Sloterplas is an artificial lake and surrounding parkland in Amsterdam Nieuw-West that locals use year-round for swimming, watersports, cycling, and lakeside dining — all free of charge and a 30-minute bike ride from the city centre. While tourists crowd the Rijksmuseum and the canal belt, this 3-kilometre-long lake remains largely a neighbourhood secret.
What is Sloterplas?
Sloterplas (Sloter Lake) is the centrepiece of Sloterpark, Amsterdam’s largest park in the Nieuw-West district. The lake was dug between 1948 and 1956 as part of a major postwar city expansion — making it entirely artificial, though you would never guess it from the wildlife and greenery that have taken hold since. At roughly 3 kilometres long, it holds a city beach, a watersports centre, a marina, a petting zoo, a disc golf course, an indoor-outdoor swimming complex, and a full 6-kilometre walking and running loop called the Rondje Sloterplas.
Things to Do at Sloterplas
Swimming and the City Beach
Yes, you can swim in Sloterplas. The lake has designated open-water swimming spots along the shoreline, and a sandy city beach on the southern shore fills up fast on warm summer days. For a more structured swim, Sloterparkbad (President Allendelaan 3) sits right beside the lake and offers a 50-metre indoor pool, a dedicated diving pool, an outdoor lido, a children’s wading pool, a waterslide, and a waterside bar. Open-water training sessions and triathlon coaching are also available through Topswim, which operates lessons on the lake itself from beginner to advanced level.
Watersports and Boat Hire
Watersportcentrum Sloterplas is the hub for all on-water activity, located a 15-minute cycle from Amsterdam Centraal. You can rent a canoe, SUP board, sailing dinghy (Valk), pedal boat, or windsurf board directly from the centre, or enrol in sailing and windsurfing courses for adults and children. During the May and summer school holidays, the centre runs a youth Splashweek camp for ages 8–16, combining sailing, raft-building, and paddling.
At the northernmost tip of the lake, De Duikelaar provides additional rental options. For something more extreme, Flyboard Sensation operates hydroflight sessions above the lake. Canoe touring club Kanovereniging Sloterplas organises guided paddling tours through Amsterdam’s waterways, and the Watersport Vereniging Sloterplas is the local yacht club where day visitors can moor a private boat.
Rondje Sloterplas: Running and Cycling Loop
The Rondje Sloterplas is a flat, fully paved 6-kilometre circuit around the lake used by joggers, cyclists, inline skaters, and families with pushchairs. Distance markers are posted along the route, making it practical for interval training. In October, the route hosts the Sloterplasloop running event, which offers a 10k, a 5k, and a 1.5-kilometre children’s race. Outdoor calisthenics stations are dotted along the path for bodyweight training mid-run.
Disc Golf, Sports, and Playgrounds
Sloterpark contains a full disc golf course with an official competition layout — one of the few in Amsterdam. A skatepark and football pitch sit near the southern shore, and several nature-themed playgrounds (natuurspeeltuinen) with climbing structures and a paddling pool are scattered across the park for younger visitors. The kinderboerderij (petting zoo) is a particular highlight for families. Padel courts are available nearby at Padel Dam and Peakz Padel, and jeu de boules lanes run along the eastern shoreline.
Fishing
Sloterplas is well stocked and popular with carp anglers. The Amsterdamse Hengelsportvereniging fishing association organises competitions on the lake and can advise on permits and the best spots along the shore.
The i Amsterdam Sign
The iconic i amsterdam sign — removed from Museumplein in 2018 and relocated — now stands at Sloterplas, giving the lake an unexpected tourist hook. It makes for a striking photo with the water in the background, especially at sunset.
Where to Eat and Drink
The best lakeside dining option is Boothuis, a restaurant adjacent to the Watersportcentrum serving pizza and Italian dishes with unobstructed views over the water. For something more casual, the watersports centre itself has a terrace bar. Several smaller cafés and pop-up food stalls operate along the eastern shore (Oostoever) during summer, making the area well-suited to a long afternoon of eating, drinking, and people-watching.
Best Time to Visit
Sloterplas is worth visiting in every season, but each offers a different experience.
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>Spring (March–May): The park greens up quickly after winter, and tulip plantings along the shoreline burst into colour from late March through early May. This is the least crowded pleasant-weather window.
>Summer (June–August): Peak season. The city beach fills with sunbathers, the watersports centre operates at full capacity, and the outdoor pool opens. Weekends are busy; aim for a weekday morning for quiet.
>Autumn (September–October): Golden foliage frames the lake, misty mornings are atmospheric, and the October Sloterplasloop brings a festive energy. Temperatures cool but remain comfortable for cycling and walking.
>Winter (November–February): The beach and most café terraces close, but the Rondje Sloterplas remains open year-round. The Fanatic Freedivers diving club swims in the lake even in winter for the hardy.
Sunset is a reliable highlight at any time of year. Late afternoon on a clear day — when the sky reflects across a calm lake surface — is when Sloterplas looks its most photogenic.
How to Get to Sloterplas
Sloterplas is located in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, roughly 6 kilometres west of Amsterdam Centraal. The main address for navigation is Oostoever, 1064 GV Amsterdam. For Sloterparkbad, use President Allendelaan 3, 1064 GW Amsterdam.
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>By bike (recommended): A 25–30 minute ride from the city centre via clearly signed cycle paths. This is the most local way to arrive and the best way to see Nieuw-West en route.
>By tram: Tram 13 from Amsterdam Centraal runs to Geuzenveld (end of the line), a 10–15 minute walk from the lake. Journey time from Centraal: approximately 30–40 minutes.
>By metro + tram: Take metro line 50 or 51 to Lelylaan, then transfer to tram 17 or 1 to Sloterparkbad. This is faster if you are coming from the south or southwest of the city.
>By car: Parking is available near the lake but can be expensive. Park-and-ride at Sloterdijk station and continue by public transport is a cheaper option.
If you plan to use public transport frequently during your stay, an OV-chipkaart (or contactless bank card via OVpay) is accepted on all trams, metros, and buses and is cheaper than buying individual tickets. Read our full Amsterdam public transport guide for everything you need to know.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | Oostoever, 1064 GV Amsterdam |
| Park access | Free, open 24/7 all year |
| Nearest neighbourhood | Geuzenveld-Slotermeer, Amsterdam Nieuw-West |
| Swimming season | June–August (outdoor); year-round at Sloterparkbad indoors |
| Rondje Sloterplas loop | 6 km, flat, paved, suitable for all abilities |
| Watersportcentrum | watersportcentrumsloterplas.nl |
| Sloterparkbad | President Allendelaan 3 — indoor pool, outdoor lido, slides |
| Disc golf | Official course in Sloterpark, free to access |
| Annual run event | Sloterplasloop — October, 10k / 5k / 1.5k kids |
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Sloterplas?
Yes. Sloterplas has designated open-water swimming spots along the shoreline that are free to use. Sloterparkbad, the indoor and outdoor swimming complex beside the lake, offers supervised pool swimming year-round.
Is Sloterplas free to visit?
Yes. The park and lake are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, at no charge. Watersport rentals, Sloterparkbad entry, and restaurant meals are paid services.
How long is the Rondje Sloterplas?
The Rondje Sloterplas circuit is approximately 6 kilometres long. It is flat, fully paved, and open to runners, cyclists, skaters, and walkers. Distance markers are posted along the route.
How do I get to Sloterplas from Amsterdam Centraal?
By bike takes 25–30 minutes. By tram, take tram 13 to the Geuzenveld terminus, then walk 10–15 minutes. By metro, take line 50 or 51 to Lelylaan and transfer to tram 17 or 1 to Sloterparkbad.
Is the i amsterdam sign at Sloterplas?
Yes. The i amsterdam sign was relocated to Sloterplas after its removal from Museumplein in 2018. It stands near the eastern shore of the lake and is freely accessible.
What watersports can you do at Sloterplas?
Watersportcentrum Sloterplas offers sailing, SUP, canoeing, windsurfing, and pedal boat hire. Flyboard Sensation runs hydroflight sessions. Topswim provides open-water swimming lessons. Kanovereniging Sloterplas organises guided canoe tours.
