Whether you’re running, cheering from the sidelines or planning your marathon weekend in Amsterdam, here’s everything you need to know about Amsterdam Marathon 2026, from the route and best viewpoints to transport and post-race meeting spots.

When is the Amsterdam Marathon 2026?

The Amsterdam Marathon is an annual four-day event, taking place from Thursday 15 October to the big event on Sunday 18 October 2026. It’s one of the Netherlands’ largest international events, attracting both elite athletes and recreational runners.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday allow runners to pick up their bib numbers and explore the International Marathon Expo. Saturday is also the Amsterdam City Walk, a number of kids fun runs and the Pasta Party in the evening.

Sunday 18 October is race day, beginning at 09:00 with the race finish line closing at 17:00.

Amsterdam Marathon map: What’s the official route?

The Amsterdam marathon route starts and finishes in the historic Olympic Stadium and will take the runners through many of Amsterdam’s greatest highlights.

The marathon will lead runners to the largest park in Amsterdam, Vondelpark. It is centrally located and is one of the places that’s enjoyed by everyone all year long, by both locals and tourists. Here you’ll find people biking, walking their dogs, having a picnic, jogging or just enjoying the sun. It’s one of Amsterdam’s best spots that could not deserve more to be part of this marathon course.

After the park, the course goes to the Rijksmuseum, which they will have to run through. Yes, run through it. This museum has a unique arched passage that connects the city centre with the south of Amsterdam and will offer runners an unforgettable experience.

Then, the runners go towards Zuidas, a neighbourhood very well known for its impressive and distinctive architecture, Dutch skyscrapers and the business quarter.

The course then leads runners along the peaceful Amstel River, offering stunning countryside views and a unique look at participants racing on the opposite bank. This stretch follows the historic 1928 Olympic Games trail, showcasing historic windmills and mansions.

Passing the river, the marathon goes through Zuid-Oost, a more residential area that guards the Ajax football stadium and many concert halls.

Lastly, the route reaches Amsterdam Oost, a vibrant and trendy neighbourhood where the course nears its end. Expect tree-lined streets, cafés, terraces and cheerful crowds on race day. This is the last area before the course circles back towards the Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark, finishing at the Olympic Stadium.

Where to watch the race: Spot the best viewpoints

The Olympic stadium (km 0)

This 85-year-old stadium (newly renovated) is open to the public and has access to the grandstand and the bleachers, so at the start and finish of the course, you can cheer your runners and be part of the unforgettable moments that will take place there. The energy will be incredible. If you’d like to see a specific runner, this will not be the best spot due to how busy it’ll be.

Tip: Get there early as seats fill up quickly in the morning.

Nearest public transport: Zuid (Metro 50, 51 or 52).

Accessibility & families: Highly suitable. It offers seating, ramps, and accessible toilets.

Vondelpark (km 2–4 and km 39–41)

This is another great spot to support your runners, surrounded by vibrant autumn leaves, green pathways, local support and music. Most importantly, full marathon runners loop through the park near the start and the end, so you can cheer for them twice.

Tip: Find a nice spot to catch your runner since it will be very crowded.

Nearest public transport: Vijzelgracht (Metro 52).

Accessibility & families: Great due to the open park spaces, but the paths get heavily congested which could make maneuvering wheelchairs or strollers difficult.

Rijksmuseum (km 4)

Participants run under the famous central archway of the museum into the expanse of Museumplein, making it one of the best spots to take picturesque photos on the entire route.

Tip: It gets extremely crowded so stand along Stadhouderskade or Museumplein for a clearer view.

Nearest public transport: Museumplein (Trams 2, 5, 12) or Vijzelgracht (Metro 52).

Accessibility & families: The area itself is very flat and open, but the immense crowds could make it hard to navigate with kids or mobility aids.

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (km 19–21)

This traditional Dutch village holds historic windmills and a beautiful bend in the river that marks the halfway point of the race. It will be a more peaceful scenic spot where you could sit in a cafe terrace while waiting for your runner.

Tip: Do not try to get a taxi or drive there; all the access roads will be closed.

Nearest public transport: Bus 300 or 356 from Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena station to the Ouderkerk aan de Amstel stop.

Accessibility & families: It is highly suitable, with spacious village streets and places to sit down.

Amstel Business Park (km 26–28)

Here you will find live entertainment, music and energetic crowds in the open air. It’s at this point in the race where you’re supporting runners through the tougher middle kilometres where less crowds will be found.

Tip: The Amstel stretch can be quite windy so remind your runner to save energy and bring a windbreaker.

Nearest public transport: Overamstel or Van der Madeweg (Metro 50, 51, 53, 54).

Accessibility & families: Very accessible. There are wide, flat industrial sidewalks with plenty of space and proximity to accessible metro stations.

Galileïplantsoen / Watergraafsmeer (km 33 to 35)

Located in East Amsterdam, this neighbourhood holds classic brick streets, a very nice park and local parties. Its residents take out couches, speakers and banners to lift runners towards the end of the track. It will be a very fun area to see your runner in a lively neighbourhood without massive crowds.

Tip: If you also want to see your runner at the finish line, this is the best spot.

Nearest public transport: Archimedesweg (Bus 40) or Hogeweg (Tram 19).

Accessibility & families: Very good. There’s a welcoming vibe with residential sidewalks where kids can stand and give high-fives.

How to see your runner more than once

If you want to see your runner more than once, there are a few options.

The marathon loops around Vondelpark, so you can grab a coffee, pick a nice spot and let the race come to you. You would first see the runners near the start of the race (km 2-4) where the energy is high and it’s fun to see, then you would wait from 2.5-4 hours for them to come back to the same spot. This time it’s close to the end (km 39-41) so runners need the most support here with shouting, signs and high energy from crowds.

Another plan is going to the Rijksmuseum and see the runners go through the famous passage at km 4 and then wait a few hours until they return to the area in km 38.5. For the second round you would have to walk to the front entrance of the museum at the Stadhouderskade canal road.

The third option is to go to Galileïplantsoen (km 34–35) and then to the Olympic Stadium. If you can only support later in the day, this is the plan for you. Around this point in the race, runners need a friendly face to support them, and you can then see them again at the finish line. After cheering, board tram 19 at Hogeweg towards Sloterdijk, travel for 15 minutes, get off at Vijzelgracht and take metro 52 to Station Zuid. From there, walk to the Olympic Stadium to see your runner complete the race.

Public transport: Best way to get around during marathon weekend

Navigating Amsterdam on marathon days requires a strategic approach since parts of the city completely close and using vehicles gets complicated.

Public transport is the best way, especially the metro, since it runs underground and will stay unaffected by the run. Trams can also work but many face massive disruptions, detours or total cancellations.

Recommended stops for the best viewpoints:

• Olympic Stadium (Start/Finish): Station Zuid (Metro lines 50/51/52). While Amstelveenseweg is right next to the stadium, the official event travel advisory explicitly notes that it closes from 13:00 to 18:00 for safety. Zuid is 15 minutes away walking.
• Vondelpark (km 2–4 & km 39–41): Trams here are heavily disrupted, so the best move is taking Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht and walking west into the park.
• Museumplein / Rijksmuseum (km 4 & km 38.5): Vijzelgracht (Metro line 52). It drops you off just a five-minute walk from the famous museum underpass.
• Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (km 19–21): Take the metro or a train to Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station, then walk to the bus platforms and hop on the R-net Bus 300 or 356 until Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. The ride takes about 8 minutes.
• Amstel Business Park (km 26–28): Van der Madeweg or Overamstel (Metro lines 50/51/53/54). They place you directly at the heavy-energy music zones
• Galileïplantsoen / Watergraafsmeer (km 34–35): Hogeweg (Tram 19) or Amsterdam Muiderpoort (train station). Tram 19 can provide a useful shortcut back towards the stadium but check race-day service updates before travelling.

Walking and biking

Walking is a great way to move efficiently over short distances, but barriers will make crossing the marathon course difficult. Try to stay on one side of the route or use the designated pedestrian crossings at select points throughout the course.

Biking is the local secret; you can bike around the city and follow your runner, but it isn’t this easy. You can’t join the race path, and the sides might be tricky due to the crowds, so the key is using Amsterdam’s outer streets to bike parallel to the race and end up with the same result.

Where to meet after the marathon

To find your runner after they’ve finished their marathon, meet at a designated spot you have talked about beforehand. There is no official meeting spot at the stadium and there often isn’t phone reception due to network overcrowding, so be well prepared. Possible options can be the medal engraving area, where runners naturally head to after finishing, the marathon sport expo, which is a brick storefront that cannot be missed, or any cafe or shop nearby that will be easy to find away from the crowds.

Stay with us during Amsterdam Marathon weekend

If you’re coming to Amsterdam for the marathon and need a place to stay, check out Park Plaza Vondelpark and Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam. Park Plaza Vondelpark is just moments away from the marathon course, and whether you want to support or participate, this location is peaceful and provides an upscale residential environment for the big day. Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam lies in the heart of Amsterdam, just three minutes away from the central station, making it simple to get to many viewpoints in under 15 minutes.