11 Things to Do in Amsterdam in September

September is a changeable month. In the first days of the month the good weather is still present but as it progresses it gives way to the arrival of cold weather and with it the city is cleared of tourists. Taking advantage of the last days of sunshine and pleasant temperatures, in September there are open-air events and many of the museums and monuments open their doors in a special way.

The eleventh month of the year is marked by the festival of open monuments, the theatre festival and the art galleries, among many other things that I invite you to discover below:

Amsterdam's weather in September is quite changeable and bad weather can make an appearance, especially at the end of the month. On these days, there's nothing better than taking shelter and visiting the **city'**s museums. Amsterdam is home to more than 50 museums of various kinds, some of which are world famous.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum are a must. These three are also located next to each other where the famous museum market is held. Very popular with the locals, it takes place in September and is made up of numerous stalls selling textiles, jewellery and very special stationery.

Another must-see museum on your trip to Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House Museum. And if you want to get away from the more typical ones, I recommend you:

• The Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam, where you can delve into Dutch life during the Second World War.
• The Upside Down Museum in Amsterdam, the largest European museum dedicated to Instagram.
• The Ripley Museum in Amsterdam, which has a world-leading collection of natural, scientific, artistic and human oddities.
• The Modern Contemporary Museum in the Dutch capital, also known as the Amsterdam Snot.
• The Amsterdam Diamond Museum, which has one of the most important collections of jewellery in Europe.
• The Amsterdam Jewish Museum, where you will explore the history of the Jewish community in Holland.

If you want to take the best pictures of your trip, book a canal cruise in Amsterdam in September and you won't be disappointed! With the characteristic light of this time of the year, you'll get pictures that are as good as the most beautiful postcards.

On this tour, which lasts about an hour, you will get to know these canals, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will also see some of the city's most characteristic sites, such as:

• Magere Brug: a double bascule bridge of Dutch architecture, typical of the 17th century.
• The Anne Frank House: the place where Anne Frank lived during the Second World War.
• The rich Golden Curve: a curved stretch of the Herengracht canal, which is surrounded by spectacular 17th and 18th century buildings.
• The popular Red Light District.

Plus, you won't miss any details of the architecture and history along the tour thanks to the audio guide- don't hesitate! You won't be disappointed.

With the last clear days of the year in September , it's a good time to see Amsterdam from above. There are many viewpoints, but I recommend two that are free of charge.

• The first, and considered the one with the best views, is the National Library. It is the largest public library in the country and from the terrace of its cafeterias on the top floor you can get the best views of Amsterdam.
• The other best option is the terrace of the NEMO Museum of Science and Technology, which is free of charge and has chairs and benches to enjoy the panoramic view in a relaxed atmosphere. To make sure you don't miss out on this experience, don't hesitate to book your ticket for the NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam.

September, especially in the beginning and middle of the month when the weather is still good, is an ideal time to take a trip to Bruges and discover this beautiful city characterised by its canals and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Together with a professional guide, you will discover this city known as the "Venice of the North" and see some of its main points of interest and most characteristic sites such as:

• The Plaza Mayor.
• The Hospital of San Juán.
• The Belfort bell tower.
• The Burg square.
• The Church of Our Lady.
• The Rosary Wharf.
• Minnewater Park.

A 12-hour excursion, including transport to and from the city and a chocolate tasting session. Remember: Belgium is the land of chocolate.

The last vestiges of summer and good weather are in the first days of September. This is the ideal time to stroll around and enjoy Amsterdam's many green spaces. In July and August the parks are full to overflowing, but in September you can enjoy them in a more relaxed atmosphere, even in pleasant temperatures.

The best known is the Vondelpark, which offers pleasant walks, grassy picnic areas, theatres and open-air concerts that only take place in summer. Other parks in the city include Rembrandtpark, Oosterpark and Museumplein.

The Dutch city's main event in September takes place on the second weekend of the month and is the Open Monument Weekend. During this time, buildings and monuments that are inaccessible during the rest of the year open their doors. This holiday is celebrated all over the country, but Amsterdam is where you can enjoy it the most because of its large number of buildings and landmarks.

Several private mansions with their spectacular canal-side gardens, castles and old factories are some examples of the sights you can visit during this weekend.

As well as seeing the inside of some of the buildings that are not usually open to the public, there are exclusive events and tours that are only available on these dates. If your visit to Amsterdam coincides with this weekend, don't miss the opportunity to get to know the city's secrets.

The Flower Market is one of Amsterdam's must-see sights. Since 1862 this market has been a favourite place for Amsterdammers to buy the flowers and plants that are so typical of the country. In fact, one of the best souvenirs and gifts you can buy in Amsterdam is a tulip bulb. The planting season for tulips begins in September and the market is filled with endless varieties of tulips.

If you want one of these flowers as a souvenir or gift, it is the perfect time to buy them and plant them so that they bloom in spring, as recommended by experts in the field. A visit to the flower market is a feast for the eyes and the nose.

Going to the theatre in Amsterdam is a tip I can give you all year round, but especially in the month of September. This is the month of the Dutch Theatre Festival and the city is filled with performing arts shows in Amsterdam's many theatres. This theatre festival also takes to the streets, with free dance, music and theatre performances in squares such as Amstelveld Square.

At the same time, other festivals take place in September, such as the Festival of the Strip and the Klassiek op het Amstelveld. Both festivals are free and open-air and feature a programme full of music, especially classical music, with established and emerging artists, bands, choirs and orchestras that enliven the streets and squares of Amsterdam.

September is also a month of sporting events. Two of the city's most important ones take place in this month. The first one is the Amsterdam City Swim. A swimming race that brings together some 3000 swimmers who participate to raise funds for associations for those affected by neurological diseases. The race takes place in Amsterdam's central canals and it is always a spectacle to see the swimmers swim the canals that are usually only used by boats.

Running enthusiasts also have their event. The Dam tot Damloop race brings together some 35,000 runners who follow a winding 16-kilometre route from Amsterdam to the centre of Zaandam. If you can't just watch it from the sidelines, you can join in and combine tourism with sport.

Amsterdam is full of art galleries. Many of them are free to visit, and September is one of the best times to do so. Thanks to another festival (Amsterdam is the festival capital for a reason) known as Unseen Amsterdam, a festival of contemporary photography, the art galleries are filled with exhibitions.

is an attraction for many international photographers and is used as an opportunity for talks and photography days around the city. If you are a lover of photography, Amsterdam is at its best in September. One of the most original things to do in Amsterdam.

Thanks to clear skies on some days and sunsets, September is one of the best months to take spectacular photographs of the city's beautiful canals. The most recommended spot to get one of the most characteristic and beautiful pictures of Amsterdam is at the corner of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht.

This is where the 15 Bridges Bridge is located. Climbing up to the Reguliersgracht Bridge we have several arched bridges in three different directions for a total of 15 bridges. The sunset gives us a spectacular photo from this point and at night they are also illuminated to offer us the ideal photo.

If there is one word that defines the weather in Amsterdam in September, it is changeable. In this transitional month between summer and autumn there are sunny, clear days and cooler, windy, cloudy days. Maximum temperatures are lower than in July and August and average around 20 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures drop as the days go by and are closer to 10 degrees Celsius.

Rain is a regular occurrence in Amsterdam and it is not uncommon to have 30 per cent of days with rain. However, September is generally a good month to visit the city of canals as the cold weather arrives later and stays well into spring.

Please note that September is still considered to be a high season month, but the difference compared to June, July and August is remarkable. The number of tourists drops a lot in this month partly because of the lower temperatures and partly because the summer holidays are over for many people, making it an ideal month to enjoy all there is to see and do in Amsterdam.

Although tourist numbers are down, you can still find queues at Amsterdam' s best museums and most popular sights, as well as difficulties finding accommodation, especially during the first fortnight. But these problems are much less common than in the peak summer months.

As far as prices are concerned, they are falling as tourist demand falls and the month progresses. In the first few days of the month demand is still high, so they remain the same, but as we move further into the month we do notice a drop in the price of hotels, accommodation and flights. However, prices are still far from their lowest in the winter months when the temperature drops almost as much as the number of tourists.

As September is a month of changeable weather we need to be well prepared and pack for different scenarios. Here's what you shouldn't miss in your luggage if you're travelling to Amsterdam in September:

• Lightweight clothing and even summer shorts and T-shirts, especially if you're travelling at the beginning of the month, as it's still warm out there.
• Jackets and warmer clothing are always a must.
• Comfortable shoes for long days strolling the streets of Amsterdam. If it's waterproof, it's best in case it rains.
• It is very likely to rain, but an umbrella is not the best option as it is often very windy in Amsterdam. A mackintosh is best.