The 8 best climbing walls in Amsterdam to satisfy your need for heights
There’s more to my beloved city of Amsterdam than bike paths, interlacing canals, and stroopwafels. For one, it also has a lot to offer for climbers like me.
As a local who has scaled practically every climbing wall in the city, I can confidently say Amsterdam boasts some of the best climbing facilities on this side of Europe. Even better, it has climbing spots for beginners, experts, and everyone.
So, where exactly do you start? I’ve compiled this list of the top climbing walls in Amsterdam to help you. Now, chalk up, and let’s start climbing!
1. Be Boulder Amsterdam
Media from be_boulder_ams
Website: https://beboulder.nl/
Location: Anthony Fokkerweg 75, 1059 CP
Contact: +31 20 248 0084
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: €€
Be Boulder Amsterdam operates on two core beliefs. One is that climbing is a core human activity. Unsurprisingly, their various climbing walls reflect this principle.
The second core belief is that climbing is a social activity. The atmosphere inside the facility reflects this as well. It’s cosy and relaxed, perfect for after-climb socialisation. It’s even complete with burgers, Dutch bitter balls, and smoothies.
Guided by this ethos, Be Boulder Amsterdam is undoubtedly the best place to combine the social and physical aspects of climbing. It also helps that the facility has climbing walls for novices seeking their first adventure and intermediate climbers looking to improve their skills.
Pro Tip:
When you bring the gang along, try out Be Boulder’s climb-and-food packages. Boulders & Bites, at €24/person, are highly recommended. Here, you get to do some climbing and then get served bite-sized treats that are delectable but easy on the gut.
2. Monk Bouldergym Amsterdam
Media from monk_amsterdam
Website: https://monk.nl/amsterdam/
Location: Aambeeldstraat 26, 1021 KB
Contact: +31 20 737 0598
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Price: €€€
Monk Bouldergym Amsterdam is an all-in-one climbing and training facility. This facility in Noord boasts over 500 square metres of climbing walls—or 175 different boulders for various skill levels.
It has a spacious training area and a cafe where you can relax after an intense climb. It also has the Monkshop, the facility’s gear store, which stocks all your climbing needs.
On top of that, Monk Bouldergym offers programs that refine technique and deepen your climbing mindset. They have Boulder Basics, Boulder Fundamentals, and Boulder Advanced. At €15.50 for an hour, these classes are reasonably priced.
Pro Tip:
Crowds tend to gather early, resulting in longer wait times. Register online to avoid this hassle and get to climbing right away.
3. Beest Boulders Amsterdam
Media from beest amsterdam
Website: https://beestboulders.com/vestigingen/beest-boulders-amsterdam/
Location: Willem de Zwijgerlaan 338B, 1055 RD
Contact: +31 20 226 9442
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: €€€
Think of Beest Boulders Amsterdam as Monk Bouldergym, but a lot bigger—a whole lot bigger.
This facility in Willem de Zwijgerlaan is the largest Amsterdam has to offer, with a total floor area of approximately 3,400 square metres. With this much space, Beest Boulders offers lots of walls to climb for all skill levels.
Plus, walls are reset weekly to present fresh challenges every week.
Beest Boulder Amsterdam also has a restaurant that serves some of the city’s best seasonal menus. It also has a gear and equipment store with climbing and bouldering essentials like chalk, shoes, and more.
Pro Tip:
If you’re nursing an injury or experiencing pain, take advantage of Beest Builders’ free physiotherapy sessions every Wednesday, 7 PM – 8 PM. The in-house physiotherapist knows exactly how to help you.
4. Beta Boulders Amsterdam
Media from betaboulders.ams
Website: https://betaboulders.nl/
Location: Stadionplein 18, 1076 CM
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: €€
Beta Boulders Amsterdam wants you to live, work, and play in the same place, and it has the facilities to make that possible. The main attractions are the 150 climbing walls, 20-30 of which are reset weekly to keep things fresh.
The Main Room and Cave Wall extend up to five metres and are ideal for beginners and intermediate climbers. The Competition Wall, with its 35-degree incline, is perfect for experts and competitive climbers.
There are also dedicated training and weightlifting areas and a cosy cafe to retreat after a challenging climb. But what’s unique about Beta Builders Amsterdam is its co-working space.
Yes, you read that right: this climbing facility has a co-working space. Not a bad one either! There are spacious desks and a pretty fast internet connection.
Pro Tip:
Something’s always up at Beta Boulders Amsterdam, whether it’s dark night climbing or a board game day. Check the website regularly for events to join the fun.
5. Klimmuur Amsterdam Centraal
Media from klimmuurcentraal
Website: https://www.deklimmuur.nl/vestigingen/klimmuur-centraal/
Location: Dijksgracht 2, 1019 BS
Contact: +31 20 427 5777
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: €€
If climbing is the sole criterion, Klimmuur Amsterdam Centraal can make a strong case as the best option on this list.
Just a few steps from the historic Amsterdam Central Station, Klimmuur Amsterdam Centraal boasts 216 climbing routes of varying heights and levels of difficulty. Its 16-metre-high wall features areas for beginners, smaller walls for skills training, and more.
To regulars, Klimmuur is known simply as ‘Central.’ It’s also known for its sliding roof, usually open during summer. When the roof is open, you can breathe in the fresh air as you climb and feel the sun’s warmth on your face.
Pro Tip:
If you have kids who want to try climbing, book Klimmuur’s Climbing Experience Youth. It’s a kid-friendly offering starting at €29.50 per person for 1.5 hours.
6. USC Universum
Media from usc_universum
Website: https://www.uscsport.nl/
Location: Science Park 306, 1098 XH
Contact: +31 20 240 6410
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price: €
USC Universum isn’t a dedicated climbing facility per se, but it’s where different sports meet. One of these sports is climbing. The university in Amsterdam-Oost, in particular, has a bouldering gym that rivals dedicated climbing facilities.
The gym has several indoor boulders reaching as high as 4.5 metres and an outdoor bouldering wall. USC also adds news boulders and routes weekly to keep things challenging. You can access these through yearly or flexible memberships starting at €19.50.
While not a dedicated facility, the university offers climbing courses nonetheless. There are introductory lessons for beginners and advanced tutorials for more experienced climbers.
Pro Tip:
University entry is by reservation only to control the number of gym goers. So, make sure you reserve your slot here.
7. Beest Boulders Het Lab
Media from beest.hetlab
Website: https://beestboulders.com/vestigingen/het-lab-amsterdam/
Location: Transformatorweg 32, 1014 AK
Contact: +31 20 334 6498
Hours: Monday to Friday: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: €€€
Beest Boulders Het Lab is Beest Boulders Amsterdam’s smaller twin. This means Het Lab has more or less the same vibes as its bigger brother and the same facilities but on a smaller scale.
In addition to boulders of all shapes and sizes, Beest Boulders Het Lab has a training room fully equipped with adjustable kilterboards, campus boards, and moonboards. Like Beest Boulder Amsterdam, it also has a restaurant and physiotherapy night (every Monday this time).
One thing Het Lab has got over its twin is the diverse games it offers. With a pool, football tables, and various board games, you get lots to do after an intense climb.
Pro Tip:
Test where you’re at by joining the Beest Open, a boulder competition for all skill levels. It’s a fun way to test yourself and find out how good you are.
8. Klimhal Mountain Network
Media from mountainnetworkamsterdam
Website: https://mountain-network.nl/klimcentra/locaties/klimhal-amsterdam/#
Location: Erasmusgracht 297, 1061 MD
Contact: +31 88 123 6835
Hours: Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price: €€
Klimhal Mountain Network is what I’d call a hidden gem in wall climbing. It’s not as popular as Het Lab or Monk Bouldergym, but it’s right up there in terms of quality.
For one, Klimhal Mountain Network offers a climbing experience that is among the most comprehensive in the city. Its 15-metre climbing wall, in particular, is a challenging adventure.
The same is true for its 200-square-metre bouldering hall, complete with cutting-edge Kilterboards.
What’s unique about this facility is its self-designed triangular climbing wall system. This unique system transforms the walls into one whole while creating new route variations, making every climb fresh and challenging.
Pro Tip:
If you’re an intermediate or advanced climber, inquire about Klimhal’s trips to real rock faces. These trips will take you outdoors to test your skills in natural settings.