Amsterdam Free Family Fun

Five Free activities to do for all!

I actually doubt if there’s another site on the earth where you’ll find this much cuisine, local cafes, bars & bakeries and this extremely layered cake of history, languages and culture, all crammed together on this eight square kilometers and all so easily accessible on foot or ofcourse, by bicycle. Or boat, if you want. The Art lover, the culture lover, the history buffs, the outdoorsy traveler and the culinary lover: Go eat your heart out in Amsterdam!

To make the most out of your stay in Amsterdam, without spending too much and still have a great time: I’ve put together a list of five activities for you and your family to do and enjoy, for free! 😉

It’s on top of Amsterdam’s most intriguing building: designed like the bow of ship, built over the cartunnel going North, the home to the NEMO science museum -great for kids- and with an amazing rooftop. Not many places get cooler then this: A public space up in the air, open everyday from 9am to 6PM. In summer for six weeks on end the rooftop is opened on thursdayevenings for free live music, until 9PM.

Since Amsterdam’s buildings are relatively low, the rooftop of the Nemo will offer you stunning views over the city.

he rooftop will offer you a view of the maritime museum & it’s replica ship of the Amsterdam, another worthy sight of Amsterdam. The replica was built in the 1990s by the city of Amsterdam, after the remains of the original were found in the sands near the south of England, where the ship sunk in 1749 on it’s maidan voyage.

The quays below are filled with original ships from around the Netherlands. Each ships history is explained in English, a fun and informative walk along the quays between Nemo & the Maritime museum.

The rooftop is accessed on the eastern side of the Nemo, just climb the steps, have a coffee, and enjoy the views.

Nemo Science Museum & The Maritime museum

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2. The city archive // Het stadsarchief

“The memory of Amsterdam”, this is one of the largest buildings in the city center. The home to over fifty kilometers of archive and with a great exhibition in the former safe in the basement.

This place is cool for a wide audience, way broader then your average historian. It’s the largest building in the city and safeguards over 750 years of history. The first recorded mentioning of Amsterdam, the Tol Privilege, is kept here. The basement holds a free exhibition about the history of Amsterdam, and has a beautiful interior design.

The Bazel, as the building is known, was built as the headoffice for the Colonies of the Netherlands, in many ways the heir of the Dutch East India Company. The Bazel is reminiscent of the styles of the 1920s. Mussolini would’ve been jealous of it, that much is certain.

Did I mention that the bank housed in the building built a tunnel underneath the Prinsengracht to connect to the other office?

The over one meter thick doors welcome the visitor, the safe was used to store valuables of the Dutch Colonial Trading company and the valuables of their clients. Walk down the pretty & elobarote staircase into the domain of Amsterdam’s best kept secret.

A visit to city archive is great for all ages. In the back of the basement there’s a cinema playing free documentaries about Amsterdam. Be in awe, be inspired, have a look at what video footage is on display and be sure not the miss the free restrooms which are in the basement too.

Open: Daily 10am to 5Pm, closed on mondays. Weekends: Noon to 5PM, Vijzelstraat 32.
https://www.amsterdam.nl/stadsarchief/

3. The OBA Central Library: Amsterdam’s Bookish Playground 📚✨

If you think libraries are just quiet rooms full of dusty books, you definitely haven’t visited the OBA Central Library in Amsterdam. Located on Oosterdokseiland, just a short walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station, the OBA Oosterdok is the largest library in the Netherlands.

Opened in 2007, this enormous seven-floor building feels more like a cultural playground than a traditional library. Designed by architect Jo Coenen, the building is filled with light, open spaces and impressive views of the city.

Inside, you’ll find everything from books and magazines to computers, study spaces, exhibitions and even a theatre. There are plenty of cosy corners where you can settle down with a good book or newspaper—or pretend to study while secretly people-watching.
The library is also home to a special children’s area and a Maakplaats, where creativity gets to run wild.

And if reading makes you hungry, don’t worry, because the OBA has a café and restaurant too. Head up to the seventh floor and you can enjoy the city views from restaurant Babel while taking a well-deserved break.
The OBA even hosts concerts, films, book presentations, exhibitions and other cultural events, so there is usually something happening beyond the bookshelves.

With its huge open spaces and thousands of places to sit, it is a great spot for students, travellers, families and anyone who simply wants somewhere interesting to hang out
You can come to work, study, browse, relax, meet friends, enjoy an event or simply admire the architecture.
So, next time you’re wandering around Amsterdam Centraal, follow the books—and the spectacular views—and give the OBA a visit.

You might arrive looking for a quiet library and leave wondering why every city doesn’t have one this cool!

Open daily 8AM-10PM, saturday & sunday open 10am-8PM

Check out OBA.nl for more info!

4. A Secret Treasury in the Heart of Amsterdam

There is so much to learn about money that even I was surprised! Hidden in the heart of Amsterdam, the Dutch National Bank has a fascinating story of its own. The building stands on the former grounds of the beautiful Crystal Palace, which sadly burned down in 1929. For decades, the bank was essentially a closed-off bunker in the middle of the city. But that has now changed!

The gold has been moved from the basement to a secure military facility, and the building has been given a new life. Today, it offers free working spaces and, most excitingly, a fascinating exhibition inside the former vault: The New Treasury.

Opened on 1 January 2025, I believe it offers a not-to-be-missed experience for visitors of all ages.

The exhibition takes you through the history of money: why people invented it, how we started using it, and how it shaped the world we live in today. You’ll encounter ancient coins and fascinating objects, but also some of the darker chapters of Dutch financial history.

One of the exhibition’s more confronting sections explores the role of the Dutch central bank in the history of slavery and the financial flows generated by the slave trade — and other industries built on exploitation. At one point in history, the Dutch guilder was one of the world’s dominant currencies, giving the Netherlands an enormous influence over international trade and finance.

And then there’s the vault itself.

The experience takes you deeper and deeper underground, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by incredibly thick walls built to protect the country’s gold reserves. It’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer scale of it.

In fact, the vault had an ingenious security system: in an emergency, it could be flooded within seconds using water from the canals surrounding the Nederlandsche Bank.

So, while you might come here to learn about money, you’ll leave having discovered a fascinating piece of Amsterdam’s history — hidden beneath the streets of the city.

Open monday to friday, 9AM-5PM
Check out the New Treasury

I’ve saved the best for last, because I believe this is so much more than just a free ferry ride.

For commuters, it can be the nightmare of every morning between 7 and 9 AM. For children, it’s a little adventure. And for festival-goers coming to and from the infamous NDSM Wharf, it’s the perfect moment to sit back, relax, and recap the night. Pedestrians, cyclists, families, tourists, and locals all use it alike.

There are four ferry routes, all departing from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station.

But if you ask me, take the ferry to NDSM Wharf. It’s simply the best. At around 15 minutes, it’s the longest crossing, but it also offers the best views — and takes you to one of the coolest areas of Amsterdam.

NDSM Wharf is home to the famous Straat Museum, as well as countless other impressive art installations and creative spaces scattered throughout the area. And over the past few years, the number of bars, restaurants, and other hotspots that have popped up here has been incredible. What was once an industrial shipyard has turned into one of Amsterdam’s most exciting cultural and creative areas.

A little practical tip: the NDSM ferry runs roughly every 15 minutes, seven days a week, but service stops sometime before midnight. If you need a ferry that runs 24/7, take one of the two routes between Centraal Station and Buikslotermeerplein. These are also the ferries you’ll want to take if you’re heading to the A’DAM LOOKout.

So yes, it’s free. But the ferry is also one of the easiest ways to experience Amsterdam from a different perspective — and that’s what makes it worth the ride.

Read some more articles to prepare better for your visit to Amsterdam!