10 Things to Do in Amsterdam in Summer

Who wouldn't want to go to Amsterdam and see the city in summer? It is a fabulous time to visit the capital of the Netherlands. Why do I say that? Because the weather, mild in temperatures and low in rainfall, invites you to go out and make plans where music, art and nature are the protagonists.

Although it is clear that the tourist influx is higher, Amsterdam has a special glow in the months of June, July and August. My favorite plans, like those of all its inhabitants, is to be outside and enjoy the long, warm nights. Take the opportunity to go to concerts and open-air cinema, but also to get to know the city's surroundings.

When summer arrives in Amsterdam life moves to its canals, you have to take advantage of every ray of sunshine, which the rest of the year are not so common! When you go there you will surely be surprised to see them full of people and color, welcoming you to explore them. I propose a plan: do it aboard a river cruise through the canals of Amsterdam. So you can walk them quietly, with the gentle sun hitting you in the face and the delicate swaying of the waves making this scene even more idyllic, right?

The good thing about these boat trips on the canals of Amsterdam is that you can see, from the waters and with an enviable perspective, the most emblematic places of the city. For example? Well, the house of Anne Frank, the Narrow Bridge or the Golden Curve, from where you will see incredible houses that have always lived (and traded) the richest people. If you prefer, you can also take a cruise through the canals of Amsterdam at night, when the sun goes down and the lights begin to turn on around the city. For this night cruise you can book your tickets here.

But, in addition, you have many other options that may interest you and on offer:

• Saving pack: cruise and tickets for the Madame Tussauds museum in Amsterdam - from $40.
• Saving pack: cruise and tickets for the Amsterdam Ice Bar - from $40.
• Saving pack: cruise and tickets for the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam - from $36.
• Saving pack: cruise and tickets to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam - from $44.

In case you need one more reason to enjoy the canals in summer, you might want to know that they are a World Heritage Site. I assure you that with the summer sun and light their beauty is even more evident, so don't think about it too much and book a cruise now.

It is no secret that Amsterdam is a city of bicycles, although tourists often do not dare to take them because of the rain and the cold. However, in summer, with the good weather, the city invites you to visit it by bike. I recommend renting one and taking a bike tour of Amsterdam that will take you not only through the city center, but also through its parks and gardens.

As it is not too hot and the streets are flat, biking will not exhaust you and, in fact, I am sure you will love it. You'll cross bridges and wander through the city's most famous neighborhoods like a true Amsterdammer. In addition, during the month of June the Open Garden Days are held, which make private gardens normally inaccessible to the general public can be visited. I encourage you to leave your bike parked for a while and take a walk among its vegetation and sculptures.

When you need a break, you can enter a park to stop for a while in the shade. They are usually very lively in summer. For example, the Sarphati and the Museumplein are full of athletes doing acrobatics, playing games... And the Oosterpark, although quieter, does not lack music.

If you are going to spend more than one day in Amsterdam I highly recommend visiting the surrounding villages. Its landscapes are enchanting all year round, but in the summer months they are greener than ever. As if this were not enough, summer is the time of Graskaas cheese (grass cheese) and in towns like Volendam is where you can taste it best.

Volendam, Marken, Edam or Zaanse Schans are some of the towns that are just an hour from Amsterdam and surely you have seen some time in postcards. Its windmills and green fields are its great emblems. If you want to visit more than one (something I recommend) it is preferable to go on an organized tour of the towns of Amsterdam, as you will always have a vehicle available and a guide to explain everything.

Volendam

One of my favorites, and if you like cheese it will surely become yours too. Summer is when Graskaas cheese is made. It is called the "cheese of the pasture" because it is made from the milk of cows that feed on high quality grass. You can visit their cheese factory.

Marken

In Marken I recommend you to enter as many Protestant churches as you can, as they are very famous there. Of course, you should also see the fishermen's houses on this small island. Without a doubt, this is one of the best excursions you can do from Amsterdam.

Edam

Also famous for cheese, Edam has another well-known product: tea. You will see buildings dating back to the 17th century, including the leaning tower. Something tells me you won't want to leave.

Zaanse Schans

This town is one of the most famous, especially for its windmills. In addition, you can take the opportunity to visit a clog factory, those wooden shoes so typical of Holland.

The Dutch like to enjoy summer days in Amsterdam. Keep in mind that this is the only time of the year when the weather allows for outdoor enjoyment, so all the city's spaces are used, including the zoo. On Saturday afternoons between June and August, Zoomeravonden events are held: educational shows, musicals, storytelling... Children and adults are kept entertained until nightfall.

So what happens on Saturdays at the zoo? Many people come to see concerts, but also to learn more about the animals that inhabit this area. There is also space and time for literary and painting activities. At the end of the day, there is a concert to bid farewell to the day until the following week.

Summer sounds like music, and in Amsterdam in particular the tunes come out of the Vondelpark. Why? Because in this park, which is the most famous and largest in the city, in the months of June, July and August there are many concerts and shows for children in its theater. Of course, they take advantage of the very pleasant temperatures and these take place outdoors. There is no better plan! Especially if you accompany it with a picnic.

The program of each concert can be consulted on their website, but I already tell you that the musical styles are varied and that, if you travel with the little ones of the house, they will enjoy the plan very much, as they represent plays designed especially for them. Apart from these shows, Vondelpark is the stage for many street artists or people who take their instruments there to practice. Summer is their favorite season to do so, as they have more public and a climate that inspires anyone.

In addition to live music, in this park there is much to do and hundreds of hectares that you can walk. If you feel like doing it on foot, bring comfortable shoes and lots of energy, because you will need it. If not, you can also rent a bike or roller skates. Of course, you can't miss the opportunity to have your picture taken at the famous iamsterdam monument, which is located in this park.

Culture marks the summer in the Dutch capital, and if you don't believe me wait until I tell you how many festivals, many of them free, are held during this time in Amsterdam. Beyond their affordable or sometimes non-existent price, meetings like the Amsterdam Roots are a wonderful way to get to know the city in a unique way.

Amsterdam is a young place, with a lot of culture and desire to have fun, so between June and August there are some festivals that you can not miss. Be careful, don't think that they are only about music, because gastronomy also takes place in summer.

• The Amsterdam Roots Festival: it is committed to young and international talent, giving space to little-known and non-Western groups. It is a hymn to diversity and as a scenario has the famous canals of the city, as well as other important places in the city. It is free of charge.
• Bacchus Winefestival: Who doesn't fancy a few glasses of wine to extend the summer evenings? The Dutch seem to, that's why the Bacchus Winefestival takes place every June. In it you can not only taste wines from different parts of the world, but also food trucks food. All this, of course, with good background music played by DJs from the city.
• Grachtenfestival Amsterdam: The calm arrives every August to the canals of Amsterdam, but with it, although it may seem contradictory, thousands of people also arrive. The reason? The Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, which every summer, for 10 days, brings together the best classical music artists in the world.
• Uitmarkt: Believe it or not, the opening of the cultural season in Amsterdam takes place during the Uitmarkt in August. This festival brings together hundreds of thousands of people who flock to the more than 30 stages (spread throughout the city) to listen to their favorite jazz, cabaret or even comedy artists.

Did you know that Amsterdam Pride is one of the most famous Prides in the world? It is held in summer, so if you travel during this time you will have the chance to see it with your own eyes. The city's venues are filled with LGTBIQ+ rainbows so that everyone feels represented and free during the days of the celebration and also the rest of the year.

My advice is that you join this celebration of equality, especially in its annual parade that, of course, takes place on the waters of the canals. But beyond this central event, the city organizes talks, exhibitions, sports matches, parties ... And much more, so check the schedule and enjoy the good weather and diversity.

Although virtually every corner of Amsterdam celebrates Pride, if there is a place you have to go is Zandvoort aan Zee. On this man-made beach there are many activities to participate in.

Going to the beach in Amsterdam? Yes, in summer it is possible thanks to the artificial islands of IJburg. The good weather may even allow you to catch a few rays of sunshine between dips. You see, you won't need to leave the city for a refreshing day that extends into the evening, when bonfires are lit and DJs play music.

There's plenty to do on Amsterdam's urban beaches, but if you want to swim you can only go to IJburg, an avant-garde complex with a casual vibe that locals but also tourists flock to on the hottest days of the summer. This neighborhood consists of three islands, Steigereiland, Haveneiland and Rieteilanden, and the best thing is that it is only 15 minutes by train from the Central Station.

There is another beach, Strandzuid, but in this one bathing is not allowed, although I recommend it to go to watch a volleyball game or have a cocktail lying in a hammock.

From July to September, Amsterdam' s cinema takes to the streets, specifically to the city's terraces and urban beaches. Not only individual screenings are organized, but also multi-day festivals. The truth is that grab some popcorn, rent a hammock (or bring your towel) and sit down to watch a movie in the gentle breeze of the Amsterdam summer, is a real luxury.

One of the best known festivals is the Pluk de Nacht, which also travels to other Dutch cities. It comes to Amsterdam just before the end of the summer and you can see more experimental films and shorts.

More modern and blockbuster films are screened at the Forest Film Festival, which is set in the city's forest. If you want to have dinner, you can reserve a picnic basket. A tip: when the movie is over, don't leave, because there is usually a party with music and drinks.

If you want to make the experience even more impressive, you can go to one of the Rooftop Movie Night events. As you can guess from the name, it's on rooftops, so in addition to the movie before your eyes you will have a panoramic view of Amsterdam.

A monarchy reigns in the Netherlands, but you could say that in summer the "king of strawberries " is different: strawberries! The "zomerkoninkjes" (the literal translation is "summer kings") are sweet, and even more so when accompanied by ice cream or cream, something you will see all the locals do. They are so typical that you can order them as a dessert but also on any terrace.

Although you can try Dutch strawberries in any restaurant in Amsterdam, I recommend buying them at the Noordermarkt, the best market in the city. There the vendors have the best product, so you will get quality, fresh and very tasty"zomerkoninkjes". Be sure to go on Saturday, as on Mondays the market is for antiques.

Summer is, for me, the best time to go to Amsterdam. Temperatures are mild (between 10ºC and 22ºC); never too hot, but allowing to walk around the city without the rainy or cold forecasts of winter in Amsterdam. In fact, there are no freezing winds and rainfall is minimal, reaching the lowest levels of the year.

The rest of the year it is very common to have rain in the Dutch capital, something that if you travel in summer you will easily avoid. Amsterdam is always beautiful, but with the light, sunshine and mild summer weather a visit is always more pleasant.

I'm not going to lie to you, the good temperatures, which does not mean sweltering heat, make Amsterdam a very popular destination during the summer. This means that there will be many more people in the city, accommodations will have less availability and prices will increase.

My advice for traveling to Amsterdam is to book flights and hotel in advance to find deals. Likewise, if you are planning to visit the best museums in Amsterdam or want to go on an excursion, do it with time, as there is a lot of demand and the seats are usually full. Also keep in mind that the most popular areas, such as Amsterdam's Red Light District, will be more crowded and you will not be able to see them in the same way.

However, during the months of June, July and August the whole city is more lively and will welcome you with open arms.

What are your plans to celebrate that summer has arrived in Amsterdam? I hope my recommendations will help you choose.