Best things to do in Amsterdam in the rain? Read below for some instagrammable, historical and edible things to do in Amsterdam! We really had a downpour recently in Amsterdam. December is a lovely time to go to the Netherlands but unfortunately the weather isn’t always the best. However, there are plenty of Christmas markets and it really is beautiful and festive! I’lll also be telling you where to stay, from budget, to house boat to luxury! And a top trick to save serious money on accommodation – where to stay near Amsterdam to pay a quarter of the price!
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Best things to do in Amsterdam in the rain??
1. Head to WONDR Experience!
This is definitely the MOST instagrammable place I’ve ever been to! It is literally set up for fun, photos and suitable for all ages! I actually saw this place on Instagram, and as we arrived into Amsterdam the rain started to come down heavily. First, we took shelter in Primark and then I thought to go straight here!
How to get here?
We got an Uber from the central station and it was around 15 Euro for the trip. WONDR is on the outskirts of an industrial park. The journey should take maximum 10 minutes from the central station. WONDR is located in Amsterdam North. You can easily get the metro or ferry, as it is across the river. As I said it was POURING, so we went for the Uber option! Once you arrive, you can’t miss the huge pink building in front of you!
How much does it cost?
It is 25 Euro per adult and there are special sessions for adults with children under 10 years old. It is mainly based around adults! But of course is very fun for children.
Read more: Why you MUST visit Amsersfoort while staying in Amsterdam!
What to do here?
There are lots of different rooms here, each with different interiors and interactive stations. My favourite room is the one where everything appears to be in 2D and you feel as though you are inside a painting! Then there is a room with karaoke boxes! My other favourite room was the confetti shower room, and of course the giant ballpit! There was also a special Christmas themed room as I was here in December. I won’t ruin the surprises anymore, just go and see for yourselves!
Vivien and Sophie!
Should you take a camera?
I took one! But it was also a bit of a pain to carry around. However, there are spaces to put it down and if you go on a weekday it can be not busy at all. Some rooms we were even in by ourselves. You have to leave your bag in the lockers provided, so make sure you only take what you need, as it is also a one way system once you are inside. Also, when you enter, you write down your email address where you get a QR code to scan. With this code, you can scan it at one of the points where there are cameras inside. These photos then get sent straight to your email. You can also pay to print the photos at the end.
They also have delicious cupcakes!
Things to do in Amsterdam in the rain? Eat of course!
2. Treat your tastebuds at the Avocado Show
If you love avocado then this place is a must. Everything on the menu consists of avocado, and usually a whole one in total! And yes, the burger buns really are halves of an avocado! It is also the perfect place for any meal of the day. You can get an all day breakfast here with their avocado toast with poached eggs. Or you can opt for one of the avocado burgers, which look divine! My personal favourite is the ‘Truffle Treasure’ toast. This consists of cajun chicken, an avocado fan, truffle mayo and parmesan. If you don’t like avocado, I would avoid this place. Unfortunately one of my friends I took here wasn’t a fan, and the least avocadoey meal on the menu was tortilla chips, which I wouldn’t recommend, bland and tasteless! They also have poke bowls and pancakes.
How to get here?
There are quite a few of these now as they have become very popular! There is one in the de Pijp area and some closer to the centre of Amsterdam. We walked back to Amsterdam central station from the one on Keizersgracht and it only took around 30 minutes. It is also a nice walk back along the canals.
Average food price?
For a toast, expect to pay around 10-11 Euros. The burgers are around 15 Euro. They also have cocktails, smoothies and even matcha latte if you like that! I personally went for the Chai latte as that is my favourite! Again, don’t go if you’re not keen on avocado, but if you do then it’s great. Also very instagrammable interiors!
Read more: 3 Incredible Hidden Gems in the Netherlands
Things to do in Amsterdam in the rain? Indoor street art!
3. Experience modern and street art at Moco Museum
If you are a fan of Banksy then you have to go here! Moco Museum will definitely get you thinking, and appreciating lots of modern and street art. I recently watched a documentary about the man who stole Banksy, whereby a few Palestinians cut out a 4 tonne wall that Banksy’s art was on. There are people making a lot of money off these artworks, but it was also amazing to see these pieces all in one place. I have never stumbled across a Banksy so it was great to see some pieces. The Banksy exhibition is on until April 2020. You’ll also find pieces by Warhol, Basquiat, Haring and Koons. There are also some spaces here that are totally transformed. There are some rooms that are one whole exhibition, where the walls are covered and it’s much more interactive.
How to get here?
Moco Museum is located on Museumplein. In the rain I would recommend getting the metro which stops nearby.
How much does it cost?
There was a huge queue for people without tickets, so I would recommend to buy them online before you arrive. You get a 20% discount, making an adult ticket 14 Euro. However, a top tip is to check their Instagram page! Here, I found a 2-4-1 code, so we paid half the price! Just scroll through a few photos to check if there are any codes, you never know.
Top Tips?
- Download the app for extras! We downloaded the app while we were here and you can see some of the artworks come to life and move!
- Don’t rush out of the exit, there is another room just after the gift shop, and there are even more sculptures to see outside in the gardens after you exit!
Read more: The best hostel in Amsterdam!
4. Eat your way through the multiple cheese shops!
For a great free thing to do in Amsterdam in the rain, just hide in every cheese shop you see along the way. The Netherlands have some of the most amazing cheeses so you really must try some while you are in Amsterdam. They have all the usual cheese as well as some weird and wonderful! Try the green and red pesto cheeses, as well as the lavender cheese! The brighter the colour, the more exciting the flavour. Of course, you can also buy some cheese, and you will most likely be tempted to!
Average prices?
For an average block of cheese, it was around 8-11 Euro. They are all divine, so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth it. There are so many testers though, that you can definitely make the right decision once you’ve tried them all.
5. Try some vegan calamari at the Vegan Junkfood Bar!
I am not vegan but a friend I was in Amsterdam with was vegan so we thought we would try the menu here! The interior is very funky and the food is just as experimental. Definitely head here if you are vegan, and it not, just to see what great vegan food tastes like.
What to eat?
The fried ‘Kalimariz’ rings are the vegan calamari, I honestly couldn’t tell the difference. They come with a garlic sauce. I would recommend getting a few dishes to try. The sweet potato fries were divine, but also the chickpea fries are worth a try! They have some crazy coloured burger buns that you also have to try. Then if you’re hungry, try the shawarma, I couldn’t tell it wasn’t meat! They also have an amazing range of desserts, all totally vegan! Then some overpriced coconuts at €7.50. Same price as the truffle chickpea chips..
Where is it?
This very trendy restaurant is in the De Pijp area. There are also two others so take your pick! It was quite busy when we arrived, but as far as I know you can’t reserve. Maybe avoid the weekends here!
Average price?
- Truffle chickpea sticks – €7.95
- Fried Kalamariz rings (x10) €8.95
- Crispy lemon Shrimp (x5) €9.50
Cultural things to do in Amsterdam in the rain
6. Visit the Anne Frank House
For a dose of history, head to the Anne Frank House. It really is a very interesting museum. You may need to do something to cheer yourself up after though. Anne Frank was a young girl who wrote a compelling diary about her Time hiding in a small annexe with her family during the war.
How to get here?
The Anne Frank house is located in central Amsterdam on a canal road called Prinsengracht. It is easy to walk here from the centre.
How much does it cost?
An adult ticket is €10.50.
Read more: Where to stay for a longer trip to Amsterdam
7. Head to the Rijksmuseum
This is the biggest museum here! The impressive exterior is just a start at what lies inside. It is the Dutch national museum, full of art work and history, from the middle ages to the current day. Here you can find pieces by Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer. There are 80 different rooms to explore.
How to get here?
Very easy from Amsterdam Central just hop on the tram or metro!
How much does it cost?
An adult ticket is around €19. Always check for online discounts.
Arty things to do in Amsterdam in the rain
8. Explore the Van Gogh Museum
If you are a Van Gogh fan then head here ASAP. This is the largest Van Gogh collection in the world.
How to get here?
The Van Gogh museum is located on Museumplein, nearby Moco Museum and Rijksmuseum.
How much does it cost?
Tickets are €19 and free for those under 18.
Top Tips for visiting Amsterdam
Get a metro/tram ticket for the day!
Get a day ticket, so you can take as many train rides as you like in the rain! I have been to Amsterdam a few times before in September and had beautiful weather. However, both times I’ve been in December it has been a bit rainy!
Sophie taking a photo of the architecture!
Take a canal tour to see the city from the water
Alternatively, if it’s raining, hide in a canal boat. There are lovely tours that go here. Also, if you are in Amsterdam in December then there are beautiful light shows on that are stunning from the water.
Food you must try while in the Netherlands!
In December:
Olliebollen – These are deep fried dough balls covered in icing sugar – divine
Applebol – Same as above but with cinammon/apple/raisin filling
Apple beignet – A cooked slice of apple covered in a thin pastry with lots of sugar
Pepernoten – Small dutch cookies – just try them!
Apple beignet – a must try!
Where to stay in Amsterdam?
Budget
This is a great renovated hostel!
Under €100 per night
Mid-Range
A house boat!
This is such a unique place to stay it is really a must!
€100 per night
For long stay/ more expensive
This is for people who want an apartment and a place to live while they are in Amsterdam.
For people who want to save every penny – Stay in Overveen!
We wanted to save as much as we could on our latest trip to Amsterdam, and I also really wanted to visit Haarlem. Unfortunately both Amsterdam and Haarlem are super expensive. I found a cute AirBnb in someone’s out house in Overveen. It was just one station away from Haarlem and 20 minutes away from Amsterdam. It was definitely worth the train journey to pay €50 BETWEEN us a night!
I hope you enjoyed my blog post on what to do in Amsterdam in the rain! Remember to head to WONDR for a day of fun and games. Moco Museum for your street art fix. Then Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House for a bit of history. Then Van Gogh museum for the traditional art lovers. For food and to escape the rain, Avocado Show and Vegan Junkfood bar are a must try!
Why not pin this post on the best things to do in Amsterdam in the rain for later?
Fantastyczne miejsca i pomysly na zwiedzanie Amsterdamu jak pada! Dom Anne Frank i muzea i wspaniale kuszace jedzeniem bary. Swietnie opisalas Piekna! Jak zawsze zwiedzamy z Toba 🤗😀❤
Tyle jest do zwiedzania! Dziękuje za komentarz!
WONDR experience sounds great. I would love to go and see the museums too! And try the sweet treats! Great content and photography 👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much! It really was a great weekend!
This is my type of travel guide, which focuses on off the beaten path things. Whilst I have read so many things about Amsterdam, as I haven’t been there yet, everything concentrates on the most touristy things to do in the city. The Wondr experience sounds fantastic and I would love to try the food from the Avocado show.
I’m glad! I love exploring further and finding some quirky things to do and eat!
That all looks so good!! I’d never heard of WONDR, but I’d go back to Amsterdam just to visit! Thanks for sharing these! 🙂
It really was fun and such a different day out!
I am planning to go to Amsterdam next year, I can’t wait to explore all the places you recommended., especially the Anna Frank house. Thank you so much 🙂
I hope you have nice weather, but if you don’t at least there’s lots to do!
I love Amsterdam. Last time I went, it was poring down too and very windy as well. I wish I had knonw about WONDR then, I would have gone there. Well, maybe next time!
Yes add it to your list for next time it rains for sure!
Amsterdam is such a great city. I´ve only been there once unfortunately. And you are Right: It´s Always good to have some tips for rainy weather… 😉
I love Amsterdam! And I love that even though I’ve been many times before there are still new places to explore!
Looks like you had good fun, all those places look super beautiful, it seems like there is a lot to do even when it is raining.
For sure, even though I have been a few times there are always new things to do!
That first one sounds amazing! I have been to Amsterdam, but it’s been years, so I’ll definitely be bookmarking this for my next trip! Thank you for sharing these 🙂
Thanks Lisa! Hope you get to go again soon!
I love that you say that in December we don’t have the best weather! ha! When do we? Lovely compilation of things to do while it rains in Amsterdam, but the things you list to eat are only availale around Christmas time! maybe add some flat waffles or speculoos?
Yes I should! And poffertjes, stroopwaffels – so many delicious snacks and treats in the Netherlands!
Wow your pictures are amazing! So many photogenic places in Amsterdam and such reasonable entry prices to the attractions xxx
That’s very true!! I love Amsterdam!