Amsterdam in July

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Robert Heaney
Amsterdam's Munttoren behind a canal

At the height of summer, Amsterdam in July positively oozes life and culture. Some of the largest crowds flock to the capital over the summer period to bask in the Dutch sun and explore the city’s cultural hubs, hedonistic pleasures and world-famous nightlife scene. So long as you’re prepared to put up with larger queues and busier streets, a trip in summer is sure to be a thrilling one.

Visiting Amsterdam in July

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Average Temperature: 54 - 70°F • Average Rainfall: 12 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 6 hours/day

It likely comes as little surprise that visiting Amsterdam in July – and just about anywhere else in Europe around this time – will land you amid one of the city’s most bustling periods. The Dutch capital positively brims with life throughout summer, as the waves of families and vacationers flock to see just what the country’s cultural center has to offer.

Naturally, this comes at the cost of sharing the city with many more tourists than during the low season. Lines for attractions are likely to be longer, and accommodation rates will be at their highest. However, that also allows the nightlife scene to really come into its own, and the city as a whole will have a much more electric atmosphere.

Your trip to Amsterdam in July will likely be complemented by overall mild to warm temperatures. While you aren’t guaranteed the same summertime heatwaves of more southern European destinations, July’s climate is prime weather for exploring the iconic streets and squares of the Dutch capital. That being said, it also wouldn’t be a terrible idea to pack an umbrella just in case.

Things to Do in July

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No matter the time of year, any trip to Amsterdam would be incomplete without discovering at least some of its famous cultural hubs. Taking precedence is the emblematic Rijksmuseum towering over the Museumplein, housing a vast collection of renowned artworks and historical artifacts. Where historical insight is concerned, the Anne Frank House stands as the most potent recounting of life in the Netherlands during the Second World War.

As a city with more bicycles than people, there are few better ways to explore Amsterdam than on your very own pair of wheels. Over 470 miles of cycle paths make up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, making for a fantastic excuse to take a more physically active approach to exploring the capital. Many bike rental stores offer daily rates somewhere in the region of €10.

There’s no better time than summer to make the most of Amsterdam’s many sprawling green spaces. The weather in July offers a perfect opportunity to take a stroll among Vondelpark’s ancient trees and stunning lakes, and grab a seat at one of its many charming park cafés. Equally, why not have a picnic in Westerpark, make the most of its live summertime events and shows, or even catch a viewing at its very own arthouse cinema?

Second only to cycling, Amsterdam’s emblematic waterways offer a uniquely alternative means of seeing the city. You can choose from a large variety of tour operators offering their own canal boat excursions, often including tours of the capital’s key landmarks accompanied by local insights into their cultural and historical significance.

Amsterdam’s nightlife scene is never better than in summer, when you can expect most bars and clubs to be brimming with life. Popular venues can be found throughout the city, but as a general rule of thumb, the old area of Jordaan is typically very popular with young people for its trendy bars. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are particularly popular for their club offerings, while the street of Nes often attracts more of an intellectual theater crowd.

Events in July

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Over Het IJ Festival

Held on the waterfront of the River IJ in Amsterdam, the 10-day Over Het IJ Festival stands as a combined celebration of theater, art and culture. With the backdrop of Amsterdam’s iconic wharves, piers and shipping containers, the festival offers a variety of theatrical performances, visual arts and interactive installations for visitors to enjoy.

The waterfront location allows for visitors to enjoy the festival’s jam-packed program of location-specific shows and activities while enjoying the best of the Dutch summertime weather. The event is publicly accessible for visitors to explore at their leisure, with a variety of delicious food stands and chill spaces scattered around the venue.

Amsterdam Pride

As the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, nobody knows how to celebrate Pride more than the Netherlands. Now a multi-day festival, Amsterdam’s Pride Festival typically attracts around half a million visitors each year in late July in celebration of equality, diversity and personal identity.

Should you happen to visit around this time, you’ll find local bars and clubs veritably thriving with festivity. Various street parties and events bring together thousands of revelers dressed in the full color spectrum to enjoy live music performances and Amsterdam’s famous Canal Parade, during which over 80 official vessels celebrate the past, present and future of the LGBT community.

Milkshake Festival

Organized as a collaboration between two of Amsterdam’s most prominent clubs, Air and Paradiso, the Milkshake Festival is a multi-genre music event built around central themes of inclusion and freedom of expression. The event promotes diversity in every sense of the word, as thousands of music fans flock to enjoy the festival’s many different stages and performances in a safe, open environment.

North Sea Jazz Festival

The North Sea Jazz Festival is the world’s largest indoor music festival. Hosted in Rotterdam, just over an hour away from Amsterdam by train, the event takes place over three days and features performances from various music genres.

Although primarily considered the world’s most important jazz festival, the festival also offers blues, funk, hip hop and world music performances from local and international names both big and small. As many as 70,000 visitors flock to Rotterdam each year to enjoy live music from over 1,000 musicians performing across 15 stages.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Interior of the Rijksmuseum Research Library
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Indoor Activities in Amsterdam

The Netherlands’ famous capital is lauded for its wealth of fantastic social and cultural hubs, its streets simply overflowing with individual character both inside and out. While you’re sure to find yourself wanting to explore each nook and cranny of Amsterdam’s canals and open squares, that’s only half the experience. You’ll find many of the city’s best attractions and activities hidden away indoors, often serving as the perfect escape from the country’s notorious weather. From retracing the steps of Dutch history to indulging in local delicacies, below are some of the best indoor activities in Amsterdam to throw into your itinerary. Museums Rijksmuseum Amsterdam’s famous Rijksmuseum is not only the largest museum in the city, but also one of the most important throughout both the Netherlands and Europe as a whole. Dominating the popular Museumplein area, the museum is easily one of the most recognizable monuments in the Dutch capital, most notably for its striking Renaissance- and Gothic-inspired architecture. The grand halls of the Rijksmuseum are home to a vast collection of art pieces and historical artifacts, illustrating the art and history of the Netherlands from the Dutch Golden Age to the present day. Among its more than 8,000-strong collection are priceless pieces from such renowned Dutch artists as Rembrandt and Vermeer, including the former’s famous Night Watch painting. Amsterdam Museum Combining both historical artifacts and striking artworks, the Amsterdam Museum stands as the Netherlands’ most complete public chronology of the Dutch capital’s history. The museum sits within the canal band, just a short walk from the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. The museum documents the city’s growth from a thirteenth-century settlement on the banks of the River Amstel to the thriving cultural center we know today. Everything from archeological finds and historical artifacts to the works of such Dutch masters as Rembrandt help to paint a picture of life in Amsterdam and the Low Countries as a whole throughout various periods in history. Anne Frank House Easily the most highly visited historical site in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House. Once the original house in which the famous wartime diarist evaded German capture, the building now serves as a museum documenting her family’s more than two years in hiding, along with sobering insights into Jewish persecution under the Nazi regime throughout the Second World War. Located on the outer banks of Amsterdam’s canal band, visitors can explore the former premises of the Frank family business, most notably the original concealed annex in which the family remained in hiding. While the rooms of the property now sit empty of original furniture, they still breathe the chilling atmosphere of the period. Art Galleries Van Gogh Museum Having lived and worked in the Netherlands throughout his life, it’s only fitting that Amsterdam’s most significant art gallery be dedicated to the world’s most famous painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Just a brief walk from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum stands as the most complete permanent collection of the Dutch painter’s works. Among the gallery’s vast collection of permanent exhibits are over 200 original paintings and 500 drawings from the Post-Impressionist artist, alongside exhibitions showcasing the works of his contemporaries. The museum is separated chronologically into five periods, each exploring a different key period in his life and work. MOCO Museum With Amsterdam’s vast wealth of impressive artworks dating back throughout the centuries, it’s easy to overlook the works of more modern visionaries. That’s exactly what the MOCO Museum aims to remedy. Short for Modern Contemporary Museum, this modern art hub sits just next door to the Van Gogh Museum, showcasing more modern media to parallel Amsterdam’s established masterpieces. The MOCO Museum showcases a wide range of contemporary media and artworks, allowing visitors to explore both modern master works and the talented pieces of upcoming artists. Popular among the museum’s collection are various interactive installations, an ever-changing sculpture garden and a number of iconic pieces from the likes of Banksy, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons. Entertainment Heineken Experience Historic home to one of the world’s most iconic beer brands, Amsterdam’s Heineken Experience takes visitors on a unique behind-the-scenes journey through the production and history of the popular pilsner. The tour guides beer fans through various aspects of the brewing process, from product innovation to the brand’s light-hearted marketing efforts, before rounding off with a refreshing tasting session. De Hallen This multipurpose cultural and culinary center make for the perfect way to spend a day indoors in Amsterdam. Formerly a major tram depot, with the original rail tracks still intact, De Hallen now offers a vast array of activities, from a charming shopping arcade to a variety of trendy food outlets. The FoodHallen food court offers an impressive selection of dishes, from burgers to Dutch finger foods and a healthy selection of vegetarian alternatives. Most notable of the venue, however, is the FilmHallen cinema. Nine screens show a varied program of films, including Hollywood blockbusters, documentaries and award-winning art house showings. Screen 7 is easily the most striking in terms of aesthetics, housing the gorgeous art-deco interior of the original Cinema Parisien, first established in 1909. Specialty Bars & Cafés Few things complement a rainy day better than a steaming cup of coffee, a slice of homemade cake and an expansive collection of family favorite board games. That’s exactly the niche on which Checkpoint Charlie capitalizes. Its cozy aesthetic is bolstered by its sociable table layout, along with a variety of books and board games for customers to enjoy. The venue also hosts intimate gigs from international acts toward the end of the week. A number of venues throughout Amsterdam offer a similarly jovial atmosphere, with somewhat more of a specialty focus. Mooie Boules, for example, gives visitors the chance to sink a few beers and chat while watching or even playing a few games of classic French boules on the impressive sand pitch at its center. Retail Therapy Magna Plaza Housed within the elegant Neo-Gothic halls of a former nineteenth-century post office, the Magna Plaza is a relatively small shopping center oozing with character and class. Among its various outlets are a number of fashion retailers, along with places to buy unique souvenirs and a host of other miscellaneous vendors. The venue doubles as an exhibition space, with displays spanning its full four floors. Among these installations is a permanent exhibition celebrating all of the works of Rembrandt, remastered and reproduced in their original formats. The exhibition currently stands as the only place in the world where visitors can see copies of the Dutch painter’s works in one collection. Kalverpassage Standing as a commercial through route between Heiligeweg and Kalverstraat, the Kalverpassage offers a wholly modern shopping experience. Natural light flows from the glass ceilings throughout the mini mall, illuminating its many specialty boutiques, food outlets and art installations. The venue’s alluring design centers around its open and bright halls, offering avid shoppers a stimulating yet unimposing retail experience while also ensuring an entirely unobstructive passage between streets. Visitors can enjoy the space entirely at their leisure, without feeling either rushed through or forced to open up their wallets. De Bijenkorf At the beating heart of Amsterdam, De Bijenkorf – ‘The Beehive’ in English – is the Netherland’s most renowned premium department store. Established in 1870, the venue showcases the highest standard of quality throughout the stores in its roster. Luxury is the operative word here, with every outlet simply brimming with class and style. Five floors house an impressive variety of high-end retailers and exclusive designer brands for all manner of clothing. Culinary delights from around the globe offer the ideal complement to your shopping experience, and those looking for the utmost luxury can get pampered in the venue’s beauty treatment room, aided by products from top beauty brands.
Robert Heaney
Elevated view of Amsterdam's Church of St. Nicholas among surrounding city
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Amsterdam in September

As the final hoorah to its peak tourism season, September serves as Amsterdam’s busiest month for the rest of the year to come. Families and younger crowds make way for generally more mature and individual demographics, making for an overall more thriving and intimate atmosphere. Throw in some of the year’s hottest cultural events and a globally renowned nightlife scene, and a trip to Amsterdam in September is not one to be missed. Visiting Amsterdam in September Average Temperature: 50 - 64°F • Average Rainfall: 10 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 5 hours/day Marking the final hoorah of Amsterdam’s peak tourism season, September sees sustained masses of visitors throughout the month. While you’re less likely to come across families at this point, many individuals and groups tend to fill their place in hopes of joining in on the high season spirits. As such, many top attractions and activities are likely to remain busy, with significant queues and waiting times almost guaranteed. Airfare and accommodation rates will also often stay high until later in fall. However, so long as that doesn’t deter you, September can be one of the best times to visit, with nightlife thriving like never before and the city as a whole offering an overall electric atmosphere. With summer on its way out, average temperatures begin to dip very slightly, making for a generally mild climate across the board. Most days should be clear and warm enough to offer great conditions for exploring Amsterdam’s iconic streets and squares, though if you’re lucky, you may even get a few days of real summertime heat. One thing that’s certain, however, is the Netherlands’ unpredictable changes in weather, so it’s never a bad idea to pack an umbrella just in case. Things to Do in September No matter the time of year, any trip to Amsterdam would be incomplete without discovering at least some of its famous cultural hubs. Taking precedence is the emblematic Rijksmuseum towering over the Museumplein, housing a vast collection of renowned artworks and historical artifacts. Where historical insight is concerned, the Anne Frank House stands as the most potent recounting of life in the Netherlands during the Second World War. As a city with more bicycles than people, there are few better ways to explore Amsterdam than on your very own pair of wheels. Over 470 miles of cycle paths make up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, making for a fantastic excuse to take a more physically active approach to exploring the capital. Many bike rental stores offer daily rates somewhere in the region of €10. There’s no better time than summer to make the most of Amsterdam’s many sprawling green spaces. The weather in September offers a perfect opportunity to take a stroll among Vondelpark’s ancient trees and stunning lakes, and grab a seat at one of its many charming park cafés. Equally, why not have a picnic in Westerpark, make the most of its live summertime events and shows, or even catch a viewing at its very own arthouse cinema? Second only to cycling, Amsterdam’s emblematic waterways offer a uniquely alternative means of seeing the city. You can choose from a large variety of tour operators offering their own canal boat excursions, often including tours of the capital’s key landmarks accompanied by local insights into their cultural and historical significance. Amsterdam’s nightlife scene is never better than in summer, when you can expect most bars and clubs to be brimming with life. Popular venues can be found throughout the city, but as a general rule of thumb, the old area of Jordaan is typically very popular with young people for its trendy bars. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are particularly popular for their club offerings, while the street of Nes often attracts more of an intellectual theater crowd, particularly around this period. Events in September Dutch Theater Festival Each September, the Dutch Theater Festival sets up shop to revisit the best theatrical offerings of the season. One of the biggest industry events in the Low Countries, the festival typically takes place over 11 days and offers a rich and varied program exploring the latest developments in the performing arts. Showings take place across multiple venues throughout Amsterdam’s theater district in and around Leidseplein and Nes. A number of performances are accompanied by English subtitles, while others are aimed at a younger crowd, making for a wide selection of options for different audiences. A number of exclusive events also invite the presence of some of the biggest names in Dutch and Belgian theater. Amsterdam Fringe Festival Running simultaneously with the Dutch Theater Festival, the Amsterdam Fringe Festival stands as its counterpart’s quirky sister event in its emphasis on avant-garde theater. With a central focus on promoting total artistic freedom, the festival encourages visitors to explore the fringes of both the performing arts and the city, with performances taking place in all manner of venues, from open stages to obscure garages. Thanks to the emphasis on artistic independence and experimentation, performers of all disciplines and backgrounds help to offer up a vast, open program of entirely unique and unpredictable performances. Many shows are suitable for English audiences, while others are entirely absent of language barriers. Valtifest Held within a former waterfront dockyard at Kaap Oost, Valtifest is considered the wild child of Amsterdam’s summer festival scene. The event takes place on the first Saturday of September and brings together an impressive roster of established DJs for an openly whacky party punctuated by house, electric, dance and hip-hop beats. A vast program of sideshows and performances also runs throughout the festival. Each year, the organizers of Valtifest establish a central theme for the event, which attendees take very seriously in deciding on their festival costumes. Past themes have included Folklore, Seven Deadly Sins and All in the Family, and visitors never fail to pull out all the stops. For one of the most electric festival vibes of the year, this is the event to Open Monumentendag As part of the European Heritage Days event held during the second weekend in September, the Netherlands opens the doors of thousands of the country’s most significant heritage-listed buildings and houses in a nationwide event known as Open Monuments Day. With most of these buildings accessible free of charge, visitors have the chance to explore some of Amsterdam’s most iconic historical buildings. Alternatively, with more than 80% of the country participating in the event, those interested can also explore the likes of the political heart of The Hague, the renowned theaters of Leiden, the fortifications of Utrecht and the medieval churches of Maastricht. Many open buildings also offer unique activities, tours and exhibitions exclusive to this event.
Robert Heaney
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Things to do in Amsterdam for Pride Day

Amsterdam is an absolute blast during Pride week, which usually runs up to and including the first Saturday of August, and includes hundreds of ace LGBTQ+ events across the city. This epic festival of love, diversity and inclusion draws in over half a million visitors, all eager to get involved in the huge club nights, street parties and cultural events that have become its calling cards. Then there’s the parade. Not just any old Pride parade, this one takes place along the Dam’s famous canals and lasts for much of the afternoon, kicking off an all-day party that continues well into the wee small hours. Hop aboard for our guide to all the best things to do in Amsterdam during Pride Week… Pride March Amsterdam’s Pride’s opening event is an absolute corker. Get dressed in your brightest, most flamboyant colors for the annual Pride March, a love-soaked meander through central Amsterdam that (while the route varies year by year) will generally take you along picturesque canals and down cobbled streets, passing major attractions like the splendid Rijksmuseum along the way. Inspiring opening speeches are followed by much singing, dancing and general merriment as the festival gets into its stride at the opening party after the march, with live performers, food stalls and bars galore. Find out more about this year’s Pride Walk here. Pride Park Slap bang in the middle of Amsterdam’s lush Vondelpark, Pride Park runs in tandem with the opening march, with all manner of festive fun and games for the whole family. There’s an open-air theater, plus live music, sporting activities and more. There’s even a special area especially for kids. The Junior Pride x Pride Park event comes complete with bouncy castles, popcorn and cotton candy, and there are plenty more things to do in and around the park if the kids get bored (or they need to run off some of that sugar-based energy). Check out our guide to Vondelpark and Amsterpark here. LoveSwim “We don’t even swim straight.” So goes the tagline of this fun annual event, which sees hundreds of willing participants plunge into the Amstel River in support of LGBTQ+ causes. You’ll need to register well in advance if you want to take part, with distances starting at just 250 meters meaning swimmers of (almost) all abilities can dive in from the famous platform and take part. Of course, you could show your support by simply spectating instead: it’s drier, for a start. There’s also a bar and several food stalls, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than a soggy falafel wrap. Live DJs keep the party atmosphere going throughout.  Find out more and register to take part here. Cultural Events at Amsterdam Pride Culture vultures rejoice! Amsterdam Pride has dozens of events just for you. We’re talking the likes of open-air cinema, queer walking tours, gay improv comedy, even fetish-friendly classical music concerts. It’s also worth checking out some of Amsterdam’s museums. Many, including the famous Rijksmuseum, put on special tours during Pride, highlighting the work of LGBTQ+ artists and exploring themes around sexuality and gender in art. Find out more about queer cultural events across Amsterdam here. Milkshake Festival An open-minded and inclusive electronic music and dance festival, Milkshake generally runs across Pride’s opening weekend, bringing high-energy techno, house, pop, disco and r’n’b to the masses. Rustle up your best outfit and get ready for a three-day love-fest that includes international DJs, drag acts and musicians – performers in previous years include Ana Matronic, The Blessed Madonna and Ultra Nate. Expect multiple dance floors, a huge inflatable pink church and many more epic entertainments. There are usually also all-night after parties at the legendary Paradiso venue on the Saturday and Sunday nights of the festival. You’ll need to book well in advance for both events – these are hugely popular and tend to sell out fast. Get more info on Milkshake here. Canal Parade The absolute centerpiece of Amsterdam Pride is the quite extraordinary and frankly eye-popping flotilla that is the annual Canal Parade. This marks the grand finale to a week of Pride events and takes place on the first Saturday of August. We won’t sugar-coat this: the route gets *extremely* busy both on and off the water during the parade. On the plus side, it’s seven kilometers long, so do your research to find the less crowded areas, or go all in and wake up early to bag your spot on one of the (unsurprisingly) popular canal bridges. For this is where you’re guaranteed the very best views, photo opportunities and, well, bragging rights. The parade starts in the east of the city at around noon, reaching popular Prinsengracht about an hour later, and continuing on through the canals towards the Westerdok. But that ain’t the end of the party. Far from it, in fact… Parties! Pride Amsterdam’s official closing party takes place in front of the opulent Royal Palace on on Dam Square, featuring a huge stage and performers from around the world. But there are plenty more options available, not least the huge number of street parties that will be taking place across the city, including a big one at Amstelveld just off the Canal Parade route. Afterwards, hit up some of Amsterdam’s best clubs, where the post-Pride party goes into overdrive. Try FunHouse, Taboo, the Paradiso and Club NYX for some of the best Pride events in town. Best of the Rest: Amsterdam’s Top Attractions So you’re mainly in Amsterdam for Pride. But don’t let that stop you checking out some of this Venice of the North’s many fine attractions. You could save up to 50% on a variety of tours, activities and attractions with a Go Amsterdam pass, including bucket-listers like… Sampling one of Amsterdam’s greatest exports at the Heineken Experience. Saying ‘hey’ to Lady Gaga, Harry Styles and the Incredible Hulk at Madame Tussauds. Having a poke around Rembrandt’s old house. Ogling masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age at the incredible Rijksmuseum. Taking a cruise along the Amsterdam canals (though not during the parade, obvs). Letting loose at an 80s-themed roller disco, complete with glitter balls and neon lights. … and many more! Find out more and get your Amsterdam attractions pass here.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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