Discover Amsterdam’s 200 best Summer spots for your trip

SUP en Meer

★ 4.1 · 58 reviews

Paddle with SUP en Meer, a stand-up paddleboard rental in Amsterdam-Zuid. Learn the basics on calm canals, then head out onto the big Nieuwe Meer lake once you feel steady on the board.

Vondelpark

★ 4.7 · 61,545 reviews

Spend time in Vondelpark, the elegant 19th-century heart of Amsterdam's green life. Stroll or cycle past ponds and lawns, then settle in for a picnic while the city relaxes around you.

Kano & SUP

★ 4.8 · 189 reviews

Paddle with Kano & SUP, an Amsterdam-Oost rental for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Glide along the canals at your own pace, with helpful staff on hand to get first-timers comfortable on the water.

Watersportcentrum Sloterplas

★ 4.4 · 191 reviews

Head to Watersportcentrum Sloterplas, a water sports base on Nieuw-West's big lake. Rent a kayak, paddle across the open water or into nearby canals, and enjoy a quieter side of Amsterdam.

Hannekes Boom

★ 4.3 · 3,959 reviews

Discover Hannekes Boom, an easygoing dockside spot near Centraal Station. Grab a table by the water, order drinks and a burger by QR code, and watch boats pull in beside the terrace.

Grachtengordel

Stroll the Grachtengordel, Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed ring of Golden Age canals. Follow Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht past gabled mansions and hump-backed bridges, pausing at a canalside café.

Vuurtoreneiland

★ 4.5 · 510 reviews

Set out for Vuurtoreneiland, the fort restaurant on a small island in the IJmeer. Sail across the water for about an hour, then settle in beside the fire for a multi-course meal.

Pllek

★ 4.4 · 9,746 reviews

Discover Pllek, a container-built waterfront venue in Amsterdam-Noord with a big riverside terrace. Claim an outdoor table, order a drink or a burger, and watch the evening settle over the water.

Thuishaven Festivalterrein

★ 4.5 · 2,697 reviews

Discover Thuishaven Festivalterrein, an Amsterdam festival campus where dance parties stretch from afternoon into the night. Wander among art installations, dance with a welcoming crowd, and enjoy a day-long outdoor party.

Evening (Sunset) Canal Cruise with drinks

★ 4.8 · 5,063 reviews

Catch the Evening (Sunset) Canal Cruise from opposite Central Station and watch Amsterdam turn golden from the water. A local skipper guides you past the Skinny Bridge and the Dancing Houses on a quiet electric boat.

Jordaan

Lose yourself in the Jordaan, Amsterdam's cosy maze of narrow streets, small canals, and brown cafés. Browse independent boutiques, peek into hidden courtyards, and linger over a coffee on a quiet corner.

Nieuwe Diep Distillery

★ 4.8 · 645 reviews

Discover Nieuwe Diep Distillery, a peaceful pondside terrace hidden in Flevopark. Sip a local genever or a beer, enjoy a slice of cake, and watch ducks drift across the water.

NDSM

★ 4.5 · 9,640 reviews

Cross the IJ to NDSM, Amsterdam's former shipyard turned creative playground. Explore graffiti-covered hangars, browse themed shops and artist studios, then pause at an on-site eatery amid the industrial scenery.

A'DAM Lookout

★ 4.6 · 31,031 reviews

Rise above Amsterdam at the A'DAM Lookout, the rooftop viewpoint across the IJ. Ride the light-show elevator up, take in the skyline from the deck, and try the swing if you dare.

Westerpark

Wander into Westerpark, a favourite green space of Amsterdam's trendy western neighbourhood. Stroll its paths, find a spot on the lawns, and soak up the relaxed local mood that builds through the afternoon and early evening.

Klimpark Fun Forest Amsterdam

★ 4.6 · 1,288 reviews

Swing into Klimpark Fun Forest, a treetop adventure park in Amstelveen. Work your way through climbing courses graded from gentle to demanding, ride the zip lines, and let kids hunt for the letters that unlock the game.

Café de Ceuvel

★ 4.5 · 2,492 reviews

Head across the IJ to Café de Ceuvel, a quirky dockside spot where the whole menu is plant-based. Share a few small plates and linger over a drink among the art and the water views.

Amsterdam Forest

★ 4.6 · 18,943 reviews

Escape the city in Amsterdam Forest, a huge woodland just south of the centre. Cycle or walk the shaded trails, rent a boat on the water and visit the organic farm along the way.

Café 't Smalle

★ 4.6 · 1,595 reviews

Discover Café 't Smalle, a wood-panelled brown cafe beside the canal. Pair a Belgian beer with bitterballen and kaassoufflés, ideally from a seat on the terrace.

Flevopark

★ 4.6 · 1,025 reviews

Unwind in Flevopark, a leafy green escape in Amsterdam-Oost. Picnic on the lawns, follow the jogging paths under the trees and cool off at the big outdoor pool in summer.

Amstelpark

★ 4.6 · 8,206 reviews

Spend an easy hour or two in Amstelpark, a sprawling green space in Amsterdam-Zuid. Greet the farm animals, ride the little train, test the maze and settle on a lawn for a picnic.

Beatrixpark

★ 4.6 · 2,938 reviews

Slip into Beatrixpark, a graceful 1930s city park in Amsterdam-Zuid. Follow the landscaped paths past the pond, picnic on a quiet lawn and let children splash at the wading pool.

Park Frankendael

★ 4.6 · 2,865 reviews

Step into Park Frankendael, a former estate in Amsterdam-Oost built around a 17th-century manor house. Drift between wooded paths, the allotments and the reed-edged pond, then pause at a restaurant in a historic building.

ARTIS

★ 4.5 · 37,379 reviews

Spend a day at ARTIS, Amsterdam's 19th-century zoo in the middle of the city. Wander shaded paths past chimps, zebras and elephants, then add the aquarium and planetarium.

Van Gogh Museum

★ 4.6 · 110,241 reviews

Meet Vincent in person at the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world's largest collection of his paintings. Walk chronologically through his life, from early drawings and letters to his most celebrated canvases.

De Laatste Kruimel

★ 4.6 · 3,044 reviews

Pause at De Laatste Kruimel, a cosy bakery in Amsterdam-Centrum with a hidden canal-side patio. Order coffee with a slice of zucchini lemon cake or a quiche, then watch boats glide by from the back.

Top Highlights Guided Bike Tour

★ 4.7 · 1,749 reviews

Pedal through the heart of Amsterdam on a guided bike tour of its top highlights. Ride past canals, the Jordaan and Museumplein while your guide explains the architecture, with a stroopwafel to round off the ride.

90 min Cruise with Local Guide & Dutch Snacks

★ 4.8 · 2,359 reviews

Hop aboard a small electric open boat for a 90-minute cruise with a local captain. Listen to live commentary on canal history and hidden sights, with Dutch cheese, sausages and drinks available as an upgrade.

Espressofabriek

★ 4.3 · 527 reviews

Start your morning at Espressofabriek, a leafy coffee shop bordering Westerpark in Amsterdam-West. Sip a latte topped with careful art among the indoor greenery, then wander the park outside.

Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise

★ 4.6 · 4,147 reviews

Pair the Van Gogh Museum with a relaxed canal cruise in one easy booking. Explore the museum's major paintings first, then glide past seventeenth-century canal houses with audio commentary in 21 languages.