Outdoor activities in Amsterdam: summer is here!

Finally out of the changeable April weather, we have hopefully heard the news all over Europe by now: Summer is here! And how…

Amsterdam is even more beautiful in summer than it already is all year round. As soon as the first rays of sunshine appear, the whole city comes alive, with everyone bustling around the canals and on the water. The bars are full, the cool drinks glisten in the sun and you can’t wait to explore the city in the great weather.

Here we have put together our 7 outdoor activities in Amsterdam so that you can spend the best days with us in the capital and the surrounding area. <3

Enjoy the city centre on a canal cruise

Water + canals + unlimited drinks = paradise! A canal cruise really is a must in Amsterdam. There is no more authentic and picturesque way to get to know the city than on a leisurely canal cruise. Sit back, enjoy unlimited wine or beer on the 1-hour trip and listen to the exciting facts from your German guide, who will accompany you throughout the trip. Not only will you see the most beautiful parts of the city by water and be able to take wonderful photos, but you’ll also learn everything you need to know about the city’s culture and history. When it comes to outdoor activities in Amsterdam, this is definitely the front-runner!

Hire your own boat

If you just can’t get enough of the relaxed feeling on the canals, you can easily hire your own boat! Yes, you can do that here, and without a boating licence or any other fuss. The small private boats, which you can hire for 2 hours from €90, are particularly suitable for groups. You will receive a short briefing (don’t worry, the boat rules on the canals are very simple), can take drinks and snacks on board and off you go. Please note: The captain must remain sober for the entire trip 😉

Travelling to the sea: Amsterdam Beach

The most obvious and one of the best options for a great summer’s day in Amsterdam is of course to go to the beach. You heard right: Amsterdam is only a 30-minute train journey from the sea. Pack your towel and sun cream, throw on your best swimming costume – and off you go to Zandvoort. The beach is popular, but just as wide. So if you want a little more privacy, take a short walk along the beach towards the dunes and enjoy your day at the beach to the full!

Iconic: During the summer season, there are also mobile carts selling ice cream, delicious Dutch snacks and cool drinks on the Amsterdam beach. Heavenly!

A cycle tour through the Dutch capital

What could be better than discovering our beautiful canal city by bike in bright sunshine? Hop on your bike at a leisurely pace and let your cycle guide show you the most beautiful corners of the city. For those of you who love the hustle and bustle and action, the tour through the centre is the perfect choice. For those who prefer to take it a little easier, the cycle tour through the Noord district is just right. Here you cycle through cosy little fishing villages to the famous Ijsselmeer lake and can simply relax and unwind.

The best thing is: as you are super flexible on your bike, you can incorporate all your personal wishes into your tour! Whether you want to customise the route, go at your own pace or stop for an ice cream or coffee on the way – it’s all very easy for us to implement. The 2.5 hours on your bike tour are all yours and you can organise it with your guide exactly as you wish.

Stand up paddling on the Amstel or the canals

Attention all you sporty types: You can stand up paddle on our main river, the Amstel! Unlike in other capital cities, you don’t have to expect a stinking river with dirty water on the Amstel. Thanks to our direct connection to the Rhine, the Amstel is constantly supplied with fresh water and it also flows – which means the water is relatively clean, even though the river runs right through the centre of Amsterdam. So it’s perfect for hiring a few stand-up paddle boards and spending some quality time on the water. Afterwards, you can stop off at one of the many neighbouring bars, enjoy some tasty snacks and watch the sun set on the horizon.

If you’d rather paddle past the hotspots in the city centre on a SUP, that’s also possible. Just take a look at the different providers and find a great route.

Make Amsterdam’s city beach unsafe

Yes, you heard right: in addition to the “real” Amsterdam Beach, we also have a city beach in the middle of the hustle and bustle. To be more precise, it is located in the iconic Amsterdam Noord neighbourhood (NDSM), which you can reach via the free ferry from Amsterdam Centraal in just 10 minutes. The city beach is located behind the PLLEK restaurant, to which it belongs and which is housed in old shipping containers. Maximum hip, cool and 100% Amsterdam!

At PLLEK you can not only enjoy a delicious dinner, but also all kinds of events that take place there from time to time during the summer months. One of the best is the open-air cinema! So be sure to check the website before your visit and see if you can get tickets for it. It’s always a special experience and one that very few tourists know about!

Play local: Grab a pizza and sit down by the canal

If you want to get to know Amsterdam as authentically as possible, then do as we Amsterdammers do. We like nothing better than to celebrate a little “borrel” on the canal. This means you grab something tasty to eat (pizza is always a good idea), a few cool drinks, sit down with your loved ones by the canal and watch the boats sail by. If you’re in Amsterdam in the summer, you’ll realise that this is part of the lifestyle and true Amsterdam culture.

No matter what outdoor activities are on the programme for you in Amsterdam this summer: We look forward to seeing you!