Where can you swim in Amsterdam?

Whether you need to cool off because the Dutch summer weather is just getting to be too much for you, or you just want to engage in a fun and healthy activity, there are many swimming spots located in Amsterdam. Find out if there is one located near you!

Swimming pools in Amsterdam

There are various indoor and outdoor pools in the Dutch capital:

Indoor swimming pools

The Dutch weather is not always optimal to enjoy a swim outdoors. Luckily, there are multiple indoor swimming pools located in Amsterdam:

• Marnixbad, Marnixplein 1, 1015 ZN
• Zuiderbad, Hobbemastraat 26, 1071 ZC
• Sportfondsenbad Amsterdam-Oost, Land van Cocagneplein 44, 1093 NB
• Bijlmer Sportcentrum, Anton de Komplein 157, 1102 DR

Outdoor swimming pools

The following Amsterdam pools are outdoor only and thus not open all year round:

• Brediusbad, Spaarndammerdijk 306, 1013 ZX
• Flevoparkbad, Insulindeweg 1002, 1095 DH

Indoor & outdoor swimming pools

You can visit the following swimming pools come rain or come shine, as these have both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. And in some cases, even several of each!

• Noorderparkbad, Sneeuwbalweg 5, 1032 VS
• Sloterparkbad, President Allendelaan 3, 1064 GW
• SportPlaza Mercator, Jan van Galenstraat 315, 1056 CB
• De Mirandabad, De Mirandalaan 9, 1079 PA

Official outdoor swimming locations in Amsterdam

There are a few official outdoor swimming spots in Amsterdam where you can go for a leisurely swim in nature:

• Het Twiske, De Noorderlaaik 1, 1511 BX
• Nieuwe Meer, Anton Schleperspad 10, 1066 BV
• De Grote Speelweide, Amsterdamse Bos, Bosbaanweg 5, 1182 DA
• Diemerpark, Zeeburgereiland & Nieuwe Diep, 1087 KA
• De Hoge Dijk, Abcouderstraatweg 46, 1105 AA
• Ouderkerkerplas, Binnenweg 19, 1191 AA

City beaches

As well as natural outdoor swimming locations, there are a couple of beaches dotted around the capital so you can get that beach feeling without having to travel as far:

• Pllek, T.T. Neveritaweg 59, 1033 WB
• Strand Zuid, Europaplein 22, 1078 GZ
• Strand Ijburg, Pampuslaan, 1087 HP

Can I swim in the Amsterdam canals?

On the rare occasion that it’s just so hot that you don’t think you can make the trip to the nearest pool or official swimming spot without melting, the Amsterdam canals sure do look inviting. But are you allowed to swim in the canals? And are they clean enough to swim in?

Whilst the water in the canals is cleaner than ever before, the canals are not an official swimming spot and are not safe to swim in. This is due to the fact that many of the canal boats and other ships could have difficulty spotting you in the water. It is also illegal to jump from the bridges into the canals, and if you do you could face fines.

Furthermore, “overflow” of sewerage during heavy rains can negatively impact the canal’s water quality. This is why Waternet closely monitors the canal water for the presence of bacteria E. coli and enterococcus.

If you are desperate for a (safe) swim in the canals, however, why not take part in the annual Amsterdam City Swim? Launched in 2012, this event tries to bring awareness to the illness ALS.

Make sure to check Zwemwater.nl

Planning to swim in open water? Make sure you first check zwemwater.nl to see if the water is clean and safe to swim in. When the weather is hot, there is a higher chance of coming across blue algae, dead fish and botulism. 

Not in Amsterdam, but want to go for a swim anyway? Check out these 5 awesome tropical swimming pools in the Netherlands or our picks for some of the best Dutch beaches!