Summer is an ideal time to visit beautiful Amsterdam. That only leaves the question: what are you going to do? We have listed a number of things you can undertake in the capital of the Netherland.
There are a lot of reasons to visit Amsterdam in summer, however, we made it easy for you and give you the top things you can't miss when planning you city trip to this beautiful part of the Netherlands. At the end of this article we give you also some practical 'nice to know tips' when choosing these activities.
There is no better way to discover Amsterdam than from the water. Whether you're a first-time visitor or you've lived here all your life, the view from a boat on the canals never gets boring. Want to go at your own pace? Explore the canals from a pedal boat where you decide which canal to explore while burning some of those holiday calories too. Hop on at iconic spots in the city such as the Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein or in front of the Anne Frank House.
If you don't want to work so hard yourself, from April onwards you can hop on an Open Boat with a skipper who also acts as your guide. Let your personal skipper share anecdotes about the nicest and most special places in the city, giving you a whole new perspective on Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is world renowned for its art museums, even one of its most famous squares is named after it: Museumplein. Only at this square can you entertain yourself for days on end with one museum visit after another. It is an ideal place for rapture, wonder, inspiration and much more.
Take the famous Rijksmuseum, where you get to admire the famous works of the Dutch grandmasters. Grandmasters such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer and others. Read more about the top museums in Amsterdam.
Need a break from the museums? Hop on a canal cruise or pedal boat, with one of our moorings located just outside Rijksmuseum, its the perfect getaway between museum visits.
Walking in the Jordaan is like a journey through Amsterdam's history, where every building tells a story. The Jordaan is largely located in the Northern canal belt and is easily accessible from Central Station.
The charming streets invite you to stroll while the centuries-old courtyards provide the necessary peace and quiet in the middle of this lively neighborhood. A city walk through the Jordaan takes you past such important sights as the Noordermarkt, the Westerkerk and Anne Frank house, among others. The Anne Frank House is the perfect place to end the walk, where you can choose to find a terrace, take a canal cruise or challenge yourself some more by renting a canal bike near Anne Frank House.
One thing we Dutchies like to do is to be outside during nice weather. From our iconic terrace culture to the countless outdoor festivals we schedule over the summer there's always a time to enjoy the summer weather. There are countless music festivals occurring over the summer month in Amsterdam such as Music On (a premier electronic music festival featuring top DJs and a vibrant atmosphere), Mystic Garden (an enchanting festival blending electronic music with a fairy-tale setting), Grachtenfestival (a classical music festival with performances on Amsterdam's canals), and the Mysteryland festival, which is one of the oldest electronic music festivals featuring diverse genres and art installations.
The Summer of 2025 in Amsterdam is extra special as in celebration of the city's 750th anniversary SAIL Amsterdam is making a return from August 20th until the 24th. Over four days, massive tall ships show in Amsterdam to celebrate the city's naughtical heritage. You can read more about SAIL Amsterdam 2025 and it's history here: SAIL Amsterdam 2025: Sun, Ships, and Sails
What better way to experience this once in a lifetime experience then from the water! Imagine it: cruising past magnificent, historical tall ships aboard a special SAIL Amsterdam 2025 cruise, warm summer breezes and the sound of water lapping against the tall ships. Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate this maritime festival.
If you’re looking for things to do in August you most likely will need refreshment by dipping your toes (and the rest of your body) in a pool of cool water: we got you! You’ve got two options to swim in Amsterdam: either go to an outdoor swimming pool or check out public swim spots.
We’ve got two favorites when it comes to outdoor swimming: Marineterrein, close to Central Station and next to Maritime Museum, which is a former Navy shipping yard. Nowadays there is not much left from the shipping yard but with a mooring a great spot to dip into the water on a warm day. Flevoparkbad has a pool 50 meters long, so you can actually make waves and swim like the Olympic star you are. The Flevoparkbad even has been rewarded with the title of The Best Outside Pool of Amsterdam (twice!).
Waterlooplein is known for being the oldest flea market in the Netherlands, which consists of a mix of second-hand items such as vintage clothes, bicycles and second-hand books. As you stroll through the market, you are surrounded by the energy of the city and the smell of freshly prepared food from all over the world. The square, located in the former Jewish neighborhood should be on your things to-do list in Amsterdam in June or July since there will be fewe tourists so you can enjoy the local atmosphere.
There is no reason to skip the parks in Amsterdam, on the contrary, make sure they are on your list. Especially when you visit Amsterdam in June. There is probably no better month, we know it’s open for debate, but in June everything is in full bloom. These are the most beautiful green spots in the city where you often literally walk under a green roof of trees, plants and shrubs, like Vondelpark.
Moreover, it is getting warmer, and on warmer days you want nothing more than to be outside. Either for a walk, a picnic or a bike ride. The parks are a perfect place for that, with their lawns where you can find many locals in summer relaxing, or they pas by while doing sports. Visit the Vondelpark or the cultural Westerpark in Amsterdam West for a cup of coffee, a beer, glass of wine or simply as a place to enjoy the sun.
What kind of activities do you like to do in Amsterdam during summer? Check them out in our map. Click on the map to open and navigate the things to do in Amsterdam in your next summe.
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