It's easy to spend a fortune within the Netherlands' stylish capital, but the city has plenty of gratis goodies available, knowing where you can look. From exploring colourful flower markets to voyaging for an island of recycled art, these are our picks of the best samples by mail to do in Amsterdam.
1. Canal Ring
More canals flow in Amsterdam than Venice, and also the 400-year-old waterways are a UNESCO World Heritage site. So exploring them is like finding yourself in a free, living museum, albeit with a beery cafe every few metres.
2. Albert Cuypmarkt
To obtain a feel for the 'real' Amsterdam, trawl its largest street market where locals haggle over shimmering fabrics, cheeses, bike locks, socks and herring sandwiches.
3. Concertgebouw on Wednesdays
Sharpen your elbows, since the older women in furs are ruthless looking to get into this famed classical hall's free lunchtime shows (often rehearsals for musicians playing later that evening). Concerts take place from 12:30pm on Wednesdays, from September to June.
4. Muziektheater on Tuesdays
Performers in the opera and Dutch Philharmonic also stage free lunchtime gigs in their mod venue. Our prime Cs fly from 12:30pm to 1pm of all Tuesdays, from September through June.
5. Flower Market
Breathe deep on a stroll with the Bloemenmarkt (Singel, between Muntplein & Koningsplein), where crimson tulips, yellow daffodils and purple lilies jumble against a dramatic canal backdrop. You'll have to purchase a bouquet, but it's free to smell the roses.
6. Civic Guard Gallery
As a free teaser to its collection, the Amsterdam Museum hangs a gape-worthy slew of Golden Age portraits – peers of Rembrandt's The Night Watch (displayed within the museum proper) – in a sheltered laneway next to the entrance.
7. Nieuwe Kerk
The historic stage for royal coronations, this soaring building from 1408 has become used for large-scale art exhibitions. The brand new Church charges admission, but you're thanks for visiting slip through the gift shop and head upstairs for a free peek and display around the church's history.
8. Free walking tours
Young guides working on a tip-only basis show you the Sore point District, Anne Frank House and other top sights about this three-hour, whiz-bang walkabout around Amsterdam organised by Sandeman's New Europe. The earliest departure is at 10am, and also the latest at 3pm, leaving in the Nationaal Monument at Dam Square. Look into the website for the most up-to-date info.
9. Begijnhof
To explore this secret courtyard (main entrance off Gedempte Begijnensloot), discover the humble wood door in Amsterdam's busy centre, push it open, and voilà – an oasis of 14th-century houses and gardens appears, together with two clandestine, relic-filled churches.
10. Stadsarchief
You never know what treasures you'll see in the city archives: a 1942 police set of Anne Frank's bike theft, photos from John and Yoko's 1969 bed-in in the Hilton, or a 1625 city map. Displays rotate regularly.
11. NDSM-werf
Hop on the free ferry behind Centraal Station and set sail for NDSM-werf, a derelict shipyard turned avant-garde arts community. Browse the recycled-junk sculptures, graffiti artists roaming the streets and giant wooden tiki head watching over it all.
12. Bimhuis on Tuesdays
Here's yet another freebie for the musically minded: the Bimhuis – the core of Amsterdam's influential jazz scene – hosts a rollicking jam session every Tuesday at 10pm from September to June. Join this guitar rock band, or simply hear.
13. Gassan Diamond Factory Tour
Don't know your princess from your marquise, or perhaps a river from a top cape? Get the debrief on diamonds during Gassan's one-hour tour, where one can watch gem cutters and pro polishers in action.
14. Hollandsche Manege (Riding School)
Softly sunlit and smelling of horses, this riding school impresses even non-equestrians with its gorgeous neoclassical architecture and stylish cafe by which to view the regal trotting.
15. Cannabis College
This non-profit centre educates about Amsterdam's favourite herb. Chat with staff about cafe etiquette, browse bong displays, view hemp-made products or try out a vaporiser.
16. Amsterdam Architecture Foundation
ARCAM, per its Dutch acronym, features exhibits on uber-cool urban design. Staff also point you to free resources, such as digital guides to architecture along tram routes.
17. EYE Film Institute
While the art-house movies and main-floor exhibitions have a price, the interactive Dutch film displays within the basement cost zilch. To achieve the gleaming EYE Film Institute, go ahead and take free 'Buiksloterweg' ferry from behind Centraal Station.
18. Centrale Bibliotheek (Main Library)
Sure, you can grab an international newspaper and settle into a cushy sofa for the afternoon at the OBA: Centrale Bibliotheek. But don't get so comfy that you miss the top-floor cafeteria whose deck unfurls an incredible city vista.
19. Poezenboot
Fans of all things feline should create a beeline for this quirky boat around the Singel that has served like a stray cat sanctuary since 1966. Today it's the place to find some 50 kitties, many of whom want to be adopted. Admission is free but donations are very welcomed.
20. Multatuli Museum
Renowned novelist Eduard Douwes Dekker (pen name Multatuli) wrote about corrupt colonialists within the Dutch East Indies. This small but fascinating museum-home chronicles his works and shows artefacts from his time in Indonesia.
