With cobblestone lanes wrapped around arched bridges and canals, Amsterdam makes for a charming vacation at any time of year.
All the romantic scenery, coupled with mild weather, makes it hard to decide when you should go. Every travel season in Amsterdam has pros and cons, whether it’s sniffing fields of fresh tulips or waiting in a queue to catch a glimpse of a Rembrandt. Here’s all the insider info you need to help you decide the best time to visit Amsterdam.
June to September is best for great weather and festivals
With warm weather, lots of daylight and amazing outdoor events, summer is one of the best times to visit Amsterdam. Open-air events are in full swing come June, such as the performing arts extravaganza at the Holland Festival and the calmer but no less beautiful Open Garden Days. If you’ve worked up an appetite from all the garden tours and exhibitions, pop by Taste of Amsterdam to sample the very best of Dutch cuisine.
Open-air electronic music festivals are popular with the locals and draw international crowds, most notably the techno-heavy Awakenings Festival (in July) and the progressive- and percussive-minded Dekmantel (in late July to early August). Take advantage of the longest days of the year in July and swap packed museums for bike rides and sunset drinks on tiny canal-side terraces.
This is the peak season for Amsterdam, so queues for attractions and prices for accommodation are at their highest. Book seats at your must-eat restaurants at least two weeks before travel, and time slots at popular sights like the Anne Frank Huis and Van Gogh Museum at least six weeks prior. Amsterdam’s temperatures are a bit milder than other European capitals in August, and the city experiences few summer closures in comparison. Pride Festival also comes to the city in August, bringing a party atmosphere to the streets.
September is one of the best months to visit Amsterdam. Summer is essentially over, but the good weather tends to linger for a few weeks yet. There are many good festivals on the go, such as Amsterdam International Fashion Week and Jordaan Festival, with the bonus of fewer crowds.
Packing tip: Pack layers of clothing – Dutch weather is notoriously fickle, and there can be chilly spells even in summer. A light jacket…
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