11 Things to Do in Amsterdam in August

August in Amsterdam is a festival of colour and good vibes. The warm weather brings people out onto the streets, and the city's canals and parks are bursting with life. It's a month marked by festivals and outdoor activities.

For more details and to find out about the best things to do in the Dutch city in August, just keep reading.

One of the things that most impresses tourists about Amsterdam is the number of bikes in the city. It's no wonder, as it is considered the best city in the world for cycling, which has become a real tradition. A bike tour of Amsterdam is the best activity you can do to feel like a true local.

What's more, August is the perfect month to hire bikes, as you'll rarely find better weather for it. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to bike hire options. I recommend finding out about the best tourist passes in Amsterdam, some of which include the use of public bikes throughout the city.

A cruise through Amsterdam's canals is a must-do experience all year round. But it's in August when you can enjoy it the most, especially on night cruises through Amsterdam's canals. The cold temperatures during the rest of the year make it almost impossible to enjoy a night-time cruise through the canals in the open air, whereas in August not only can you do so, but you can also enjoy an al fresco dinner on board.

It is especially recommended in August, as the city has a special festive atmosphere thanks to the numerous festivals and celebrations that take place during this month, filling the canal banks with light and colour.

Amsterdam is one of the world's beer capitals, partly because it is home to one of the breweries of one of the world's most prestigious brands, Heineken. The original factory where this brand began brewing beer is located in the Dutch city. In this post, I'll tell you how to enjoy the Heineken Experience.

This interactive exhibition is dedicated to the history of the brand and how they brew their beers. And of course, it includes a beer tasting. For lovers of this drink, it's an essential visit and definitely a great option for August in Amsterdam.

It's not usual, but in August you're likely to encounter a hot day with temperatures around 30 degrees. On those days, there's one place you simply must visit: the Xtracold. This is a bar made of... ice! Is there a better place to escape the heat? The temperature in this bar is kept at a constant 10 degrees below zero. But don't worry if you're wearing shorts.

The entrance fee includes thermal clothing to help you cope with the cold and three cold drinks. Don't worry, there'll be plenty of ice. Xtracold is one of Amsterdam's most popular tourist attractions, especially in summer, so I recommend buying tickets in advance.

One of the most important cultural and festive events of the year takes place in August. It is the Grachtenfestival, better known as the canal festival. On the second weekend of August, for ten days, the canals are filled with boats full of musicians and more than 150 concerts of classical music, jazz and other genres are held throughout the city.

At the same time, the Junior Grachtenfestival is held, which is the same festival but with concerts for children, ideal if you are visiting Amsterdam with kids. If you are a music lover and want to travel to Amsterdam, August is the month for you.

It's impossible to get bored in Amsterdam in August. Although the Grachtenfestival is the most important festival and deserves a special mention, there are numerous festivals of all kinds and for all tastes in August. There's a reason why it's known as the month of festivals.

One of the most famous is the Uitmarkt. This is a family festival designed to be enjoyed by the whole family, with concerts and theatre performances that are also suitable for children. For comedy lovers, there is the Comedytrain International Summer Festival, and for fans of urban dance, there is Summer Dance Forever. These are not the only ones, as the cultural agenda for August in Amsterdam seems endless. You can check out the events at this link.

Vondelpark is Amsterdam's main park and in August it becomes the nerve centre of city life. This park is full of green areas where people picnic, cyclists and sports enthusiasts flock, and there are open-air theatres where free concerts and even open-air film screenings are held.

If you're travelling with children, it's also a great option, as there are lots of activities aimed at them and hundreds of children's play areas in the park. As you can see, Vondelpark is one of the best places to enjoy summer in Amsterdam and a must-see if you're visiting the Dutch city in August.

August and summer are synonymous with beaches. And don't think that Amsterdam isn't a valid destination for enjoying the sun and sand. The Dutch city has a large number of urban beaches that are perfectly equipped for enjoying the summer in August. The best ones are StranZuid, Blijburg aan Zeen, Pllek, Dok and Bloemendaal aan Zee.

All of them are perfect for enjoying with the family in the mornings, and when evening falls, they fill up with DJs, live music and a party atmosphere. So don't forget your swimsuit at home, because in Amsterdam you'll get plenty of use for it.

Amsterdam is known for being one of the most tolerant and free cities in the world. That's why the gay pride festival is such a big event, attracting thousands of people. It is held on the first weekend of August and its main attraction is its colourful parade through the city's main canals.

It is not just a party for the LGBT+ community, but a celebration of the freedom that Amsterdam exudes. Concerts, talks and parties on the canal boats are also part of the Pride celebrations.

Having a drink on a terrace is not exclusive to Amsterdam, far from it. But the city of canals does have some of the most special terraces to discover. In August, thanks to the good weather, bars set up many terraces on boats along the canal banks. Many of the city's panoramic terraces are also well known.

La Floor 17, located on the 17th floor of the Leonardo Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandtpark, and the Skylounge, located on the terrace of the Hilton Doubletree, are some of the best known. August offers us a unique opportunity to have a drink on Amsterdam's spectacular terraces, which can only be enjoyed in the summer months.

One of the favourite summer activities of Amsterdam's residents is picnicking. Picnics are allowed in many of the city's parks and are a highly recommended experience in August in the city of canals.

The best green spaces in Amsterdam are, in addition to the Vondelpark, the Museumplein park, located next to the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk, the Sarphati park in the Pijp neighbourhood, and the Oosterpark in the Oost district. All of them have street food stalls and large grassy areas with shade for enjoying a summer picnic.

There is plenty to see and do in Amsterdam all year round. However, August is one of the best months of the year to visit. This is because August has the best temperatures of the year in the Dutch capital. Summers in this city are not particularly hot, and in August the maximum temperatures hover around 20 degrees. On certain days, they can reach 30 degrees, but they rarely reach or exceed this temperature. As for the minimum temperatures, they usually range between 12 and 14 degrees. In short, it is a cool and pleasant summer where the heat does not play a major role.

However, it is not unusual for the skies to be cloudy in August. On around 45% of the days in this month, the skies are overcast. As for rain, the probability of it appearing during the month of August is 30%.

Summer is the peak season in Amsterdam. Thanks to the holiday periods and, above all, the good weather, the city is full of tourists. In addition, there are several festivals that attract thousands of people.

As a result, it is the month when it is most difficult to find a hotel room or a restaurant reservation. Queues for museums and tourist attractions are more common, so in August it is almost essential to book everything in advance. Here is the link to buy tickets for the main museums in Amsterdam:

• Book your ticket for the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (and cruise).
• Book your ticket for the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket for the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket for the Red Light Secrets Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket for the Moco Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket for The Upside Down Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket for the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket for the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam.

As is typical during the high season, prices rise considerably. In fact, August is, along with July, the most expensive month to visit Amsterdam. High demand causes prices for hotels and tourist apartments to rise significantly. It is also usually more expensive to eat in restaurants, especially those located near the main tourist attractions.

Summer in Amsterdam is somewhat different from what we are used to in the UK. Temperatures are milder and nights are cooler, so you need to pack accordingly. The essentials you should pack in your suitcase if you are travelling to Amsterdam in August are:

• Typical summer trousers and T-shirts.
• Comfortable, coolfootwear for visiting the city.
• A light jacket and warmer clothes for cooler days and nights.
• Swimwear and flip-flops for visiting Amsterdam's artificial beaches.
• A raincoat is better than an umbrella, as the winds tend to blow strongly in Amsterdam.