The Top Wellness Activities in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has been a popular European destination for many years. And for a good reason. Within this one city, you can experience picturesque canals, colorful tulips, famous, awe-inspiring Dutch art, and a mouth-watering diverse cuisine. You’ll experience a unique culture like no other and an abundantly friendly atmosphere.
While Amsterdam is famously known for a party-like lifestyle with the infamous Red-Light district and its “coffeeshops” (where you’ll indulge in cannabis treats instead of cappuccino), Amsterdam is also on the rise in its wellness services.
Amsterdam is joining in on the global shift of health, wellness, and sustainability in the tourism industry.
Some of the activities I have listed have been popular tourist attractions for decades—and only unique to the lively city of Amsterdam.
If you’re looking for the top wellness activities in Amsterdam for your overall health, wellness, and sustainability, then take a look at this list here!
1. Rent a bike
Amsterdam is famously known for being the “city of cyclists,” where over half of its residents are daily bike riders. The city encompasses one of the best biking infrastructures in the world, making it a perfect destination to travel and explore the city by bike. I personally think it’s terrific that this urban environment is committed to clean modes of transportation!
To join in on the movement for sustainable tourism, opt to get a feel of the local life by renting a bike and exploring the many canals.
2. Eat the local food
Decadent treats in Amsterdam//Shutterstock
Out of all the countries I’ve been to in Europe, I would have to say that Amsterdam has the best tasting food around! Having said that, one of the best activities in Amsterdam is to experience the local cuisine.
One way to do it would be to check out a walking tour. A food tour will let you try a bit of everything without missing out or getting too stuffed!
And fun fact, Amsterdam is home to over 180 different nationalities, making it one of the most diverse cities in the world for food choices!
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3. Walk around the city
You can definitely get your steps in by wandering around the city by foot. You’ll be intrigued by all the beautiful canals, historic buildings, and boathouses. Plan on taking plenty of pictures!
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4. Yoga in Vondelpark
Yoga in Vondelpark//Shutterstock
Some yoga studios will offer free yoga in Vondelpark, or even feel free to do it yourself! Vondelpark is the perfect place to practice your vinyasa and connect yourself to nature!
If you’re looking for places to sign up, Happy Thru Yoga offers an outdoor 60-minute yoga class in Vondelpark. The class itself is open even to those who have zero experience in the art of yoga!
5. Check out the Avocado Show
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With the rise in the emphasis on healthier lifestyles, healthy Amsterdam restaurants have been exploding all over the city within the last five years. One such place getting international publicity is the Avocado Show. This unique eatery goes beyond your typical avocado toast with eye-catching and mouth-watering avocado dishes.
Some examples include the avocado-salmon poke bowls, avocado pancakes, and avocados stuffed with hummus. Some of the avocados are even designed with edible flowers and spices, making the food totally Instagram-friendly.
If you like avocados, you’ve definitely got to add this one to your wellness activities in Amsterdam list!
6. Stay and workout in the Moxy Amsterdam Houthavens Hotel
The Moxy Amsterdam Houthavens is a super-cool spa and wellness hotel offering a unique fitness journey throughout your stay in Amsterdam. The hotel doesn’t just have a fitness room equipped with treadmills and stationary bikes, but it also offers its members classes like kickboxing, yoga, and Pilates.
To get even more in-depth, the hotel offers bookings with personal trainers, physiotherapists, and dietitians for a more personalized wellness experience. Take some time to visit the indoor pool and spa as well!
7. Koan Floating Pods
You can easily float all your stress away at Koan Float! If you’ve always wanted to experience what it’s like swimming in the Dead Sea or zero gravity, try a floating session in a Koan Floating Pod. These pods, or tanks, are filled with warm, Epsom-salted water. It is a great way to relax your body after a long day of walking or riding a bike through the streets of Amsterdam! Want to practice mediation? Koan Float is a great way to practice this, too.
8. Visit a health spa
Amsterdam is filled with many health spas all throughout the city, so take your pick! Treat yourself to a relaxing Swedish massage or exfoliating facial. Visiting a spa is rightfully, a top wellness activity in Amsterdam!
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9. Take a canal cruise
Peacefully sail through the canals of Amsterdam on a boat or ferry cruise! Also, learn about the incredible history of the city and what led to its unique structure.
Check out this tour, here.
If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, you can also rent a pedal boat and explore the canals at your own pace.
While in Amsterdam, taking a tour of the canals by boat was one of the highlights of the trip!
10. Join a yoga class at Delight Yoga
Who doesn’t love more yoga? If you like your yoga to be indoors vs. outside in the park, take a drop-in yoga class at Delight Yoga studio. Delight Yoga has several branches throughout the city, with many classes offered throughout the day.
11. Try a pole dancing class at Pole Dance Factory
Looking for a new and exciting workout while also expressing your beauty and inner confidence? Try a drop-in class at Pole Dance Factory in Amsterdam. The Pole Dance Factory offers over 60 classes a week, from the basic beginner to professional levels!
Pole dancing classes are something I love doing when experiencing a new city! The classes themselves are a challenging workout but are also a lot of fun, and you meet some fantastic people!
12. Take a vegan walking tour
One of the best things about visiting such a diverse city is experiencing the variety of options in their food. In Amsterdam, you can participate in a vegan walking tour, where you will enjoy delicious food from different vegan dining spots throughout the city.
Check out the Vegan food tour experience in Amsterdam tour, here.
13. And lastly, hang out with the locals
Our amazing night hanging out with a local in his trendy cafe and wine bar!
Probably one of the most memorable moments of my trip to Amsterdam was socializing with the friendly Dutch locals. I remember one local that went out of his way to accommodate my friends and me by opening up his coffee and wine bar late at night just for us. We sat and talked, laughed, and drank wine.
Remember, sometimes the best thing we can do for our own health and wellness is to be around caring, remarkable people. After all, it is the people we meet along our adventures that makes travel the most memorable and enjoyable!
Can you think of any other wellness activities in Amsterdam you’d be interested in?
I love all of these tips! I try to balance wellness with decadence when traveling. I especially like the idea of the vegan walking tour.
I love to hear about all the healthy options in Amsterdam. Yoga in the park would be great, and I would love to learn more about the avocado show! These things are definitely not what I imagined when I think of Amsterdam.
This is definitely not what I think of when I think of visiting Amsterdam. Thank you for showing me a different side of the city! I love avocado show… Their work seems phenomenal and I would love to go there one day! So creative!
I love the idea of focusing on maintaining your wellness while travelling! Amsterdam is such an amazing place and it looks like there are so many things to do!
Great post! I haven’t been to Amsterdam yet, but it seems like the perfect city to be active in. I love have walkable and bikeable the city is. Almost seems like it is much easier to walk or bike than drive! I’m surprised to hear that Amsterdam has such good food. I’ve never heard that before but now want to check out the city and try out all its food. The Avocado Show looks absolutely delicious and almost too beautiful to eat. Plus I’m all about a good vegan walking tour!
These are all such great ideas. I especially love the “Avocado Show”. That sounds like something right up my alley! Thanks for always reminding us to stay healthy while traveling. 🙂
I love how bike-friendly Amsterdam is! It would certainly be a shame to visit there and not hop on a bike at least for a day, if you’re able.