Aim. We aim to gain insight into how the outdoor environment of a rehabilitation centre hampers or supports patients to be physically active. Background. Accessible and attractive outdoor environments both in the near vicinity of healthcare facilities and in the larger neighbourhood are put forward as highly beneficial for the motivation to be physically active for people in rehabilitation. Nevertheless, even when available, outside space is not always optimally put to use. Methods. We conducted a qualitative ethnographic study informed by quantitative data. Semi-structured and walking interviews with 16 patients from one centre were supported by output from activity trackers. Two focus-group interviews with four nurses and a physio- and an ergo-therapist provided an extra perspective. All data were inductively analysed guided by a grounded-theory based approach. Results. We found a wide variety in the roles the outdoor environment plays in patients’ physical activity both inside and outside the building, ranging from patients travelling to near villages to others staying inside all day but enjoying the view when walking to the end of the hallway. Outdoor fitness equipment and concrete destinations are meant to motivate patients to go outside and be physically active, but also smaller interventions like avoiding even the smallest physical boundaries, facilitating visual control, and providing mental support have a positive impact. Conclusions. To allow for the outdoor environment of a rehabilitation centre to encourage patients being physically active, inside and outside, a constant physical, visual, and mental connection between inside and outside spaces is needed.