On this page you’ll find details about wheelchair-friendly toilets of all places listed on the Able Amsterdam website.
At present, The Netherlands does not have regulations about the layout of an accessible toilet. This means that the facilities and quality of wheelchair-friendly toilets vary tremendously. Think: amount of space, weight of doors, the height of mirrors, and the placement of soap dispensers, to name a few. Hopefully, the information and photos below can help readers evaluate whether the facilities are suited to their individual needs.
Photos can be enlarged by clicking on the thumbnail. To see the location of the places below, please refer to the Able Amsterdam City Map.
A note on accessible adult change facilities: Until now, I have not found a location in Amsterdam with accessible adult change facilities. Any tips are welcome as I would really like to expand this part of the directory.
Coffeeshops
The Bulldog Hotel & Loungebar
Location: Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: There are two doors. The first leads to the sink, the second to the accessible toilet. Both doors are a normal weight and manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser and bin are within reach for wheelchair users. The sink is located outside the toilet (shared with standard toilet users) and is low enough. The hand dryer is also within reach. However, the soap and mirror are out of sight/reach.
Space: It’s quite a small space. Wheelchair users will have to make a three point turn. To me, this the space means this toilet is more suitable for rollators and other smaller mobility aids.
Alarm cord: No.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
For Kids
Photos of the toilet at Body Worlds, Dutch Resistance Museum, Eye Film Museum, Madame Tussauds, Micropia, National Maritime Museum, NEMO Science Museum, Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, and Tropenmuseum will be added to this page shortly.
ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
Location: Planetarium Cafe, Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is an electric sliding door.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users. I think the paper towel dispenser may be out of reach for many wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
* There are more accessible toilets at Artis, but this is the only one I visited.
Rijksmuseum
Location: Main floor of museum lobby (-1).
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and are manually operated. There is a horizontal rail on the inside of the door.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
* There are multiple accessible toilets in the Rijksmuseum.
Gyms
Apollo Health & Fitness
Location: Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to accessing this toilet.
Doors: The door is a little bit heavy and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, soap, sink and bin are within reach for wheelchair users. However, the paper towel dispenser and mirror are out of reach/ sight.
Space: This toilet is very spacious. Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer would be possible if bin is moved out of the way (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Libraries
OBA Public Library (Bijlmer)
Location: Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: To get to this toilet, you have to pass through a main door and then go through the accessible toilet door. The doors are a normal weight and are manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, soap, sink and bin are within reach for wheelchair users. However, the hand dryer and mirror are out of reach/sight.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Museums
Photos of the toilet at Body Worlds, Dutch Resistance Museum, Eye Film Museum, Madame Tussauds, Micropia, National Maritime Museum, NEMO Science Museum, Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, and Tropenmuseum will be added to this page shortly.
Amsterdam Museum
Location: Basement (accessible via a lift).
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, bin, sink and mirror are within reach/sight for wheelchair users. However, the paper towel dispenser is a bit far away from the sink.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Anne Frank House
Location: Basement (accessible via a lift).
Access: This toilet can be accessed via a key-operated lift. Members of staff have a key. You’ll have to ask a member of staff to accompany you to-and from the toilet facilities. Other than that, there are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated. It includes a horizontal rail on the inside of the door.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, bin, soap and sink are within reach. However, the mirror is a bit high.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible if bin is moved (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Hermitage
Location: Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated. It includes a (small) horizontal rail on the inside of the door.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, sink and bins are within reach for wheelchair users. However, the mirror is too high.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Rijksmuseum
Location: Main floor of museum lobby (-1).
Access: The main lobby area is accessible via a lift. There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated. It includes a horizontal rail on the inside of the door.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
* There are multiple accessible toilets in the Rijksmuseum.
Stedelijk Museum
Location: 1st floor (accessible via a lift).
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users. There is also a separate seat (see photo).
Space: This toilet is exceptionally spacious. Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is potentially possible depending on if the bin (mounted on the wall) poses an obstacle.
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Van Gogh Museum
Location: Near gift shop (accessible via a lift).
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, bin and sink are all within reach for wheelchair users. However, the mirror is quite high.
Space: This toilet is very spacious. Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer would be possible if the bin is moved (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Nature
Hortus Botanical Gardens
Location: Ground floor.
Access: To get to the accessible toilet, you have to go through a rather heavy main door (from outside).
Doors: The first door from outside is very heavy – anyone using a mobility aid will need help to get inside. The main toilet door isn’t very heavy. Both doors are manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, soap, bin and sink are all within reach. However, the mirror and paper towel dispenser are too high for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users will have to make a three point turn in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: No.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Nightlife
Photos of the toilet at Barca, Club Canvas, Tunes Bar and Melkweg will be added to this page shortly.
Lotti's Cafe, Bar & Grill
Location: Ground floor, accessible via a lift (if coming from upstairs) or a platform lift (if coming from restaurant area).
Access: The door to the accessible toilet is usually locked. You’ll have to ask a member of staff to unlock the door for you.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Paradiso
Location: Basement, accesible via a key-operated lift.
Access: Wheelchair users are given a key for the duration of their visit. This means you can can operate the lift and reach the toilet without having to ask a member of staff. There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The doors are a normal weight, manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap and sink are within reach. The mirror is too high for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. Side transfer potentially possible (though I’m not sure if it would be too tight a space, please see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Restaurants and Cafes
Photos of the toilet at Canvas Rooftop Bar, Coffee & Coconuts, and Werkplaats will be added to this page shortly.
The Birdhouse
Location: Ground floor.
Access: This toilet is located through the hallway that connects The Birdhouse to the adjacent hotel. The only potential obstacle to access is the rather heavy door between the restaurant and the hallway.
Doors: To get to the accessible toilet from the restaurant you need to go through two doors. The first door (to the hallway) is quite heavy – mobility aid users may need some assistance. The door to the toilet itself is a normal weight.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap and sink are within reach. The mirror is high but tilted, so you can still see yourself when seated. Unfortunately the only bin is a small pedal bin located under the sink, something many mobility aid users will have trouble using.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. Side transfers are not possible due to a lack of space alongside the toilet.
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Please note: Since the above photos were taken the towel dispenser has been moved and is now within reach.
De Bijenkorf Kitchen
Location: Same floor as De Bijenkorf Kitchen (one of the higher floors of the department store).
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight. The inside of the toilet door has a vertical bar to pull it closed more easily.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/ sight for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
The Commons
Location (Amsterdam West): Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a little bit heavy. It is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, and sink are all within reach. The mirror is placed too high for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space, provided you turn with your legs under the sink. I don’t think a side transfer is possible as the space between the wall and the toilet is too narrow.
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Exki
Location: Ground floor at Amsterdam Central Station public toilets. Approx. 20 metres from the restaurant.
Access: This toilet requires a special access key. You’ll have to ask a member of staff to unlock the toilet door. Other than that, there are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door has a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, bin, sink and mirror are all within reach/ sight for wheelchair users.
Space: This toilet is very spacious. Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. However, I’m not sure if a side transfer would be possible given that a bin has been mounted to the wall (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Lotti's Cafe, Bar & Grill
Location: Ground floor, accessible via a lift (if coming from upstairs) or a platform lift (if coming from restaurant area).
Access: The door to the accessible toilet is usually locked. You’ll have to ask a member of staff to unlock the door for you.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Persijn
Location: 1st floor, accessible via several lifts.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, soap, moisturiser, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users. However, at present there is only a small pedal bin, which I suspect is difficult or impossible for many mobility aid users to use. There are a few nice hand towels available, but no disposable paper towel dispenser. I have suggested getting a bigger bin and getting a paper towel dispenser for practical and hygiene reasons – both suggestions have been well-received and are currently being discussed by staff members. (To be continued!)
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. I think a side transfer would be possible on one side of the toilet if the bins are moved.
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
De Plantage
Location: Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, bin, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. However, side transfers aren’t possible as the space between the wall and toilet is too narrow.
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Vondelpark 3
Location: Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, hand dryer, soap, bin, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. However, side transfers wouldn’t be possible because the bin (on the wall) is obstructing the space between the toilet and the wall.
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Wagamama
Location (Max Euweplein): Ground floor.
Access: To access this toilet you need to go through two doors.
Doors: The first of two doors (leading to the general toilets) is quite heavy. Mobility aid users may need help to open it. The door to the actual toilet is a normal weight. Both are manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, hand dryer, soap, bin and sink are all within reach for wheelchair users. The mirror is a bit high.
Space: Wheelchair users will probably need to do a three point turn in this space. I don’t think a side transfer is possible because the step along the wall reduces the space (see first photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Location: Ground floor at Amsterdam Central Station public toilets. Approx. 20 metres from the restaurant.
Access: This toilet requires a special access key. You’ll have to ask a member of staff to unlock the toilet door. Other than that, there are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door has a normal weight and is manually operated.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, paper towel dispenser, soap, bin, sink and mirror are all within reach/ sight for wheelchair users.
Space: This toilet is very spacious. Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. However, I’m not sure if a side transfer would be possible given that a bin has been mounted to the wall (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
Zoo
ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
Location: Planetarium Cafe, Ground floor.
Access: There are no known obstacles to entering this toilet.
Doors: The door is an electric sliding door.
Support: There are support rails on either side of the toilet.
Amenities: The toilet paper dispenser, soap, sink and mirror are all within reach/sight for wheelchair users. I think the paper towel dispenser may be out of reach for many wheelchair users.
Space: Wheelchair users can turn full circle in this space. A side transfer is possible (see photo).
Alarm cord: Yes.
Accessible adult change facilities: No.
* There are more accessible toilets at Artis, but this is the only one I visited.