A Month on Month Guide to Visiting Amsterdam (2024)

Though it one of the coldest months of the year, January is also impregnated with post holiday calm. Tourists are sparse around this time of the year, yet the spirits are live and kicking! Bars and nightclubs gear up for a cosier time, museums are at their best with exciting exhibitions, indoor activities swell up and there a number of events to look forward to. The city is beautifully illuminated with colourful lights owing to an ethreal January. Ice skating on the frozen canals of Amsterdam is an experience you must sign up for if you're visiting Amsterdam in January.

February is the coldest and driest month of the year in Amsterdam. However, the city is buzzing with indoor events and activities taking you to theatres, cinemas, museums etc; each offering something unique and entertaining. There can not be better place than Amsterdam to spend Valentine's day! The city also has lots to offer for music and festival enthusiasts during the month of February. Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Hermitage Amsterdam, Huis Marseille Photography Museum and many others run exclusive exhibits through the month. Grab a warm cuppa and spend your time indoors in during the snow clad month of February.

Spring is rearing its head in Amsterdam In March, and the temperatures are beginning to rise. The weather is pleasantly mild, without the winter chill, and is perfect for walking without struggling with humidity. The downside is that the sea is still too cold for a comfortable swim! The city is gearing up for festivities of Sant Medir, St. Joseph Oriol, and Saint Patricks. All the festivals call for public celebration with drinks, food, and merriment! Public events like Rally Amsterdam-Sitges, Amsterdam Marathon and International Beer Festival make sure everyone comes together for a good time!

With spring in full bloom, the month of April is delightfully warm and pleasant in Amsterdam. The skies are clear, bringing forth the locals and tourists outside their cosy winter hideaways towards the canals, streets, parks and cafe patios. The canals are no more frozen, so the city's famed canal cruises are back on track. April marks the beginning of the tulip bloom in Amsterdam, subsequently marking the beginning of tourist season. Millions flock to the Keukenhof flower garden outside of Amsterdam and you should too! Get together with the locals and enjoy the festivities of Easter, Semana Santa and the King’s Day lavish celebrations in April. If you're a museum buff, the National Museum Week with exclusive exhibitions and workshops can be an exciting affair!

May brings with it lots of sunshine, warmth and cheer to the city of Amsterdam. Outdoor activities are galore and the squares, parks and canals are packed with locals and tourists alike. May marks the official high tourist season for Amsterdam with hordes of tourists swarming the city. While at one hand it may mean higher rates for bookings, longer queues and less calm, the crowds bring with them an electrifying energy. With some smart planning you can definitely enjoy the city to its fullest. A number of music festivals like Liberation Pop, London Calling, Moulin Blues International Blues & Roots Festival and others await you in May.

The warm and relatively dry month of June is breezy and cheery. Clear blue skies and summer blooms make Amsterdam a heavenly paradise for all kinds of travelers. Canals bustling with cruises and lined with gabled houses, make a mesmerising sight. June brings with it a busy social calendar with open air music festivals like the Holland festival gracing the summery air with peppy music. Open Garden Days welcomes the public into the backyards of more than 25 of the finest canal houses in town and the Aalsmeer Flower Festival celebrates summer blooms alongside music performances, street theatre, and a variety of refreshments. Summer is in the air and so is the cheer!

July sees a lot of sunshine and warmth and hence no respite from the tourists. However, this just means a little more rush and waiting time at various attractions. Grab an Amsterdam City Card and you're good to skip the ardous queues outside most attractions, allowing you to make the most of your time in the city. This month sees a lot of exciting events of the calendar - The Amsterdam International Fashion Week for vogue enthusiasts, Amsterdam Roots Festival for music enthusiasts, Comedytrain International Summer Festival and a lot more to keep you thoroughly entertained.

August marks the end of summer, however the temperatures are still mild and warm with sporadic bouts of rainfall. The summer vibes are still in spirits allowing you to explore the city and its neighbouring countryside to the fullest. Beaches sport a cheery crowd as the weather is ideal for water sports. The cultural calendar is packed with several annual music festivals, open air concerts and performances. Pride Amsterdam is on its last leg flaunting all the colours of the rainbow for the LGBTQIA community. The excitement peaks during the first week of August when the Canal Pride Parade takes place along the historic Amsterdam Canals where the world converges to celebrate Pride!

September even though a part of shoulder season, is a great time to visit Amsterdam. Weather is still mild and you have the additional perk of thinner crowds and lower travel costs. The city is still booming with outdoor events like rooftop parties, outdoor film screenings, food and drink festivals and much more. This month sees a few famous festivals like the Nederlands Theater Festival, Amsterdam Fringe Festival, Open Monument Day, Barrel Organ Festival and Amsterdam Wine Festival. Towards the end of September you will witness the trees transitioning from green to golden, marking the beginning of autumn.

Those who like a chilly nip in the air should visit Amsterdam in October. The tourist hordes have finally headed home and you can expect better rates, shorter queues and tranquil surroundings. Autumn brings with it a magical change as the trees fringing the cobbled streets and canals adorn themselves in hues of golden, orange and red foliage. With October officially marking the low season, get a chance to explore the famous museums of Amsterdam including the Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank House in quiet contemplation. If you're looking for outdoorsy things during the month, you have the Amsterdam Dance Event and PINT Bokbier Festival to keep you entertained.

Amsterdam starts getting cold in November with frequent rains and shorter days. With a negligible influx of tourists, you have the whole city to yourself. Bars and cafes settle down for cosier indoor settings and museums have special exhibits to keep you glued indoors. The arrival of Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa Claus around mid-November lends a festive air to the city. Museumnacht, the annual museum night gives you a one of a kind chance to museum hop through the night! November is quiet on the outdoors, but happening indoors; so layer up and head out.

Amsterdam in December is one of the coldest and rainiest months indeed but the festivity of Christmas markets with beautifully lit up canal houses are worth braving the chill. The city squares are thriving with holiday markets and the canals freeze into stunning ice skating rinks. Museums have stellar exhibits on display and live performances take over the city. A number of winter festivals and events like Tango Train - the Tango Music festival the stunning Amsterdam Light Festival, Christmas and NewYear Eve’s celebrations keep the spirits high afloat through the constant snow in December.

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