Summer in Amsterdam feels different from the rest of the year. The city stays busy late into the evening, people gather along the canals after work, and neighbourhoods outside the centre become full of outdoor dining, markets, festivals, and live music. While many visitors stick to the main attractions, some of the best parts of Amsterdam are found away from the busiest tourist areas.

Staying at PREMIER SUITES Amsterdam gives you the freedom to experience the city at your own pace. Instead of rushing between attractions, you can spend time exploring local neighbourhoods, relaxing in parks, finding smaller cafés, and seeing a more everyday side of Amsterdam during the summer months.

Explore Amsterdam Noord

Amsterdam Noord has become one of the city’s most interesting areas in recent years. Located just across the water from Central Station, it is easy to reach using the free ferry service that runs throughout the day. The atmosphere here feels completely different from the centre of Amsterdam. It is more relaxed, less crowded, and full of creative spaces, bars, music venues, and waterfront restaurants.

The NDSM Wharf is one of the biggest attractions in the area and is known for its large-scale street art, festivals, and industrial style spaces. During summer, the waterfront fills with people enjoying food, drinks, and live events late into the evening. Places like Pllek have become especially popular for outdoor dining and drinks beside the water.

Amsterdam Noord is also a good place to simply walk around without a strict plan. You will come across small independent coffee shops, art spaces, and quieter streets that feel far removed from the busier tourist districts.

See the City by Bike

Cycling is still one of the best ways to experience Amsterdam properly. The city is built around bikes, and during summer the cycle paths are constantly busy with locals travelling between neighbourhoods, parks, and cafés.

Hiring a bike allows you to explore beyond the areas most tourists stay in. You can cycle through Vondelpark, head towards De Pijp for food and shopping, or follow the Amstel River for quieter scenery outside the centre. Amsterdamse Bos is also worth visiting if you want a break from the busy streets. It offers green space, lakes, walking routes, and outdoor cafés only a short distance from the city. 

The city centre can become very crowded during peak summer weekends, especially around Dam Square and the Red Light District. Cycling outside those areas gives you a much calmer experience and helps you discover places you probably would not otherwise see.

Visit Local Markets During Summer

Amsterdam has a strong market culture, and summer is one of the best times to explore it. Markets across the city offer fresh food, local products, coffee spots, and places to sit outside while taking in the atmosphere.

Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp is one of the most famous street markets in the Netherlands. It stretches through one of Amsterdam’s busiest neighbourhoods and is packed with food stalls, bakeries, fresh produce, and local shops. It is a good place to try Dutch snacks while exploring the area.

For something slightly quieter, Ten Katemarkt in Amsterdam West has a more local feel and tends to attract fewer tourists. It is ideal if you want a more relaxed experience away from the busiest parts of the city.

Throughout summer, you will also find weekend markets appearing in parks around Amsterdam. Pure Markt is one of the most popular and usually combines food vendors, drinks, music, and outdoor seating in a much more casual setting.

Spend Summer Evenings Along the Canals

One of the best things about Amsterdam in summer is how social the city becomes in the evenings. As the weather improves, locals gather beside the canals with food and drinks while boats move slowly through the water.

Areas like Prinsengracht, Brouwersgracht, and the Jordaan become especially lively during warm evenings. You do not need to book expensive activities to enjoy the canals properly. Some of the nicest moments in Amsterdam come from simply finding a quiet spot beside the water and spending time watching the city move around you.

The atmosphere during summer feels relaxed and informal, especially later in the evening when the crowds begin to thin out.

Discover Amsterdam Oost

Amsterdam Oost is often overlooked by visitors, but it has become one of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods for locals. It combines green spaces, breweries, cafés, restaurants, and markets without feeling as crowded as the centre.

Oosterpark is one of the area’s main attractions during summer and is often busy with outdoor events and people relaxing in the sun. Nearby, Brouwerij ’t IJ has become well known for its brewery located beside one of Amsterdam’s windmills.

The area also has a strong food scene and plenty of independent cafés. If you are looking for somewhere quieter for dinner or drinks, Oost is usually a good option during busy summer weekends.

Take a Day Trip Outside Amsterdam

If you are staying in Amsterdam for several days, summer is the perfect time to explore outside the city as well. The Netherlands has excellent public transport links, and many nearby destinations can be reached in under an hour.

Zandvoort is a popular beach destination during warm weather and is easy to reach by train. Haarlem offers canals, shopping streets, and cafés with a slower pace than Amsterdam itself. Utrecht is another good option if you want to experience a smaller Dutch city with a more local atmosphere.

Leaving the city for a day can also be a good way to escape the crowds during peak summer periods.

Summer Events Across the City

Amsterdam stays busy throughout summer with outdoor events, festivals, concerts, and cultural celebrations taking place across the city. Parks and public spaces often host open air cinema screenings, food festivals, and live music events.

Amsterdam Pride is one of the city’s biggest summer celebrations and attracts visitors from across Europe each year. The canals and streets become packed with events and parties throughout the festival period.

Even if you are not visiting for a specific event, there is usually something happening somewhere in the city during the summer months.

Why Stay at PREMIER SUITES Amsterdam

After busy days exploring Amsterdam, having extra space to return to makes a big difference. At PREMIER SUITES Amsterdam, you can enjoy more flexibility and comfort than a standard hotel stay.

The spacious serviced apartments give you room to properly relax during your trip, especially if you are staying for several nights. With fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas, and excellent transport connections across the city, it gives you the freedom to enjoy Amsterdam at your own pace.

Experience a Different Side of Amsterdam This Summer

Summer in Amsterdam is not only about famous landmarks and crowded tourist attractions. Some of the best experiences come from exploring local neighbourhoods, sitting beside the canals in the evening, visiting outdoor markets, and spending time in areas where locals actually live and socialise.

If you are planning a city break this summer, PREMIER SUITES Amsterdam offers the ideal base to experience Amsterdam beyond the tourist trails.