Amsterdam is an exciting European city with a lot to offer. As an Amsterdam-based mobility aid user myself, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring accessible activities in and around the city centre.
Although the beautiful historic buildings and cobblestoned streets are definitely a challenge on wheels, the long list of positive wheelchair-friendly experiences far outweighs any struggles I’ve encountered.
These 10 wheelchair accessible things to do in Amsterdam should provide the perfect starting point for your next trip to the Dutch capital:
1. Visit the Rijksmuseum
Home to some of the most famous artworks of the Dutch Golden Age, the Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s top attractions. Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid are just some of the many famous pieces showcased in this impressive historic museum.
2. Explore the Royal Palace of Amsterdam
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is a beautiful Dutch national treasure along Dam Square. It’s a key location for official state visits and celebrations and is open to visitors for most of the year. Inside you’ll find hallways with beautiful marble floors, exquisite chandeliers, and luxurious historic living quarters.
3. Cruise along Amsterdam’s picturesque canals
Canal cruises are a unique way to take in the sights, history, and architecture of Amsterdam. Blue Boat Company offers year-round wheelchair-friendly canal cruises. The 75-minute city cruise passes Amsterdam’s main highlights and includes an audio guide and a children’s activity pack for the little ones. Important: Make a reservation beforehand to ensure you get an accessible boat.
4. Stroll through the Vondel Park
The Vondel Park is the largest, and perhaps most popular, park in Amsterdam. Its 47 hectares of grass, trees, and flowers provide the perfect getaway from Amsterdam’s bustling city streets. The wide, smooth paths also make for a lovely, carefree stroll with mobility aids.
5. Go bargain hunting at Waterlooplein Flea Market
Open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 18:30, Waterlooplein Flea Market is the oldest flea market in Amsterdam. It has a variety of unique stalls offering antiques, vintage clothing, books, art, vinyl records, and more.
6. Take a virtual reality tour of the Anne Frank House
While the original Anne Frank House can only be accessed via a staircase, the museum also offers a virtual reality tour of the Secret Annex. Using a special headset and remote control, visitors can ‘stroll’ through various rooms in which Anne and her family hid during the German Occupation. This unique and thought-provoking tour is offered in seven languages and takes approximately half an hour.
7. Rent an accessible bicycle
When in Amsterdam, do as the Amsterdammers do. Given the Dutch love of bicycles, this includes swapping your mobility aids for another set of wheels. If you’re up for the adventure, Star Bikes Rental offers a number of adapted adult bicycles, tricycles, tandems, and Firefly wheelchair attachments.
8. Enjoy a concert at Paradiso
Paradiso is a popular music venue that hosts a range of well-known and upcoming artists from around the globe. Genres played here include Motown, hip-hop, R&B, reggae, electronica, dancehall, and everything in between.
9. Read in Amsterdam’s OBA Public Library
Located near Amsterdam Central Station, the OBA Public Library at Oosterdokskade houses thousands of books in multiple languages. Come here to relax, study, or catch up on the latest novel. The upstairs café is also accessible, with a nice city view over the water.
10. Eat out at one of Amsterdam’s wheelchair accessible restaurants
Last, but not least, make sure to grab a coffee or a bite to eat in one of Amsterdam’s wheelchair accessible restaurants. Some of my personal favourites include MOJO Japanese Kitchen, Frank’s Smoke House, and Vondelpark 3.
This is a guest post from Josephine Rees, a Dutch-British accessibility blogger and the founder of Able Amsterdam. Josephine is sharing 10 wheelchair accessible things to do in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, that will give you inspiration and tips for your wheelchair accessible trip to Amsterdam.
For more recommendations about wheelchair accessible things to do in Amsterdam, visit the Able Amsterdam website or Instagram page.
Where Next: You Might Also Enjoy
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4 Responses
Some really good ideas! I have to do a lot of research before travelling, to make sure that anywhere I go is accessible. So guides like this really help.
It is great to know this guide has been helpful to you. Happy travelling 🙂
I’ve visited Holland at least 30 times before (drug trial). Back then i could drive a car so we visited so many places in there. I absolutely love the country! I used a push wheelchair for longer walks so accessibility was important too. Now i can’t fit to any normal passenger car anymore because of my disease so traveling has became too hard. I have power wheelchair now, but i’m too afraid to let the airport staff to handle it.
Also if you’re visiting Holland in April, i suggest to visit Keukenhof tulip garden. It was so amaazing experience! Tulips everywhere. When we visited there, it was kinda late, so many tulips had died already, but it was still awesome place to see.
Hi Janne. Thank you for your lovely comment. I will certainly keep Keukenhof tulip garden in mind for any future visits to Holland. I would love to visit more places in Holland. Hopefully I can make that happen. Thank you again.