11 Things to Do in Amsterdam in September

September is a month of change. In the first few days of the month, the good weather is still present, but as the month progresses, it gives way to the arrival of the cold, and with it, the city clears of tourists. Taking advantage of the last days of sunshine and pleasant temperatures, September is a month for outdoor events, and many museums and monuments open their doors in a special way.

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

The weather in Amsterdam in September is quite changeable, so bad weather can make an appearance, especially at the end of the month. On these days, there is 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-renowned.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, and the Stedelijk Museum are must-sees. These three are also located together where the famous museum market is held. Well known and frequented by locals, it takes place in September and consists of numerous stalls selling textiles, jewelry, and very unique stationery items.

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

• The Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam, where you can learn about Dutch life during World War II.
• The Upside Down Museum in Amsterdam, the largest museum in Europe dedicated to Instagram.
• The Ripley's Museum in Amsterdam, which has an outstanding collection of natural, scientific, artistic, and human curiosities.
• The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in the Dutch capital, also known as the Moco Amsterdam.
• The Jewish Museum Amsterdam, where you can explore the history of the Jewish community in the Netherlands.

If you want to take the best photos of your trip, you have to book a cruise through the canals of Amsterdam in September. You won't be disappointed! With the characteristic light of this time of year, you'll get photos that rival even the most beautiful postcards.

On this tour, which lasts approximately one hour, you'll discover these canals, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You'll also see some of the city's most characteristic landmarks, such as:

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

What's more, you won't miss a single detail of the architecture and history along the route thanks to the audio guide. Don't hesitate! The experience will not disappoint you.

Since September brings the last days of the year with clear skies, it's a great time to see the city of Amsterdam from above. There are many viewpoints to choose from, but I recommend two that are also free.

• The first, considered to have the best views, is the National Library. It is the largest public library in the country and from the terrace of its cafes on the top floor you can enjoy the best views of Amsterdam.
• The other best option is the terrace of the NEMO Science and Technology Museum, which is free to access and has chairs and benches so you can relax and enjoy the panoramic view. Don't miss out on this experience—book your ticket to the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam now.

September, especially at 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 characterized by its canals and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.

Accompanied by a professional guide, you will discover this city known as the "Venice of the North" and see some of its main attractions and most characteristic sites, such as:

• The Main Square.
• The Hospital of St. John.
• The Belfort bell tower.
• The Burg Square.
• The Church of Our Lady.
• The Rosary Pier.
• Minnewater Park.

A 12-hour excursion that includes round-trip transportation and a chocolate tasting. Remember: Belgium is the country of chocolate.

The last vestiges of summer and good weather can be enjoyed in the first days of September. It's the ideal time to stroll and enjoy Amsterdam's many green spaces. In July and August, the parks are overflowing with people, but in September you can enjoy them in a more peaceful atmosphere and still with pleasant temperatures.

The best known is the Vondelpark, which offers pleasant walks, lawns for picnics, and open-air theaters and concerts that only take place in summer. Other parks in the city include the Rembrandtpark, the Oosterpark, and the Museumplein.

The main event in the Dutch city 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 festival is celebrated throughout the country, but Amsterdam is where you can enjoy it the most due to its large number of buildings and landmarks.

Several private mansions with spectacular gardens on the banks of the canals, castles, and old factories are just some examples of the places of interest that can be visited this weekend.

In addition to seeing the interior of some buildings that are not usually open to the public, there are exclusive events and tours that can only be done on these dates. If your visit to Amsterdam coincides with this weekend, don't miss the opportunity to discover the city's secrets.

The flower market is one of Amsterdam's must-see attractions. Since 1862, this market has been a favorite among Amsterdammers for buying 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. September marks the beginning of the planting season for this plant, which is why the market is filled with endless varieties of tulips.

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

Going to the theater in Amsterdam is something I can recommend all year round, but especially in September. This month, the Dutch theater festival is held and the city is filled with performing arts shows in Amsterdam's many theaters. This theater festival also takes to the streets, and in some squares, such as Amstelveld Square, free dance, music, and theater performances are offered.

At the same time, other festivals are held in September, such as the Franja Festival and Klassiek op het Amstelveld. Both are free and open-air events with a program full of music, especially classical music, featuring established and emerging artists, music groups, 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 events take place this month. The first is the Amsterdam City Swim. This swimming race brings together around 3,000 swimmers who participate to raise funds for associations that support people with neurological diseases. The race takes place in the central canals of Amsterdam and it is always a spectacle to see the swimmers swimming through the canals that are usually only navigated by boats.

Running enthusiasts also have their own event. The Dam tot Damloop race brings together around 35,000 runners who follow a winding 16-kilometer route from Amsterdam to the center of Zaandam. If watching from the sidelines isn't enough for you, you can join in and combine tourism with sport.

Amsterdam is full of art galleries. Many of them can be visited free of charge, 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 contemporary photography festival, the art galleries are filled with exhibitions.

It attracts many international photographers and is used as an opportunity to hold talks and photography workshops around the city. If you love photography, Amsterdam shows its best side in September. One of the most original things you can do in Amsterdam.

Thanks to the clear skies on some days and its sunsets, September is one of the best months for taking spectacular photographs of the city's beautiful canals. The best spot for taking one of the most characteristic and beautiful photographs of Amsterdam is on the corner of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht streets.

This is where the 15 Bridges Bridge is located. Climbing up to the Reguliersgracht bridge, we find several arch bridges in three different directions, adding up to a total of 15 bridges. The sunset provides us with a spectacular photo from this spot, and at night they are also illuminated to offer us the ideal photograph.

If there is one word that defines the climate in Amsterdam in September, it is changeable.
In this month of transition between summer and fall, there are sunny, clear days and colder, windy, cloudy days. Maximum temperatures drop compared to July and August and average around 20 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures drop as the days go by and approach 10 degrees.

Rain is still common in Amsterdam, and it is normal for there to be 30% of days when rain makes an appearance. However, September is generally a good month to visit the city of canals, considering that the cold weather arrives later and stays well into spring.

Keep in mind that September is still considered a high season month, but the difference compared to June, July, and August is noticeable. Tourist numbers drop significantly this month, partly due to the drop in temperatures and partly because summer vacation is over for many people, making it an ideal month to enjoy everything there is to see and do in Amsterdam.

Although the number of tourists decreases, you may still encounter queues at Amsterdam's best museums and most popular monuments, as well as difficulties in finding accommodation, especially during the first half of the month. However, these problems are much less common than in the peak summer months.

Prices fall as tourist demand decreases and the month progresses. In the first few days of the month, demand is still high, so prices remain steady, but as the month progresses, there is a noticeable drop in the cost of hotels, accommodation, and flights. However, prices are still far from their lowest, which occurs in the winter months when the temperature drops almost as much as the number of tourists.

Given that September is a month of changeable weather, we need to be well prepared and pack clothes for different scenarios. Here's what you shouldn't forget to pack if you're traveling to Amsterdam in September:

• Lightweight clothing, including shorts and summer T-shirts, as there are still warm days, especially if you are traveling at the beginning of the month.
• Jackets and warmer clothes are always a must.
• Comfortable shoes for long days walking around Amsterdam. Waterproof shoes are best in case it rains.
• It is very likely to rain, but in these cases an umbrella is not the best option as it is usually very windy in Amsterdam. A raincoat is recommended.