Amsterdam is where you find what you seek! The art connoisseur finds contentment in the Van Goghs and Rembrandts; the party lover finds fellow revellers in the electronic dance music festivals; while the history fanatic will find love in the old centre of Amsterdam. But, what every visitor ends up falling in love with is the easy vibe of the city, the beautiful architecture and the idyllic life along the canals that have shaped the city of Amsterdam. Amsterdam in August is still in the throes of summer and you can enjoy the best of outdoor experiences and events. Here is a guide on what to do and see in Amsterdam in August.
What makes Amsterdam in August special?
- End of summer – Amsterdam in August experiences the shift from summer to autumn; the temperatures are high in the first two weeks and then start to dip towards the end. You still have a chance to enjoy the city and its neighbouring region in all its natural summer splendour.
- Outdoor experiences – Most of Amsterdam’s outdoor events like music festivals, open-air events and theatre festivals are held all through the summer, even through August. This gives you a chance to indulge in entertainment and creativity to the hilt! From September, most of these experiences will close for the year and you will have to wait another year to experience them.
- Fewer crowds – Amsterdam empties as locals travel on holidays, however, weekends are always a busy time with visitors pouring in from rest of Europe. This is still a peak time, but if you travel on weekdays you will experience Amsterdam without the usual summer madness.
Amsterdam in August : Weather
Amsterdam in August sees the last of the warm weather; it starts with daytime highs of 28°C and towards the end reaches to around 20° during the day, while the average lows are around 14°C. However, the weather is unpredictable with a mix of cloudy rainy days and pleasant weather.
Amsterdam in August : Things to Do
1
Rijksmuseum
2019 is the Year of the Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum, which is the Dutch National Museum. A temporary exhibition featuring artists inspired by Rembrandt will be running all through August. You can also explore 8,000 objects of art and history, including 2,000 paintings belonging to the Dutch Golden Age.
August Timings
Daily : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
2
Amsterdam Canal Tour
History has been created along the Amsterdam Canals, which is why they have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can choose to go on a canal cruise admiring the architecture and life along the canals or upgrade your experience and enjoy a dinner canal cruise.
August Timings
Cruise timings depend on tour chosen
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Getting There ›
3
Willet-Holthuysen Museum
The stately house on the Herengracht Canal is a wonderful reminder of the Dutch Golden Age. Now turned into a museum, the house was originally built in 1685 and has been maintained in its original state. It is a great place to learn about Dutch aristocracy, don’t forget to visit the secret gardens behind the house!
August Timings
Daily : 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Herengracht 605, 1017 CE Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
4
A Day Trip to Zaanse Schans and Volendam
August is your last chance to enjoy the sunny weather in Amsterdam. Take a day trip out of the city to the windmills of Zaanse Schans and watch life as it was in the 18th Century. Also, head to the fishing village of Volendam where it might seem that time has stood still for centuries.
August Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
Zaanse Schans, Zaandam
Netherlands
Getting There ›
5
Red Light District
The Red Light district is synonymous with nightlife in Amsterdam. The infamous district is a great place to people-watch and a walking tour through the area will give you insight into the working of the district and the nearby areas like Chinatown, Warmoesstraat and Nieuwmarkt.
August Timings
Tours start every hour from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
De Wallen, Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
6
Anne Frank House and Walking Tour
Admire the tenacity and courage of Anne Frank, a teenager stuck in a secret annexe during the Holocaust. A tour of the Anne Frank House will bring your closer to the grim reality of the WWII and the events that unfolded. Take a walking tour to explore the region including the Jewish Quarter.
July Timings
Tours start daily at 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM & 4:30 PM
Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
7
Van Gogh Museum
No visit to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, the most visited attraction in the city. Take a guided tour to explore the treasures of the museum which has 200 paintings, 400 drawings and 700 letters by Van Gogh, the largest collection in the world!
August Timings
Sunday to Thursday : 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Friday to Saturday : 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
8
Amsterdam Icebar
Chill at Amsterdam’s coolest bar! Amsterdam Icebar is a bar made completely of real ice and is freezing cold, and you will need thermal clothing just to hang out! Buy a pass and get free perks like complimentary drinks, an exciting 3D ride and access to the hippest place in town.
August Timings
Daily – 12:30 PM – 1:00 AM
Amstel 194, 1017 AG Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
9
Amsterdam Dungeon
Love history but don’t like spending hours in the museum? Go on a tour of the Amsterdam Dungeon, an experiential tour where actors and ingenious sets will thrill you and take you through the gory history of Amsterdam, both fact and fiction!
August Timings
Tours start every ten minutes from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Amsterdam Dungeon, Rokin 78, 1012 KW
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Getting There ›
10
Heineken Brewery
Heineken is probably the Netherlands most favourite export and Pilsner beer lovers will find this tour of the Heineken brewery a heady experience. Learn about the brewing process and what goes into the making of the incredible beer that makes people say cheers!
August Timings
Tours start every fifteen minutes from 10:30 AM to 5:15 PM
Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
Amsterdam in August : Events to Look Out For
Pride Amsterdam
27th July 2019 – 4th August 2019
Amsterdam flaunts all the colours of the rainbow in this special event for the LGBTQIA community. With parties and celebrations all week long, the excitement peaks on 3rd August when the Canal Pride Parade takes place along the historic Amsterdam Canals where the world converges to celebrate Pride!
World Cinema Amsterdam
15th – 24th August 2019
Filmmakers from Africa, Asia and Latin America feature their movies every year at the Rialto World Cinema Amsterdam event. This year the film festival is in its tenth edition and will focus on young and creative filmmakers from Cuba. The films will screen at the Rialto and De Balie theatres in the city.
De Parade Theatre Festival
16th – 31st August 2019
Reminiscent of the old times, the Parade festival is a travelling theatre festival that makes its way to Amsterdam in August. The festival travels first to Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht before setting up at the Martin Luther Kingpark in the city to feature performances, screenings and workshops for theatre lovers of all ages and interests.
ARTIS ZOOmeravonden
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st August 2019
Zoomeravorden roughly translates to summer evenings in the zoo and that’s what you get at this summer extravaganza! The ARTIS Royal Zoo hosts concerts and events every Saturday evening till sunset from June to August. Both adults and children can enjoy the company of the zoo animals and sing and dance to great music.
Grachtenfestival Amsterdam
8th – 19th August 2019
If you wanted background music to your life then visit Amsterdam during the Grachtenfestival! During this festival over 90 venues including parks, museums, canals, streets, metro tunnels and more host over 250 concerts where young talented musicians play classical, jazz and world music. It’s a delightful time to be in the city!
Mysteryland
23rd – 26th August 2019
Mysteryland is the leading electronic dance music festival in the Netherlands! Showcasing over 300 artists spread across 17 stages, more than 100,000 exciting fans join Mysteryland every year. Camp at the festival venue and chill out with like-minded music lovers at this amazing dance event that will leave you euphoric!
Amsterdam in August : 5-day Itinerary
Amsterdam Essentials
LanguageDutch
Time zoneGMT+1
Country Code+31
Socket Type C, E and F
CurrencyEuros €
Amsterdam Weather in August
Amsterdam weather is a mixed bag during August, you can get beautiful sunny mild weather on some days and most others end up with cloudy chill weather. The days start to shorten too, sunrise is around 6:30 AM and sunset around 9 PM, yet giving you ample time to sightsee.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam during August
Amsterdam is well-equipped to host travellers from all walks of life. The best area to stay with kids is the Oost area, great neighbourhood for nightlife is Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, the best romantic neighbourhoods are Canal Belt & Oud-Zuid, while the Old Centrum is a crowd-favourite for sightseeing, and if you are tight on a budget then Noord & Bos de Lomer is where you should go. Here are a few select hotels & hostels to stay in Amsterdam in August –
What to Pack for Visiting Amsterdam in August
You need to be prepared for any kind of weather in Amsterdam in August, in fact, it is advisable to check the daily forecast before you head out. Carry layers for the trip, starting with a waterproof layer including a rainjacket and rainproof shoes. Pack a thin pullover or sweater for the chilly evenings and summer clothes that you can wear on sunny days.
Getting Around Amsterdam in August
Getting around Amsterdam is a breeze as the public transportation system is well-planned and easy on the pocket. Here are your choices for getting around in Amsterdam in August –
- Ideal for short distances – Tram is your best option to hop-on and hop-off, there are 14 lines and hundreds of stops.
- Good for long distances – Metro is suitable for long distances; there are five routes across 39 stations.
- Easy on the pocket – Buses are cheap and convenient even for longer distances, there are over 42 routes across the city.
- Multi-mode transport – Ferry is great to travel plus save time by taking your bicycle and motorbike, there are six ferry routes across IJ River.
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Everyone bikes around in Amsterdam, although keeping the rainy days in mind tourists might find it tough to navigate the roads in August. A great way to save money on transport and avoid buying tickets every time is using the I Amsterdam Card, which includes transport and free entry to museums.
Amsterdam in August - Must-Try Delicacies
The salty flavour of the raw herring might be an acquired taste but it is one that is synonymous with Dutch cuisine. The best herring is available all through the summer till August and is best eaten with pickles and onions stuffed in a sandwich.
Where to order: Stubbe’s Haring
Craving for an after dinner dessert? Stop for a tompouce! The tompouce is a delicious puff pastry sandwich that is filled with yellow sweet cream. It is topped with whipped cream and the top layer is often orange especially when sold on National holidays and sporting events.
Where to order: Patisserie Holtkamp
The goodness of fresh summer kale mixed with creamy mashed potatoes brings out the flavours of this popular Dutch lunch dish. It also includes the tasty Kielbasa sausage which is known for its smoky and salty flavours. Dig into it for ultimate comfort food.
Where to order: Worst Wijncafe
Enjoy the long summer days with a sweet treat, the apple pie! The Dutch have taken over the apple pie and made it their own. In Amsterdam, you will find bakeries with pies with golden cruts, thick apple slices and topped with whipped cream. You can even make a meal out of a slice!
Where to order: Winkel 43
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the Dutch are obsessed with their liquorice! It has the highest per capita consumption of liquorice in the world and you can find these sweet, salty and unique tasting candies in shops across the city. Don’t buy a lot at once, sample it before you buy!
Where to order: Candy Freaks
Tips to visit Amsterdam in August
- Amsterdam has a mosquito problem and the humid weather of August means that you will find them buzzing around. Carry an insect repellent with you at all times.
- The Amsterdam Canal Parade starts at 12:30 PM and goes on for about five hours. The floats will start from Scheepvaart Museum towards Amstel River, and then from Prinsengracht to Westerdok. Reach early as most of the points along the canal are already taken, and carry food and bottle so you don’t have to worry about losing your place to find food.
- The Summer Dance Festival will run from 20th to 28th August 2019 and will run across multiple venues. You can participate or simply witness the world’s best street dance talent converge here and dance it out!
- Football is a popular sport in Amsterdam and the football season starts in August and you can catch a home game of the AFC Ajax in their home stadium, the Johan Cruyff Arena.
- A Sunday market is a great place to learn about the culture and cuisine of a place and you can find Sunday markets in Amsterdam at Westergasfabriek (4th August), Rokin edition at Oude Turfmarkt (11th August), and Nieuwmarkt (30th August).
Ready to Visit Amsterdam?
Here are some more guides for your reference.
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