Things To Do When it Rains in Amsterdam (10 ideas)
It does happen to rain quite often in Amsterdam – this is northern Europe after all. The Netherlands has a temperate, oceanic climate with over 200 wet days a year and an average annual rainfall of about 760mm. So do expect the chance of some rain on a visit to Amsterdam!
Apart from packing your umbrella and raincoat, here are a few things to do in Amsterdam if you get caught out by the wet weather…
1. Head over to Museumplein
Amsterdam's Museumplein (Museum Square) is home to 3 large world-class museums which can provide hours of escape from a rainy day. The Rijksmuseum hosts a vast assortment of Dutch art including Rembrandt's iconic Nightwatch painting.
The Van Gogh Museum has the world's largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh. The next door Stedelijk exhibits modern and contemporary art. All 3 museums have café and restaurant facilities and free WiFi.
Museumplein also hosts the smaller MOCO museum which features street artist Banksy and other pioneers of modern art.
MOCO Museum Amsterdam – Banksy
2. Go to the cinema
Cinemas in Amsterdam tend to show films in their original language with added Dutch subtitles. There are some lovely cinemas in the city including the stunning art nouveau Pathé Tuschinski (Reguliersbreestraat 26-34, near Rembrandtplein).
Outside the Tuschinski cinema Amsterdam
The nearby Pathé De Munt (round the corner on Vijzelstraat) is a 13 screen multiplex with all the latest releases. Or jump on a ferry at Amsterdam Central and visit EyeFilm which has film-themed exhibitions and shows a regular program of retrospective films.
Tuschinski cinema Amsterdam
3. Hang out in Amsterdam's library
The OBA is Amsterdam's central library located at Oosterdokskade, a few minutes walk east of Central station. Spread over 9 levels there are plenty of things to do. You can browse international newspapers and magazines at the mezzanine level. Grab a book and lounge on one of the easy chairs.
Or head up to the top floor Babel café/restaurant and enjoy some good views of Amsterdam.
OBA Amsterdam Central Library
There are exhibition areas and the bottom level is reserved for kids. WiFi is available for free on your own device although you have to register via a 'Publicroam' account. The OBA is open daily until 2200, there is also a Vapiano pizza/pasta restaurant next-door.
4. Go shopping at Bijenkorf
Amsterdam does not have much in the way of large shopping malls. De Bijenkorf (or "Bee Hive") is the largest department store in Amsterdam and is located on Dam Square. With 5 levels this store sells designer label clothes and accessories, kitchenware, household and electronic items, luggage, stationary, books, music and gifts.
Bijenkorf store Amsterdam
On the top floor you can find Bijenkorf Kitchen, a self-service restaurant. Bijenkorf is open daily.
5. Visit the Tropenmuseum
Near Oosterpark in eastern Amsterdam can be found the hidden gem that is the Tropenmuseum. This ethnographic museum tells the story of humankind and features exhibitions on many non-Western cultures.
It has superb presentations and historic reconstructions of life in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Being slightly out of the centre it gets nowhere near the visitor numbers of the big Museumplein trio. It is well worth immersing yourself for a couple of hours. Open Tue-Sun, closed Mondays. Book Tropenmuseum tickets online here
Tropenmuseum Amsterdam
6. See a show in Amsterdam
There are regular comedy and improvisation shows at Boom Chicago – an international theatre company based on Rozengracht in Amsterdam which has been running nearly 30 years.
National Opera Ballet Amsterdam
Alternatively, if you like the classical arts scene, there is international jazz at Bimhuis, classical concerts at Concertgebouw and high caliber performances at the National Opera Ballet.
7. Browse an Amsterdam bookstore
Amsterdam has 3 large bookstores located in the centre. The Spui square is home to both ABC and Waterstones. The 3 storey independent ABC (American Book Center) claims to be the best stocked English language bookstore in continental Europe – although it does lack seating.
Waterstones is a major UK book chain and its Amsterdam branch has 4 floors with a few seats. A short walk away (on Rokin, close to Dam Square) is Scheltema, the largest bookstore in the Netherlands with 5 levels. It has a good number of English language titles, lots of seating and a café.
Scheltema bookstore Amsterdam
8. Drink with an Amsterdam view
Amsterdam has a number of cafés and restaurants which offer panoramic views. Blue Amsterdam café is a glass structure at the top of the Kalvatoren shopping centre near Muntplein/Flower Market. It is a good value place for lunch and has decent views of the centre.
Alternatively the A'DAM Lookout on the north bank of the IJ river has superb 360° views of the city. It's 20th floor panorama deck has a bar; it also has a fine dining revolving restaurant on the 19th floor. Get there by free ferry from the back of Amsterdam Central station.
A'DAM Lookout Amsterdam – bar with a view
9. Visit the Amsterdam City Archives
The Stadsarchief is housed in a historic former bank building called De Bazel at Vijzelstraat 32 in the city centre. Open to the public (closed Mondays) there are often photos and displays about Amsterdam on show in the impressive glass-roofed main hall.
Stadsarchief Amsterdam – vault room (schatkamer)
It also hosts regular city-themed exhibitions and has a permanent display in its underground vault room.
There is a café at the front of the building, an interesting bookshop and an exhibit on all UNESCO sites in the Netherlands.
Just around the corner on the Keizersgracht canal you will also find the renowned FOAM Photography Museum and the Museum Van Loon, a 17th century canal house. Both are open daily.
10. Discover street art in a shipyard warehouse
STRAAT Museum is a spectacular and unique museum at NDSM-wharf in Amsterdam which exhibits street art and graffiti. The indoor exhibition hosts over 150 large-scale pieces of artwork made by artists on-site. Book your STRAAT Museum tickets here
STRAAT Museum Amsterdam
To get there take the free GVB ferry from Amsterdam Central to NDSM-werf.
Amsterdam Central – ferry wharf
Last updated 13 September 2022, first published in 2013.
Jewish Museum in Amsterdam
Madurodam – Holland in Miniature
Dam Square in Amsterdam – Map and Guide