plopping & splashing at these swimming spots in amsterdam!
Summer in Amsterdam! Hi sunshine! Hi hot temperatures! Hi skirts and flip flops! It’s finally summer in Amsterdamย and the days that’ll follow have a good temperature as well. Maybe not the temperature to swim with, but nice to relax with on the water side. Where do you find those spots? Grab that swimming pants and bikini – and of course your inflatable animalย – and join us for a splash at theseย 10 x best swimming spots in Amsterdam!ย
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best swimming spots in Amsterdam
Ouderkerkerplas:ย Ouderkerk aan de Amstel has always been known for its wonderful nature and surroundings. You do have to bike a little, but hey, as soon as you splash into the water you’ll forget this. Zandstrand and Groenstrand are the places to be. And a plus: there are different facilities around here!
Gaasperplas: A lake where you are in a secondย from the center with the metro and where you can spend the whole day in the sunshine. With showers and toilets, a longย beachside and various catering facilities to get a coldย drink, 30 degrees is not a bad thing.
Deย Ceuvel: Deย Ceuvel is perhaps the most idyllic part of Amsterdam Noord. This green spot is not only extremely durable, it also looks wonderfully cozy. You can stay here just fine on the terrace, but also jump in the water from the wooden scaffolds. Tired of swimming? The hammock is waiting for you;-)
Amsterdamse Bos: There’s a chance that you only know the Amsterdamse Bos by its festivals – like Bacchus or A Day At The Park – but there’s more. Also for your splash fun you can go here. The big swimming pond is big enough for everyone! Just you on your floating mattress, how cool is that? Take your towel, grab that football and you’ll be home after sunset!
‘T Twiske: It’s a quite a bicycle ride (and also not in Amsterdam) but believe us, it’s worth it. Get away from the chaos of the cityย and enjoy the calm nature. Go early so you do not have to bike inย the burningย sun, and sit in the ‘T Twiske with a well-deserved drink.
IJburg: Okay, we have to admit. It takes a little bit long by bike. But when you’re there, you don’t want to leave anymore. Because on the beach of IJburg – far beyond Amsterdam East – you’ll forget that you’re in Amsterdam. Which is funny, because you can also get there by tram. But just take that bike, that makes your jump into the water even better. And also great: you can have dinner & drinks at Blijburg aan Zee!
Olympic Stadium: During summer days the islands right behind the Olympic Stadium are transformed in an absolute place to be in the Stadium neighborhood. The brand new scaffolds serve as a beautiful diving board and there is place for everyone. Get that cooler out of the shed, put your bbq on your bike and you can enjoy a whole day here!
Amstel, Weesperzijde: Yesss, another great spot that transforms into a hotspot just like the Olympic Stadium on summer days. Here you can chill on the grass and you’ll walk in the water just like that. Even if you don’t like swimming it’s fun here. The passing boats are what Amsterdam is all about ;-)
Sloterplas: {UPDATE – JUNE 2023 => the water in The Sloterplas is not of good quality this year. So DON’T swim in the Sloterplas in 2023 } The Sloterplas has undergone a transformation a few years ago. It has become the perfect spot to enjoy the sun, time with friends and burgers from the BBQ. You can also enjoy paddle boarding or kayaking there. Ps: At Hotel Buiten or Boothuis you can enjoy a drink and food while the sun goes down.
What are your favourite swimming spots in Amsterdam?
TIP: discover more Amsterdam and travel tips in the books of YourlbbTHE AMSTERDAM CITY GUIDE & WANDERLUST!
Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
โ Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
โ A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
โ The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
โ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
โ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
โ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
โ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
โ MOCO Museum for street art
โ Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
โ Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
โ Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
โ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
โ Red Light District tour
โ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>
Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // โฌ
โพ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
โพ The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
โพ Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
โพ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
โพ Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
VERY VERY NICE // โฌโฌ
โพ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
โพ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
โพ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
โพ Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
โพ Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
โพ Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
โพ Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
โพ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
โพ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
โพ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
โพ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
โพ QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // โฌโฌโฌ
โพ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
โพ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
โพ L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
โพ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
โพ W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
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| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>