Two days in Amsterdam: A wheelchair-friendly weekend getaway
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Amsterdam is a popular weekend getaway for travellers exploring Europe. Even with its (often inaccessible) historic layout and architecture, there are a range of wheelchair-friendly attractions and activities to enjoy. Below you’ll find the ultimate wheelchair-friendly itinerary for your next weekend trip to Amsterdam.
This blog post is the second in a two-part series. Read One day in Amsterdam: A wheelchair-friendly itinerary for part one.
Start at Amsterdam Central Station
9:45 am
Day two of this weekend getaway starts at Amsterdam Central Station. Exit at the station’s Centrumzijde and head towards Dam Square. After 9 min (650 m) you will see your breakfast venue on the right: Brasserie de Roode Leeuw.
Have eggs benedict at Brasserie de Roode Leeuw
Brasserie de Roode Leeuw in Amsterdam
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Brasserie de Roode Leeuw is a pleasant, quiet restaurant in central Amsterdam. Here you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, orange juice, American pancakes, eggs benedict, or a range of other dishes on their menu.
Brasserie de Roode Leeuw has a threshold-free entrance with automatic doors. There is a wheelchair-friendly toilet located in the basement. For further accessibility information, see the Brasserie de Roode Leeuw page.
After breakfast, stroll just 3 min (190 m) to the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.
Visit the Royal Palace of Amsterdam
Inside the Royal Palace of Amsterdam
11:00 am - 12:15 pm
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is an impressive historic building at Dam Square. The building dates back to 1648 and has served as the Royal Palace of Amsterdam since 1808. It is still used for official state functions and celebrations today.
Open to the public on most days, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam can be easily explored inside by wheelchair. A long metal ramp to the right of the building provides wheelchair access. Inside it is spacious with threshold-free rooms, lifts, and a wheelchair-friendly toilet.
From here, it’ll take 5 minutes (450 m) to get to your next stop: Begijnhof.
Pop into Begijnhof
The quiet Begijnhof courtyard in Amsterdam
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Begijnhof is a peaceful oasis in the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. Dating back to 1307, it is one of the city’s oldest enclosed religious courtyards — known has a ‘hofje’ in Dutch.
Historically, the houses in the Begijnhof were private homes lived in by (elderly) religious women who were dedicated to the church but had not taken religious vows. Today, the homes surrounding Begijnhof are still lived in by women. Begijnhof is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm.
From Begijnhof, head to Blue for lunch. Stroll for 5 minutes (450 m) to the Kalverpassage and take the lift up to Blue.
Enjoy lunch at Blue
A beautiful view at Blue
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Blue is a restaurant with a stunning panoramic view of Amsterdam’s historic city centre. Located up on the third floor of the Kalverpassage, Blue serves (all day) breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please note that Blue’s wheelchair-friendly toilet is located down the lift, in the Kalverpassage.
After lunch at Blue, it’s time to learn all about Amsterdam’s canals. It will take around 5 minutes (450 m) to get to the Museum of the Canals. Please note that some of the historic canal paths are quite narrow, so you may have to use your wheelchair on the main road.
Explore the Museum of the Canals
One of two period rooms at the Museum of the Canals
2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
The Museum of the Canals (Grachtenmuseum in Dutch) is located in a 17th century monumental house along the Herengracht. Visit this museum to learn all about Amsterdam’s history and the important role canals have played in the city’s expansion over the past 400 years.
The main museum entrance has several steps to get inside. To the left of the main entrance, a series of steps transform into a platform lift that leads down to an accessible entrance (marked with a wheelchair icon). To use this entrance, please notify a member of staff in-person or (if you’re visiting independently) call the museum at +31 (0) 20 4211 656 to let them know you have arrived.
Close to this location you’ll also find:
After your visit to the Museum of the Canals, stroll 10 min (700 m) towards Leidseplein for your next stop: the Pathé City Cinema.
Watch a film at the Pathé City cinema
Pathé City cinema in Amsterdam
3:45 pm to 6:30 pm
Pathé City Cinema is one of Amsterdam’s popular Pathé cinemas. Here, you can watch the latest international films — most of which are in English (with Dutch subtitles). Pathé City Cinema has designated wheelchair seating areas in each auditorium, which can be reserved when you buy tickets at information desk.
Go to Pathé City Cinema’s English-language website to view their latest film schedule.
Close to this location you’ll also find:
End with a delicious dinner at De Balie
De Balie in Amsterdam
6:45 pm onwards
The day ends with dinner and drinks at De Balie. De Balie is conveniently located across the road (1 min; 98 m) from Pathé City Cinema.
Aside from its restaurant and bar, De Balie is a popular venue for art, politics, and culture in Amsterdam. Learn more about upcoming events at De Balie by reading the venue’s English-language event schedule.
Close to this location you’ll also find:
If you’d like to travel back to Amsterdam Central Station after dinner, go to the tram stop at Leidseplein (4 min; 270 m) and take tram 4 in the direction of Central Station. Stay on the tram for 12 minutes/ 6 stops to the end of the line.
