In Amsterdam and it’s started to rain? Don’t let the weather get you down as the city’s still packed full of things to do to make a soggy day while away! Get your culture fix, relax in one of the city’s most chilled out spots or eat and drink your way around the city - ticking off your Amsterdam to-do list doesn’t need to be put on hold just for a day of drizzle. Check out our list of things to do in Amsterdam on a rainy day.
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1. Visit Anne Frank's House
The Anne Frank Museum is a must-visit anyway, so when the weather is worse for wear it makes for a good day to go. We can’t recommend visiting this museum enough. Once you leave, it will change your perspective on life. Dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank, here you can learn all about her time in hiding during the Nazi regime and get a real feel for how terrible the Franks’ living situation was for years. It’s quite a sobering experience to witness the small space that was their home. Buy your ticket in advance.
2. Eat your way around Foodhallen
Foodhallen is a huge indoor food market, the first in the Netherlands, loctaed in the hip Oud-West district of Amsterdam. Here you can find street food from around the world with a gourmet edge. There are 20 stalls under the cover - perfect for if it’s raining - selling freshly cooked food for your lunch or dinner. Think bao buns, wood-fired pizza, Greek mezze and way way more. Nothing beats eating your way around a city, especially when it’s pouring down.
3. Chill out in a coffeeshop
You’ve not done Dam until you’ve smoked in a coffeeshop, and when it’s raining outside there’s no better excuse. Warm up with a roll-up, grab a coffee to go with it and sink into a comfy seat for an afternoon of chill. Never been to a coffeeshop before? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Amsterdam’s Coffeeshops over at the Flying Pig so you know what to expect.
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4. Get your caffeine fix
When you get caught in a downpour cafes tend to be the place to shelter, and there’s something so satisfying about sipping on a decent coffee while watching the rain pour outside. There are loads of cafes in Amsterdam but to know where the very best coffees are hiding, read our article on in the city. Why not indulge in a traditional Dutch sweet treat, too?
5. Be dry in the museums of Museumplein
Right in the heart of Amsterdam you'll find a cluster of some of the city's . Museums are always a good idea when you’re in a new city and it’s raining - it's the perfect excuse to fit in a good day of culture. Here, you'll find the Van Gogh Museum which houses the largest collection of the world-renowned artist's most famous work, as well as Amsterdam's notorious Rijksmuseum and the fun, quirky Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art. These are the area's most popular attractions and, being so close together, you'll barely get caught in the rain hopping between the three all in one day.
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6. Relax at Amsterdam Library
If you were planning on having a chill out day in the park with a good book, the rain might have put a bit of a downer on that idea. Instead, head over to the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA) where you can relax in a corner amongst over 1.5 million books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and more spread out over multiple floors. Often there are free exhibitions on, but if all you want to do is read then just pop in for free and spend as long as you want there. At some point be sure to head up to the rooftop to check out the amazing views - again for free!
7. Check out the Heineken Experience
If you love beer, this is one Amsterdam activity you’ve got to check out. The Heineken Experience allows you to learn more about the history and secrets behind the Dutch brand, but don’t worry it’s not all talks and learning, there’s a free tasting session to finish off the tour. Once it’s all finished, enjoy a beer in the sunshine on the rooftop bar whilst admiring a lovely view over the city.
8. Drink the rain away at Belushi's
Still raining? Maybe it’s time to hit up a bar… Belushi’s is the place to go if you’re a backpacker up for making new friends and you don’t wanna spend too much. Find it in the Red Light District, just off Dam Square. If you go in the evenings, you’ll probably find yourself in the midst of one of their epic happy hour deals so you can party into the night without even denting the wallet.