Discover the Top Things to Do in Amsterdam During Every Season!

The mark of a truly great global city is the diversity of attractions it offers, from cultural treasures to unique events that people of all ages can enjoy. When it comes to variety, the Netherlands’ largest city doesn't disappoint. We've put together a list of the top things to do in Amsterdam during each season, so that you can make the most of this remarkable city – regardless of when you visit.

Amsterdam in spring is like a canvas filled with colour, and flowers are the most treasured symbol of the new season. You'll see vivid blooms all around the city, but the best time to see flowers in Amsterdam is during the Tulip Festival that takes place in April and features displays in more than 80 locations right across the city. If you have time for a short trip out of town, pay a visit to Keukenhof. This 32-hectare park is totally dedicated to seasonal flowers and is only open in spring! There are hundreds of varieties to be admired. Closer to the centre, the Bloemenmarkt is a unique Amsterdam experience in the form of a floating flower market with stalls set on barges along the Singel Canal.

Good to know: Keukenhof is open late March to mid-May. Tickets can be purchased online, and a shuttle bus runs from RAI Amsterdam. The Bloemenmarkt is open Monday to Saturday.

Spring is the perfect time for outdoor shopping in Amsterdam, when you can browse market stalls in ideal temperatures. Albert Cuypmarkt in the De Pijp district is one of the city's most famous street markets, and in fact it is the biggest in the whole of the Netherlands. The market has been around since 1905, and nowadays the 260 stalls are open every day except Sundays. You'll be able to pick up everything from shoes and jewellery to classic tasty treats such as stroopwafel cookies. Even if you're being pampered at a hotel and not heading home to cook, the displays of fresh vegetables and fish are a feast for the eyes and will make great Instagram photos too.

Good to know: The Albert Cuypmarkt opens Monday to Saturday 9.30 am to 5 pm. The closest Metro stop is De Pijp.

Getting around by bike is synonymous with the Amsterdam lifestyle, and these days visitors like to join the locals by whizzing around on two wheels. Just be sure to bike safely by staying in cycle lanes on the right-hand side of roads, using front and rear lights at night, and using turning signals by putting your hand out. The city has an incredible 400 kilometres of bicycle paths leading all around the metropolitan area, and there are plenty of places to rent a cycle, particularly around Leidseplein square and Centraal Station.

Amsterdam's canals were developed during the 17th-century as a way to transport goods, and they are now one of the most iconic symbols the city is best known for. In fact, the Canal Ring network surrounding the old centre was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. The canals can be appreciated from different bridges, with picturesque De Magere Brug ("the skinny bridge") over the Amstel river one of the most popular. Luckily, it's easy to get right out on the water by taking a cruise with a well-informed guide, or going it alone in a pedal boat, also known as a water bike. You can even try standup paddleboarding!

Good to know: The convenient Canal Cruise Ticket can be bought online in advance and is valid with all major tour operators.

Paris or Vienna might have a thing or two to say about it, but Amsterdam has a strong claim to be the capital of European café culture. In summer, you can soak up the sun while sipping a drink at everything from a small café with rickety sidewalk tables to high-end restaurants with rooftop terraces overlooking the city. Rembrandtplein, a bustling square in the old centre, is the perfect place for people-watching while enjoying an al fresco drink or meal. Alternatively, visit the largest roof terrace in the city on top of NEMO Science Museum, where you can eat at the restaurant or take your own picnic. To get a taste of Amsterdam's history, sip a drink at the Garden Terrace, a leafy courtyard venue set amid the 15th-century buildings of Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam.

Good to know: NEMO Science Museum, Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX  Amsterdam. The roof terrace is open 10 am to 5:30 pm daily, including Mondays when the museum is closed.

Watching a movie outdoors is one of the top things to do in Amsterdam during summer. There's a lot more to this experience than just pulling up a chair in the open air and enjoying a flick; moviegoers in the capital like to enjoy their films in extraordinary locations, including on sand or by the water. Some of the seasonal open-air cinemas in the capital are part of festivals or other events that only run for a few days, but others are open throughout summer. Films With a View at Pllek, a restaurant and bar focused on sustainability, runs from May to September with showings on Tuesdays. The screenings take place (weather permitting) on Pllek's artificial beach.

A visit to Vondelpark is one of the top free things to do in Amsterdam at any time of year, but with the summer crowds dwindling you'll find a new kind of peacefulness if you take a walk among the colourful leaves in autumn. Although temperatures drop considerably during October and November, there's still a chance you'll get some crisp sunny days that are perfect for an autumn stroll. Vondelpark is the biggest green space in the city, and is close to the centre a little west of the Rijksmuseum. With more than 400,000 trees in Amsterdam, you'll also find bright foliage along many city streets and canal-side paths.

On a chilly autumn afternoon, there's nothing better than stepping off a quaint street into a charming boutique store or cosy café when the wind starts to bite. You'll find exactly that at De 9 Straatjes, which the area's official website describes as "3x3 picturesque little streets and 4 canals in the middle of Amsterdam World Heritage Canal Belt." This neighbourhood in the central Grachtengordel area has been a vibrant hub for centuries, and today is brimming with independent shops selling antiques, vintage clothes and much more. There are also art galleries, along with cafés to take a break in when you need time to mull over which item to buy. The similarly bohemian Jordaan district is just a few minutes' walk away.

The opulent Royal Palace is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Amsterdam during autumn, because the many splendid rooms can be appreciated no matter what the temperature outside. You may find yourself gazing out of one of the ornate windows at the swaying trees on a windswept street just like royal residents did over the centuries. The building originated as a town hall in the 17th century, before King Louis Bonaparte turned it into a palace during the early 1800s. It is still an official building of the Dutch monarchy, and visitors are welcome any time when events like state visits or royal weddings are not taking place.

Some visitors to the Dutch capital wonder, can you spend three days in Amsterdam in autumn? With so many experiences to enjoy, the answer is a resounding "yes!".

Good to know: The Royal Palace Amsterdam, Dam Square. Open 10 am to 5 pm (6pm in summer) except during royal events. You can buy your tickets (Adults €12.50) online.

The world renowned museums in Amsterdam can (and should) be admired any time of year, but with fewer outdoor activities available in the city, it's good to know you can always rely on the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum for a memorable day out in winter. The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and focuses on the country's history alongside its remarkable collection of art. As well as pieces by revered Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer, the museum's 80 galleries feature international exhibits such as sculptures and pottery from across Asia. Also in the Museum Quarter and just steps away, the Van Gogh Museum has the biggest collection of the artist's works anywhere in the world. The museum also displays a selection of Van Gogh's letters that reveal much about the life of the post-impressionist master.

Another must-visit museum in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, with a deeply moving exhibition in the building in which the Dutch Jewish girl hid (and wrote her poignant diary) during World War II before being murdered by the Nazis.

Good to know:

• Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm. Buy tickets (adults €22.50, under-18s free) online.
• Van Gogh Museum, Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam. Usually open daily 9 am to 6 pm. Tickets (adults €20, under-18s free) must be bought online for a pre-arranged time slot.
• Anne Frank House, Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam. Open daily 9 am to 10 pm. Tickets (adults €16, 10–17 years €7, 0–9 years €1) must be bought online for a pre-arranged time slot.

Amsterdam has several Christmas markets, but the largest is right next to the Van Gogh Museum on Museumplein, one of the city's largest public spaces. Museumplein transforms into an ice rink from around mid-November to February, and the rink is lined with Christmas market stalls selling souvenirs, mulled wine and a huge variety of food. Just follow your nose as the irresistible scents cut through the cold winter air! There's also live music to get toes tapping and feet warmed up. If you're chatting with friends over a hot drink and someone asks you, "What is the number 1 tourist attraction in Amsterdam?" you can point right over at the Rijksmuseum lit up beautifully at night and say, "There it is!".

One event not to miss is Amsterdam Winterparadise at the RAI Amsterdam convention centre, which has indoor and outdoor ice-skating rinks as well as plenty more going on, including a Ferris wheel, live music, curling facilities and even an area for snowball fights!

Like Christmas markets, Amsterdam Light Festival is one of those events that's special enough to bring people out onto the street to mingle and celebrate no matter how chilly the weather is. The festival features art installations and light projects that illuminate the streets, mostly along canals in the old centre. Each annual festival has a different theme, with diverse concepts such as "AI" and "Imagination". The festival runs from around late November to late January. The displays can be enjoyed by taking a stroll along the streets at night, or by sailing along the canals, either on a guided cruise or independently using an official map. An audio guide is available, with artists telling the stories behind their work.

Even if you've visited Amsterdam many times before, we know this list will provide some new ideas for sights and experiences that will delight you during your next visit, whichever season that falls in. If you're planning your first visit to the Netherlands' much-loved capital, you're sure to find something to suit your tastes and interests right across the city. Good luck trying to decide which season to visit in... You might just have to try them all!