A Useful Guide to Visiting Amsterdam in Autumn
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Though great to visit year-round, Amsterdam has a special charm in autumn. With the trees turning orange and its canals turning into photo opportunities aplenty, I’ve made two of my three previous visits to Amsterdam at this time of year because it’s just… very nice.
Besides the beautiful autumn colors, the city’s cafés and bars look even more inviting when the rain starts pouring outside. Even better, it’s easier to escape the crowds when visiting at this time—even if they’re still here.
Based on my real-life experiences, I’m bringing you this comprehensive guide to visiting Amsterdam in the autumn. You’ll discover what you can do at this time of year, along with how to prepare for the weather and much more.
When Is Autumn in Amsterdam?
After the early signs of autumn toward the end of September, autumn in Amsterdam gets into full swing in October. It also still lingers around in November before winter starts to set in.
When I visited the Dutch capital in early October 2018, it was still pretty warm. However, the trees had started to turn orange. I then went back in October 2023, toward the end of the month, and at that point, autumn had taken full effect.
Autumn Weather in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s daytime temperatures are still reasonable in autumn (well, I live in Scandinavia… so it’s all relative). It was around 17ºC (62.6ºF) when I visited in October 2018, for example, which is slightly higher than the average of 15ºC (59ºF). When I visited again in 2023, it was slightly cooler.
Nighttime temperatures are around 8ºC (46.4ºF). It will probably rain a lot, too; I don’t remember seeing a minute of blue skies the second time I visited Amsterdam in autumn. Moreover, it can sometimes get quite windy.
Reasons to Visit Amsterdam in Autumn
Autumn is my favorite time to visit Amsterdam for multiple reasons, and below, I’ll name some of the top advantages of coming to the Dutch capital at this time of year.
1. Less Crowded Than the Summer
I have visited Amsterdam once in the summer, and… I’m not sure I want to do that again. It was way too crowded, and I felt like the city attracted the worst kinds of tourists at that time.
When I returned in the autumn, I… still saw tourists. However, it was much less crowded than during the peak season. As soon as we went away from the main canals, it felt like we pretty much had the city to ourselves.
Since I think Amsterdam looks nicer at this time of the year anyway, I think it’s worth trading off warmer weather and visiting once the crowds have dropped. Many attractions, including a lot of the city’s museums, are still open—so you can still do the majority of things you wanted to.
2. Hotels Are Less Expensive
Hotels in Amsterdam are some of the most expensive in Europe, especially if you visit during the peak season. But as soon as the temperatures drop and the leaves turn orange, you can get a better deal. It’ll still be pricey, but not as much as would otherwise have been the case.
Even if it’s still too expensive, you can get good deals on accommodation nearby. For example, you might want to stay in nearby Haarlem and take the train to Amsterdam instead (which I can also recommend).
Flying to Amsterdam is also less expensive around this time. For example, we found return flights from Copenhagen to the Dutch capital for less than $100 return.
3. Amsterdam Is Particularly Beautiful With Autumn Leaves
You could say this about most cities in the world, but Amsterdam is *really* beautiful when the leaves turn orange. Add a foggy morning and overcast skies in there? You’ve got the perfect mix, if you ask me.
The city’s parks are also great for wandering around at this time of year. If you’re into photography, this is—in my opinion—the best time to visit Amsterdam.
4. Experience “Gezelligheid”
Gezelligheid is a Dutch concept that is somewhat similar to hygge in Denmark. As the temperatures cool and the daylight hours shorten, autumn is the perfect opportunity to experience Gezelligheid for yourself in Amsterdam.
Many of the city’s bars and cafés have a particularly cozy vibe at this time of the year, especially in the evenings. You’ll have a much better understanding of Gezelligheid and its influence in Dutch society after an autumn visit.
5. The Crisp Autumn Air
Let’s be real. That crisp autumn air and those peaceful morning strolls? They just hit differently. Amsterdam is worth visiting at this time of year for that alone. This is particularly true if you get up and explore before everyone else has even woken up.
Things to Do in Amsterdam During Autumn: My Top Recommendations
Now that you have a basic understanding of what it’s like to visit Amsterdam in the autumn, let’s look at some of the best things to do. Below are my top recommendations, based on my previous trips to the Dutch capital.
1. Visit Amsterdam’s Cafés and Bars
Amsterdam has plenty of cafés and bars worth visiting, and autumn is the perfect time to do precisely that. I did a pub crawl on my first trip to the city in 2018, and when I returned, my girlfriend and I spent most of our time hopping between different cafés.
My top recommendation is Café Sonneveld. We went here aiming to have something quick to eat and ended up staying for over three hours. The meals are nice and filling, and it’s a great place to try bitterballen—a traditional snack you’ll find in most Dutch bars and pubs. The apple pies are also fantastic; we may or may not have had more than one.
Winkel 43 is another popular spot known for its apple pies, and you can stop for beer if you want, too. Both recommendations are great options for your Amsterdam itinerary.
While in Amsterdam on my second visit, we went to Bbrood, too. This was a nice place to grab some coffee and pastries; you’ll find a few of their bakeries throughout the capital.
2. Take a Nice Day Trip to Nearby Cities
As great as Amsterdam is, I must admit that it’s not my favorite place in the Netherlands. This country has so many cool cities, and thanks to its compact nature (plus an excellent train network), visiting 2-3 more on your trip is very easy.
Haarlem is less than 30 minutes away and the perfect day trip from Amsterdam, for example. Its cozy center is packed with beautiful streets, and it is the quintessential Dutch city. For some great English-style afternoon tea, be sure to visit Queen’s Tearoom.
Utrecht is another excellent day trip option. This is my favorite city in the Netherlands; it’s very similar to Amsterdam, but smaller and without the crowds. It’s just over 15 minutes from the Dutch capital by train.
The Hague is also worth visiting, and Rotterdam is great, too. I’ve written a full guide to The Hague if you decide to visit.
Besides visiting the areas around Amsterdam yourself, you can join guided tours if you’d prefer.
3. Warm Up in Amsterdam’s Museums
Amsterdam’s status as one of Europe’s great cultural capitals is well-deserved, and nowhere is this more evident than in its several top-level museums. Some of the best to visit are the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum; I also really like the NEMO Science Museum.
Buying tickets in advance is a good idea, and you can do so below:
If you want to spend a bit more time indoors and sampling Amsterdam’s cultural scene, you can also book a number of guided tours. For example, the Heineken Brewery is a great option for a cozy autumn day in particular.
4. Enjoy the Autumn Colors on a Boat Tour
It’s hard to visit Amsterdam and *not* want to join a canal tour. The city has so much water that it’s begging to be explored in this way, and even getting the ferry over to Amsterdam Noord (which is free, by the way) is worthwhile.
You can join a number of canal tours in Amsterdam. Besides the standard ones where you’ll explore the waterways with a guide, you can join tours with other perks—such as cheese and wine.
Besides seeing the city from a new angle, it’s a great opportunity to capture some unique photos.
5. Enjoy the Best Time of the Year for Photography
Speaking of photography, Amsterdam is at its most photogenic when the leaves turn orange. If you’re like me and into photography, a trip to the Dutch capital in October or November is an absolute must.
I came back from my second Amsterdam trip with thousands of photos, many of which I was still editing over a year later. Jordaan was my favorite district to photograph, and capturing the life of the Dutch capital in general was a rewarding experience.
If you’re planning to photograph the canals, get there early in the morning before the crowds arrive. As a side bonus, you can catch some beautiful sunrises (if the clouds aren’t blocking the sun, anyway, which admittedly will probably happen).
Even if you don’t bring a DSLR, full-frame, or mirrorless camera, you can still get great pictures of Amsterdam with your smartphone.
Are There Any Downsides to Visiting Amsterdam in Autumn?
Despite the many advantages of visiting Amsterdam in autumn, there are a couple of downsides that you need to keep in mind. Below are some of the biggest ones to help you plan your trip better.
1. It’ll Probably Rain at Some Point
October and November are two of the rainiest months in Amsterdam, and on my second trip, the sun was in short supply, to say the least. Expect that it will probably rain at least once while you’re in Amsterdam (though of course, you could always get lucky).
I personally love the rain, so this isn’t a problem. However, you may want to consider visiting another time if you are not like me. Otherwise, it’s nothing that a good rain jacket can’t solve 🙂.
2. Shorter Daylight Hours
You’ll get 11-and-a-half hours of daylight at the beginning of October, which shortens to just over nine-and-a-half hours at the end of the month before decreasing further in November. The sunrise is also quite late until Daylight Savings take effect, with the sunrise being after 08:00 from around mid-October until the clocks shift.
These daylight hours are still enough to enjoy the city and also take some day trips. However, they are shorter than if you were to visit in the summer. On the bright side, you don’t have to rush to see the sunrise in the morning.
3. It’s Still Pretty Crowded in the Touristy Areas
Even if you visit Amsterdam during the autumn, you’ll still have to deal with crowds in the touristy areas. The canals close to the main train station are packed in particular; I had to wait a while at the Damrak dancing houses to get the shot I wanted.
Having said that, you can avoid the crowds if you go to the outer canals. Visiting during the week can also help; I’d recommend taking a day trip on Saturday and exploring Amsterdam itself around that.
Autumn Daylight Hours in Amsterdam
The daylight hours in Amsterdam will vary depending on when in autumn you visit. At the beginning of October, they’re still reasonable. However, the days are noticeably shorter as you get closer to winter.
Below is a summary of the daylight hours in the Dutch capital at this time of year, as per Timeanddate.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| October 1 | 07:41 | 19:17 |
| October 15 | 08:05 | 18:45 |
| November 1 | 07:36 | 17:10 |
| November 15 | 08:01 | 16:47 |
| November 30 | 08:26 | 16:31 |
What to Wear for an Autumn Trip to Amsterdam
Dressing for an autumn trip to Amsterdam isn’t too different from doing so for city breaks elsewhere in Europe around this time. But to ensure that you’re ready, I’ll provide a breakdown of what to bring below.
1. Dress in Layers
If I have learned one thing from living in Copenhagen and traveling around Northern Europe, it’s that dressing in layers during the autumn and winter is a *really* good idea. We have a saying in the Nordics that goes:
“There is no bad weather; only bad clothes.”
This is also relevant for Amsterdam. Since daytime and nighttime temperatures can vary, bringing a good sweater and warm baselayers is a good idea. I’d say that around three layers is the perfect sweet spot.
2. Consider Bringing Gloves
When I visited Amsterdam in October, I didn’t need gloves on either occasion. However, I’d imagine that they would be a good idea if that trip were in November again. The same goes for a hat and gloves.
3. A Good Rain Jacket Is Non-Negotiable
Bringing a waterproof (and ideally windproof) jacket is a wise option when visiting Amsterdam in the autumn. I have one from H2O Fagerholt, which has served me pretty well. Helly Hansen is a great option, too; I used to wear one of their jackets.
4. Bring Comfortable Walking Shoes
You’ll be walking a lot in Amsterdam, even if you rent a bike. So, bringing a pair of comfortable walking shoes is a good idea. I’d recommend some nice boots to keep your feet dry, as long as you’ve broken them in beforehand; I own a pair of Dr. Martens, for example, that have lasted me over five years.
5. Trousers
While you may see some tourists trying to pull it off, autumn is not the best time to wear shorts or a dress in Amsterdam. Sorry about that. Some jeans or nice casual trousers are a better option.
If you’re visiting for a weekend, bringing 1-2 pairs in your luggage will be good enough.
6. A Nice Coat
While bringing a raincoat is a good idea just in case, you should also consider bringing a nice trench coat or something similar. I hate wearing rain jackets when it’s not raining because they’re not breathable at all; a coat that’s easy to put on and take off, depending on the weather, is a viable alternative.
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Amsterdam in Autumn
Amsterdam is a great time to visit, with beautiful foliage, cheaper prices, and fewer crowds. Preparing for your trip will help you enjoy the Dutch capital with less stress, which is very much on-brand for its laid-back vibe.
While there are some disadvantages to visiting Amsterdam at this time of year, the benefits are much higher. Now that you’ve read this guide, you should have all the information you need to plan a memorable adventure.
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