Unveil Amsterdam’s vibrant October 2025! Dive into must-see festivals, stunning canals, and cultural gems. Plan your unforgettable visit now. Save this article for later!
October is the time when people start wearing cozy sweaters because the air feels cooler and the days get shorter. It’s the season when leaves change colors and everyone knows that autumn has arrived.
Amsterdam welcomes the cozy season with open arms. The buildings are like autumn leaves, in shades of red, brown, and orange. The city is buzzing with fun things to do and see, especially when it’s cool and rainy.
If you’ve never been to Amsterdam, sometimes called the “Venice of the North,” here are some great tips to help you enjoy your visit!
Amsterdam weather in October
In October, the weather in Amsterdam can change a lot, and it often rains. So, it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella and shoes that won’t get too wet. If it does rain, check out our guide on fun things to do in Amsterdam when it’s wet outside.
You should know it’s usually 15 degrees during the day and can drop to around 8 degrees at night. If you’re excited to see the pretty colors of fall, October is the best time to visit Amsterdam.
Autumn begins in September, but the leaves start changing colors near the end of the month. By mid-October, the trees in the city become really colorful, showing off the bright fall colors.
In early November, the leaves all come down from the trees, turning yellow, brown, and burnt orange. But remember, this can change each year.
Dressing Guide for Amsterdam in October
In early fall, the weather in Amsterdam can be tricky, so it’s smart to wear layers. This means packing cozy ankle boots, warm jackets, cardigans, dresses that you can easily layer, and nice warm tights.
I really like this store for buying nice dresses that fit in well in Europe. Before you visit, remember that Amsterdam has different plug sockets than the ones in North America or the UK.
Take a handy travel adapter with you so your gadgets work everywhere. Although people mostly speak English, it’s kind to learn a few Dutch words too. A small book with easy phrases can help you with that.
Activities in Amsterdam During October
Snap photos of the fall foliage
In autumn, Amsterdam is like a very pretty picture. The trees turn golden and their colors shine in the quiet water of the canals. The winding canals make the city look magical.
If you want to take the best pictures, go to the Jordaan area. That’s where you’ll find the oldest and coolest houses by the canals in the whole city.
In autumn, if you want to see lots of colorful leaves, you should visit Vondelpark, which is the biggest park in Amsterdam. It has plenty of paths to walk or cycle on, and there’s even a theater outside.
Vondelpark is a great place to have fun any time of the year. In fall, you can wear your scarf and gloves, breathe the cool October air, and watch how everything is changing around you.
Cosy up in a cute café or bar
Amsterdam is full of great places where you can grab a special coffee or try a local beer. You can relax with your friends, do some studying, or even make new friends in these bars and cafés. Just remember, a coffee shop is something different!
When I went to Amsterdam, I loved going to Cafe de Sluyswacht. It’s an old house by the canal, where a canal keeper used to live. They have yummy vegan Bitterballen, which is a tasty local treat without any meat!
Int’Aepjen is a cool old wooden bar right in the heart of Amsterdam for those who love history. Here, you can try local beers and imagine a time when sailors would swap monkeys for drinks! The drinks don’t cost too much, and it feels like stepping back in time.
Discover hidden gems of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is full of fun surprises and odd, little places to explore. There are tiny canal houses tucked between buildings, the city’s oldest café, and even a whole museum just about cats. There’s something special for everyone to find!
In October, when the summer crowds go home, Amsterdam becomes quieter. You’ll find fewer people around, making it a perfect time to take photos and explore everywhere you like.
Some of my favorite special places in Amsterdam are getting the tastiest cookie from Van Stapele and visiting De Waag, which is the oldest building in the city that’s not a church.
Enjoy the best of Amsterdam museums
When the leaves fall and the nights get chilly, it’s the perfect time to go inside and check out all the cool places and museums the city has.
If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, you should definitely go to the Rijksmuseum, where you can see lots of famous Dutch paintings. Be sure to get your tickets ahead of time. If you’ve been to the city before, there are plenty of secret spots and unique museums to explore.
You can visit the Rembrandt House Museum, which used to be the famous artist’s home. You can get your tickets here. The Willet-Holthuysen Museum lets you see what old canal houses looked like. You can buy tickets here too.
Explore the forgotten hofjes of Amsterdam
The Begijnhof is a special place in Amsterdam that’s a little hidden and not crowded like other parts of the city. It’s the most famous secret garden there.
Not everyone knows, but in Amsterdam, there are secret courtyards and little corners that are lovely to see. In the autumn, the leaves turn beautiful colors and make these paths even prettier.
Take a day trip from Amsterdam in the autumn
Amsterdam is a great starting point for trips because it’s in the Netherlands and has good trains and buses to other places. Check out our guide to find the best day trips you can take!
You can take fun trips to see the pretty fall leaves in places like Leiden, a really old city that looks like Amsterdam from a long time ago, and Rotterdam, a cool and modern city.
Celebrate Halloween in Amsterdam
Every year, the 31st of October means Halloween is here. There are lots of fun, spooky parties where people dress up in costumes. You can find all the details for this year in our guide.
Preparing in advance
If you want to see lots of cool places and famous spots in Amsterdam, you might like the I Amsterdam City Card. It lets you enter 70 museums and attractions for free and use public transport to get around.
To see if the pass is a good deal for you, add up the tickets for all the places you want to visit. If the total is more than the cost of the pass, you might save money. There’s more info available if you need it.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a big and important city in Europe, so there are lots of places where you can stay. But because it’s so popular, it can be more expensive than other cities in the Netherlands.
Once you know when you’re going to travel, book your place to stay right away. This way, you can get a good price and make sure you stay where you want to.
The Flying Pig Downtown is a well-liked hostel right in the heart of Amsterdam, close to the main train station. It offers different dorm sizes, from small ones with four beds to big ones with 32 beds, so it fits all kinds of budgets. Take a look to see prices and if there are free spots.
Eden Hotel Amsterdam is a nice, tidy place with lovely rooms in various sizes. It’s right in the middle of Amsterdam. You can look at prices and see if there are rooms open.
Want to Explore More?
INNSiDE by Meliá Amsterdam is a pretty hotel with amazing views of the city. The rooms are big and modern, with cozy beds and fancy bathrooms. The hotel also has a gym, a bar, and a restaurant. See if you can find prices and open rooms.
Liked learning about the fun things to do in Amsterdam in October? Save this article now so you can read it again later.
