Best Indoor Things to do in Amsterdam on a Rainy Day, including Vegetarian Food recommendations
- Henna Shah
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
Amsterdam’s canals, cycling culture and charming streets are undeniably magical — until the rain arrives. Fortunately, a rainy day in Amsterdam doesn’t mean putting your plans on hold. In fact, the city offers some of Europe’s most engaging indoor activities, from world-class museums to unique chocolate experiences and cosy cafés. Travellers planning a trip often check the Netherlands weather in advance. The Netherlands climate is unpredictable, which means rain showers can appear at any time of year. Even during summer, brief drizzles are common, making it useful to keep a few rain activities in your itinerary. Even if it doesn’t rain, any day can be a windy day according to the Netherlands weather, and you do not want to be out and about with the fear of being blown away by strong gusts.
Understanding Netherlands Weather and Climate
The Netherlands climate is influenced by the North Sea, resulting in frequent cloud cover, windy days and occasional rain showers throughout the year.
Netherlands Temperature by Season
Spring (March to May): 10–17°C with occasional rain
Summer (June to August): 17–25°C, warm but still prone to showers
Autumn (September to November): 10–18°C with increased rainfall
Winter (December to February): 0–7°C, often cold and damp
Visitors may find themselves asking “what do you do on a rainy day?” in Amsterdam — and the answer is simple: explore its incredible indoor spaces. Many of the city’s most famous attractions are museums and cultural institutions, making it easy to enjoy a full day of indoor activities without worrying about the weather.
Anne Frank Huis – A Powerful Historical Experience
If you have read The Diary of a Young Girl as a teenager then very few places in Amsterdam leave as deep an emotional impact as the Anne Frank Huis, one of the most visited historical sites in the Netherlands. Often searched online as the Anne Frank House, the museum preserves the building where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II while she wrote the diary that would later become one of the world’s most widely read books. Visitors walk through the Secret Annex, the concealed rooms where the Frank family lived in hiding for more than two years. The experience is reflective, with original artefacts, diary excerpts and exhibitions that provide context to Anne’s story.
Tickets to the Anne Frank Huis are sold out sooner and here is how you make sure you grab yours in time.
Why it’s a meaningful rainy day activity
On a rainy day in Amsterdam, visiting the Anne Frank Huis offers both shelter and a deeply moving historical experience. The museum’s immersive storytelling makes it one of the most powerful indoor activities in the city. As a reader of her diary’s English translation, I was moved to tears and there was an eerie silence among all the visitors while walking around the house as a mark of respect to the sufferings of the family and many like them during the World War II.
Van Gogh Museum – A Journey into Dutch Art
Art lovers will find refuge from the rain at the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of works by the legendary Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. Located in Amsterdam’s Museumplein district, the museum showcases more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and hundreds of letters, offering an intimate look into the artist’s life and creative evolution.
Visitors can admire masterpieces such as:
Sunflowers
The Bedroom
Several iconic self-portraits
Why it’s perfect for a rainy afternoon
If you’re wondering about things to do on a rainy day, spending a few hours wandering through the Van Gogh Museum is one of Amsterdam’s most enriching experiences. The galleries are thoughtfully curated, making it easy to follow the story of Van Gogh’s life and artistic struggles. If you are a couple traveller, then this surely makes for a romantic afternoon spent hand-in-hand while admiring art.
Tony’s Chocolonely – A Sweet Indoor Experience
For travellers with a sweet tooth, visiting Tony’s Chocolonely is one of the most fun rain activities in Amsterdam. Tony’s Chocolonely is a Dutch chocolate company famous not just for its bold flavours but also for its mission to create 100% slave-free chocolate. At the brand’s colourful stores in Amsterdam, visitors can browse rows of vibrantly packaged chocolate bars and sample unusual flavour combinations.
The highlight of the store is your ability to personalise your own chocolate bar, right from the choice of chocolate to the other accompanying ingredients to the colors of your packaging and your name on the package. Here is what you should keep in mind to plan your personalised chocolates.
Some favourites include:
dark chocolate with sea salt
milk chocolate caramel
almond honey nougat
Why it’s great on a rainy day
Stepping into Tony’s Chocolonely feels like entering a chocolate playground. Sampling chocolates while learning about the company’s ethical sourcing makes it both an indulgent and meaningful indoor activity. These also make for some of the best edible souvenirs from Amsterdam for yourself and loved ones back home.
The Heineken Experience - For Beer Lovers
A visit to the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam is less a traditional brewery tour and more an immersive, interactive attraction set inside Heineken’s original 19th-century brewery. Expect a self-guided journey through the brewing process brought to life with touchscreens, games, and a fun 4D simulation, ending with a couple of beers at the lively bar. It’s popular and operates on timed entry slots, so it’s best to pre-book your tickets a few days in advance, especially during peak travel months. One of the more memorable takeaways is the option to create a personalised Heineken bottle. At the “Bottle Your Own” kiosks, you can add your name or a custom message to a label and take home a freshly sealed bottle as a souvenir. It’s a small add-on, but a thoughtful keepsake that makes the experience feel a little more personal.
Why it’s great on a rainy day
The Heineken Experience makes for an ideal rainy-day plan in Amsterdam simply because it’s entirely indoors and designed to keep you engaged for a couple of hours. Instead of navigating wet streets or cutting sightseeing short, you’re moving through interactive exhibits, tasting sessions, and lively bar spaces that feel warm, social, and immersive. There’s also something inherently comforting about ending the experience with a freshly poured beer in a buzzing indoor setting while the rain taps outside.
Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Amsterdam
Rainy weather in Amsterdam is the perfect excuse to slow down and explore the city’s vibrant café culture. Fortunately for travellers following a plant-based diet, there are several excellent vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam.
Here are five spots worth seeking out.
Nneas Amsterdam - Europe’s #8 Best Pizzeria
At NNea Pizza, often ranked among Europe’s best pizzerias, the experience is as memorable as the food. Pizzas are served whole and cut at the table with a pair of scissors, adding a playful, tactile element to the meal.
The menu offers plenty of vegetarian entrées and starters designed for sharing, before moving on to their classic Margherita or pizzas with thoughtfully chosen toppings. End on a high note with their tiramisu, which is as much a highlight as the mains. Here is how you can ensure you make it to this famous spot.
Little Collins
Little Collins is a popular neighbourhood café known for its creative brunch menu and a relaxed atmosphere for dinner. Vegetarians will enjoy dishes like the marinara-based vegetarian lasagne or cannelloni, which are rich, comforting and perfect for a rainy evening. Their ravioli served with a tomato-based sauce is another standout option.
Zero Zero
For a quick but satisfying meal, Zero Zero is a must-visit sandwich shop in Amsterdam. Their Pomodoro and Italiano sandwiches are simple yet incredibly flavourful. What makes them special is the freshly baked sourdough bread, which adds depth and texture to every bite. Much like us, many travellers find themselves returning here more than once during their stay.
Benji’s Amsterdam
Benji’s is a bright and stylish café that works perfectly for a relaxed brunch break during a rainy day. Their cappuccino paired with avocado on toast is a classic choice, while the Mediterranean falafel and hummus toast offers a hearty vegetarian option. It’s the kind of cosy café where travellers often linger while waiting for the rain to pass or cuddle up with a book or your Kindle.
Van Wonderen Stroopwafels
Tucked along Amsterdam’s canals, Van Wonderen Stroopwafels is a charming stop for one of the city’s most indulgent treats. Their freshly made stroopwafels are warm, crisp on the outside, and filled with gooey caramel, often topped with everything from chocolate drizzle to nuts and candy. It feels especially comforting on a grey, drizzly day, when stepping in for something warm and sweet becomes part of the experience itself.
Do note that their stroopwafels typically contain eggs, which may not suit everyone’s dietary preferences.
FAQs: Amsterdam Weather, Planning and Reservations
What is the Netherlands weather like throughout the year?
The Netherlands weather is generally mild but unpredictable. The country has a maritime Netherlands climate, meaning rain showers can occur in any season. Summers are pleasant with temperatures around 20–25°C, while winters are colder, usually between 0–7°C.
What are the best indoor activities for a rainy day in Amsterdam?
Some of the best indoor activities include visiting the Anne Frank Huis, exploring the Van Gogh Museum, browsing chocolate shops like Tony’s Chocolonely, and enjoying Amsterdam’s café culture. These experiences make Amsterdam a great destination even when it rains.
Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Anne Frank Huis?
Yes. Tickets for the Anne Frank Huis (Anne Frank House) must be booked online in advance through the museum’s official website. Entry slots are timed and often sell out several days ahead, especially during peak tourist seasons. Try to book 6 weeks in advance and we noticed that the bookings opened on a Tuesday for a week 6 weeks from the booking date. However, this may vary at the time of your visit.
Should you pre-book tickets for the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes. The Van Gogh Museum also uses timed entry tickets to manage visitor numbers. Pre-booking online is recommended to avoid long queues and ensure entry during your preferred time slot.
Is Tony’s Chocolonely worth visiting in Amsterdam?
Yes. Visiting Tony’s Chocolonely stores in Amsterdam is a fun and interactive experience for chocolate lovers. Visitors can sample different flavours while learning about the brand’s mission to produce ethically sourced chocolate. Also, the highlight here is to personalise your own chocolate bar. Ideally if you visit during the first half of the day, your personalised chocolate bars should be ready by evening before their closing time.
How should travellers plan their day in Amsterdam if rain is forecast?
If rain is expected, it’s best to schedule indoor activities such as museums, chocolate experiences or café visits. Amsterdam’s compact city centre also makes it easy to move between attractions quickly, even during short rain showers.
Can you make a reservation at nNea’s Pizza Amsterdam?
You can try making an online reservation to nNea’s however it fills up really fast. You can bank on the walk-in option for dinner and reach in time to get your name in the queue. There is typically a waiting of anywhere between 45-90 minutes and if the weather is good you can meander in the nearby Vondelpark and come back in time for your dinner slot.
Last word: A Rainy Day Amsterdam Itinerary
A well-planned rainy day itinerary could look like this:
Morning: Visit the Anne Frank Huis to understand one of the most powerful stories of World War II. (1-2 hours)
Afternoon: Grab a sandwich at Zero Zero and head to exploring the Van Gogh Museum and dive into Dutch art history. (1-2 hours)
Late afternoon: Warm up with chocolate tastings at Tony’s Chocolonely. (1 hour)
Evening: Head to the Heineken Experience for your share of Dutch beer. (1-2 hours)
Late Evening: Relax at one of the city’s vegetarian-friendly cafés or head to nNeas for some pizza. (1-2 hours)
This combination ensures that even if the Netherlands temperature dips and rain clouds gather, your Amsterdam experience remains memorable.