Padel Amsterdam

My coworker Lisa sent a message in our group chat six months ago: "Anyone want to try padel?" Four of us said sure, thinking it would be a one-time thing. We now play every Wednesday. Lisa has created a monster and she is very proud of herself.

If you have not heard of padel, it is basically tennis meets squash. You play on a smaller court surrounded by glass walls, with a solid paddle instead of a stringed racket. The balls bounce off the walls, which means rallies last longer and you do not need to be athletic to have fun. My friend Jake, who has not exercised since college, scored the winning point his first time playing and talked about it for a week.

Amsterdam has gone completely padel-crazy in the last few years. Courts are popping up everywhere. The Padellers is the one I go to most — they have a great location near Westerpark with indoor courts, so weather does not matter. Padel City in Zuidas is another solid option, more modern and corporate-feeling. There are also outdoor courts at various spots around the city that are cheaper but weather-dependent.

Here is what you need to know to just show up and play: you book a court for 60 or 90 minutes online. You need four people — padel is always doubles. If you do not have four, some places have "join a game" options where they match you with other players. Rackets are available to rent (around 5 euros) and balls are included. Wear regular sneakers or tennis shoes. That is it.

The game is ridiculously easy to pick up. My coworker's mom, who is 63 and describes herself as "not sporty," played for the first time last month and was absolutely whacking the ball by the end of the hour. The enclosed court means fewer wild balls, the underhand serve is forgiving, and the wall bounces add this fun strategic element that keeps things interesting even for beginners.

Cost-wise, expect to pay around 40-60 euros per court per hour, split between four people. That is 10-15 euros per person for an hour of genuine fun. Some places offer off-peak discounts — morning and early afternoon sessions are usually cheaper. My coworker books the 3 PM slot on Wednesdays and it is the cheapest option.

One practical note: courts book up fast, especially evenings and weekends. Book at least a few days ahead. Midweek daytime slots are usually available same-day. Also, bring water — you will sweat more than you expect. My friend Jake wore jeans his first time. Do not be Jake.

If you are in Amsterdam for more than a couple days and want to do something active that is not biking, padel is it. It is social, it is fun, you do not need to be good at sports, and you get to feel very Dutch for an hour. Lisa would want me to tell you that.