Indoor activities in Amsterdam: for returners & winter escapees

If you’re already planning your next trip on your last day in Amsterdam or looking wistfully out of the window on the way home, you’re probably one of those tourists who will return. Amsterdam is so diverse and there is so much to discover that you can easily come here every year and never get bored. The unique mix of art, culture, fine cuisine and great architecture is constantly reinventing itself. At this time of year in particular, however, a visit can be frosty and chilly. Anyone visiting the city in winter definitely needs tips for some great indoor activities in Amsterdam!

Are you travelling to Amsterdam again? Have you planned a winter trip to our capital? Or are you here at a different time of year and are still surprised by the rain? Then this article is just for you! Now that you’ve probably already experienced the tourist classics(Bitterballen, Orange, Royal Palace) on your first visit, here are some recommendations for your 2nd – 50th visit. Of course, we have now adapted the (indoor) activities to the season. An extra guide will follow in summer with all kinds of activities in the beautiful greenery. 😊

7 indoor activities in Amsterdam for returners/ winter holidaymakers/ bad weather avoiders

1) Delicious food + first-class cocktails + arcade in an old factory: Ton Ton Club

You see, at the TonTon Club you get three fantastic activities in one! Starting with a delicious lunch or dinner, followed by cocktails that you can sip in a cosy atmosphere while you try out the great games. TonTon is a real cult classic in Amsterdam and can now be found at 3 different locations. However, we would recommend the ‘original’ in Westerpark, as it has the best atmosphere and the coolest retro games (including ‘Dance Dance Revolution’, where you can show off your best dance moves). Westerpark is home to the former “Westergasfabriek”, Amsterdam’s former gas factory, which is now a cultural centre. How does it all work? You can simply buy as many game tokens as you like at the bar. Each machine/game then requires a different number of tokens. Perfect for every budget!

2) Play jeu de boules

Jeu des what, you ask? Jeu de BOULES! The French speakers among us can probably already guess what it’s all about. Jeu de Boules translates as “game of balls” and is a variation on our classic game of boccia. Here in the Netherlands, the game has a long tradition and is popular with young and old alike. Whether you’re here with a partner, family or group of friends, this game will liven up any evening! Simply reserve a lane at Boules & Bites and the competition for the balls can begin. Although the game traditionally takes place outside, Boules & Bites has several covered lanes – which is why we count it as one of the sportiest indoor activities in Amsterdam. A nice change from classic mini golf and certainly typically Dutch 😊.

3) Eat kaas fondue

Yes, those who are already waving their arms wildly to say that cheese fondue was invented by the Swiss: We don’t doubt that at all. Nevertheless, the beloved “Kaasfondue” is also a big hit in the Netherlands in winter. So big, in fact, that you can even order it in many restaurants here. You’ll be romantically served your own little cheese pot and can dip your bread in the liquid gold to your heart’s content – including a white tablecloth and candlelight!

4) Go bouldering

The Netherlands is not called the “flatlands” for nothing. There are no mountains or at least no large hills here. Nevertheless, it is hardly surprising that the cult sport of bouldering is growing, especially in large cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Because as little as we traditionally have to do with climbing, the more young, international culture we bring with us has made the sport really big here.

Bouldering is climbing without a rope, so the routes are usually only a few metres high. It is therefore a very dynamic and sociable sport, as you usually meet up with friends/colleagues/family and try to conquer the various routes together. Bouldering is therefore also a great activity for groups and families who come to Amsterdam repeatedly. Amsterdam therefore has a number of climbing gyms and is very well equipped for all levels. Beginners will find the largest gym in Amsterdam West at Beest Boulders, advanced climbers and experts should head to Amsterdam Noord at MONK.

5) Take part in an unusual city tour

We at Amsterdamliebe have turned our love of the city into our profession and are therefore the experts for German-commented city tours. If you already know the story of how the city came to be, why not join us on a bike tour through the beautiful and idyllic Amsterdam Noord instead next time you visit Amsterdam?

Or even a food tour? Yes, there is! With all kinds of delicious Dutch snacks – only one of which is deep-fried, by the way 😉 On the way, you’ll be shown a completely different side of the city and explore just as much of the culinary world that Amsterdam has to offer. What’s more, many of them are covered, so you’ll have plenty of time to warm up between stops and really enjoy your delicious Dutch snacks.

Finally, a canal cruise is of course a must! Especially in summer, German-commented canal cruises are hard to come by. So if it didn’t work out on your last visit: Don’t worry, we got you. Just send us an email and we’ll be happy to organise another lovely canal cruise for you. On this tour, you will not only see the highlights (some of which you may already know), but also more hidden corners of the canal belt. All of course with the little touch of charm and humour that our guides bring to their tours. <3

6) WONDR Experience

If you want to experience something really unusual, glittery and pastel-coloured, then the WONDR Experience is just the thing for you. Some also refer to it as “Instagram heaven”, because inside, numerous chic rooms and pretty decorations invite you to take photos. But the really cool thing about the whole thing is the scooter disco inside. You can take all your friends or family along, dress up in fancy outfits and then show off your best dance moves on your roller skates! We especially recommend the WONDR Experience to returning travellers who don’t want to go too far out on a bad weather day. You can safely spend 2 hours here and forget everyday life in a pastel-coloured dream.

7) Visit a unique museum

Museums are of course the cultural classic for indoor activities in Amsterdam – because we have an impressive number of them. Over 75 different museums invite you to discover their stories and secrets, whatever the weather. If you’ve already ticked off the usual addresses on Museumplein such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum or Moco Museum on your first visit, you should head to another corner of the city. Have you ever been to Amsterdam Noord and been impressed by the artistic industrial flair in NDSM? The northern part of Amsterdam is known for its street art, which is why you’ll find one of our favourite museums in the whole city there: STRAAT. The name translates to “street”, where you’ll usually find the impressive graffiti on display. The old shipyard in which STRAAT is housed has deliberately provided a canvas for street artists from all over the world. The rough industrial atmosphere mixes with colourful street art that often wants to convey a deeper message. STRAAT is therefore the ideal place to get carried away by street art with friends, family or partners and to interpret the colourful images.