Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands is renowned for many things. Visitors to the city can expect art museums, beautiful canals and coffee shops on every corner. If you’re feeling curious, you can take a trip to the Red Light District and learn more about what goes on there. If like me, you’ve visited the city several times, then you might be looking for alternative things to do in Amsterdam.
5 alternative things to do in Amsterdam
De Poezenboot – the floating cat sanctuary
De Poezenboot is somewhere that I always love to visit when I am in Amsterdam. I am a big cat lover so will jump at the chance to spend time with them when I’m away from home. De Poezenboot is definitely somewhere you should visit if you are looking for alternative things to do in Amsterdam. It is a floating cat sanctuary – a refuge for around 50 stray and abandoned cats on Amsterdam’s famous canal. The Catboat dates back to 1966 when founder Henriette Van Weelde rescued a family of cats. Over the years, she rescued more and more cats and needed a place to house them. Where better than a floating cat sanctuary? Henriette passed away in 2005, but De Poezenboot is now ran solely by volunteers.
A’DAM Tower – Over the Edge
If you’re a thrill seeker, then you’ll love Over The Edge, Europe’s highest swing. Located at the top of the A’DAM Tower in Amsterdam North, Over The Edge gives you a fantastic view of the city from 100m in the air. Amsterdam Noord is easy to get to, there’s a free ferry that runs from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station. The ferry runs 24/7 and only takes two minutes.
To go up to the top of the tower and utilise the Lookout, it will cost you 16.50€. If you wish to also go on the swing, this will be an additional 6€. When we went up in February 2020, the weather wasn’t ideal. We’d just been visited by Storm Dennis and the wind was still really bad. At the top of the tower, it was so windy that my eyes and nose were running constantly! I still absolutely loved the experience and highly recommend the Lookout even if you don’t fancy the swing.
We were surprised that the swing was still in use due to the high winds, but I’m so glad that it was. It was such an exhilarating experience being so high above the city. There was no way I was going to get my phone or camera out to take photos up there, but they do take photos and a video of you while you enjoy the ride.
Kattencafe Kopjes
We all know that I’m a big fan of cat cafés, so it’s no surprise to see this one on the list. Kopjes Cat Café was one of the first that I ever visited back in 2015 and I went for a second time in 2020. It’s one of the smaller cat cafés that I have been to, with just seven resident cats. There’s a small entry fee of 4€ which goes towards the welfare of the cats. It is recommended that you book in advance and you are given a 90 minute slot to relax and play with the cats. Food and drink is reasonably priced and there’s a cat themed gift shop next door.
Moco Museum
On my first trip to Amsterdam in 2015, I visited a lot of museums. However, one that passed me by was the Moco Museum. The Moco Museum is based in Museumsplein and houses a range of modern and contemporary artists’ work. Entry into the museum costs from 15.50€ and allows you to see art from artists such as Banksy, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama and Damien Hirst. I haven’t been to any modern art museums before, but I really enjoyed this one. It was exciting to see pieces that I recognised such as Banksy’s “Girl with Balloon”. It’s definitely somewhere to visit whether you’re interested in art or not.
Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland is a museum of fluorescent art, the only one in the world of its kind. It’s just a five minute walk from Anne Frank’s house, so if you’re in the area then it is worth a visit. Entrance costs just 5€ per person and is by appointment only, you can get in touch via the website.
Without giving away too much about the exhibits, I can tell you that Electric Ladyland is a must see. The guided tour is led by the owner of the museum who has an extensive knowledge on all things fluorescent. The first part of the tour allows you to participate in the art, while the second introduces you to the phenomenon of fluorescence in everyday natural objects
As you dive deeper into Amsterdam’s most-traveled paths, the convenience of luggage-free exploration becomes essential. Bounce offers a secure and easy solution for your luggage needs, allowing you to immerse fully in your adventures. With over 10,000 locations worldwide, including several in Amsterdam, finding a luggage storage in Amsterdam is effortless. Booking is straightforward via the Bounce app, with customer support available via chat and email to assist you at any time. Step out light and free, and make the most of your Amsterdam experience!
