Indoor Activities in Amsterdam

By Robert Heaney
Published: July 18, 2024
Interior of the Rijksmuseum Research Library

The Netherlands’ famous capital is lauded for its wealth of fantastic social and cultural hubs, its streets simply overflowing with individual character both inside and out. While you’re sure to find yourself wanting to explore each nook and cranny of Amsterdam’s canals and open squares, that’s only half the experience.

You’ll find many of the city’s best attractions and activities hidden away indoors, often serving as the perfect escape from the country’s notorious weather. From retracing the steps of Dutch history to indulging in local delicacies, below are some of the best indoor activities in Amsterdam to throw into your itinerary.

Museums

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Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam’s famous Rijksmuseum is not only the largest museum in the city, but also one of the most important throughout both the Netherlands and Europe as a whole. Dominating the popular Museumplein area, the museum is easily one of the most recognizable monuments in the Dutch capital, most notably for its striking Renaissance- and Gothic-inspired architecture.

The grand halls of the Rijksmuseum are home to a vast collection of art pieces and historical artifacts, illustrating the art and history of the Netherlands from the Dutch Golden Age to the present day. Among its more than 8,000-strong collection are priceless pieces from such renowned Dutch artists as Rembrandt and Vermeer, including the former’s famous Night Watch painting.

Amsterdam Museum

Combining both historical artifacts and striking artworks, the Amsterdam Museum stands as the Netherlands’ most complete public chronology of the Dutch capital’s history. The museum sits within the canal band, just a short walk from the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.

The museum documents the city’s growth from a thirteenth-century settlement on the banks of the River Amstel to the thriving cultural center we know today. Everything from archeological finds and historical artifacts to the works of such Dutch masters as Rembrandt help to paint a picture of life in Amsterdam and the Low Countries as a whole throughout various periods in history.

Anne Frank House

Easily the most highly visited historical site in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House. Once the original house in which the famous wartime diarist evaded German capture, the building now serves as a museum documenting her family’s more than two years in hiding, along with sobering insights into Jewish persecution under the Nazi regime throughout the Second World War.

Located on the outer banks of Amsterdam’s canal band, visitors can explore the former premises of the Frank family business, most notably the original concealed annex in which the family remained in hiding. While the rooms of the property now sit empty of original furniture, they still breathe the chilling atmosphere of the period.

Art Galleries

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Van Gogh Museum

Having lived and worked in the Netherlands throughout his life, it’s only fitting that Amsterdam’s most significant art gallery be dedicated to the world’s most famous painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Just a brief walk from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum stands as the most complete permanent collection of the Dutch painter’s works.

Among the gallery’s vast collection of permanent exhibits are over 200 original paintings and 500 drawings from the Post-Impressionist artist, alongside exhibitions showcasing the works of his contemporaries. The museum is separated chronologically into five periods, each exploring a different key period in his life and work.

MOCO Museum

With Amsterdam’s vast wealth of impressive artworks dating back throughout the centuries, it’s easy to overlook the works of more modern visionaries. That’s exactly what the MOCO Museum aims to remedy. Short for Modern Contemporary Museum, this modern art hub sits just next door to the Van Gogh Museum, showcasing more modern media to parallel Amsterdam’s established masterpieces.

The MOCO Museum showcases a wide range of contemporary media and artworks, allowing visitors to explore both modern master works and the talented pieces of upcoming artists. Popular among the museum’s collection are various interactive installations, an ever-changing sculpture garden and a number of iconic pieces from the likes of Banksy, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons.

Entertainment

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Heineken Experience

Historic home to one of the world’s most iconic beer brands, Amsterdam’s Heineken Experience takes visitors on a unique behind-the-scenes journey through the production and history of the popular pilsner. The tour guides beer fans through various aspects of the brewing process, from product innovation to the brand’s light-hearted marketing efforts, before rounding off with a refreshing tasting session.

De Hallen

This multipurpose cultural and culinary center make for the perfect way to spend a day indoors in Amsterdam. Formerly a major tram depot, with the original rail tracks still intact, De Hallen now offers a vast array of activities, from a charming shopping arcade to a variety of trendy food outlets. The FoodHallen food court offers an impressive selection of dishes, from burgers to Dutch finger foods and a healthy selection of vegetarian alternatives.

Most notable of the venue, however, is the FilmHallen cinema. Nine screens show a varied program of films, including Hollywood blockbusters, documentaries and award-winning art house showings. Screen 7 is easily the most striking in terms of aesthetics, housing the gorgeous art-deco interior of the original Cinema Parisien, first established in 1909.

Specialty Bars & Cafés

Few things complement a rainy day better than a steaming cup of coffee, a slice of homemade cake and an expansive collection of family favorite board games. That’s exactly the niche on which Checkpoint Charlie capitalizes. Its cozy aesthetic is bolstered by its sociable table layout, along with a variety of books and board games for customers to enjoy. The venue also hosts intimate gigs from international acts toward the end of the week.

A number of venues throughout Amsterdam offer a similarly jovial atmosphere, with somewhat more of a specialty focus. Mooie Boules, for example, gives visitors the chance to sink a few beers and chat while watching or even playing a few games of classic French boules on the impressive sand pitch at its center.

Retail Therapy

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Magna Plaza

Housed within the elegant Neo-Gothic halls of a former nineteenth-century post office, the Magna Plaza is a relatively small shopping center oozing with character and class. Among its various outlets are a number of fashion retailers, along with places to buy unique souvenirs and a host of other miscellaneous vendors.

The venue doubles as an exhibition space, with displays spanning its full four floors. Among these installations is a permanent exhibition celebrating all of the works of Rembrandt, remastered and reproduced in their original formats. The exhibition currently stands as the only place in the world where visitors can see copies of the Dutch painter’s works in one collection.

Kalverpassage

Standing as a commercial through route between Heiligeweg and Kalverstraat, the Kalverpassage offers a wholly modern shopping experience. Natural light flows from the glass ceilings throughout the mini mall, illuminating its many specialty boutiques, food outlets and art installations.

The venue’s alluring design centers around its open and bright halls, offering avid shoppers a stimulating yet unimposing retail experience while also ensuring an entirely unobstructive passage between streets. Visitors can enjoy the space entirely at their leisure, without feeling either rushed through or forced to open up their wallets.

De Bijenkorf

At the beating heart of Amsterdam, De Bijenkorf – ‘The Beehive’ in English – is the Netherland’s most renowned premium department store. Established in 1870, the venue showcases the highest standard of quality throughout the stores in its roster. Luxury is the operative word here, with every outlet simply brimming with class and style.

Five floors house an impressive variety of high-end retailers and exclusive designer brands for all manner of clothing. Culinary delights from around the globe offer the ideal complement to your shopping experience, and those looking for the utmost luxury can get pampered in the venue’s beauty treatment room, aided by products from top beauty brands.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Getting Around Amsterdam - Public transport

Often dubbed one of the greatest of the world’s small cities, Amsterdam is not a particularly monstrous city. Indeed, with a footprint of just a little over three square miles, the city center could quite easily be covered in a day on foot alone. And yet, the city is often recognized for having some of the best transport infrastructure in Europe. From the emblematic canals delightfully splitting up the Dutch capital’s neighborhoods to its famous tram system covering just about all of the city, there’s a capable range of options for getting around Amsterdam to help you explore the city on your own terms. Public Transport Bus Amsterdam boasts an extensive network of buses servicing both the city center and the surrounding neighborhoods. Operated by three companies – GVB, Connexxion and EBS – Amsterdam’s buses offer a reliable means of getting across the city fast, with many routes servicing stops close to key social hubs and attractions. The city also operates twelve night bus routes to help you get around while exploring the city’s famous nightlife scene. Each of these routes helps to connect the city center with the surrounding suburbs, and buses typically depart every 30 minutes between midnight and 7AM. Tram Second only to bicycles, trams are perhaps the most recognizable mode of transport in Amsterdam. Connecting Amsterdam Central Station to the city’s many key areas and further neighborhoods, Lines 1, 2, 5, 9, 13 and 17 are typically your best bet for getting around the city. Depending on the day and time, the frequency of trams will vary, typically arriving every 5 – 10 minutes. Metro The Amsterdam Metro system offers an alternative means of traversing the central spine of the city and accessing the outer suburbs. Operating across five lines and servicing a total of 39 stops, the Metro offers the fastest and most efficient means of crossing through the city, passing through all major business and office districts alongside many train stations. Operating Times The three modes of public transport that make up the transport infrastructure of Amsterdam all operate on roughly the same schedule and ticketing service. The majority of services begin operations at 6AM and will typically continue until 12:30AM the following morning. Tickets & Passes Tickets and passes are wholly dependent on how long you intend to stay in Amsterdam and how often you plan to use public transport. For casual use, single and return tickets are available on all services on demand. You can also purchase passes which allow for unlimited travel for periods of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, offering slightly discounted rates as long as you get plenty of use from them. If you plan on staying in the Netherlands for more than three days, then your best bet would be to purchase and top-up an OV-chipkaart from any major transport hub. This pass is heavily used by locals and can simply be scanned whenever you hop on your transport of choice. On the Water Amsterdam’s canals are more than just an iconic photo op. Originally serving as means of water management, defense and facilitating trade, the labyrinth of canals accounts for 25% of the city’s surface area. Most of the traffic on the canals now consists of pleasure sailing, both private and commercial. If you’re looking for a unique means of getting around the city, there’s a plethora of boat tours available at your convenience to get you from A to B with a little local insight thrown into the mix. Alternatively, it’s also fairly simple to rent a boat for yourself, whether it be a manual pedal-boat, a small capacity electric boat or a full-sized barge for you and your friends. Cycling You may have heard it said that Amsterdam is home to more bicycles than people, and that’s no simple exaggeration. With roughly 1.1 bikes to each resident, it’s plain to see that the locals readily uphold the age-old image of the Dutch cycling nation. With over half of Amsterdam’s 800,000 residents relying on their bicycles as their daily mode of transport, it should come as no surprise that the city caters heavily to their preferences. In fact, with over 470 miles of cycle lanes making up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, cycling can often be the easiest means of getting around. To capitalize on this trend, there is now a huge selection of bike rental stores dotted throughout the city. You should expect to pay somewhere in the range of €10/day for rentals. If you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than a month, then purchasing a second-hand bike is a much more cost-effective option, with many going for between €50 and €200. Avoid buying bicycles on the street from unverified vendors, as these are likely to have been stolen and can land you in a lot of trouble. Cycling Safety Be sure to exercise some basic cycling safety and etiquette if you choose to ride in Amsterdam. Stick to roads and dedicated cycle lanes. Keep to the right-hand side and leave space for other cyclists. Make sure you have working front and rear lights when riding at night. Observe other cyclists’ body language to anticipate their actions and signal your own. If you intend to use your phone for directions, make sure to use a legal handlebar mount. Cyclists should overtake each other on the left, but can overtake other vehicles on the right. Only ring your bell when necessary. Always stow your bike in dedicated spaces and ensure you use a reliable lock. Taxi While road traffic is fairly minimal in Amsterdam, that can be quite the boon for those who need to get themselves across the city fast. Whether you’re looking for airport transfers or need to make it to an event quickly, taxis can be your best friend. Most taxis are regulated by the municipality to charge pre-set rates, so you should never have to face a surprise fee for your journey. Like in most cities, you'll find taxi ranks at the airport and most major transport hubs. Taxis can also be ordered at your convenience by calling up your chosen taxi firm, or you can make a booking via the TCA app. Alternatively, the likes of Uber and Bolt also operate in Amsterdam.
Anne Delorean
things to do in amsterdam with teens
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Things to do in Amsterdam for Teens

Teens; the loveable, distracted youth are one of a kind. You may remember being them, but things have changed. Technology has reshaped the teenage landscape and altered the rules of engagement. So, how do you deal with them in the 21st century? Well, by winning their hearts, mind, and attention with the biggest and best entertainment you can find! So, if you're vacationing in Amsterdam, what are the best things to do for teens in the city? We'll tell you, right now. Including: THIS IS HOLLAND A'DAM LOOKOUT Moco Museum Pancakes Amsterdam Anne Frank House and more!   Nederland, but not as you know it Seeing a city from the ground is one thing, but exploring it from the sky is something else. Have you ever flown over a city like a bird? If you answered yes to that, you might need to speak to someone. Unless, of course, you've already taken a spin on THIS IS HOLLAND! This 5D flight simulation experience lets you soar over the Netherlands, looking down on its most famous landmarks. Even teenagers with remarkably short attention spans won't be able to look away. Thanks to state-of-the-art steam and wind technology, they'll feel the mist on their faces as they skim the ocean's surface. The wind will ruffle their middle parting as they duck and dive through a forest. They'll also learn about the country's past and present, but in a dynamic, exciting way, not a school way. Even if you trick them into the theater, they'll soon discover that learning can, in fact, be fun.   LOOKOUT below Speaking of seeing cities from unique perspectives, teenagers will love looking down on Amsterdam from above. After all, they probably think they're better than the average "old" person, right? Well, their prayers have been answered. Simply take your bundle of trouble up to the 360 Sky Deck at A'DAM LOOKOUT and let them live out their overlord dreams. Dance routines and pouty selfies for all! But if that wasn't enough, there's also 'Over The Edge'. What's that? Well, it's a giant swing that dangles over 320 feet in the air. And, if you're teen is a daring sort, they can sit on it and prove their bravery once and for all. Or, if they don't feel like this death-defying feat, they can hop on a VR rollercoaster through the city, and then learn about Amsterdam's history, thanks to a slew of brilliant interactive exhibits! Whichever challenge they choose to undertake, A'DAM LOOKOUT is easily one of the best things to do in Amsterdam for teenagers!   Stencils in the stone Art has changed, there are no two ways about it. And rightfully so - art has always evolved through the centuries. From cave paintings to marble sculptures, art has evolved as we have. Art's current revolution has taken things to the streets, with art staining the very walls we call home. So, if you're teen's into the street art revolution, go get them immersed at the Moco Museum. Curated by none other than Banksy himself, the Moco Museum explores modern-day life through a critical lens. Featuring works from internationally-renowned artists like Damian Hirst, JR, Koons, Kusama, and KAWS, your not-so-little ones will spend a good couple of hours seeing all the sights and sound this eclectic museum has to offer. Plus, phone-savvy teens can even pull out their devices to interact with some exhibits, thanks to augmented reality (or AR). And that's not even mentioning the endless photo ops for the emaciated social following.   Everybody Loves Pancakes It doesn't matter how young or old you are, pancakes are universally loved by everyone. Absolutely everyone. If you don't like pancakes, you're going on the list. The simplest of ingredients combine to create mouth masterpieces. And one of Amsterdam's pancake houses is so good that they named it after the city. That would be Pancakes Amsterdam, and your teen will love it. You'll get a free pancake tasting, where they can pick from myriad ingredients and toppings to make their own mouthwatering masterpiece. On us, of course, because we care. And, if one simply isn't enough, grab a table, pull out a menu, and order like a normal customer. Whether it's a morning treat, a midday snack, or a dinner replacement, your teen will dig the pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam. See what we did there? Dig? Yep, we're down. With them. Down with them. Exactly.   A must-visit Memorial On a more serious note, vacations are often fact-finding missions. You learn about another culture, immerse yourself in the local cuisine and customs, and discover a country's history while you're at it. Amsterdam has a lot of history, and not all of it is good. However, there's no denying that the Anne Frank House is worth a visit. Though she didn't live to tell the tale, Anne Frank's diary offered the world a candid view into the lives of Jewish people who struggled during the German occupation. Anne Frank was a teen herself when she hid, so it's easy for fellow teens to relate to the everyday struggles she faced on top of the very real threat to her life. In the house itself, they can learn about the family, their history, and the people that helped them hide. Easily one of the most thought-provoking things to do in Amsterdam for teens.   Nothing but the classics Even if street art is the de facto art form these days, nothing quite beats the classics. And if you want your fill of 8,000 classic artistic artifacts, head to the Netherlands' most famous museum - the Rijksmuseum. Discover famous masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including masterworks from Hals, Steen, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Show your young one how they did it way back when, and brace yourself for multiple age-related jokes. It's okay; after the first barrage, they'll subside. The art speaks for itself.   Bright games for brighter minds And finally, we end our list of the best things to do in Amsterdam for teens with some fun and games. And not just any games, but arcade games. At the TonTon Club, they'll discover a world of digital giggles. These days, every young person likely plays some videogames, so let them loose and try to keep up. They'll find classic arcade hits, more modern gems, and even just regular games like Mario Kart on offer. Buy them up some tokens and let them do their thing. Trust us, they'll appreciate it. And that was our list of the best things to do in Amsterdam for teens! We hope they enjoy their vacation as much as you do.
Dom Bewley
Colorful canal houses lining an Amsterdam canal
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2 Days in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most popular city destinations for its famous mix of complex history, authentic culture and fantastic social hubs. With many of its top attractions compacted into a three-square-mile city center, the Dutch capital is very popular for weekend getaways and short, whirlwind trips. Although there’s more than enough to do throughout the city to last you several weeks, two days in Amsterdam is still plenty of time to experience the best that it has to offer. Instead of putting together a linear itinerary, we’ve rounded up our best suggestions for things to do during a short trip, along with recommended visit durations to help you put together your perfect city break plan.   And why not make the most of your trip by grabbing an Amsterdam pass and save while you sightsee!
Robert Heaney

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