When to visit

Amsterdam enjoys a fairly standard temperate climate, with warm, if characteristically mild summers and moderately cold and wet winters. Theclimate is certainly not severe enough to make very much difference to thecity’s routines, which makes Amsterdam an ideal all-year destination. Thatsaid, high summer – roughly late June to August – sees the city’s parks packed to the gunnels and parts of the centre almost overwhelmed bytourists, whereas spring and autumn are not too crowded and can be especially beautiful, with mist hanging over the canals and low sunlight beaming through the cloud cover. Indeed, Amsterdam has more than its fair shareof cloudy days at any time of the year, but even in January andFebruary, when things can be at their gloomiest, there arecompensations – wet cobbles glistening under the street lights and the canals rippled by falling raindrops. In thesummer, from around June to August, mosquitoes canbe bothersome. At any time of the year, but particular-ly in summer, try to book your accommodation well ahead of time.