This month I returned to the Netherlands for a hen party in Amsterdam. Being my fourth visit to Amsterdam, I was happy to follow the lead of the bridesmaids who had planned the whole weekend itinerary for us. I thought it would be useful to put this blog together to help others who are currently researching things to do on a hen party in Amsterdam. Some of the things featured are the things I did during my recent Amsterdam hen do, but I’ve also done some extra research to include some additional ideas.
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1. Pizza and Prosecco Canal Cruise
We did a private canal tour on our hen weekend in Amsterdam and it was definitely a highlight of the trip. Having the boat all to ourselves made it feel extra special and the boat was stocked with plenty of prosecco that we could help ourselves to. The pizza and prosecco tour lasted for 1.5 hours and took us around all the prettiest canals of Amsterdam. The boat company also arranged for a certain male entertainer join us on the boat for a surprise performance! We booked this package but if you’re happy to share the boat with others and remove the entertainment check out this pizza cruise.
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2.Head to a Rooftop Bar
Amsterdam has a stylish collection of cool rooftop bars, but you’re never going to stumble across them. They’re for people in the know, or people who have done their research, just like you! Two of the most upmarket and luxurious rooftop bars include Sky Lounge Amsterdam (Double Tree by Hilton), W Lounge (W Hotel) and Twenty Third Bar (Hotel Okura). They’re an ideal place to go for some fancy cocktails during the day or to start your big hen party night out. For more of a casual scene, check out Canvas and Floor 17. If you’re visiting in the summer months, be sure to check out HOPP too.
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3.Take a Guided Segway Tour around Vondel Park
A segway tour is always a brilliant activity to do on a hen do. Its a great way to see the destination you’re in but also guarantees a lot of giggles along the way. I always recommend a segway tour after I booked this activity in Milan for my best friends hen party. For an extra laugh, make the Bride dress up in something ridiculous as she whizzes thorough the streets of Amsterdam.
4. Let Loose at A Drag-Show Bar
It will come as no surprise that Amsterdam is full of LGBTQ friendly bars and clubs, some of which have regular drag shows. But if you want to guarantee yourself some queens, head to De Lellebel which is famous for being Amsterdam’s only drag-show bar. They have a great cocktail list and prices are reasonable.
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5.Go Shopping for Boutique Finds in the Negen Straatjes
If there’s one tip I can give anyone visiting Amsterdam, its to get out of the Amsterdam Centrum neighbourhood. Centrum is unavoidable as its the heart of the city, but its also incredibly touristy. For more of a chilled out activity, head to the beautiful neighbourhood of Negen Straatjes, which translates as ‘Nine Streets’. Its in walking distance form the Centrum area and has the coolest collection of boutique shops, cafes and hotels to please even the most discerning travel Instagrammer.
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6.Visit the Anne Frank Museum
If you want to add in a dose of culture to your hen party in Amsterdam, you can plan a visit to one of the cities many museums. If you’ve only got time for one, I would recommend visiting Anne Frank House which located in the house she hid in with her family for over two years during World War II. This is one of Amsterdam’s biggest attractions and booking tickets in advance is absolutely essential.
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7.Go For a Feast at the Trendy Foodhallen
If you’re looking to include a cool foodie experience on your hen party itinerary, check out Foodhallen in Amsterdam’s hip Out-West neighbourhood. This cultural complex is housed within an old X and has a food market that has around 20 street food vendors serving everything from Vietnamese summer rolls to wood-fired pizzas. Let your party members order from their favourite vendor then all dine together!
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8.Visit The Sex Museum
A tacky yet entertaining activity to do on a hen party in Amsterdam is to visit the Sex Museum. I won’t go into too much detail, but it’s certainly guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows cause plenty of hysteria amongst the hens. The entry price is very reasonable at around 4 euros and there’s no need to book in advance.
9.Challenge Yourselves to an Escape Room
Put your brains and logic skills to the test in one of Amsterdam’s escape rooms. Each escape room is in a different theme and you are given a series of clues to try and crack the codes to escape the room in the fastest time possible. Depending on your party size, you could all go in the same room or for larger groups, why not split into two teams and race each other to be the first to escape! Don’t forget to choose a forfeit for the loosing team.
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That’s my round up of the best things to do on a hen party in Amsterdam. I hope this post has filled you with some new ideas and inspired your trip! I think Amsterdam is easily one of the coolest cities in Europe and is definitely liberal enough for even the wildest of hen parties.
If you’re considering other destinations for your hen party, check out my post 9 Things to do on a Hen Party in Milan.
What other destinations in Europe do you think are great for a hen do / bachelorette party? I’d love to hear your thoughts
Love these ideas! Spending some time with your best friends in Amsterdam sounds like the most fun! Pizza and Prosecco is a combo I did not know I needed in my life, but now I absolutely do.
Thanks for your commenbt Kelley! Pizza and Prosecco go together like birds of a feather :p x
I love Amsterdam, its a great city. I have been with Dan and would love to go with the girls!
Ha! We went to the Sex museum, it’s actually hilarious! This looked like such a fun trip!
Oh yes the laughs are guaranteed there! I think there’s something to shock even the most liberal of people! X
Great list of ideas to check out while in Amsterdam! You ladies must of had the time of your life! Another memorable hen party!
Thanks Karen! It was great fun x