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There are few cities in Europe as iconic as Amsterdam. Where else could you hop aboard a rowing boat, drift down an inner-city canal network and sip on a cold glass of Amstel while listening to Bizzey?
A company retreat in Amsterdam, Holland's capital city, exposes your team to the many Dutch stereotypes, including flocks of cyclists and coffee shops that sell more than just coffee. Behind this clichéd exterior, however, lies an enchanting city steeped in history, art, music and culture.
There are so many group activities to try in Amsterdam that you'll be lucky to fit everything into your schedule.
The canal networks alone open up a variety of unique outdoor activities, from party boats to stand-up paddleboarding tours. While on land, you'll discover countless experiences like walking tours, bar crawls, go-karting, rock climbing and much more.
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We've put together a list of
team-building activities for company retreats in
Amsterdam
, including options that work well for both small and large teams.
Winding through the Canal Belt, Jordaan, and lively districts like De Pijp, this Amsterdam retreat agenda combines structured sessions with a canal or cycling experience and relaxed evenings by the water.
Amsterdam works well for teams that want a compact European city with strong character and easy logistics. The canals, walkable center, creative neighborhoods, and lively food scene make it simple to combine focused sessions with memorable social time.
Getting there is straightforward for most international teams. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol connects directly to the city by train, bus, and taxi, and Schiphol says the train to Amsterdam Central takes about 17 minutes.
Spring and early autumn are usually the strongest choices. Spring brings a lively atmosphere with longer days, while autumn offers a more relaxed pace with fewer crowds and a strong cultural calendar.
The Centrum area is the easiest base for first-time groups, especially if you want walkability and quick access to restaurants. Jordaan feels more local and relaxed, De Pijp is lively and social, and Amsterdam Oost can work well for teams that want a slightly calmer atmosphere without feeling far out.
Popular options include canal cruises, food tours, Dutch cooking workshops, bike rides through the city, private museum visits, and evening dinners in canal-side venues. For a more playful agenda, teams can also add scavenger hunts or neighborhood-based challenges.
Most teams do well with 3 days in Amsterdam, often with arrival on the first day, one to two full working days, and a final day for a shared activity before departure. Some stretch it to 4 days when they want a more relaxed pace.
Amsterdam feels smaller and easier to manage than many capital cities, but it still offers plenty of culture and energy. The canal layout, bike culture, and dense mix of neighborhoods give the city a distinctive rhythm that suits short offsites well.
Teams can build a varied food program here, from canal-side dinners and Indonesian rijsttafel to modern Dutch restaurants, wine bars, and casual neighborhood spots. In our experience, Amsterdam works particularly well for groups that want dinners that feel social rather than overly formal.
Yes, it is one of the easier European cities for international groups to navigate. English is widely spoken, the airport connection is efficient, and the city’s layout makes it easy for teams arriving from different countries to settle in quickly.
Accommodation pricing and seasonality matter. Spring weekends and peak summer dates can get expensive, and popular areas book quickly. It also helps to choose a central base, since that keeps the whole retreat smoother and reduces unnecessary transfers.
We recently worked with Surf Office to plan an offsite for our team in Sintra, Portugal and the experience was excellent. Elke went above and beyond throughout the entire process, even driving to visit the location herself to ensure everything was perfect. She was instrumental in securing a restaurant that opened exclusively for our group, making the experience truly special. The hotel was lovely, with breathtaking views that provided the ideal backdrop for both work and relaxation. The space was perfect for connecting, brainstorming, and fostering team collaboration. Every detail was thoughtfully managed. We would wholeheartedly recommend Surf Office to others looking to host memorable and productive retreats!
Romane LeBrec-Foulatier was a fantastic partner in planning this event. She did a wonderful job of introducing the planning project via Coda and then was extremely helpful and conscientious in helping us plan toward the event. I always felt that I could depend on her follow-up and she was clear and articulate in her guidance. She was also proactive in flagging items that needed extra consideration or in raising potential issues with the schedule or venue or planning. We really loved the Coda site that she created to for planning and also the Coda dashboard that we shared with the team; the team found it very helpful as well. Lastly, Romane was critical in helping on our last day in France when the taxi drivers were on strike - she very quickly implemented a contingency plan and helped us communicate it to the team through the Coda site. Similarly. Álvaro Pérez-Segnini was very helpful in helping us choose the Chantilly location. He understood the parameters of the offsite and got back to us with multiple proposals in a limited time frame. He helped us understand which option would be the best for us and he helped us negotiate the best space and the best price.
Great offer - hotel did fit perfectly with our expectations. Danielle who took care about our company did a great job, was super available before the event and was a great help to accommodate with every impediment and change we faced and find the best solution for us. Also during the event, she was always available to make our stay a awesome moment.
We had such a fantastic experience working with SurfOffice! It was our very first time getting external support for our company retreat – and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner. From the very beginning, we felt incredibly well taken care of. The regular check-ins helped us go through every detail and made sure nothing was overlooked. And in the end, everything turned out exactly as we had hoped! The implementation was seamless, and the SurfOffice team was always there to support us – even during the retreat itself. A huge thank you for your time, effort, and amazing support. You truly made our retreat an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to work with you again next year!
We had an amazing experience! Everything was perfectly organized from A to Z. As a vegan company, it’s usually quite difficult to find places that can fully accommodate our needs — but the Surf Office team handled everything with ease. They weren’t afraid of any request, preference, or extra thing we asked for. The communication was smooth, fast, and friendly throughout the entire process. We truly appreciated the attention to detail and how flexible and supportive the team was. We can’t recommend them enough!
I have just wrapped up my fourth annual retreat with Surf Office, this time hosted in Mallorca, and as always they created the perfect experience for myself and my team. Our sales representative Giselle was brilliant, she listened to what we needed and came back with venue options that were perfect for our budget and vibe. Romane was my main contact throughout for the logistics. We had some last-minute changes and she managed everything like a pro, even securing us refunds when we had a cancellation. This is why I keep coming back to Surf Office for our annual event. They actually care about making the retreat something special. It's that personal touch that makes all the difference.
We recently worked with Surf Office to plan an off-site retreat for 105 people, and the experience from start to finish was absolutely seamless. From the initial proposal stage, through planning, to on site support, everything went perfectly, and we honestly couldn’t have done it without them. A special thanks to Alvaro and Elke. Alvaro was our initial intro to Surf Office, and working with him on proposals for the retreat was a pleasure. He understood our needs and helped shape the retreat options. Once the planning stage began, Elke took over as our retreat planner. She made everything feel completely in hand and ensured that every detail was looked after. Nothing was ever too much to ask. On site, Fernanda and Bibi were fantastic. With their support, everything ran super smoothly, and we had all the help we could possibly need. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, everyone LOVED the trip! A huge well done to the whole team. We couldn’t recommend them enough.
Our team had an amazing experience working with Surf Office. From the very first conversation, their team was incredibly communicative, organized, and attentive to every detail. They made the entire retreat-planning process smooth and stress-free from venue coordination to activities and logistics, everything was handled with care and professionalism. What really stood out was their responsiveness and ability to anticipate our needs before we even mentioned them. It’s clear they truly understand what makes a company retreat successful. If you’re looking for a partner who combines efficiency, great communication, and genuine hospitality, look no further than Surf Office. We couldn’t recommend them more!
I had a wonderful experience working with the SurOffice team. I’d like to specifically highlight Raquel and Giselle, who have been incredibly supportive from day one. They were always proactive in checking in, handling last-minute requests, and doing so with the utmost professionalism and politeness. This was my second time working with the team, and it was an absolute pleasure. I would definitely look forward to collaborating with them again in the future.
The most popular team building activities are surf lessons, SUP lessons and tapas night but there are plenty more to choose from.
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retreats with Surf Office.
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