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Plan Your Amsterdam City Trip Without Worrying About Rain

Cold and Rainy Amsterdam: What to do? Imagine this: you booked a fun city trip to Amsterdam. Flights are confirmed, and your stay at Amsterdam Teleport Hotel is booked! Now the excitement begins. In the evenings, you sit on the couch, browsing the internet, and check all the places you want to visit. The list of must-see spots can quickly feel overwhelming. There is so much to do and see!

Check the Weather Before You Go

Then you realize one thing: the weather! You add Amsterdam to your favorite weather app. You refresh the page a few times. Can it be true? Every day of your trip will be gray and rainy! Don’t worry. Amsterdam has a mild sea climate with warm winters and cool summers. The city gets around 800mm of rain a year, spread over 184 days. Locals are used to this. Even in the rain, there is so much to do!

Cultural Hotspots Near Teleport Hotel

First, check out Westergasfabriek and De (Food) Hallen, both not far from the hotel. These are popular cultural hotspots with activities all year round. Westergasfabriek has shops, cafés, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, they organize a large indoor fashion, design, and art market once a month. Definitely worth a visit!

If you go a bit further by tram, you reach De Hallen. This former tram depot is now a cultural complex. Here you will find one of Amsterdam’s largest food courts, galleries, and unique shops. Film lovers will enjoy the largest independent cinema in the Netherlands. One hall, Hall 7, is even on the UNESCO heritage list because of its historical art-deco interior.

Activities in the Historic Center

Even in the old city, there is plenty to do in the rain. In the Red Light District, check out TonTon Club, a retro arcade with pinball machines and classic racing and shooting games. After playing, enjoy local beer at Brouwerij de Prael, or for a more touristy experience, visit Brouwerij ’t IJ, located in a classic Dutch windmill.

For a relaxing activity, take a canal cruise. You stay dry and hear interesting historical facts. In winter, you can enjoy a special Amsterdam Light Festival cruise at night

Museums and Cultural Trips

After the cruise, visit one of Amsterdam’s many museums. Get a skip-the-line ticket at the hotel desk and go straight in while others wait outside. Some options include: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Eye Filmmuseum, Nemo Science Museum, Anne Frank House, Tropenmuseum, Hermitage, and Foam Photo Museum.

Fun Indoor Activities

Escape rooms are also perfect for a rainy day. Sherlocked is under the Beurs van Berlage in the city center. Other great options are Claustrophobia and Zombie Escape.

Spots a Bit Further Away

Across the IJ river, behind Amsterdam Central, you’ll find the IJ-hallen, Europe’s largest flea market. Be careful—it only opens once a month. Another great spot is The World of Food in the Bijlmer (Amsterdam Zuidoost). Here you can try dishes from around the world at affordable prices.

Cold and Rainy Amsterdam: What to do? No problem! All in all, there is always something to do in Amsterdam, even when it rains. And if you are still worried, Teleport Hotel provides free umbrellas for guests!

Discover the Amsterdam Light Festival

The Amsterdam Light Festival for the 2025-2026 edition is scheduled to run from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

If you have been exploring Amsterdam, you might notice colorful art installations around the city. Moreover, the city hosts the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. This year’s edition celebrates the city itself with the theme “A View on Amsterdam.” Artists use the city as their canvas. Additionally, they bring fresh ideas and show different visions of Amsterdam through stunning light art.

Water Colors of the Canals

What do the canals look like during the festival? Until 22 January 2017, the water comes alive with rainbow colors. Some artworks can be seen from the shore. For example, Wolfert’s dog marks the legendary foundation of Amsterdam. Another example is a nest inspired by organic architecture. Meanwhile, other pieces are better seen from the water. These include three-dimensional houses that appear flat from a distance, or the “dangerous love zone” highlighting modern love. Also, the most spectacular pieces include brightly lit tulips in the middle of the canal, a strip of lilacs floating on the water, and bicycles falling into the canal. The bikes symbolize the 15,000 bicycles fished out of Amsterdam canals every year.

Experience the Festival on a KINboat Tour

We joined the festival on a KINboat tour. The smaller boats create a personal experience. Guides are friendly, funny, and passionate about the city. Furthermore, if you are introverted, a cup of hot gluhwein or chocolate helps break the ice. The boat offers a 360-degree view of the canals and leaning Dutch houses. You can choose inside seating to stay warm or outside for perfect photos. Best of all, the boat is 100% electric, making the experience eco-friendly. The 75-minute tour flew by and left us wanting more.

Walking the Illuminade Route

If you prefer to stay on land, the Illuminade route is perfect. It is a free evening walk through the city with 23 outdoor light art pieces. This year, the theme is biomimicry, using nature to solve human problems. For example, you can see green flying pigs in trees as a symbol of positivity and recycling. In addition, you can interact with an illuminated glass house that responds to your voice. Also, you can dance with light trees connecting nature and art. Each installation surprises and inspires. For instance, a flowering phantasm opens its petals with your movement, and light waves respond to the wind.

Fancy a walk?

If you’re not into looking at Amsterdam from below the ground level (although it’s stunning!), then Illuminade is the right part of the Light Festival for you. Enjoy a long evening walk around the magical city admiring the outdoor exhibition presented to you by local and international artists. 23 light art pieces are waiting for you to see Amsterdam in a different dimension (sometimes you can even walk through them!). This year walking route’s theme is biomimicry that brings nature to solve problems of humans. The best news is that you can enjoy this charming walk for FREE till 8 January 2017, just grab your map and good company.

Watch the green flying pigs in a tree (no, you don’t need to smoke to see them!) being a symbol of positivism and recycling, or find an illuminated glass house activated through your voice that would make you feel surreal, or dance with the light trees connecting with nature and art. Your opportunities are endless and will surprise you with each artwork you pass: just think about the flowering phantasm opening its petals with you movement or light waves that operate with the help of the wind and make you think about sustainable energy.

The Amsterdam Light Festival is a magical experience. Whether on a KINboat tour or walking the Illuminade route, the city transforms into a vibrant art gallery. From colorful canals to interactive light installations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is only 15 min from Amsterdam Teleport Hotel to city centre!

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Rainy Amsterdam: What to do?