11 Things to Do in Amsterdam in Summer

Curious about the best things to do in Amsterdam in summer? This comprehensive guide will list my top recommendations and help you determine how much time to spend in this energizing city.

The minute I stepped foot in Amsterdam, I could already tell it would be one of the coolest cities I’d ever been to. In fact, in all my efforts to describe this city to friends and family, the best word I could come up with was “cool.” 

Amsterdam is the type of place that doesn’t have to try hard to be cool - it just is. Once you arrive, you’ll quickly understand why I describe it this way. 

The city has never lost its charm and is truly unlike any others I’ve been to, with decorated canals creating a maze throughout the city, soulful bikers dodging tourists, and crooked homes warranting the question, “Just how did that pass inspection?”

While many travelers plan trips to see the tulips in the spring, there are plenty of things to do in Amsterdam in summer, as it proved to be a beautiful time to visit. Continue reading to gain inspiration for your trip!

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Take a Canal Cruise With Wine and Cheese

One of my top recommendations for the city is to take a canal cruise. You’ll see boats on the canals all day long, and while it’s fun to view the city from the street, it’s even more enchanting from the water. 

I embarked on a canal cruise not once but twice on my separate trips to Amsterdam - and I’d do it a third! There are a few different canal cruises to choose from, but Flagship Amsterdam seemed to be the best option around.

You’ll board a classy boat for a one-hour cruise through the canals, topped off with wine and cheese (if you select that option). Your guides will ensure that you’ve always got a full glass of wine (or rosé) while they give you a fun history lesson and answer your burning questions about the unique architecture of Amsterdam.

My insider tip is to book your departure about 45-60 minutes before the sunset. Keep in mind that the sun sets pretty late in the summer months, often not making a full disappearance until close to 10 pm. My 8:30 pm canal cruise proved to be the ideal departure time.

This tour costs less than $25 per person and is one of my favorite things to do in Amsterdam. At this affordable price, there are no excuses for missing out on this fun activity!

Book your canal cruise here!

Explore the Jordaan Neighborhood

The Jordaan neighborhood is a charming area known for its narrow streets, historic buildings, and canals. The neighborhood has become quite popular for its selection of shops, restaurants, and art galleries. As you stroll through this neighborhood, you’ll gain an authentic taste of Amsterdam. I recommend spending an hour or two weaving through the streets, as it might turn out to be one of your favorite parts of the city!

Enjoy the Best Eggs Benedict of Your Life

During your explorations, you’ll likely work up quite the appetite. On my trip, I dined at a cafe called Eggs Benaddicted three separate times. This eatery serves quite possibly the best eggs benedict dish you’ll have in your life. I know that was the case for me.

What makes their eggs benedict so, well, addicting? This dish is served on brioche toast instead of English muffins and is accompanied by tasty prosciutto in place of Canadian bacon. 

When my brother met me in Amsterdam a few weeks after first trying this, I made sure to take him here, and he agreed that it was the best eggs benedict of his life as well! Next time I visit or have a layover in Amsterdam, I’ll make it a point to stop here if I can. It was that life-changing!

Sample Cheese and Watch Clogs Get Made in Zaanse Schans

About an hour outside of the city, you’ll find a little tourist town called Zaanse Schans. The village became well-known for its large windmills, green wooden houses, and traditional Dutch charm. Visitors can walk through the village and beside the windmills for free.

There are various shops with souvenirs, but the best part of Zaanse Schans is the cheese shop and clog-making demonstration. Upon entering the cheese shop, you’ll weave through some rooms showcasing the history of Henry Willig’s cheese production.

Soon after walking through these rooms, you’ll end up in the cheese shop, where you’ll be astounded by the amount of cheeses there are for sampling. From classic sheep cheese to pesto cheese to garlic herb cheese, you can narrow down your favorites and decide on a cheese to purchase and take home. Each cheese is available for purchase, and all but one are good for airplane travel and can stay good without refrigeration for up to a month!

In the clog shop, you’ll first enter through a hallway with displays of clogs, from historic clogs to wedding clogs to wacky rollerskating clogs. Past the displays, you’ll find some benches set up in front of machines.

Here, a worker will demonstrate how clogs are made. Starting with a fresh block of wood, the craftsman will position this into the cutting machine, which expertly shaves down the wood and gives the clogs their famous shape.

Next, the interior of the clog is carved out by another machine. It was crazy to see how quickly this process could be done, as these shoes had been a block of wood minutes before. Finally, the clog maker makes the finishing touches, refining any rough areas.

The entire process takes a matter of five minutes and was incredibly fascinating to watch! I highly recommend taking advantage of all the free experiences that Zaanse Schans has to offer during your trip there.

How to Get to Zaanse Schans From Amsterdam: The full travel time took close to an hour by public transportation. From Amsterdam, you’ll need to take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Koog-Zaandijk station. Once you arrive at the station, you can either opt to walk to Zaanse Schans or take the bus. We took the bus from the station to the entrance but decided to walk from Zaanse Schans to the station on the way back, as the available bus times would have caused us to wait an unnecessary amount of time.

Alternatively, you can skip the trouble of relying on train and bus times and book a tour instead. 

Click here for tour information!

Make a Pit Stop in Zaandam

On your way back to Amsterdam from Zaanse Schans, consider making a brief stop in Zaandam. The town itself might not offer a long list of attractions, but it’s worth a visit to see the unique architecture of the Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam. 

This quirky hotel, with its stack of colorful traditional houses, is a sight you won’t want to miss. If you stroll a bit further, you’ll find a charming canal lined with shops on either side. There’s even a boat docked on the canal where you can grab a drink before heading back to the train station.

Sample Stroopwafels, Bitterballen, and Fries

One of the best things to do in Amsterdam in summer is to eat! While some traditional Dutch foods like herring might not sound appealing, the city truly has a huge selection of restaurants catering to multiple cultures and cravings. With that being said, there are a few iconic snacks that I recommend trying during your trip.

First up, stroopwafels. These thin, waffle-like cookies filled with a layer of gooey caramel syrup are a sweet indulgence found around the city. To get the full experience, make a stop by Van Wonderen Stroopwafels, where they serve a few different variations of this sweet treat. Be warned, however, that you shouldn’t allow your eyes to be bigger than your stomach here!

Next on my list of snack recommendations is bitterballen. These are deep-fried, bite-sized balls filled with a savory, creamy mixture of beef. They’re typically served with a side of mustard. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, this appetizer had me grabbing for more!

Lastly, no visit to Amsterdam would be complete without trying the Dutch version of fries, or “patat.” These thick-cut fries are often served in a paper cone, topped with mayo and ketchup. However, there are other toppings available for sampling with the fries as well.

This is the perfect street food to try in Amsterdam, as you’ll find vendors selling fries pretty much on every street throughout the city. Some vendors go all out with their creation of toppings. It’s worth trying during your stay and is the perfect snack if you get the munchies after visiting a coffee shop.

Reserve a Table at Lolo Amsterdam

Speaking of food, my brother and I stumbled upon a funky Italian restaurant called Lolo Amsterdam. Reservations are highly recommended here, as it has become a hot spot. However, we were luckily able to be seated here.

This playful restaurant brings a fun twist to dining with its cheeky drink menu and fun decor, particularly with the photo booth stations near the downstairs bathrooms! And the food - chef’s kiss! I had the most delicious burrata dish here that I’m still dreaming of.

Enjoy a Late Night Out

One of the best things to do in Amsterdam in summer is to experience a late night out. While the idea of hopping from one club to the next might sound tempting, it’s worth noting that most clubs in Amsterdam have a cover fee. This can add up quickly, so I recommend choosing one or two spots to spend your night. 

That being said, the cover fees are worth it for the lively atmosphere inside. Most clubs begin picking up after 12 am, so don’t judge a book by its cover if you arrive early and think it’s a bust.

My top two recommendations just so happen to be located right next to each other: Jimmy Woo Amsterdam and Chicago Social Club.

Visit a Coffee Shop

Unlike the typical cafe where you’d grab a cup of coffee, Amsterdam’s coffee shops are known for offering cannabis in a relaxed, legal setting. When you walk into a coffee shop, you’ll typically find a menu with various strains of cannabis, along with pre-rolled joints and edibles. 

The staff are usually pretty knowledgeable and can help guide you based on your experience level and what kind of effect you’re looking for. Even if you’re not interested in partaking, visiting a coffee shop is a part of experiencing Amsterdam’s open-minded culture.

Take a Day Trip to Efteling

Efteling is a theme park located about an hour and a half outside of Amsterdam. Known for its enchanting Dutch theming, Efteling is a great place to be in the summer.

The park’s theme is heavily influenced by folklore and stories, with attractions that bring Dutch legends and tales to life through life-like animatronics and thrilling rides. My brother and I had a great time exploring all the rides during our day trip here and sampling as many foods as possible.

The park is extremely affordable in comparison to U.S. theme parks. Even though there is not much English throughout the park, I highly recommend making a day trip here to experience a one-of-a-kind theme park and the incredible rides it has to offer!

Book your tickets below!

Visit the Van Gogh Museum

Home to the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings and drawings, the museum offers a deep dive into one of the world’s most influential artists. As you walk through the museum, you’ll journey through van Gogh’s evolving style and emotional state.

The layout of the museum allows you to experience van Gogh’s art chronologically, showcasing some of his personal letters alongside his artwork, giving you a glimpse into what was going on in his mind at the time he created art.

This ticket should definitely be booked in advance, as waiting until days before may lead to disappointment when they inevitably sell out. You can book your ticket below!

How Many Days Do You Need For Amsterdam?

With all these things to do in Amsterdam in summer, you might be wondering how many days you should spend here. The city itself can be done in a day or two, but adding in recommended day trips to Zaanse Schans, Zaandam, and Efteling will easily tack on another day or two.

In total, I suggest scheduling about 3-4 days based in Amsterdam, including your day trips. If you’re visiting in spring, however, you can always add an extra day for touring the tulip farms!

Is Amsterdam Fun in July?

Amsterdam is incredibly fun in July! The city is beginning to warm up, and by mid-July, it is absolutely beautiful. The days are long for exploring, with the sun waiting to disappear until around 10 pm. This time of year is perfect for exploring by foot, eating outside, and enjoying a boat tour on the canal.

Because July is peak tourist season, it will be pretty busy. However, the number of people out and about simply added to its charm.

Is Amsterdam Very Expensive?

Amsterdam can be on the pricier side, especially compared to other cities in Europe. Accommodations were the biggest expense. I recommend using any credit card points or looking into hostels to make your trip cheaper.

Check out hostel options in Amsterdam!

Dining out can be expensive at times, but there are definitely ways to make this cheaper. With so many options around the city and street food available at almost every corner, you can save some big bucks in your budget by being a bit more frugal with your food.

Many of Amsterdam’s attractions have entry fees, which can add up. However, booking ahead of time can help manage these costs. There are definitely some affordable activities to mix into your itinerary, like the cheap canal cruise and free activities at Zaanse Schans. Overall, I didn’t spend too much on my activities.

Lastly, public transportation is generally affordable here. I recommend purchasing a transportation pass for the amount of days you’ll be in the city. This can easily be purchased at one of the kiosks in the train station or by a tram stop. Purchasing a two or three-day pass allows you to use it an unlimited amount of times throughout your stay, enabling you to explore each and every corner of Amsterdam if you wish!

Pro Tip: Remember to scan in and out of all buses, trams, and trains!

Is Amsterdam Walkable?

On the flip side, you can spend hours walking around Amsterdam. With all the canals and similar-looking buildings, it can be easy to get lost at first. However, after a few days, streets begin to look familiar, and you’ll find that if you take enough right turns during your exploring, you’ll often find yourself back where you started!

Exploring by foot is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam in summer, as it is truly a city built for walking. However, make sure to stay alert for bikers. The city is known for its extensive network of bike lanes, and cyclists are a major part of the traffic. Bicycles often move quickly and can be quite close, so make sure to keep an eye out for these when you’re crossing the street!

Amsterdam is such a fun city to visit in the summer. It truly has a character and vibe like none other. I hope you have safe travels to this energizing city and are able to enjoy it as thoroughly as I did!

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