10 Things to Do in Amsterdam in October (2024)

Autumn arrives in Amsterdam and turns October into one of the most beautiful months to visit the city of canals. Discover in this post all that offers you in this month

The month of October in Amsterdam is conditioned, for the better, by autumn. In this season the parks of the city give us a certainly beautiful postcard and the streets have a special atmosphere. Although the cold is more intense during October there are many things to do and see outside the more typical and touristy.

The cold autumn days are perfect to see the museums of the city or enjoy a hot coffee in one of its squares. But there are also festivals and celebrations unique to October that are worth experiencing as well as unique sporting events. So what are the best things to do in Amsterdam in October? The answer is below.

1. Van Gogh and autumn go hand in hand

If you are a lover of art and the figure of Vincent Van Gogh you will know that autumn was a source of inspiration for the artist. In fact many of his works are landscapes of this season and the typical autumn colors are very frequent in his paintings. What better time then to buy your ticket to the Van Gogh Museum.

Many of his most important paintings can be found in this museum in Amsterdam dedicated exclusively to the figure of the Dutch-born artist. Van Gogh is one of the symbols of Amsterdam and, in fact, his museum is the most visited tourist site in the city.

2. Visit the Jewish quarter in its holiest month

The beginning of October marks the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, also known as the day of forgiveness. This is one of the most important celebrations in the Jewish calendar and therefore a good time to visit the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam.

This small neighborhood in the center of Amsterdam is home to some of the most important museums in the city such as the Rembrandt House Museum or the Jewish Historical Museum. The latter is the perfect place to learn about Jewish culture. During its festivities this neighborhood breathes a special atmosphere. If you decide to visit you will not regret it, but always do it with respect for their religious customs.

3. Honor the memory of Anne Frank and visit her house museum

Also in connection with the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, many take the opportunity to take an Anne Frank tour of the Jewish Quarter. Some choose to do this tour to coincide with this key date as a symbol of respect, but it is always a good time to learn about Anne Frank's story.

On this tour, which lasts approximately two hours, you will explore both the Jewish Quarter and Jodenbuurt, and you will learn all the historical details of when Amsterdam was under German rule, as well as the importance of the Anne Frank House.

4. Canal cruise under the autumn cloak

A canal cruise in Amsterdam is a must if you travel to Amsterdam at any time of the year. But it is in autumn when, in my opinion, they look the most beautiful. Thanks to the orange colors of autumn and the many trees on the banks of the canals, cruising the canals at this time is a real treat especially for lovers of photography.

It is not so advisable to do it at night when temperatures drop, but still a night cruise with dinner included on the canals of Amsterdam is a safe bet if you want to enjoy the most characteristic of the city.

5. Celebrate Oktoberfest Dutch style

Although Oktoberfest, the most famous beer festival on the planet, is a German celebration, Amsterdam is no slouch when it comes to celebrating this festival. The Netherlands and its capital have always had a great beer tradition and do not miss the opportunity to celebrate Oktoberfest in their own way.

The bars fill up and the beer mugs dance non-stop and, taking advantage of the occasion, floating terraces are set up on the canals. The party atmosphere appears on every corner and there are also special visits to the original Heineken brewery located in Amsterdam itself.

6. If you get caught in the rain, take shelter in its museums

Rain and autumn in Amsterdam inevitably go hand in hand. Do not let the precipitation spoil the party and take the opportunity to take refuge from it in the museums of the city. The capital of the Netherlands could well be considered, in addition to the city of canals, as the city of museums. There are more than 50 for all tastes and it is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam.

On a rainy day my recommendation is to visit the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk, as these three are located together around the Museumplein Park, and are the main museums of Amsterdam. But, of course, there are many alternatives. Here are some other options:

• The Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam, which will show you Dutch life during World War II.
• The STRAAT Street Art Museum in Amsterdam, which, with an area of 8,000 square meters, is the largest space for street art and graffiti in the capital of the Netherlands.
• Amsterdam' s Moco Museum, or Modern Contemporary Museum, will allow you to delve into this street artist's most acclaimed works such as Laugh Is The Air, Girl With Balloon and Barcode.
• The NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam, where you will have at your disposal a variety of interactive experiments in engineering, physics, biology and chemistry for both children and adults.
• The FOAM photography museum in Amsterdam, where you will have the opportunity to discover new talents as well as to admire classic artists.

7. Halloween in Amsterdam

Halloween is becoming more and more widespread in Europe and Amsterdam is proof of this. The holiday of October 31 is lived with special fervor in the city of canals and many parties and events are held according to the occasion. If your trip coincides with this day you can enjoy many terrifying activities around the city.

There are guided tours that tell the spookiest stories of Amsterdam and many canals are decorated with typical Halloween elements. But the scariest thing to do is to visit the Amsterdam Dungeon. A horror attraction built inside a Gothic church that tries to scare the viewer with a theater and a setting worthy of the best Halloween.

8. Enjoy watching a rowing race through the canals

Every year since 1986 and at the beginning of October takes place the celebration of theGrachtenrace. A rowing race along the canals of the city that has become one of the main sporting events in the Amsterdam calendar.

More than 140 teams take part in the race, which covers 25 kilometers along the canals through the entire city. Fans crowd on the bridges that cross these canals to watch and cheer the participants and enjoy the race while eating something at the nearby food stalls or terraces. It is certainly a different experience to live in October if you travel to the Dutch city.

9. Cheer on the runners of the big Amsterdam Marathon...or join them

The other big sporting event of October, and of the whole year, is the international Amsterdam Marathon. This race has worldwide prestige and thousands of runners from all over the world come to compete in it. Around the event in the city are prepared activities of all kinds and everything is conditioned for runners and spectators to enjoy the sport.

You can enjoy watching the participants pass through some of the landmarks of the city or if you are a lover of running you can join them. In addition, the race is charitable and the funds raised go to non-profit associations.

10. A hot coffee to fight the autumn in Leidseplein square

There are many ways to enjoy autumn in Amsterdam without being cold and safe from the rain. One of my favorite plans in this regard is to go to the cafes on Leidseplein Square. This central square of Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and is a regular meeting point for the inhabitants of Amsterdam who go to the cafes of this square.

Here you can enjoy a good hot coffee, relax and get away from the tourist bustle and the autumn cold. When night falls this square becomes the center of nightlife thanks to its many restaurants and pubs. It is definitely a good place to combat the autumn.

Temperatures in Amsterdam in October

As expected, October is a month of purely autumnal weather. In Amsterdam this translates into cooler, but pleasant temperatures, more cloudy days and frequent showers. Highs range between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius while lows hover around 10 degrees Celsius. Temperatures rarely drop below 6 degrees or rise above 20 degrees. In general it is a pleasant climate to see the city if you are not particularly cold.

What you have to be especially aware of are the rains. The probability of a rainy day increases to 35%. It is more likely, and almost certain, that we will be caught by cloudy skies. Here the probability rises to 60%. But don't let these figures fool you, the temperatures are perfectly bearable and the rainy days are well compensated by the autumnal charm of Amsterdam.

The influx of tourists in Amsterdam in October

The high season in Amsterdam ends in September so October is the first month of low season until May. This does not mean that Amsterdam is empty of tourists, but there is a noticeable drop in tourism. In October you will not have too many problems to find flights and accommodation and in the tourist spots the queues are smaller.

However, there are specific days when the trend is the opposite. There are international events such as the Amsterdam marathon or the Halloween party that attract thousands of visitors. But if you are looking for a month with a good balance between tolerable weather and a quiet influx, October is a good time to visit Amsterdam.

Amsterdam prices in October

As is always the case, prices depend a lot on the number of tourists and the demand. In the case of October the demand for hotel rooms and accommodations, flights and so on decreases so prices also decrease. It is not a big drop if we compare it to what is seen in the winter months, but it is certainly a cheaper month to visit Amsterdam than in the summer.

What to pack to visit Amsterdam in October

If you are traveling to Amsterdam in October, it is essential that you are prepared for the cold and rainy weather. Therefore, the essentials you should pack in your suitcase are:

• Warm and preferably waterproof clothing.
• Comfortable and waterproof footwear.
• Rain is almost inevitable, but in Amsterdam umbrellas are not recommended because of the strong wind that sometimes blows. It is best to bring a raincoat.