One of the best time to go to Amsterdam

With cobblestone lanes wrapped round arched bridges and canals, Amsterdam makes an enthralling cease at any time of yr.

All of the romantic surroundings, coupled with delicate climate, makes it powerful to determine when to go. Each journey season in Amsterdam has professionals and cons, whether or not it is sniffing fields of recent tulips or ready in crowds to catch a glimpse of a Rembrandt. Right here’s our information that can assist you determine the most effective time to go to Amsterdam.

Immerse your self in the most effective experiences the world has to supply with our e-mail e-newsletter delivered weekly into your inbox.
Summer season in Amsterdam is all concerning the outside occasions in and across the canals © Radiokukka / Getty Photos

June to August is greatest for nice climate and festivals

With heat climate, a number of daylight and wonderful outside occasions, summer season is among the greatest occasions to go to Amsterdam. Open-air digital music festivals are well-liked with the locals and draw worldwide crowds, most notably the techno-heavy Awakenings Festival (in July) and the progressive- and percussive-minded Dekmantel (in late July to early August).

That is the height season for Amsterdam, so queues for points of interest and costs for lodging are at their highest. E-book seats at your must-eat eating places no less than two weeks earlier than journey, and time slots at well-liked sights just like the Anne Frank Huis and Van Gogh Museum no less than six weeks prior.

Packing tip: Pack layers of clothes – Dutch climate is notoriously fickle and there might be chilly spells even in summer season. A lightweight jacket and small umbrella will imply you are ready for the climate however will not stand out like a vacationer.

Millennial Japanese commuter in the city with bicycle, crossing the street in Amsterdam
Touring to Amsterdam between November and February is a good time to avoid wasting money © Drazen_ / Getty Photos

November to February is greatest for finances vacationers

Pockets-friendly lodging make winter a good time to journey. You gained’t freeze due to delicate temperatures (often round 37°F/3°C), though anticipate some grey and dreary circumstances. In December and January, a bit of snowfall can be frequent (though it usually turns Amsterdam’s streets to muddy slush – not a winter wonderland).

Sometimes, February (proper earlier than tulip season) is the most cost effective time of yr to go to Amsterdam. With some luck, canals may freeze over and refill with ice skaters – scaling down the already-low visitors in Amsterdam’s unimaginable museums much more. After marveling at Dutch Golden Age work or bundling up for a canal cruise, bruin cafés (brown cafes) are the right solution to heat up with hearty meals and comfortable candlelight.

The front facade and plaza of the 'Rijksmuseum' in Amsterdam
Spring is the most effective time to expertise a

March to Might is the most effective time to see the tulips

March to Might is tulip time, marking the beginning of Amsterdam’s spring (often about mid-March to mid-June). Smackdab in the midst of this era, round April, is mostly the most effective time to expertise a tour de power of tulips in full bloom. That is additionally prime time for visiting flower markets just like the well-known Bloemenmarkt which explodes with fresh-cut stems and kaleidoscopic petals.

As such, lodging and flight costs for Amsterdam are inclined to go up in April and Might. A less expensive possibility is Amsterdam’s second shoulder season, September to October. Costs and customer numbers drop from their peak-season highs but the climate stays principally sunny and mellow (though a bit of rainfall could also be par for the course). 

Month-to-month information

This is a month-to-month information to what you possibly can anticipate by way of the yr in Amsterdam. Do not forget that some occasions straddle the months, and all occasions are topic to vary.

January

January could be chilly and darkish, however museum queues are sparse and downtown areas even have elbow room. On the third Saturday in January, the Dutch have fun Tulpendag, a kickoff celebration preluding tulip season, with thousands-strong tulip shows alongside the Dam.
Key Occasions: National Tulip Day, Amsterdam Light Festival

Skaters on the iced-over canals of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
One of many highlights of visiting Amsterdam within the winter is the possibility to skate the canals © Victor Lacken / Alamy Inventory Picture

February

February is shy of sunshine and festivities, however fortunately, Amsterdam has a number of beautiful bruin cafés to heat up and indulge within the conventional Dutch gezellig (cozy) tradition. Amsterdam celebrates Chinese language New Yr with a parade from the Kuan Yin Shrine Buddhist temple in Chinatown to Dam Sq..
Key Occasions: Chinese New Year

Amsterdam’s greatest coffeeshops for first-timers

March

Tulips bloom in March and produce ecstatic vibes. Regardless of this, the climate might be unreliable – waterproof garments are a should. The three-day techno and home competition DGTL takes place over Easter, christening the season for open-air dancing.
Key Occasions: DGTL, Open Tower Day

King's Day, Amsterdam canals filled with boats and people celebrating
Remember to pack one thing orange to put on for King’s Day each April © Nisangha / Getty Photos

April

Longer days, greater temperatures, fewer crowds, and full blooms – April is an Amsterdammer’s favourite month for good motive. King’s Day, the most important road occasion of the yr, is an extravaganza of orange outfits, flea market purchasing and beer.
Key Occasions: King’s Day, World Press Photo 

Might

Terraces and cobblestone streets get busier in Might. This month, you possibly can take pleasure in delicate climate and observe the final tulips bloom. Throughout Nationwide Mill Day within the second week of Might, you possibly can peek clamber round inside windmills and watermills (search for those with a blue pennant).
Key Occasions: Remembrance and Liberation Day, Nationwide Mill Day

Simply again from: Amsterdam and past

June

Peak summer season season is right here! The climate is at its greatest, waterside patios and open-air occasions are in full swing. The Netherlands’ greatest festivals for backyard excursions and the performing arts happen this month.
Key Occasions: Holland Festival, Open Garden Days, Awakenings Festival, Taste of Amsterdam

July

In July, lazy Amsterdam days are at their longest. Crowds swarm outdoors of historic buildings and museums, but it surely’s the right time to expertise outside music, bicycle rides and sundown drinks on tiny canal-side terraces.
Key Occasions: Amsterdam Roots Festival, Over het IJ Festival, Vondelpark Competition

Canal Parade Gay Pride Amsterdam
Town is one big occasion for Amsterdam Homosexual Delight, held through the first weekend of August © Frank Wijn / Getty Photos

August

Plenty of outside occasions happen in August, bringing the excessive season out with a bang. Amsterdam’s temperatures are a bit milder than different European capitals at the moment and town experiences few summer season closures as compared.
Key Occasions: Amsterdam City Swim, Delight Amsterdam, Grachtenfestival, Amsterdam Worldwide Artwork Honest, Sail Amsterdam, Uitmark

September

September is among the greatest months to go to Amsterdam. Summer season is basically over, however the good climate tends to linger for just a few weeks but. Many good festivals, fewer crowds.
Key Occasions: Amsterdam International Fashion Week, National Restaurant Week, Open Monument Days, Jordaan Festival

A sunny fall day at Vondelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s most well-known park, is a good place for a fall picnic © kavalenkau / Shutterstock

October

Autumn in Amsterdam is an entire cozy temper. Heat, toasty colours erupt throughout town’s parks and gardens. Low-season costs additionally begin to kick in and queues start to dwindle. 
Key Occasions: Amsterdam Dance Event

November

Shorter waits for restaurant tables and emptier museums make up for the dearth of occasions – and daylight – in November. Within the month’s second half, the festive season begins with St. Nicholas’s arrival by boat.
Key Occasions: Sinterklaas Intocht, PAN Amsterdam

December

Winter is a magical time in Amsterdam, even when snow is often nonexistent. Ice-skating rinks are well-liked hangouts and town goes a-twinkle with fairy lights.
Key Occasions: Christmas, New Yr’s Eve

This text was first revealed September 17, 2021 and up to date about 3 hours in the past