Never is Amsterdam more alive than in summer, when the city’s streets, canals and parks transform into a buzzing kaleidoscope of activity. Whether you want to party all day long at a festival, lounge on the beach, explore the canals by boat, or barbecue in the park, there's an endless choice of things to do during the warmer months. Here are a few reasons why the Dutch capital is the perfect summer destination.

Enjoy countless festivals, urban beaches, picnics in the park, outdoor cinema & art, and cool drinks on sunny terraces - Amsterdam is teeming with things to do in summer. And, on a bright sunny day, the best place to be is outside! Find out how to experience Amsterdam and go home with a healthy tan. Sunglasses on – let’s go!

Amsterdam doesn’t hold back when it comes to celebrating street food. With festivals like Rolling Kitchens, Keti Koti and Kwaku, the city lives by one policy: there's never enough tasty food to try. Keep an eye on our cultural agenda and weekend guide for food festivals and summer pop-ups galore. Or, for a local touch, visit Amsterdam’s best markets for aged cheeses, fresh seafood and signature poffertjes that will leave you fed up… in a good way. 

Summer is the perfect time of year to stroll through the Hortus Botanicus gardens or visit the outdoor exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum. And be sure to check out our guides to the city's museums with secret gardens and the best museum cafes to cool off in. For the best arty summer day trips, catch a train to the Zaanse Schans or the sculpture garden of Singer Laren. With the I amsterdam City Card in hand, you can bounce from one museum to the next hassle-free.