In a nutshell
- Amsterdam in the rain? No problem. Not even the worst weather can ruin a trip to such a diverse city.
- We’ll show you the 10 best indoor activities in Amsterdam when it’s raining — well-known favorites and some lesser-known picks.
- Want to do classic sightseeing even in the rain? We highly recommend booking a covered canal boat tour — you stay dry and still see the highlights.
Take a Covered Canal Cruise
What do you need to know? Canal cruises are the ultimate Amsterdam must-do. Exploring the historic center from the water is a lot of fun and genuinely fascinating. And with a covered boat, you can do it even when Amsterdam rain has set in.
Is it worth it? A canal cruise in Amsterdam is absolutely worth it in the rain — as long as the boat has a roof. That way you stay dry and still get to enjoy the sights from the water.
Our tip: If it’s not just rainy but also cold, bring a coffee to go or another warm drink on board. It makes the whole ride really cozy.
Book a covered canal cruise online
Visit Amsterdam's Museums
What do you need to know? Amsterdam has a seriously impressive range of museums — art, city history, and even quirky topics like cannabis culture. Most you can just walk into on a whim. The perfect plan when the weather turns.
Is it worth it? Museums are some of the best indoor activities Amsterdam has to offer, and they double as a history lesson. Seriously! At the museums in Amsterdam you can learn a ton. You’ll forget about the rain outside in no time.
Our tip: Our favorites for spontaneous visits are the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandthuis, and Moco for modern art. Visiting Amsterdam with kids? Then we’d highly recommend the Nemo Science Museum.
Important: Unfortunately, you can’t visit the Anne Frank House on a whim. You should book tickets online at least four weeks in advance.
Ride the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus
What do you need to know? The hop-on/hop-off bus follows a fixed route to the most important attractions outside Amsterdam’s historic center. You can get on and off at 12 stops whenever you like, as many times as you want.
Is it worth it? The hop-on/hop-off bus in Amsterdam operates outside the city center, so it’s not normally the first choice. But when Amsterdam bad weather hits, that changes! The route stays the same, but you still get to see a good chunk of the city without getting soaked — and you won’t feel like you missed out.
And if the sun suddenly comes out, just hop off and continue on foot. When the next rain front rolls in, hop back on.
Feast at the Foodhallen
What do you need to know? The Foodhallen is located in Amsterdam West and is easy to reach by public transit. The whole neighborhood is a great off-the-beaten-path Amsterdam find.
Is it worth it? At the Foodhallen you can stuff yourself with street food under one roof — and honestly, that’s a fantastic way to ride out bad weather. You can graze your way through Dutch flavors or try dishes from all over the world.
Visit the Royal Theater Carré
What do you need to know? Theater Carré sits near the famous Prinsengracht on the Amstel. A variety of events take place here regularly — theater performances, comedies, and concerts.
Is it worth it? Theater Carré is incredibly opulent, with chandeliers, red velvet, and table service. For a few hours, you’ll feel like actual royalty. Really special for an evening out. And the box office often has last-minute tickets for spontaneous visitors.
Check the Theater Carré program online
Take Shelter in the 9 Straatjes
What do you need to know? The 9 Straatjes are a cluster of streets in central Amsterdam that together form a charming little shopping district. You’ll find plenty of boutiques and cozy cafés here — a popular Amsterdam highlight that works just as well in the rain.
Is it worth it? Ducking into a cute boutique or a café when a sudden shower hits? There are definitely worse ways to spend an afternoon. And in the 9 Straatjes, there’s no shortage of places to take cover. Use the time to try some delicious Dutch pastries — or, well, settle into an Amsterdam coffeeshop.
Our tip: Craving a hot meal? We recommend Fou Fow Udon in the 9 Straatjes on the Prinsengracht. The udon noodle soups there are seriously incredible.
Maybe your hotel in Amsterdam has a cozy café? If so, just shuffle your sightseeing schedule around the forecast and wait out the rain there. If you’re staying centrally, it’s totally doable.
Explore the Heineken Brewery
What do you need to know? Heineken is Amsterdam’s most famous beer, which is why the Heineken Experience is one of the city’s most popular tours. You get to explore the original brewery building, learn all about the brewing process, and sample some beer.
Is it worth it? The tour through the old Heineken brewery is a great pick for anyone who enjoys beer or just wants a behind-the-scenes look at how it’s made. A big bonus: there are over 20 time slots daily, so you can almost always grab a ticket on the spot — perfect for things to do in Amsterdam rain.
Buy Heineken Experience ticket
Play 4D Mini Golf in Black Light
What do you need to know? At Amsterdam’s harbor you’ll find 4D mini golf under black light — a 12-hole course in the dark with a pirate theme. You play for 45 minutes and can then grab a drink at the bar next door.
Is it worth it? The black light mini golf is a really fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. The maritime theme with pirate ships and krakens is especially popular with kids. And at 10 euros per person, it’s pretty reasonable.
Take Cool Photos at Wondr Experience
What do you need to know? Wondr Experience is a museum, photo backdrop, and playground all rolled into one. You can take fun photos in all kinds of themed rooms and come away with a genuinely cool souvenir from your Amsterdam trip.
Is it worth it? We had an absolute blast! The price is on the higher side, but you walk away with great photos and didn’t spend the day getting soaked in the rain. And with all those colors, you’ll quickly forget the grey skies outside.
Our tip: We wrote up our full visit in our Wondr Experience article. You’ll find all the ticket info and even more photos there.
Attractions in the Noord Neighborhood
What do you need to know? Amsterdam’s Noord neighborhood has three cool attractions right next to each other: the A’dam Lookout observation tower, the 5D flight simulation This is Holland, and the Eye Film Museum. If the rain is really settled in, you can easily fill an entire day here.
Is it worth it? All three attractions are super family-friendly and great for all ages. The lineup is incredibly varied, and at the A’dam Lookout you can also grab something to eat. The perfect rainy-day retreat in Amsterdam — especially with kids!
Our tip: There are also combo tickets available online for the A’dam Lookout and This is Holland. You can save a bit of money that way.
Find even more activities in Amsterdam here:
Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam in the Rain
#1 How often does it rain in Amsterdam?
On average, it rains in Amsterdam on about 150 days per year. Most frequently from October through December, and least often in February, April, and May.
#2 When does it rain the most in Amsterdam?
Rain is most frequent in Amsterdam from November through February. During those months, you can expect ten to twelve rainy days per month.
Find out more about the weather in Amsterdam here:
#3 What can you do in Amsterdam when it rains?
Amsterdam is super diverse and has plenty to keep you busy even in bad weather. You can take a covered canal boat tour, explore the museums in Amsterdam, or graze your way through the Foodhallen.
#4 What are good indoor activities in Amsterdam with kids?
Totally! For families, we recommend the Nemo Science Museum — it’s great for kids and adults alike — as well as 4D Blacklight Mini Golf at Amsterdam’s waterfront.
#5 Where are dogs allowed in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is known for being very dog-friendly. In most cases, you can simply bring your dog into cafés, restaurants, and shops.
The Rembrandthuis also welcomes you and your dog together — pretty cool!
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the covered canal boat, the hop-on/hop-off bus, Theater Carré, most museums, or the Heineken Experience. The exception is registered service dogs with appropriate harnesses.
