Amsterdam in August
Apr 17th, 2016, 12:41 PM
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Amsterdam in August
We will be in Amsterdam for a week in August to attend a 25th anniversary party for some friends - it is a last minute trip and have not been to Europe in the summer before, we normally go in Spring or Fall.
Wondering how Amsterdam will be in August , Hot ?? Busy ?? In addition, looking for suggestions on places to eat, wine bars etc.
We plan the museums, which I will get advanced tickets to, we also plan to do a canal cruise but always open to new things to do ..
We will be there 8/10/16 - 8/17/16 staying at the Amsterdam Marriott
Wondering how Amsterdam will be in August , Hot ?? Busy ?? In addition, looking for suggestions on places to eat, wine bars etc.
We plan the museums, which I will get advanced tickets to, we also plan to do a canal cruise but always open to new things to do ..
We will be there 8/10/16 - 8/17/16 staying at the Amsterdam Marriott
Apr 17th, 2016, 01:54 PM
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crowded but tolerable - not like Rome or Venice or even Paris at that time - weather can be all over the board - at least during the 15 or so times I've been to Amsterdam in August.
Look at the National Museum Pass for museums - I use it to go to a lot of museums I never would have and always am surprised- Amsterdam has so so many neat off-the-path museums like the Dutch Resistance Museum; the Lord in the Attic; the Jewish Museum; the Troppen Museum, the Ship Museum; the Arboretum and tons more, including a branch of St Petersburg's Hermitage.
Not sure how pre-booking affects the pass but it gives priority entrance at many museums - also covers the Anne Frank House but not priority entrance I think.
For some ideas of my favorite place in Europe here is an old thread I and many others contributed to - has some talk of food and restaurants:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm
Cheers - dress for autumn and summer for August - you never know which one it will be -usually nice but rarely hot but sometimes cool and rainy (as I can attest to by camping many times in Amsterdam in August).
Look at the National Museum Pass for museums - I use it to go to a lot of museums I never would have and always am surprised- Amsterdam has so so many neat off-the-path museums like the Dutch Resistance Museum; the Lord in the Attic; the Jewish Museum; the Troppen Museum, the Ship Museum; the Arboretum and tons more, including a branch of St Petersburg's Hermitage.
Not sure how pre-booking affects the pass but it gives priority entrance at many museums - also covers the Anne Frank House but not priority entrance I think.
For some ideas of my favorite place in Europe here is an old thread I and many others contributed to - has some talk of food and restaurants:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm
Cheers - dress for autumn and summer for August - you never know which one it will be -usually nice but rarely hot but sometimes cool and rainy (as I can attest to by camping many times in Amsterdam in August).
Apr 17th, 2016, 01:57 PM
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The National Museum Pass is also valid in many other Dutch towns - a few major museums makes it pay off and then for one year gratis to so many others. No picture required.
http://www.amsterdamtourist.info/tip...s/museumkaart/
http://www.amsterdamtourist.info/tip...s/museumkaart/
Apr 17th, 2016, 02:02 PM
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We can hope for hot, but it could be anything, except freezing. Bring waterproofs, and a warm layer just in case.
The museum card covers the Anne Frank house but to avoid queuing for hours you still need to pre book you time slot. Unless you are planning on visiting lots of museums you could just pre book online with time slots for the van Gogh and Anne Frankhuis. You can just skip the queu at the Rijks.
I would suggest getting out of the city for at least one day. Maybe try http://www.holyboot.nl/ if the weather is reasonable.
The museum card covers the Anne Frank house but to avoid queuing for hours you still need to pre book you time slot. Unless you are planning on visiting lots of museums you could just pre book online with time slots for the van Gogh and Anne Frankhuis. You can just skip the queu at the Rijks.
I would suggest getting out of the city for at least one day. Maybe try http://www.holyboot.nl/ if the weather is reasonable.
Apr 17th, 2016, 02:05 PM
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There is a icture required for the museum card if you want it vaild for a year. You are issued with a temporary one when you buy it at a museum and have to register it online with a photo within 31 days to keep it valid.
This is due to AirBnB owners leaving museum cards in the accommodation for renters to use, which is against the rules, as it is a personal card. Sadly this abuse means photos are again required.
This is due to AirBnB owners leaving museum cards in the accommodation for renters to use, which is against the rules, as it is a personal card. Sadly this abuse means photos are again required.
Apr 17th, 2016, 02:06 PM
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If looking for an easy but sweet biking thru the quintessential countryside of NL then Holyboot or whatever they call the area of rural farms, etc just north and east of Amsterdam makes for very very easy and great cycling - bike rentals abound in Amsterdam. Aim for Broke-en-Waterland and Holysloot as two not far away places for a very neat day trip - put bikes on free ferries behind Central Train Station and pedal on bike paths to the nearby area.
Apr 18th, 2016, 12:27 PM
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The Museumkaart (as the museum pass is called in Dutch) sets you back around EUR 60, but it's paid back after five musea and you don't have to queue at the ticket office. You can buy it at any major museum.
It's indeed nice to explore the countryside north of the IJ. If you aren't in a bicycling mood, there are frequent buses (every 15 mins) to Monnickendam and Edam, both of postcard quality. You can even go on from Edam to Hoorn by bus, which is another beauty, and back to the big city by train. The bus leaves from the platform on the IJ side of the Centraal Station.
Haarlem is, at last, getting the attention it deserves. Beautiful and agreeable city, still without the tourist crowds which can make Amsterdam look like a theme park. The Frans Hals Museum is a must and the Teylers Museum is special. Trains leave every few minutes, taking 20 mins or less.
It's indeed nice to explore the countryside north of the IJ. If you aren't in a bicycling mood, there are frequent buses (every 15 mins) to Monnickendam and Edam, both of postcard quality. You can even go on from Edam to Hoorn by bus, which is another beauty, and back to the big city by train. The bus leaves from the platform on the IJ side of the Centraal Station.
Haarlem is, at last, getting the attention it deserves. Beautiful and agreeable city, still without the tourist crowds which can make Amsterdam look like a theme park. The Frans Hals Museum is a must and the Teylers Museum is special. Trains leave every few minutes, taking 20 mins or less.
Apr 18th, 2016, 01:22 PM
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Haarlem also has its version of the Anne Frank House and not very crowded:
https://www.corrietenboom.com/old/information.htm
https://www.corrietenboom.com/old/information.htm
Apr 18th, 2016, 01:53 PM
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Love Amsterdam! DH and I stayed at the Marriott Renaissance (our favorite in AMS) last August for part of our 50th anniversary trip. Sorry to say, we had damp chilly weather the entire 3-day stay! We had really hoped for sunshine and comfortable temps for exploring. We did venture out into the rain some, even taking a bicycle taxi (he zipped the plastic "cage" around us) from the Rjeiksmuseum (sp) but it was still a damp ride. Oh well, travel is an adventure!
Lucky for us, the weather was really nice in Paris and Italy and southern Switzerland!
Lucky for us, the weather was really nice in Paris and Italy and southern Switzerland!
Apr 18th, 2016, 09:14 PM
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Rijksmuseum
Broek in Waterland
Sorry guys
July and august is the Dutch summer holidays. For the "north" part of the country, including Amsterdam that's mid july till end of august, so expect the city to be emptied somewhat of Amsterdammers. Of course it's prime tourist season, so more crowds.
As has been pointed out, the weather will be a gamble. Of course, everyone is hoping for summery weather, but there's little chance of this for a sustained period. We may be lucky though, and you may be, for the days that you visit.
for restaurant suggestions
iens.nl
some restaurants will close their doors if their clientele is mostly locally Dutch, but the practice isn't widespread.
daytrips into the countryside surrounding Amsterdam are excellent. But do beware that if the weather suddenly turns super nice, people will flock to the beaches, and roads will be blocked. In The Netherlands you learn to appreciate the gift of nice weather, especially in summer.
Then again, there might be a heatwave. It's anyone's guess.
Broek in Waterland
Sorry guys
July and august is the Dutch summer holidays. For the "north" part of the country, including Amsterdam that's mid july till end of august, so expect the city to be emptied somewhat of Amsterdammers. Of course it's prime tourist season, so more crowds.
As has been pointed out, the weather will be a gamble. Of course, everyone is hoping for summery weather, but there's little chance of this for a sustained period. We may be lucky though, and you may be, for the days that you visit.
for restaurant suggestions
iens.nl
some restaurants will close their doors if their clientele is mostly locally Dutch, but the practice isn't widespread.
daytrips into the countryside surrounding Amsterdam are excellent. But do beware that if the weather suddenly turns super nice, people will flock to the beaches, and roads will be blocked. In The Netherlands you learn to appreciate the gift of nice weather, especially in summer.
Then again, there might be a heatwave. It's anyone's guess.
Apr 19th, 2016, 10:08 AM
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Some folks say mosquitoes are a problem in hotels that may not have screens - I've never seen this but it would not hurt I guess to buy some DEET if you find it a problem.
I was in Amsterdam again about 15 different Augusts and there was a 'heatwave' only a few times - once during the notorious summer of 2003?? - in the famous heat wave that stalked Britain and the Continent the whole summer it seemed - but the temps should be just lovely - not too hot nor too warm but... dress for all seasons.
I was in Amsterdam again about 15 different Augusts and there was a 'heatwave' only a few times - once during the notorious summer of 2003?? - in the famous heat wave that stalked Britain and the Continent the whole summer it seemed - but the temps should be just lovely - not too hot nor too warm but... dress for all seasons.
