Amsterdam
I Amsterdam Sign – Westerpark, Amsterdam
This is a nice option for when the weather may change from sun to rain and back. When it’s sunny you might want to lay down on the grass in the Westerpark and when the weather is rainy you may play crazy arcade games at TonTon Club.
9. LOOK AT A DUTCH WINDMILL AND HAVE A BEER AT BREWERY ‘T IJ – Free summer things Amsterdam
Windmill next to Brouwerij ‘t IJ Amsterdam
Do you love beer? And do you want to taste a local beer from Amsterdam? Our favorite is the craft beer ‘Eiwit’, which is a goldish fresh blond beer and best on a good summer day. Next to the Brewery ‘t IJ in Amsterdam East you’ll find a Dutch Windmill. It’s not part of the brewery, but still nice to see. And looking at it is completely free. Beers start from EUR 3
10. GAYPRIDE IN AMSTERDAM – Free summer things Amsterdam
Canal Parade – Gay Pride Amsterdam 2016
Among other festivals in Amsterdam the Gaypride is completely free and so much fun. Just stand on the banks of the Prinsengracht or the Amstel river and watch 80 boats with DJs, different themes, plenty of boobs, smiles and crazy stunts. Around 350,000 spectators come to Amsterdam every year so make sure to have a good spot. The event will take place on the first Saturday of August every year. In 2017 this will be on the 5th of August from 13.00-18.00h.
Pretty! This has beeen an incredbly wonderful article.
Many thanks for providing this info.
Yeah, was really helpful during my stay in Amsterdam. I liked the free ferry at Central Station and the open air concerts at the Vondelpark a lot.
Thanks! Happy to hear the article has helped you during your stay in Amsterdam 🙂
I think the admin of this web page is actually working hard in favor of his web page, for the reason that here every information is quality based information.
I simply could not leave your site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is going to be again ceaselessly in order to check up on new posts.
Thanks for your comment! The next posts will be on ‘Iconic House Boats in Amsterdam’. Just need to take some more good pictures, so waiting for the sun to come through the clouds, hehe ;-). Cheers!
I need to thank you for this great read! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Many thanks!
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!
Toooooo bad summer is over now. When will the Free Winter Things to Do-blog be posted?