Due to its location in northern Europe, the weather in the Netherlands occasionally experiences some variance. Most of the time, yes. There is a fantastic assortment of indoor activities and attractions to keep you warm and dry on your next vacation to Amsterdam if you’re not quite ready for the one-handed umbrella cycle. Therefore, don’t let the rain stop you from having fun with this list of wet weather activities.
1. Visit the Rijksmuseum
It may seem obvious, but the Rijksmuseum ought to be at the top of everyone’s list of indoor things to do in Amsterdam. Save the museum on a gloomy day so you can enjoy all of its beauties without a trace of worry about missing out on the sunny. You may easily spend the entire day browsing the museum’s extensive collection without even noticing the weather outside.
Once you’ve had your fill of culture, you can grab a bite to eat or a drink at the museum’s stunning atrium café or indulge in more formal dining at the restaurant RIJKS, which offers views of the lovely gardens even when it’s raining.
2. Find a ton of museums and galleries.
In Amsterdam, there are more than 100 museums and galleries to visit, ranging from the opulent and formal to the odd and offbeat. Amsterdam’s top attractions include the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Rembrandt House, and Stedelijk Museum, but if the lines are too long on a rainy day, check out one of the city’s more unusual museums, which include a canal house dedicated entirely to cat worship and a macabre collection of skeletons and body parts.
3. Indoor shopping
You might need to get an umbrella, or perhaps a gorgeous new pair of shoes. There are many places to shop in Amsterdam, from the small, boutique-filled Nine Streets to the upscale designer shops of Oud-Zuid. Visit the Magna Plaza shopping centre, housed in a landmark structure behind Dam Square, or Amsterdam’s renowned department store De Bijenkorf if you wish to keep your entire shopping excursion indoors.
4. Take a canal boat tour.
The UNESCO-protected canal belt of Amsterdam, built in the 17th century to keep the sea at bay, is the city’s iconic picture-postcard representation. It’s not necessary for it to be a dry day to take a canal boat.
In fact, exploring the city’s waterways in a cosy boat with a glass ceiling is one of the greatest ways to see the sights in bad weather, and you’ll discover a wealth of interesting information as you go. Choose from a wide variety of canal cruises, including romantic candle-lit nighttime cruises and hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours.
5. Take a deep dive into the science
The NEMO Scientific Museum, Amsterdam’s famous green scientific centre situated in the Eastern Docklands of the city, is unaffected by rain. This enormous, interactive museum features five levels of regularly updated exhibitions, theatrical productions, films, workshops, and demonstrations that are perfect for keeping kids occupied on a rainy day.
Children of all ages may learn about the world through playful installations that help them smell, hear, feel, and observe how things work. You could even discover something encouraging about the weather outside.
6. Investigate an indoor market
Numerous indoor markets are hosted all across Amsterdam during the month, providing the chance to go bargain hunting and discover regional goods in unusual and fascinating settings. Every few weeks, the largest flea market in Europe takes over the IJ-Hallen at NDSM Wharf, a vast warehouse with outstanding post-industrial surroundings.
De Hallen, a cultural hub in Oud-West, invites regional makers to the Maker Market, where they showcase their wares to customers looking for distinctive goods manufactured in Amsterdam once a month.
7. Visit a café in Amsterdam
The relaxed cannabis culture of Amsterdam is centred on its coffee shops, yet they are still run under rigorous regulations. The Netherlands has decriminalized marijuana since 1972, although public smoking is still prohibited. Only adults with IDs are permitted to make purchases at the city’s coffee shops, which serve as legal dispensaries.
Many coffee shops offer fresh cannabis and weed-infused sweets (space cakes), but the majority of them only offer ready-made joints. Many tourists view going to a coffee shop as the ultimate Amsterdam experience.
8. Take in live music
The nightlife in Amsterdam is renowned for being energetic, with many venues featuring live music till late. The Bimhuis at the Muziekgebouw is a fantastic location to take in jazz performances by Dutch and foreign artists. Melkweg is a performance venue that opened its doors in 1970. It has a café, a movie theatre, an exhibition area, and 4 halls. Everything from acoustic to electronic music is included here.
Waterhole is an Amsterdam bar that features daily live music on a considerably smaller scale. It’s a chill spot where you can have a drink, watch aspiring musicians play, or play pool with welcoming locals.
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