The city trips season in Europe has officially started! Autumn is the perfect season to discover Europe’s capitals and big cities as summer crowds are finally gone and the autumn colours make the places more vibrant and cozier. If you haven’t yet chosen your city break destination this autumn, then Amsterdam is the real deal.
Here are 5 reasons why Amsterdam is the Best Fall European Destination this year.
The Dutch capital is irresistibly beautiful in Autumn when the trees placed along the canals turn into gold and the streets start to shine after the morning rain. The Autumn literally envelops the famous canals and the whimsical architecture of the city in bright shades of yellow and red foliage.
Speaking of golden things, Autumn is also the best time to see the most beautiful golden hours. Thanks to the sun falling lower in the sky but also not shying away completely, autumn days are absolutely the best time to take photos in Amsterdam.
Finally, the temperatures start to drop at this time of the year and you need to wrap up in scarves and gloves, but trust me… Amsterdam is worth every effort!
Snuggle up in one of the cozy wood-panelled cafes with a Herfstbok (special dark beer available only in the Autumn) or with a warm apple-pie and chocolate milk.
Worth mentioning are Cafe Langerleis and De Pieper. The first one offers freshly ground coffee, fresh flowers on the tables, and an upright piano. The latter is one of the oldest cafes in town with an amazing selection of beers and cocktails.
Finally, how can you not try Polaberry?
Its fresh fruit and berries covered in Belgian chocolate are such a thing in Amsterdam.
The autumn is a quiet time in Amsterdam in terms of number of visitors, but a very dynamic one for local activities. From September till the end of the year the cultural agenda of the city is bursting with festivals, live performance and events. From the Dance Event to the Amsterdam Light Festival, from the Amsterdam Art Weekend to the Arrival of Santa Claus. In short, there’s something for everyone’s taste.
A special event we want to mention is the Museum Night, organized each first Saturday of November, when the museums are open till 2:00 am. You’ll find all exhibits open as usual with the added pull of live music, DJs, food and drink, special events and unique surprises.
When renting a bike, you can easily go off exploring for a day or two, or simply rent the bicycle for just a few hours! Our suggestion is to cycle around to see the outskirts of the city, explore the many beautiful parks, or even take a day trip out of Amsterdam via bike (you can take your bike on the train).
Another fun thing to do in Amsterdam is to take a boat tour around the canals. Whether you’re a first-time or frequent visitor, everything in Amsterdam seems a bit more magical when viewed from the water. Most canal cruises take around one hour, in which you’ll explore Amsterdam’s UNESCO protected canal ring and discover plenty of interesting facts about the city along the way.
You have to be pretty lucky to witness the city covered in white, but finding the canals covered with a thick blanket of snow is simply breathtaking.
If you are not lucky enough to find snow, then you can enjoy one of the several outdoor ice rinks open up around the city, allowing Amsterdammers to strap on a pair of skates and test out their skills.
The most famous ice rinks in Amsterdam are:
These are just some of the many, many reasons why you should visit Amsterdam during Autumn and we hope we’ve convinced you, haven’t we?
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