What to do in Amsterdam on a rainy day?

If you are looking for things to do in Amsterdam when the weather is wet, choose places where you can spend time indoors while still experiencing something special. Amsterdam has many museums and cultural attractions, but there are also quieter and more unusual places to discover.

Here are a few ideas for a rainy day in Amsterdam:

• Explore a museum – Amsterdam is home to world-famous museums covering art, history, science and culture. With over a 100 museum in the city there is lots to choose from.
• Discover historic Amsterdam – Step inside historic buildings, churches and hidden courtyards and learn more about the city’s past.
• Find a cosy café – Take shelter from the rain with coffee, cake or lunch at one of Amsterdam’s many cafés. Just down the street from the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is Mediterranean restaurant Olijfje with fresh and delicious Southern European dishes for lunch and dinner.
• Explore indoor markets and shops – Browse local food, books, design and other discoveries while staying dry. A favourite book lover’s gem is de Oudemanhuispoort, where you can browse through thousands of second-hand and antique books beneath the historic arches of the old university.
• Visit a tropical greenhouse – Escape the grey skies and step into a warm, green indoor world that takes you back to any tropical holiday destination you can imagine.

Visit Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam on a rainy day

One of the more unusual things to do in Amsterdam when it rains is to visit Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. Located in the heart of the city, the Hortus combines historic outdoor gardens with a series of monumental greenhouses, making it possible to explore a botanical garden whatever the weather.

Step inside the Palm House, Butterfly Greenhouse and Climate House and discover tropical plants, towering palms, colourful butterflies and plants from different climate zones. The greenhouses offer a warm and green escape from a rainy Amsterdam day, while there is still plenty to see outdoors when the weather clears.

Founded in 1638, Hortus is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and is home to thousands of plant species from around the globe. A visit takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, making it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing.

And you don’t have to rush off when you have finished exploring. Stop at café de Oranjerie for lunch, coffee or cake, and enjoy views of the greenery from the terrace or café.

Looking for more indoor things to do in Amsterdam?

Don’t worry, it often doesn’t rain all day. But don’t let this typical Dutch weather ruin your city trip. If rain is in the forecast, you don’t need to stay in your hotel. Amsterdam has plenty of indoor and partly covered places to explore, from major museums to smaller cultural attractions, historic buildings and unexpected green spaces.

For something a little different, head to Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam and discover a tropical world in the middle of the city — even when it is raining outside.