11 Jun Your Guide to Summer in Amsterdam
Summer in Amsterdam is nothing short of magical. People are smiling, everyone is in a good mood, and everyone is outside.
You may think of the Netherlands as being somewhere that rains a lot. While it doesn’t rain as much as people seem to think, it is gloomy and not very warm for much of the year. So, when the sun is shining, the people come out. They cycle everywhere, and you’ll see more baby strollers than usual along with plenty of dogs playing.
When it’s warm, the city comes alive! People are jumping off docks into the Amstel River or they are heading to a terrace with a sunny spot. And on hot days, they all find beaches or beach-life atmospheres.
How do you make the most of this? There’s a real feel of FOMO every summer because you just don’t know how long any of it will last! If you live here, you’ll recognize some of the events I’ll mention below. Don’t miss out this year.
If you are visiting, click through the links I leave to see if something is happening while you are in town. For the REAL Amsterdam, these are the events you should be checking out.
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Food festivals
There are so many food festivals that even this post from Vicky over at Amsterdam Foodie doesn’t have them all! If you want my favorite, it’s Rollende Keukens (or Rolling Kitchens in English). There are just so many food trucks but get there early, especially if it’s a nice day
Dinner on an island – Vuurtoreneiland
This is an epic 5 course dinner on an island in the Markermeer – a body of water near Durgerdam – just outside Amsterdam. You get a boat ride and a fabulous dinner in, what feels like, the middle of nowhere. The chefs work with local producers to ensure high quality. They also work with the nose to tail philosophy so that not much is wasted.
Book directly on their website (be sure to check availability about 3 months out and you may need to use Google Translate). There is also a waitlist option, so don’t hesitate to join it on the day you want to go if it’s already booked up.
Evenings at the zoo – Zoomeravonden
Ever want to explore a zoo in the evening? Throughout the summer, on Saturdays, The Artis stays open until sunset which can be around 10:00 pm. While there, you can explore and see some animals heading to bed and find some just waking up. They also have musical performances to create the perfect summer evening. Check out the The Artis website (in English!) for more details.
Boat hire
Get on the water! It’s a city of canals, people. If you can, you should. Paddle boats are super cute and you can get them at different points throughout the city. Be sure to follow the instructions to stay safe and not get lost.
Mokumboot is also an option if you feel brave enough to be a captain. Or, book with Those Dam Boat Guys to get a small boat with the best captains. I’ve gone with them countless times and they are my #1 recommendation that everyone who visits (and asks for my suggestions) use!
Open Garden Days
There are many facets to Amsterdam and this is one that just isn’t seen enough — the hidden gardens! On Open Garden Day, you buy a ticket and go to all the places you didn’t know you wanted to discover. There are stunning manicured private gardens in impressive homes that you would not be able to see otherwise. We went when we visited Amsterdam for the first time and were blown away because many times you have no idea they are even there!
Movies in unique locations
For a truly unique movie experience, Cityscape Cinema shows movies in some incredible locations. Be sure to grab your tickets ahead of time and bring things to stay warm since the temperature will drop a bit in the evening.
Since I first added this to the list, they have expanded to various locations around the Netherlands!
Concerts in Vondelpark
From May until the end of summer, you can see various performances for free in the famous Vondelpark! Donations are graciously accepted to keep this going but get there early to grab a spot. Visit the Openlucht Theater for more info, just be sure to have Chrome or Google Translate handy.
Beach in (and around) Amsterdam
If you are looking for something super summer on any warm and beautiful day, then you must find a beach! The coastal beaches are pretty easy to get to by train, like Zandvoort, which I wrote about here. But, we also have some urban beaches where you can get some sand in between your toes and get a whole new perspective of the city. And maybe a tan 😉
Sunny terraces
Time with friends is spent on any terrace in Amsterdam. If you are just looking for a place in the sun with space and want a coffee/tea/beer, then just grab a spot anywhere. There are two lists that are very representative of the best in Amsterdam. For the best terraces, check out this list. Be aware that everyone who lives here also knows about these places, so after work, they are going to fill up on a sunny day, so get there early!
Discover our parks
We love our parks here in Amsterdam, especially for a sunny weekend to get friends together. While there are some you can BBQ in (you can get BBQing kits at some of the grocery stores, possibly HEMA or Blokker, too), be sure to follow the rules. They keep us all safe! I love Westerpark and it’s right next to where we used to live. Now we live near Noorderpark but I also really appreciate the smaller pocket parks dotted around the city and Flevopark in the east! There are so many to choose from.
Pride festivities
The ultimate event of the summer is Pride Week and its famous parade. It runs from the end of July to the beginning of August and is packed full of lively events. My personal favorites have been the Drag Queen Olympics and the Pride Canal Parade. Everyone turns out for it and it’s an epic showcase of people being who they were born to be and having a blast!
While there is so much more to summer here in Amsterdam, I couldn’t possibly write about it all. There are the summer highlights I thought you would love to know about. Remember, Amsterdam has a ton of visitors, so book accommodations as early as you can!
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