Vondel Magazine

Top Outdoor Activities in Amsterdam for Spring & Summer – Best Things to Do When the Sun is Out

Amsterdam truly comes alive under the spring and summer sun. From peaceful parks and waterways to lively festivals and hidden gardens, the city offers countless ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, here's your guide to the top outdoor experiences in Amsterdam during the warmer months.

1. Explore the city on two wheels

Cycling is an integral part of Amsterdam's culture. Rent a bike and navigate the city's extensive network of bike paths, discovering diverse neighborhoods, historic sites, and picturesque canals at your own pace.

For a more educational experience, consider joining a guided bike tour that explores the city's rich heritage and hidden gems.

Our hotels Hotel De Hallen and Pontsteiger offer convenient bike rental options, making it easy to begin your cycling adventure right from your doorstep.

2. Glide through the canals

Experience Amsterdam from a unique perspective by taking a canal cruise. Choose an open-air boat to soak up the sun as you pass through landmarks like the Skinny Bridge, the Anne Frank House, and the Jordaan district. Some cruises even offer dinner and drinks, turning your sightseeing into a culinary experience.

Hotel MAI Amsterdam, located right next to the canal cruise departure points, is the perfect starting base for your waterway journey.

3. Relax in Amsterdam's green spaces

Vondelpark: As the city's most famous park, Vondelpark is perfect for picnics, walks and people-watching. During summer, you can enjoy free performances at the open-air theatre.
Amsterdamse Bos: This expansive forested park offers a variety of activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, and even goat petting at the Ridammerhoeve farm.
- Each spring, the Kersenbloesempark in Amsterdamse Bos becomes a sea of pink as 400 cherry trees bloom united.

Hotel Van de Vijsel is located next to Vondelpark, giving you easy access to nature and the park's open-air theatre. Nearby, hotels Roemer and JL No76 also provide a serene stay in this lush area.

4. Engage in water sports

For the more adventurous, try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the city's canals. Early mornings are ideal for such experiences. Alternatively, rent a kayak and explore the waterways at your own pace, uncovering hidden parts of the city.

With several of our centrally located hotels, like Hotel MAI Amsterdam and Hotel De Hallen, you're never far from the city's top SUP and kayak rental spots.

5. Visit the floating flower market

The Bloemenmarkt, situated along the Singel canal, is the world's only floating flower market. Discover a vide variety of tulips, daffodils, and other blooms, or pick up some bulbs to take a piece of Amsterdam's floral tradition home with you.

6. Take a Day Trip

Zaanse Schans: Just a short journey from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans offers a glimpse into traditional Dutch life with its historic windmills, wooden houses, and artisan workshops.
Discover the dunes near Amsterdam: These areas offer hiking and biking trails, and you might even encounter Scottish Highland cattle grazing peacefully.

Hotel MAI Amsterdam is ideally located next to Amsterdam Central Station, making it easy to catch a train or bus for a spontaneous day trip.

7. Swim and relax at Sloterplas

Sloterplas, a large lake in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Don’t miss out on its surrounding park!

8. Enjoy open-air performances

During the summer months, Amsterdam hosts a variety of outdoor performances, from music concerts to theatrical productions. Keep an eye out for events in parks and public squares, offering entertainment under the open sky.

With Hotel Van de Vijsel located next to Vondelpark and our other hotels nearby, you can enjoy a front-row seat to the city's cultural happenings.

Check out this link for more information on Amsterdam’s open air scene:

Vondelpark open air theater: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-on/calendar/concerts-and-music/concerts/vondelpark-open-air-theatre
Open air cinemas: https://www.iamsterdam.com/uit/bioscopen-en-filmhuizen/openluchtbioscopen
Festivals & events: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-on/festivals-and-events

Whether you're here to cycle along canal-lined streets, unwind in green spaces, or catch summer performances under the stars, Amsterdam has a way of drawing you outdoors.

Make the most of your sunny escape by staying at one of our centrally-located boutique hotels.

From bike rentals at Hotel De Hallen and Hotel Pontsteiger, to Hotel MAI Amsterdam’s canal-side location near cruise departures and Central Station, or the artistic atmosphere of Hotel Mercier in Jordaan, we offer a home base to match your pace and preferences.

Looking to relax near Vondelpark? Hotel Van de Vijsel, Hotel Roemer, and JL No76 are just steps from this green haven and its lively open-air theatre.