A visit to Amsterdam in October is a great time to visit this stunning European gem. Amsterdam is a beautiful city with its unique colorful houses, maze of canals, and a plethora of restaurants and cafes. Every month in Amsterdam warrants a different adventure and October is no different.
October is officially the fall season in Amsterdam which means the leaves are changing colors, the weather is cooling off, and the city starts to feel more cozy and romantic. If you love fall and all that it brings, Amsterdam is the perfect place to fully feel this season. Plus, there are even some special events that take place in Amsterdam in October that should not be missed.
If you are planning a visit to Amsterdam in October use this post to guide you adventures. Prepare to fall in love with what the autumn season brings in the stunning city of Amsterdam.
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Amsterdam Weather in October
Amsterdam is a pretty mild city year-round. In October you can expect temperatures with highs of 15° and lows of 7° Celsius. However, don’t be surprised if you get an abnormally warm or cold day. The weather in Amsterdam is very unpredictable and in October you can sometimes get days with highs of over 20° and days of lows around 5°.
Always be prepared for the wind and rain that come often in Amsterdam. Getting rainy days or days with a ton of wind are commonplace, especially in the fall. In my experience living in Amsterdam, I have seen the month of October full of sun and warm days, and other Octobers that are full of rainy and cold days. The weather is unpredictable but rainy or cold is easy to workaround.
Things to do in Amsterdam in October
Enjoy Amsterdam Dance Event
One of the main draws to Amsterdam in October is the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). This five-day event takes place in mid-October and is Europes leading electronic dance music conference. Plus the world’s largest club festival. As one of the biggest dance music events of the year, it attracts DJ’s and visitors from around the world. For the entire week of this event, you will find conferences, panels, sound labs, and amazing parties. It is common to see famous DJ’s like Martin Garrix and Armin Van Burren walking the streets and hosting their own events.
During ADE there are parties and events scattered all around Amsterdam all five nights. The clubs and bars in the city are rented out and hosting special events you do not want to miss. Plus, during the weekend is the Amsterdam Music Festival which is a one-night party that welcomes 35,000 people and some of the world’s top Dj’s. Amsterdam Dance Event is one of the biggest dance music events of the year. Making it something any type of music lover can greatly appreciate. For updates and information on ADE check out their website.
Go to a Street Market
In October the street markets in Amsterdam are still in full swing packed with interesting Dutch items and finds. There are plenty of street markets in Amsterdam to explore such as Albert Cuyp Market, Westerstraat Street Market, Ten Kate Market, and more! Street markets are the best place to pick up fresh flowers, homemade stroopwafels, clothing, and local foods. It is also a great place to find a travel souvenir to bring home.
Eat the Best Apple Pie at Winkle 43
One of the most famous and popular Dutch desserts is apple pie, and there is nothing better than fresh apple pie in the middle of fall. Apple pie just screams fall with its cinnamon tastes and warm insides, it truly is the ultimate fall treat. In Amsterdam, you can find apple pie in various cafes and restaurants but none compare to the famous apple pie from Winkle 43. The apple pie from here attracts tons of people each day to the point that there is a constant line out the door. This is an October treat you don’t want to miss.
Visit the Anne Frank House
A visit to the Anne Frank House is a must no matter when you visit Amsterdam. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and for good reason. This house tells the story of a young Jewish girl who had to stay hidden in an attic behind a bookshelf during WW2. She kept a diary during her time in hiding and wrote about her experiences until she was discovered and taken to a concentration camp. Although she passed, her story and life live on through her diary which was published and is the best selling book.
*IMPORTANT: The Anne Frank House has now limited its amount of guests to 1 million a year. As a result, tickets ONLY go on sale ONLINE on the first Tuesday of the Month*
The exact attic she hid in is now open to the public to enter and learn about Anne Frank and her time in hiding. It is an unbelievably touching place to visit in Amsterdam that will move you and remind you of a past we should not soon forget.
Sample Dutch Cheese
The weather in Amsterdam in October is very hit or miss. You can get lucky and have sunshine and hot days or have endless days of rain. There is no way of predicting it but you have to take what you get and go with it. What’s great about Amsterdam is that there is quite a bit to do indoors so rainy weather won’t impact you horribly.
A unique indoor activity is heading into one of the cheese stores in Amsterdam (there are a ton) to test some of the unique Dutch cheese flavors. There are a ton of different flavors like pesto, beer, and old gouda that are just waiting to be sampled and enjoyed. Plus, if you find one you love you can take it home as a souvenir to share with friends and family.
Go to the Red Light District
The Red Light District is a very controversial spot in Amsterdam that people usually feel pretty strongly about. Despite how different and unorthodox it may seem from “regular” country laws, it is still a very interesting area to explore. The Red Light District has an almost carnival-like feel with neon lights, bars, and people flooding the streets.
Many tourists worry about their safety in the Red Light District but it is relatively safe until about 11 PM, and after this time it gets a little seedy. Also, the word relatively is used because, like anywhere, you should always exercise caution and beware of pickpocketers.
Go to Museum
Amsterdam is not just a beautiful city with unique laws and regulations, it is also a city full of history and culture. As a result, there are a ton of museums in Amsterdam all with captivating pieces of art and a diverse points of view. Some of the most popular museums in Amsterdam are:
- Rijksmuseum – Art from middle ages to present.
- Van Gogh Museum – Dedicated to works from Vincent Van Gogh.
- Moco – Museum of Modern Art with pieces from Andy Warhol, Banksy & more.
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam – Modern and contemporary art and design.
But if you are looking for a museum that is a little different than the norm here are some other amazing options:
- Heineken Experience – Shows how Heineken beer is made.
- Museum of Bags and Purses – A Museum dedicated to bags and purses from throughout history.
- Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic Museum) – 17th-century house with a hidden church in the attic.
- FOAM – Museum of photography.
Walk Around the Jordaan
The Jordaan is one of the most beautiful areas in Amsterdam and is beautiful to walk around in the fall month of October. This area is located West of Amsterdams center and is a more local and high-end area of the city. It is full of canals with trees lining them which look stunning when the leaves start to change color and fall to the ground. This area is one of the most Instagrammable places in Amsterdam year-round, and really shines in the fall.
The Jordaan is not only for walking around and admiring, but it is also home to the famous 9 streets of Amsterdam. The nine streets are a collection of nine streets that hold vintage boutiques, trendy shops, and cozy cafes and restaurants. It is a very popular place to visit in the Jordaan for picking up some new clothes or enjoy some food or a drink at one of the many cafes.
Enjoy a Warm Drink at a Cafe
Amsterdam is cafe heaven! There are cafes around every corner all with delicious coffees, teas and of course sweets. In October the weather can be a little bit cooler and if this is the case getting a hot drink to warm up with or walk around with is essential. Luckily, you can find cafes everywhere and getting a nice drink, and sitting in a cozy cafe is a great way to spend some time unwinding and planning your day.
Read more: Best Cafes in Amsterdam
Have a Picnic in the Park
Picnics in the park are very common in Amsterdam, and if the weather permits in October, it is an awesome thing to do. There are quite a few parks in Amsterdam, the most famous being Vondelpark, but others like Westerpark, Oosterpark, and Rembrandt Park are also great options. All you need for a nice picnic in the park are some snacks from the grocery store, a blanket, and a bottle of wine.
Go on a Boat Ride
Riding peacefully through the canals of Amsterdam on a boat is one of the best ways to see the city and become a part of the Dutch lifestyle. There are a ton of canal cruise companies for you to choose from but for the best canal cruise experience, it is best to go on a special boat or private boat.
The giant, generic canal cruises are nice for seeing the city, but with a special canal cruise tour, you get extras like drinks and food that make it all the more enjoyable.
Take a Day Trip
The Netherlands is small which is why day trips to other cities is very easy. While visiting Amsterdam in October taking a day trip to one of these other cities is a great idea to see a different side to the beautiful country. Here is a list of all the best places to go on a day trip from Amsterdam:
- Haarlem
- Utrecht
- Rotterdam
- Den Haag
- Zaanse Schans
- & more!
Eat a Fresh Stroopwafel
The most classic Amsterdam sweet that every visitor must try is a Stroopwafel. It is simply two thin waffles stuck together with gooey caramel and it is delicious. In Amsterdam in October you can find these in street markets and specialty shops around the city and get them made fresh right in front of your eyes.
What to pack for Amsterdam in October
Here are you packing essentials for Amsterdam in October.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
For a complete guide on the best areas to stay in while visiting Amsterdam check out this post. Use this map to find a hotel in the area of your choice.
Booking.comAmsterdam in October is full of exciting things to do and interesting things to see and experience. It is a beautiful time of year and will surely give you the ultimate fall vacation.
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SSW
This was a very extensive and helpful travel guide. Have pinned for later! 🙂
Great guide! Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities and I can’t wait to visit once this pandemic is over.
Also the tourist season starts to die down a bit come October! It’s a really good time to come 🙂
I spent 7 days in Amsterdam in 2019 and loved every minute of my stay. I did everything on your list except attending a dance event and eating apple pie. Amsterdam is such an easy city to get around. I also found the Jewish Museum very thought provoking.
I’ve been to Amsterdam few years ago and seems like there were so much more to do. The stroopwaffle looks so good too. Love your article and thanks for sharing!