Capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is a strikingly beautiful city featuring narrow houses with gabled facades and a complicated but visually appealing canal system. The city looks like a postcard with its fabulous little coffee shops, rows upon rows of boats lined parallel to the streets, and a generally calming vibe which escapes most tourist destinations. A trip to Amsterdam is something straight out of an artist's fever dream with brightly coloured hues, strangers cycling along to glory, and the serene visuals of a city surrounded by beautiful water. Also affectionately called the 'Venice of the North', this cultural center of the Netherlands should be on your bucket-list of cities to travel to. If you're planning to visit the magical city of Amsterdam, the timing of your visit will play a crucial role in your overall experience. Here's a detailed look at why you should consider visiting Amsterdam in September.
What makes Amsterdam in September special?
- A place like Amsterdam deserves to be explored on foot, through leisurely strolls across the quaint streets or on a bike over the canals. There's really no better way to truly appreciate the beauty and charm of the city than by physically travelling through it. September is a great month to do just that since the weather is the perfect mix between warm and cool. You don't have to worry about being out in the hot sun since the sun doesn't make that many appearances in September. .
- September happens to be a shoulder season in Amsterdam. What this means is that there'll be tourists around but not enough to create a crowd. You can explore the city and its various attractions at your own sweet pace without worrying about hurrying through the experience. The rates for hotels and flights are also slightly less in September compared to the high season of April to August and December to January.
- There are numerous festivals that are organised in Amsterdam in September. Some of the popular ones include the Netherlands Theater Festival, Amsterdam Fringe Festival, Amsterdam City Swim, Open Monument Day, Amsterdam Wine Festival, Barrel Organ Festival and many others! While you don't have to attend all the festivals, they do offer an authentic look at the culture and traditions of the city and are also great fun!
- The weather constantly changes in September in Amsterdam and while the first half of the month is more pleasant for outdoor adventures, the second half sees the city getting ready for the fall season. The weather is truly one of the prime reasons why you should consider making a trip to Amsterdam in September. When and where else can you visually see the seasons change from summer to fall so beautifully?
Amsterdam in September : Weather
Amsterdam's weather in September is one of the main reasons why visiting the city this month is such a good idea. While the month is a little wetter than previous months with average precipitation of 75 mm, it doesn't rain all that much. The average high temperature for the month is 18°C and the average low falls around 11°C. The great thing about the weather in September is that the sun isn't out as much and the generally overcast skies make for great outdoor adventures.
Amsterdam in September : Things to Do
1
Amsterdam Canal Tour
The best way to begin your time in Amsterdam is by opting for a fabulous cruise down the iconic canals that populate the city. Take in the breathtaking architecture and admire the intricate design aesthetics of 17th-century Netherlands. Most of these tours come equipped with audio commentary available in different languages. The Amsterdam canal tour is available in different variants, including a 75-minute cruise, a 1.5 hours evening cruise, and even a special 1-hour lovers cruise.
September Timings
Cruise timings depend on tour chosen
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Getting There ›
2
Van Gogh Museum
One of the most iconic landmarks in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum. Home to the biggest collection of artwork by the legendary Dutch artist, Van Gogh, the museum is a must-visit for anyone in Amsterdam for the first time. The Van Gogh Museum also houses the artist's drawings and sketches, along with many letters. Your tour of the museum also includes a trip to the Rijksmuseum, which features over 8000 masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
September Timings
Sunday to Thursday : 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday to Saturday : 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
3
ARTIS Royal Zoo
Switch things up a bit by heading to a place where culture, heritage, and nature come together beautifully; the ARTIS Royal Zoo. With skip-the-line tickets, you can move straight past the pesky queue and begin your adventure. The zoo is home to exotic species of animals, such as Asian elephants, red ruffed lemurs, jaguars, sea lions and even penguins! There's a planetarium located inside the zoo as well if you're interested in space, stars, and planets.
September Timings
Daily, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
4
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
The first Madame Tussauds to open in mainland Europe, Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is located in the centre of the city and opened in 1970. The world famous wax museum is home to wax figurines of famous celebrities across different categories like music, sports, movies, and Golden age of Dutch history, among many others. The museum also houses a wax figure of Anne Frank.
September Timings
Daily, 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Dam 20, 1012 KW Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
5
Heineken Brewery
Go on an educational and incredibly fun tour of the first built brewery in Amsterdam; the former Heineken Brewery. This insightful tour will inform you of the brand's rich past, how its logo was created and also offer you the opportunity to watch the brewing process in detail. At the end of the tour, you'll be offered two beer samples at the best 'Dam Bar' and leave the tour in great spirits!
September Timings
Tours start every fifteen minutes from 10:30 AM to 5:15 PM
Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
6
Red Light District
The Red Light district of Amsterdam is amongst its most famous and visited locations. Get an authentic peek at the most known district of Amsterdam with this tour. You'll be accompanied by a local guide who'll accompany you and share interesting tidbits about the place and its past. You'll also be visiting a local brewery and the Chinatown of Amsterdam!
September Timings
Tours start every hour from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
De Wallen, Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
7
A Day Trip to Zaanse Schans and Volendam
There are tons of beautiful towns and villages located in and around Amsterdam. Discover the true beauty of Holland with a day trip to its countryside, including Zaanse Schans and Volendam. Admire age-old windmills and lush meadows at Zaanse Schans and visit a cheese-making factory at Volendam.
September Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
Zaanse Schans, Zaandam
Netherlands
Getting There ›
8
Anne Frank House and Walking Tour
The tragic yet inspiring tale of Anne Frank is intricately tied to the history of Amsterdam itself. Discover how Anne Frank became a worldwide icon and how her diary was published by her father post her demise. The tour also includes a stop at Anne Frank's house and other important buildings in the Jewish neighborhood.
September Timings
Tours start daily at 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM & 4:30 PM
Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
9
Amsterdam Icebar
After a few enriching historical experiences, it's time to get a taste of Amsterdam's party scene. Hit the iconic Ice Bar which is made completely of ice and let loose with breathtaking ice sculptures, three complimentary drinks, and chart bursting music. You can also experience the fabulous 3D ride across a virtual ice land to make your night even more memorable.
September Timings
Daily – 12:30 PM – 1:00 AM
Amstel 194, 1017 AG Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
10
Amsterdam Dungeon
Want to discover the dark history of Amsterdam but don't have time for a full blown tour of all the museums in the city? This offbeat, experimental tour will take you through the city's gory history with assistance from local actors and ingenious sets.
September Timings
Tours start every ten minutes from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Amsterdam Dungeon, Rokin 78, 1012 KW
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Getting There ›
Amsterdam in September : Events to Look Out For
elrow Town Amsterdam
7th September, 2019
A joyous festival featuring some of the most popular artists from around the world, elrow Town is Amsterdam's biggest outdoor party and you're invited! Featuring acts from Ben Sterling, Benny Rodrigues, Cuartero, Andres Campo and more, the 2019 elrow Town event is gearing up to the biggest yet. The festival is scheduled for 7th September 2019.
Ambacht in Beeld Festival
28th – 29th September 2019
Spread over two days, from 28th September to 29th September, Ambacht in Beeld Festival allows you to get your hands dirty with a celebration of master craftsmanship, workshops, lectures, performances, masterclasses and more at De Hallen in Amsterdam. The fifth edition of the quirky festival will feature workshops and classes by around 50 craftsmen.
Valtifest
7th September, 2019
Valtifest is an eclectic summer festival featuring a collection of music including electro, house, dubstep, punk, hip hop, and more! Apart from the killer music set, the festival is famous for the bizarre and offbeat costumes people wear to the event. The 2019 Valtifest is scheduled for 7th September at Kaap Oost in Amsterdam.
Open Monument Day
14th – 15th September 2019
One of the unique experiences in Amsterdam is Open Monument Day. From 14th September to 15 September, many public buildings in the Netherlands open their doors to visitors including dozens of sites in Amsterdam. This is a great way for tourists to experience the monuments of Amsterdam without paying any entrance fee.
Amsterdam Fringe Festival
5th - 15th September, 2019
Featuring an eccentric and wild mix of dance, spoken word, theater, performance, and installations, the 2019 Amsterdam Fringe Festival is unlike any other festival you have been to! Scheduled to run from 5th September to 15th September, this festival invites you to go on an adventure along the fringes of the performing arts field and the city.
Amsterdam Wine Festival
27th - 29th September, 2019
Taking place twice annually at the Westergasfabriek, the Amsterdam Wine Festival is tailor-made for wine aficionados. During the harvest festivals in September, the wine harvest of the northern hemisphere is celebrated by both farmers and locals. With more than 300 different wines to pick from and workshops and masterclasses for your benefit, this is one wine festival you wouldn't want to miss out on.
Amsterdam in September : 5-day Itinerary
1
Canal Cruise
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
Rembrandt House Museum
2
Van Gogh Museum
Rijksmuseum
Vondelpark
3
Day trip to Keukenhof
4
Anne Frank House
Heineken Experience
Red Light District
5
Amsterdam Museum
Albert Cuyp Market
Amsterdam Essentials
Amsterdam Weather in September
The weather in Amsterdam in September can be best described as pleasant. With average highs of 18°C and average lows of 11°C, the temperature is never too hot nor too cold. There's an average amount of rainfall, which might make the nights slightly cold but lends the days the perfect kind of breeziness for outdoor exploration.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam during September
Amsterdam sees a huge number of visitors annually and there is more than enough accommodation available for all types of travelers. Here's our pick of accommodation options for three different budget types:
- Luxury: Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, Amsterdam Barbizon Palace, Radisson Blu Amsterdam
- Mid-range: St. Christopher's Inn, Hotel Levell, Banks Mansion
- Budget: Mauro Mansion, Zoku Amsterdam, White Tulip Hostel
What to Pack for Visiting Amsterdam in September
Summer is definitely over in September and you need to account for the cold nights. Pack a mix of regular shirts and tops which can be worn during the day and light jackets and sweaters which you can wear during the night. Do remember to pack in a good pair of walking shoes since you'll be walking around quite a bit in Amsterdam. Also, remember to carry a raincoat and umbrella to avoid getting stuck in a bout of random rain.
Getting Around Amsterdam in September
In a place like Amsterdam, one thing you don't have to worry about is getting around. There are tons of public transport options available for you to explore Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. There are trains, metro, bus, and ferries that you can choose from. Out of these options, buses and trams are recommended for within-the-city travel while metro and ferry are more suited for out-of-city travel. One way you can make travel cheaper in Amsterdam is by opting for an Amsterdam City Card. This travel discount pass offers free or discounted access to public transport and several attractions.
Amsterdam in September - Must-Try Delicacies
Don't go by the name because there's nothing bitter about these gloriously deep fried meatballs. Traditionally served with mustard sauce, this fried snack is popular across all Dutch pubs.
Where to order: Eetsalon Van Dobben, Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5-7-9, 1017 BH Amsterdam
If you're craving something fish-y, kibbeling is what you should opt for. White fish, generally cod, is battered and deep fried and served with a delicious mayonnaise herb sauce and lemon.
Where to order: Rob Wigboldus Fishmonger, Zoutsteeg 6, 1012 LX Amsterdam
The Dutch version of pancakes, poffertjes are little fluffy clouds of hot, buttery, battery goodness that are available all over Amsterdam. Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for a lip-smacking experience.
Where to order: De Vier Pilaren, Stadhouderskade 11, 1054 ES Amsterdam
The literal translation of mash pot, this traditional Dutch dish features potatoes that are mashed with other vegetables including carrots, onions, kale, sauerkraut. The dish is generally served with a big juicy sausage.
Where to order: Moeders, Rozengracht 251, 1016 SX Amsterdam
For no apparent reason, this sweet delight is named after a dwarf who used Tom Pouce as his stage name. Anyway, this delicious, cream-filled, rectangular pastry is characterised by a layer of fresh pink icing on top.
Where to order: Patisserie Holtkamp, Vijzelgracht 15, 1017 HM Amsterdam
Tips to visit Amsterdam in September
- While September is part of the shoulder season, there are still plenty of tourists in the city. To avoid wasting time in waiting lines, make your travel plans well in advance and secure your tickets online.
- If you're planning on taking advantage of the Open Monument Day in Amsterdam, do note that waiting lines on those two days will be longer than usual since a lot of people would want to take advantage of the free entry.
- Explore Amsterdam on foot as much as possible since that's how you can experience the true beauty of the city. The weather in September makes it extremely easy for you to walk around without worrying about getting sunstroke.
- Football is a popular sport in Amsterdam and the football season starts in August and you can catch a home game of the AFC Ajax in their home stadium, the Johan Cruyff Arena.
- Book your tickets for activities and attractions online to avail great deals and discounts. Headout, an online concierge for fabulous experiences around the world, offers great deals and discounts for experiences in Amsterdam.
Ready to Visit Amsterdam in September?
Here are some more guides to make your trip to Amsterdam a splendid one.
