City breaks are great because they give you an option to travel all year round and Amsterdam is no exception. Deciding the best time to visit Amsterdam can be tricky because you want the best weather to enjoy your trip. Of course the summer months from June to September are the busiest with the peak holiday time of July and August usually the warmest. However, good weather is never guaranteed and it’s just as likely to rain in the summer as it is be beautifully sunny in the winter. You should also consider that weekdays are much quieter then the weekends so if you want to avoid cues for the top attractions then a weekday may be a good option.

Winter, Spring and Autumn

A sunny day in the winter can be crisp and clear giving you a great opportunity for taking the most perfect photos of Amsterdam and there are lots of cosy warm lunch rooms where you can stop for a nice sandwich and coffee to warm up. There are of course plenty of indoor things to do such as museums, a boat tour or going to one of many theatre and concerts. Then back outside during the Christmas period you can go ice skating at three of the main squares in the city. In the colder months from December to March you should at least bring a nice big coat, scarf and wooly hat just in case. Then there is the autumn period with its gorgeous colours when the tree leaves in Amsterdam's parks change from green to yellow, orange and brown and spring time which over the last few years has been amazing sunny weather.

Summer - Outdoor life

The summer is a great time to visit because a lot of life in Amsterdam moves outdoors. There are fewer cars on the road as the majority of people use their bicycle and every bar opens an outside terrace so you can eat and drink in the sun. There is nothing better than going on a bike tour or walking tour along the canals and stopping on a terrace for a biertje (small beer) or a pint on a hot summer’s day. Every terrace can be jam-packed by mid afternoon and you’ll be left wondering why nobody is at work. You can also watch the boats go by as people cruise the canals in boats of all sizes, quite often with a beer or glass of wine in hand too. Why not rent a boat and join them.

Events and Festivals

While planning the best time to visit Amsterdam you should also consider some of important annual events and festivals in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, such as Queens Day or Floriade or maybe you would like to coincide your trip with attending a music festival like Pink Pop or dance party like Sensation Amsterdam or you could visit during Amsterdam’s Holland Festival or to run in the ING Amsterdam Marathon. For a summary have a look at Festivals and Events in Amsterdam or check out our dedicated events page and calendar showing every event taking place each day, week and month in Amsterdam.

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