Amsterdam Holidays 2024/2025

The perfect place for a great getaway, a holiday to Amsterdam has everything you could ever want and more with great museums and galleries, amazing cuisine, and some of Europe’s hottest nightlife. Amsterdam holidays give you a great opportunity to explore a new city and culture.

Art and culture

Captivating museums are another attraction at the heart of all Amsterdam holidays. There’s  the Van Gogh Museum where you can explore art from the incredible world famous artist and all about his life. Don’t forget the Anne Frank Museum too, giving you a glimpse into the life of the Jewish Frank family during World War Two, encapsulating so many historical memories that are still astounding to this day. 

An Amsterdam city break would not be complete without a visit to the Dutch National Opera. It’s the largest opera house in the Netherlands, which has housed audiences for over 70 years showcasing the wonder, beauty and meaning of opera and ballet. Catching a production would be truly magical but be sure to research and book before you land in the city for they’re incredibly popular and you don’t want to be disappointed.

Canal cruising

Venice or Amsterdam? You’ll find yourself questioning where you are when cruising the canals through Amsterdam. The beautiful canals are a huge attraction to holidaymakers across the world. Picture perfect views are found all around the city and around every single corner and what better way to explore them than by boat. Amsterdam’s canals are an UNESCO World Heritage Site, flowing across more than 100 km through the picturesque city centre, getting you up close to some famous sights and fascinating points of interest. 

There’s plenty of themed tours to choose from when you’re looking at exploring the canals on your Amsterdam holiday. Treat yourself to a cocktail cruise or even a pizza cruise and take in the views in style with some great food and drink. For those looking for a romantic setting there’s candlelit cruises for couples too, adding a touch of class to your evening or day. How about a wine and cheese cruise? There really is so much to choose between to best experience Amsterdam by boat, your way.

Bustling nightlife

Amsterdam holidays may be known for the exposure to history and culture, but it’s also one of Europe’s hottest destinations for nightlife. By night Amsterdam comes to life with bars, dance festivals and club nights offering a chance to see the environment in the dark. This energetic city charms on every single level, with everything from techno and house, to hip hop, funk and jazz. There’s something for every taste.

If you want to try a spot of underground clubbing, Shelter is on Amsterdam’s northern waterfront in the basement of A’DAM Tower and hosts all kinds of electronic music. Or, for the complete opposite, head to Thuishaven in the summer for an open air stage and dance floor set up with music across all genres. 

Experience history and culture throughout the day then dance the night away at a fantastic venue, ready to do it all again the next day.

Dutch cuisine

Not only is there so much to do when it comes to culture, art and canals, there’s also plenty to treat your tastebuds to as well. Dutch delicacies such as raw herring, Gouda cheese and gooey Stroopwafels are a must.

Let’s start with the perfect Dutch snack alongside a few drinks. Bitterballen are deep fried, crispy balls which are usually served with mustard for dipping and they’re found in most of Amsterdam’s pubs so there’s really no excuse for not trying them. Moving on to something sweet, when in Amsterdam you must try a stroopwafel. You may have had one of these at home but it’s not the same from a Dutch market or bakery. These are two thin waffles glued together with caramel that go on top of your hot drink to make them go hot and gooey. 

How about some poffertjes (mini pancakes)? With generous amounts of sugar and butter, this sweet treat is a popular snack at all of Amsterdam’s markets and you can layer them up with some nutella or syrup. The locals enjoy them just as they are with the powdered sugar and butter, so if you’re really throwing yourself into Dutch life, try that!

The weather

Amsterdam holidays are for exploring and trying new things and the climate here is perfect for it! The winter months, December, January and February, can often run cold at under 10°C while May to September can warm up to around 22°C. If you’re not afraid to pile on the layers, the winter months in Amsterdam can be beautiful. Cosy up in a canal side café and enjoy some hearty food, and you may even be lucky enough to experience a bit of snowfall! You can also often find the cheapest deals for Amsterdam holidays in the winter months. 

There’s plenty of daylight in the summer in Amsterdam meaning there’s lots of time to do everything you want. Grab a boat ride along the canal, enjoy an open-air music festival, or visit the Van Gogh museum, you can even hire a bike and explore Amsterdam on your own accord. The summer months are often the busiest so be sure to book your tickets to attractions in plenty of time to avoid any disappointment.