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amsterdam It is a city of water. the capital of Netherlands It has 165 canals, spanning more than 60 miles, and it often feels like there are a lot more canals Compared to roads. Amsterdam is also full of lakes, harbors and islands, not to mention the Amstel River, the river that gives the city its name. There’s water everywhere, and the best part? You can swim in almost all of it.
The city looks and feels different when you are on the water. Parisians flock to the Seine This summer we’re back in our river for the first time in 100 years, thanks to concentrated efforts to clean it up. Sewage overspill is still an issue Paris However – this is a problem that every major city needs to solve before people can safely swim.
But Amsterdam is leading the way, having overhauled its sewage system over the past 20 years and ensuring compliance from many houseboats. Furthermore, the canals are cleaned regularly.
Overflows can still occur, and the general rule of thumb is to avoid going into urban water for 48 hours after a heavy rain. But the rest of the time a healthy person can swim safely – after all, thousands of people participate in amsterdam city swim Charity event in Amstel every September.
The City of Amsterdam counts on you to be smart about water. there are Seven official open water swimming locationsBut generally swimming is legal unless there is notice to the contrary.
However, there is one very important caveat: be considerate of other water users, both for their sakes and your own. This means never swim in the boat lane, because boats won’t be able to see you, and even if they do, they won’t be able to stop. Never jump or dive – there are plenty of rusting bikes hidden in the depths, and make sure you have a ladder to get out.
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Swimming in Amsterdam is almost always at your own risk, as the water is deep and there are often no lifeguards. Try to avoid becoming a statistic about tourists behaving badly And keep your dip in fenced areas, or along the banks of the widest stretches of canal – if in doubt, follow the locals. And if you’ve sampled devil’s salad, as is legal in Amsterdam, stay on dry land.
From above, the water looks like a thick, silty brown color, but once you’re in it, it turns translucent and golden. Once you see Amsterdam from this special vantage point, you’ll never look at the water city the same way again. Here are the best places to swim in Amsterdam.
Port: Marineterin
A company favorite, Marineterin is a harbor basin equipped with a boardwalk, meaning you don’t have to worry about boat traffic. Water is also tested frequently. The nice expanse of lawn gives way to an even nicer expanse of water, making it a great place to hang out with friends. The water is deep, but convenient stairs make it a comfortable place for any strong swimmer to cool off, all within view of classic Amsterdam houses and boats.
Where to find it: The Marineterin is at Katenbergerstraat 5, a little east of the Central Train Station – look for the boardwalk.
Canal: Admiralengracht
Swimming in an Amsterdam canal is a real pleasure, but it comes with great responsibility – there are a lot of boats there. On a hot day there will be people in the water everywhere, but people avoid swimming in the city across the canal belt (inside Singel), as it is very busy – just stay away.
The recommended spot is the Admiralengracht, a wide stretch of canal in the Bos en Lommer that borders the Erasmuspark. Look for stairs or a sudden formation in the water and keep your wits about you for a good time.
Where to find it: Make your way to the Erasmuspark – Admiralengracht is a wide extension of the canal to the east.
Docklands: Bogortuin on the island of Java
Taking the free ferry from Centraal Station across the IJ water to the Noord district is always highly recommended, not only because the area is full of stairs where you can go down to take a shower.
A local favorite is Bogortuin on the island of Java, a quiet residential enclave in IJ Bay, where on hot days the lawns fill with bathers. It is a great place to visit with friends, family and kids who are good swimmers.
Where to find it: Java Island is located in the IJ and is part of Amsterdam’s salt coast. There are lots of stairs but the Bogortuin one is a favorite of the locals.
Lake: Groot Vijver in Amsterdam Bos
Rent a Dutch upright bicycle and head to the city’s forested Amsterdamse Bos, where you can reward yourself with a dip in the Groot Vijver. It’s not very deep so it stays warm, and this makes Groot Vijver a great choice for children and anyone who likes to stay in shallow areas.
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Other swimming lakes in Amsterdam with similar attractions include Sloterplas, Gasparplas and Nieuwe Meer, but they can be deeper so bring floaties and keep an eye on the kids. By the Lakes it feels like you’re in the country, even though you’re only 20 minutes from the city centre.
Where to find it: When exploring Amsterdam Bos, you can’t miss the Groot Vijver. Change the hay and go inside.
River: Amstel
Floating in a major urban river feels like communing with the city, so head to the Amstel for a different kind of conversation with Amsterdam. The banks are steep and the water is deep so look for ladders – there’s a great spot in the Transvalbart neighborhood where a section of water is blocked off from the boat lane.
Here, you can swim after changing clothes on benches, overlooking the city’s bridges and church spiers. For a parkland backdrop to your Amstel swim, head a little further towards Sommerlust Park.
Where to find it: Go to the Viboutstraat metro stop and walk to the river – a little further south is the place. Look for floating stairs.
how to do it
Frequent flights to Amsterdam depart from one of the London airports operated by British Airways, KLM or easyJet, with flight times around one hour. There are also direct flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Newcastle. Eurostar trains to Amsterdam depart from London St Pancras with a journey time of just under five hours.
where to stay
Volkshotel is an affordable and vibrant option with food, drinks, city views and ample co-working space. Doubles start from £150. There is a cocktail bar and an outdoor hot tub on the rooftop, and the hotel is close to swimming spots in the Prime Amstel River.