A basic guide to wheelchair accessible travel in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city full of history, culture, and charm. While its historic center can present challenges for wheelchair users (such as cobbled streets, narrow staircases, and heritage buildings) there are still plenty of accessible attractions and experiences to enjoy. Below is a guide to some of the best wheelchair-friendly things to see and do, along with practical tips to help you make the most of your visit to Amsterdam.
What to do: Accessible attractions and cultural experiences
A Van Gogh self-portrait in the Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam has a great selection of wheelchair-friendly attractions for visitors all interests and ages. Some notable accessible experiences include:
Rijksmuseum: One of Amsterdam’s most renowned museums, with a collection of over 8,0000 works of art and history. Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid are some of the many celebrated works on display.
Van Gogh Museum: Located near Museumplein, this museum is dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most iconic Dutch painters in history.
Museum of the Canals: Housed inside a 17th century monumental canal house, the Museum of the Canals teaches visitors all about Amsterdam’s history and importance of its canals.
Vondelpark: Amsterdam’s largest park, with 47 hectares of nature. It includes a range of restaurants and cafes.
Wheelchair-friendly canal cruises: Canal cruises are a must when visiting Amsterdam, providing a unique view and experience of Amsterdam’s canals and historic city centre.
Wheelchair-friendly tours: Several companies provide wheelchair-friendly tours in Amsterdam, including AmsterdaMobile and Badass Tours. These tours are a great way to explore the city and learn about its rich history, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems.
For more attractions, check out Able Amsterdam’s recommended wheelchair-friendly museums, music & theatre venues, nature and nightlife pages. If you’re looking for child-friendly activities, make sure to check out the For Kids page.
Where to eat: Wheelchair-friendly restaurants & cafes
Loetje at Johannes Vermeerstraat 52
As you explore Amsterdam, you’ll find hundreds of restaurants and cafés. While wheelchair accessibility isn’t yet standard, many places provide wheelchair-friendly entrances and accessible toilets, such as:
Blue: A restaurant at the top of the Kalverpassage with a stunning panoramic view of Amsterdam’s historic city centre.
Dignita: A charming all-day brunch restaurant with a focus on sustainability. (Please note that only the Hoftuin location is wheelchair-friendly).
Loetje: This popular restaurant chain in The Netherlands serves traditional Dutch cuisine.
THT: This spacious restaurant in Amsterdam Noord is a short (free) ferry ride away from Amsterdam Central Station.
Podium Mozaïek: A colourful multi-cultural restaurant in Amsterdam’s Bos en Lommer neighbourhood with a Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Able Amsterdam has an extensive curated list of wheelchair-friendly restaurants and cafe’s here.
Getting around: Public transportation and taxis in Amsterdam as a wheelchair user
A designated wheelchair space in an Amsterdam bus
Amsterdam’s extensive public transportation network includes trains, trams, buses, metros, and ferries. Some modes offer greater independence for wheelchair users than others. For example, Sprinter trains have carriages level with the platform, allowing easy boarding, while InterCity trains connecting Amsterdam to other cities require assistance, as an external ramp must be placed.
Although much of the public transport system is officially marked as “wheelchair-friendly,” in practice it can still be challenging. Issues such as broken lifts, gaps between metro carriages and platforms, limited signposting, and other obstacles can make travel difficult.
It’s also important to note that wheelchair users must pay the full ticket price, as there is no discounted fare for travellers with a disability. For a detailed overview of public transport accessibility in Amsterdam, see Able Amsterdam’s Public Transportation page.
If you’d like to book a wheelchair-accessible taxi, you’ll need to use specific companies that offer adapted vehicles, as standard taxis in The Netherlands are not suitable for wheelchair users. You can view available options for wheelchair-accessible taxi bookings here.
Where to stay: Wheelchair-friendly hotels in Amsterdam
The Olympic Hotel in Amsterdam
While not all hotels in Amsterdam are wheelchair-friendly, several hotels across the city have prioritised accessibility. Wheelchair-friendly accommodation options include:
For a full list of wheelchair-friendly hotels and their accessibility features, please see the Hotels page or read my wheelchair-accessible hotels article published on the I amsterdam website.
Practical information: Things to consider for a wheelchair-friendly trip to Amsterdam
Clogs in Amsterdam
If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, here are some key points to consider to make your visit more wheelchair-friendly and enjoyable:
Your disabled parking permit from your home country is valid in The Netherlands, provided it meets certain criteria. For more information please see the Disabled Parking page.
Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, rollators, and other mobility aids can be rented through the Able Amsterdam website. The Rent a Wheelchair page has more information, including a rental request form.
Not all restaurants and museums in Amsterdam have a disabled toilet. Click here for an overview of locations with accessible facilities near you.
The City Map provides an overview of all wheelchair-friendly locations listed on the Able Amsterdam website.
