Autumn in Amsterdam

Autumn weather in Amsterdam is pleasant; not too cold and not too hot. The trees in Vondelpark are radiant in their shimmering shades of deep reds, russets and gold. Autumn days are perfect for sauntering and sight-seeing and finding the perfect delectable place for a bite to eat. As the cultural season gets under way; check out concert, opera and dance performances. The bulk of the tourists have returned home so the city no longer feels like an overcrowded theme park

                           Sarphati Park in autumn

Six tips for Amsterdam in Autumn

1. Watch the world go by from one of the many heated café-restaurant terraces. Snuggle in the fleece blankets on offer and try some hapjes, or little snacks, and a Heineken or fruity red wine. Two suggestions: The terrace of Hotel de l’Europe, Nieuwe Doelenstraat, or the terrace of Cafe de Jaren next door. Both are delightful places to while away the afternoon.

2. Magna Plaza is the best place to be when the weather is disappointing. Pop inside for a few hours of sheer shopping pleasure. Aroma Plaza is sure to have that special scent to ignite your love life. Buy those Delft blue clogs from Typical Dutch Souvenirs or select Edam from Cheese & More. The Swarovski Crystals Shop will satisfy your hunger for glimmer and glitter. The mall offers something for everyone.

3. On a clear sunny day you find no better place to be than Begijnhof, and admire the 17th and 18th century houses that surround a quaint village green. This tranquil spot is anyone’s favourite spot to wind down after a hectic day. If things get too quiet Kalverstraat, Amsterdam’s most crowded shopping street, is only a few meters away.

4. When the sun is down and the air gets chilly, it’s the perfect time to stop at one of the proeflokalen, or tasting bars, for a before-dinner drink. They specialise in wine, liqueur and Dutch gin. Sip your jenever (the Dutch answer to gin) from tulip-shaped glasses filled to the brim. The Drie Fleschjes in Gravenstraat is an all-time favourite.

5. And while Amsterdam is definitely a walker’s city, if it gets windy and walking becomes unpleasant, you can take the canal bus, a combination of public transport and canal cruise. This is the perfect way to stay warm while sightseeing at leisure.

6. Don’t miss Bockbierfestival (Bock Beer Festival), the largest beer festival in the Netherlands. Sample more than fifty different autumn bocks, but bear in mind that they tend to be high in alcohol volume.

Autumn Weather

Enjoy Amsterdam in autumn. Bring an umbrella and a light raincoat. Even though October is not the wettest month of the year, expect drizzle rather than downpours. Don’t let the weather deter you. You can always shelter in one of the museums and soak up a bit of culture at the same time.

photo credit Marianne Crone