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Hotel & Wellness Zuiver © Booking.com

Emma

 

March 5 2024
23 Januari 2026

What to do when it rains in Amsterdam? The best activities at a glance

What to do on a rainy day in Amsterdam? We'd love to spend the whole day at a café, but nine times out of ten, the Dutch weather doesn't allow for that. Still want to get out, rain or shine? Then discover the best activities in Amsterdam for a rainy day.

What to do in Amsterdam when it rains

When the weather is bad, the question quickly arises: what to do in Amsterdam when it rains? We understand the struggle and are happy to help. Because let's be honest: there are plenty of options and fun activities in Amsterdam for a rainy day, but when it's raining, it's often incredibly difficult to come up with them. So, time for an overview.

Museums

If Amsterdam is known for anything, it's its excellent museums; the perfect answer to the question "what to do in Amsterdam when it rains," in our opinion. A visit to the Rijksmuseum is a must, of course, but explore other options. The FOAM Photography Museum, NEMO, Het Kattenkabinet (a hit with cat lovers), STRAAT (impressive in Amsterdam-Noord), NXT Museum (the digital-first museum in Amsterdam-Noord), and Micropia will surprise and impress you just as much.

Game cafe

Besides visiting one of Amsterdam's many unique museums, we can't think of a better way to spend your time than at a games café. The TonTonClub, Mooie Boules (boules with a drink and a snack – what more could you ask for?), and Festina Lente offer plenty of entertainment for a rainy day in Amsterdam.

High tea

At the Amstel Hotel, you can enjoy the now-famous Afternoon High Tea, but The Duchess, Conservarotium Hotel, and The Grand Hotel also offer an extensive and ultra-chic afternoon with tea and special treats. Book in advance to secure your spot.

In short: to find an answer to the question 'what to do in Amsterdam when it rains', visit one of the capital's leading hotels for high tea.

gift tips activity amsterdam Afternoon tea Waldorf

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam © Facebook

sailing in a saloon boat

Is there anything cozier than seeing Amsterdam from the water when it's raining? We don't think so, and we consider a covered canal cruise the best answer to the question "what to do in Amsterdam when it rains?" And the best part, of course, is on a beautiful saloon boat!

Cinemas

Going to the movies is an obvious option, but you make it special when you choose one of the visits the special cinemas that Amsterdam has to offerThe Movies, Kriterion, FC Hyena, Lab113, Eye, and Studio/K are just a few of the selection, and definitely worth a visit. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, go to De Foodhallen Amsterdam. There you can enjoy the most unique delicacies at various food stands, after which you can relax and watch the latest films in their cinema at the Film hall.

Spa and wellness

Amsterdam boasts numerous spas and wellness centers. A long-standing favorite is Spa Zuiver, but the spa at the Conservatorium Hotel is also highly recommended, as is the W Away Spa at the W Hotel. If you're looking for something a little more low-key, Massage Number 1 on the Singel canal (in the heart of Amsterdam) is a winner; for a small fee, you can enjoy a back, shoulder, or foot massage. Sauna Deco is also a household name among Amsterdammers. The Art Deco-style establishment offers various saunas and steam baths.

Take a Creative course

At CREA in Amsterdam-Oost, you can take the best courses in every field, from theater to dance to music. Near Westerpark is sewing café De Steek, where you can take various sewing courses for beginners and advanced students. Prefer to work up a sweat? Then indulge in sculpting at Klei Atelier Patty Schilder, described as one of the best clay studios in Amsterdam.

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Just back from Catalonia and I thought: I'll share some tips right away. During our road trip, we stayed two nights in the Ebro Delta. An incredibly fun stop for families and foodies alike, where there is plenty to do. · A boat trip to the Musclarium is a must! Here you eat oysters and mussels straight from the farm, in the middle of the sea. · Admire the flamingos and black ibises that can be found here all year round. · Rice is grown in the Ebro Delta all year round. For paella, but Kensho also makes sake and miso from it! You can visit them during a tasting. · Cycling along the rice fields, canoeing on the Ebro River, and visiting various beaches. It was still a bit too cold now, but there is plenty to do. · The towns are very low-key and not that exciting, but you can find fantastic local food there. From the Michelin-awarded Les Moles* to local eateries like Vermuteria Bonmarisc and Lo Tinglado. We ate a lot of fish, but also anemone fritters (a first!). Now back to work, and I’m going to create an extensive travel guide of this road trip through Catalonia, but you’ll want to save these tips for a future adventure. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck { In this post, I share tips for the Ebro Delta in Spain (Delta de l'Ebre). More tips for Catalonia can be found at www.yourlittleblackbook.me }
PUUR JONNIE, an ode to Jonnie Boer. Today I had the honor of being at @delibrijezwolle for the book launch of @jonnie_en_therese. I spent the entire evening reading and browsing. WHAT A BOOK. What stories. WHAT AN ODE. Love, Nature, Pioneer, Fatherhood, Music, Jonnie's Foundation, Friendship, Suppliers, Local products, Relaxation, Entrepreneurship, Humor & The pure human being. Everything is covered, beautifully written by @joel.broekaert. With contributions from, among others, @nelsontanate, @rekkebus, @ronblaauwtje, @jorisbijdendijk, @sidney_schutte & @hvw043. Thanks for the wonderful afternoon @jonnie_en_therese 💚 PUUR JONNIE, Available from April 14 at your local bookstore (and online) 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your ticket to Japan without taking a plane 🥢 @tewatashi.ams in De Pijp serves an authentic Edo-Mae Sushi Experience and is super consistent in their quality. It's the place we keep going back to when we have something to celebrate <3. In this video I'm sharing the 2 hour experience in 60 seconds. Still dreaming about the buttery ika nigiri. 🤤 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck { one of the best authentic Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam serving premium sushi omakase in De Pijp }
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