WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam known for its canals, old buildings and a busy stream of cyclists. If you depend on a wheelchair or other assistive device, exploring the city can seem challenging. Fortunately, there are plenty of activities and hotels such as Hotel Casa that are wheelchair-friendly. In this blog, we’ll take you through the wheelchair-accessible activities and spots in Amsterdam for everyone to enjoy this beautiful city.
MUSEUMS
Most museums in Amsterdam are well-equipped for wheelchair users. For example, major tourist attractions such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House have elevators and wheelchair-friendly entrances. However, true to Hotel Casa’s tagline ‘Away from the Ordinary’, we want to offer you several gems in the city:
AWAY FROM THE ORDINARY TIPS:
The Upside Down is a vibrant, immersive social media museum showcasing modern Dutch culture, and it’s wheelchair accessible with an elevator and helpful staff.
NEMO Science Museum, being a modern interactive space, is designed with ramps, elevators, and accessible exhibits, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience for all visitors.
STRAAT is an inspiring museum filled with graffiti art. While you may notice some uneven surfaces due to the building’s industrial character, it remains fully accessible for wheelchair users with an elevator and accessible restroom.
Visit this page for more inspirational museums as a wheelchair user.
BARS & RESTAURANTS
Combine your museum visit with with a delicious lunch or dinner in a restaurant or café. Amsterdam counts many old buildings with limited accessibility, but good news: there are plenty of inspiring places to go to as a wheelchair user. Especially in Amsterdam North because of the spacious and industrial settings.
AWAY FROM THE ORDINARY TIPS:
IJVER is a spacious, industrial-style bar and restaurant located just across Central Station in Amsterdam North, easily spotted after taking the ferry.
Restaurant East is located on the ground floor of Hotel Casa, making it an accessible and inspirational place for brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails!
- Bar Botanique – This green oasis in Amsterdam East has a tropical atmosphere and is fully wheelchair accessible. It’s the perfect place to enjoy colourful cocktails in a relaxed environment, surrounded by plants and light.
Visit this page for more inspirational restaurants as a wheelchair user.
MARKETS & PARKS
Amsterdam is home to a number of bustling markets and parks that are excellent for wheelchair access. The Albert Cuyp Market for example, is a great accessible market due to its flat and spacious roads. In addition to the markets, Amsterdam also has beautiful parks such as the Vondelpark, Amstelpark and Oosterpark. These parks are popular destinations with wide paths, ideal for a relaxing walk or to enjoy nature in a wheelchair.
AWAY FROM THE ORDINARY TIPS:
- The Dapper Market:The market is wheelchair-friendly thanks to its wide, flats paths, making exploring the stalls an enjoyable experience.
- IJ-hallen: A monthly market in Amsterdam North. Known as the biggest flea market of Europe. With it’s big and industrial lay-out, it’s a very accessible and inspiring market to visit.
- Oosterpark: A park that is often overseen, but with its many restaurants and accessible roads, its the perfect park to get some fresh air.
Visit this page for more parks and markets as a wheelchair user.
WATER ACTIVITIES
The canals are one of the main tourist attractions in Amsterdam, and fortunately they are also easily accessible for wheelchair users. Many canal boats are wheelchair-friendly, with adapted entrances and plenty of room for wheelchairs. It’s a unique way to see the city from the water.
AWAY FROM THE ORDINARY TIPS:
- The ferry across the IJ river offers a free and convenient way to travel between the northern and central parts of Amsterdam, and it’s fully wheelchair accessible. If you want a free (short) boat cruise, this is it!
- City Canal Cruise offers a 75-minute tour of Amsterdam’s highlights, showcasing historic 17th-century canal houses. The boat is – ofcourse – wheelchair accessible
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation in Amsterdam has made great strides in recent years towards greater accessibility for wheelchair users. Subway stations are equipped with elevators and wide entrances to the platforms, making them wheelchair accessible. Busses often have fold-out ramps as well.
Ferries across the IJ River are fully wheelchair accessible and, as mentioned earlier, free. Note, however, that public transportation often requires assistance from employees, such as when putting down a ramp or if an elevator is faulty.
For more information about accessibility on public transport, visit this page.
From beautiful museums to green parks and the iconic canals; there is plenty to experience in the city. With a little preparation, you can enjoy all that Amsterdam has to offer as a wheelchair user. Enjoy your time in the Dutch capital!
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