OBA Oosterdok Public Library

The OBA Oosterdok, the central branch of the Amsterdam Public Library, is one of the best free things to do in the city, and one of the few places where you can see a sweeping view over Amsterdam without paying. The library opened in 2007 on the Oosterdokseiland, a redeveloped harbour island just east of Centraal station, in a building designed by the architect Jo Coenen. From the outside it is a white, angular block; inside, it opens up into a bright, airy atrium with escalators and broad staircases rising through seven floors of books, reading tables, study spaces, armchairs facing the water and corners where you can sit with a coffee as long as you like. It is the largest public library in the country, holding around one and a half million books, periodicals, music and films in many languages, and visitors are welcome to walk in, browse and use the spaces without a library card. There is a substantial English-language section, plenty of international newspapers and magazines, and a lively children's floor with picture books, play areas and activities that make it a handy rainy-day stop for families. On the seventh floor, a restaurant with a large terrace looks across the rooftops and spires of the old centre towards the Oude Kerk and the dome of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, with the harbour and the green prow of NEMO on the other side. The same floor holds a theatre used for talks and events. Entry is free, and the library keeps long opening hours every day.

Why go: the OBA is where you see everyday Amsterdam at work and at rest, students, families, freelancers and retirees side by side, and the design shows how seriously the Dutch take public space. For visitors it serves three purposes. It is a free viewpoint, especially pleasant at sunset from the terrace. It is a comfortable, warm place to rest your legs and charge your phone between sights. And for travelling families, the children's floor is a lifesaver on a wet afternoon. Architecture and design fans will enjoy the interplay of light, wood and white surfaces, and the way the building frames views of the water.

Visiting well: take the escalators straight to the top floor for the view, then work your way down, browsing as you go. The restaurant on the seventh floor is self-service and reasonably priced by Amsterdam standards, and the terrace is open in good weather. You do not need to buy anything to enjoy the view from inside. Be considerate in the quiet study areas, which are often full of students around exam time. The library is fully accessible with lifts, and toilets are available. Opening hours are long, starting in the morning and running into the evening, but they vary slightly by day and around holidays, so check before you go if you are visiting late.

Around the library: the Oosterdokseiland is a short walk east from Centraal station, making the OBA an easy first or last stop of a day. NEMO Science Museum is across the water, reached by a footbridge in a few minutes, and the National Maritime Museum lies a little further east. The Conservatorium van Amsterdam, the city's music conservatory, is next door, and its students sometimes give free performances. Walk south across the bridge to the Nieuwmarkt and the old centre, or west to the free ferries behind Centraal for Noord.