11 Things to Do in Amsterdam in August

August in Amsterdam is a festival of colour and atmosphere. The warm temperatures bring people out into the streets and the city's canals and parks come alive. It's a month of festivals and outdoor activities.

To find out more about the best things to do in the Dutch city in August, read on.

One of the things about Amsterdam that most impresses tourists is the number of bicycles in the city. It's no wonder it's considered the best cycling city in the world, which has become a real tradition. A bike tour of Amsterdam is the best activity you can do to feel like a local.

August is also a great month to rent a bike, as there is rarely a better time to rent a bike. You won't be short of options to get some bikes. My recommendation is to check out the best sightseeing passes in Amsterdam, some of which include the possibility to use the public bikes throughout the city.

Cruising Amsterdam's canals is a must-do experience all year round. But it is in August that you can enjoy it the most, especially on Amsterdam's night canal cruises. The cold temperatures during the rest of the year make it almost impossible to enjoy a night cruise along the canals in the open air, whereas in August you can not only do so, but also enjoy an open-air dinner on board.

It is especially recommended in August, as the city breathes a special festive atmosphere thanks to the numerous festivals and celebrations of this month that fill the banks of the canals with light and colour.

Amsterdam is one of the beer capitals of the world, not least because it is home to one of the breweries of one of the world's most prestigious brands, Heineken. The Dutch city is home to the original brewery where the brand started making beer. In this post, I tell you how to enjoy the Heineken Experience.

This interactive exhibition is dedicated to the history of the brand and how they make their beers. And of course it includes a beer tasting. For beer lovers, this is a must-see and a very appropriate option for August in Amsterdam.

It's not usual, but in August you're likely to be caught on a hot day with temperatures in the high 30s. On those days there is one place you almost have to visit, the Xtracold. This is a bar made of... Ice! Is there a better place to escape the heat? In this place the temperature stays at a constant 10 degrees below zero. But don't worry if you're wearing shorts.

The entrance to the bar gives you thermal clothing to help you cope with the cold and includes three cold drinks. Don't worry because there will be plenty of ice. The Xtracold is one of Amsterdam's most visited tourist attractions, especially in summer, so I recommend you get your tickets in advance.

One of the most important cultural and festive events of the year takes place in August. It is the Grachtenfestival, better known as the festival of the canals. On the second weekend of every August and for ten days, the canals are filled with boats full of musicians and more than 150 concerts of classical music, jazz and other genres are held throughout the city.

At the same time, the Junior Grachtenfestival is held, the same festival but with concerts for children, ideal if you're visiting Amsterdam with children. If you are a music lover and want to travel to Amsterdam, August is the month for you.

It's mission impossible to get bored in Amsterdam in August. Although the Grachtenfestival is the most important festival and deserves a separate mention, August is also the month of festivals for all tastes and tastes. It is not for nothing that it is known as the month of festivals.

One of the most renowned is the Uitmarkt. This is a family festival with concerts and theatrical performances suitable for children. For comedy lovers there is the Comedytrain International Summer Festival and for urban dance fans there is Summer Dance Forever. They are not the only ones, as the August cultural calendar in Amsterdam seems to be endless. You can check out the events here.

The Vondelpark is Amsterdam's main city park and in August it becomes the hub of city life. The park is full of green areas where picnics are held, cyclists and athletes flock to the park, there are open-air theatres where free concerts are held and even open-air cinema screenings.

If you're travelling with children, it's also a great option, as there are many child-friendly activities and hundreds of children's playgrounds in the park. As you can see, the Vondelpark in Amsterdam is one of the best places to enjoy the summer and a must-see if you are travelling to the Dutch city in August.

August and summer are synonymous with beaches. And don't think Amsterdam isn't a great destination for sun and sand. The Dutch city has a large number of urban beaches that are perfectly equipped to enjoy the summer in August. The best are StranZuid, Blijburg aan Zeen, Pllek, Dok and Bloemendaal aan Zee.

All of them are perfect for family fun in the mornings and when evening falls they are filled with DJs, live music and a party atmosphere. So don't forget your swimming costume at home, you can put it to good use in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is known as one of the most tolerant and free cities in the world. And that's why gay pride is such a big event, attended by thousands of people. Held on the first weekend in August, the main attraction is the colourful parade along the city's main canals.

It's not just a party for the LGTBI+ community, it's a celebration of the freedom that is Amsterdam. Concerts, talks and canal boat parties are also part of the Pride celebrations.

Drinking on a terrace is by no means unique to Amsterdam. But the city of canals does have some of the most special terraces to discover. In August, thanks to the good weather, many bars set up terraces inside canal boats. Many of the city's panoramic terraces are also well known.

Floor 17, located on the 17th floor of the Ramada Apollo hotel, or the Skylounge, located on the terrace of the Hilton Doubletree are some of the best known. August offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a drink on Amsterdam's spectacular terraces that can only be enjoyed in the summer months.

One of Amsterdam's favourite summer activities is picnicking. Picnics are allowed in many of the city's parks and are a highly recommended August experience in the city of canals.

In addition to the Vondelpark, Amsterdam's best green spaces include the Museumplein park, located next to the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk, the Sarphati park in the Pijp district, and the Oosterpark in the Oost district. All have street food stalls and large shady grassy areas for a summer picnic.

There is plenty to see and do all year round in Amsterdam. However, August is one of the best months of the year to visit. August has the best temperatures of the year in the capital of the Netherlands. Summers in Amsterdam are not particularly hot and in August the maximum temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius. On occasional days it can get close to 30 degrees Celsius, but rarely reaches or exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. As for the minimum temperatures, they are usually in the range of 12 to 14 degrees Celsius. In short, it is a cool and pleasant summer where the heat does not play a major role.

However, it is not unusual for the skies to be cloudy in August. About 45% of the days in August are overcast. As for rain, there is a 30% chance of rain during August.

Summer is the peak season in Amsterdam. Thanks to the holiday periods and, above all, the good temperatures, the city is full of tourists. In addition, there are several festivals that attract thousands of people.

As a result, it is the month when it is most difficult to get a hotel room or a reservation in a restaurant. Queues for museums and tourist attractions are more common so in August it is almost obligatory to book everything in advance. Here is the link to buy tickets for the main museums in Amsterdam:

• Book your ticket for the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (and cruise).
• Book your ticket for the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket forthe Ripley Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket forthe Red Light Secrets Museum in Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket forthe Moco Museum Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket forThe Upside Down Museum Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket forthe NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam.
• Book your ticket forthe Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam.

As is typical of the high season months, prices rise considerably. In fact, August is, next to July, the most expensive month to visit Amsterdam. Due to high demand, prices in hotels and tourist flats rise significantly. Restaurants are also often more expensive to eat out, especially those close to the main tourist attractions.

Summer in Amsterdam is a bit different from what we are used to in Spain. The temperatures are milder and the nights are cooler, so you'll need to pack your luggage with a different mindset. The essentials you should pack in your suitcase if you are travelling to Amsterdam in August are:

• Typical summer trousers and shorts.
• Comfortable, coolshoes for sightseeing.
• Light jacket and warmer clothes for cooler days and nights.
• Swimwear and flip-flops for visiting Amsterdam's man-made beaches.
• A mackintosh is better than an umbrella, as winds are often strong in Amsterdam.