Your Guide for the Best of Amsterdam in October (2025 Events)
Last Updated on 1st September 2025 by Charlotte Nadeau
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Fall tones, cosy cafés, and the opportunity to hide away in one of Amsterdam’s many museums from the unpredictable Autumnal weather. October is easily one of the best times to visit Amsterdam, and not just because the golden leaves provide picture-perfect moments to photograph of the city. Here’s your guide on the best things to do in Amsterdam in October 2025!
October is the month when those who were clinging on to the summer finally accept that the crisp evenings and dark nights have taken over, and Autumn is officially here to stay for a while.
Amsterdam is one of those destinations that welcomes the cosy season, not only are its buildings already painted tones of red, brown and pumpkin spice, but the city itself is filled with a multitude of activities and sights which are best enjoyed when temperatures are cooler and there’s a higher chance of rain.
If it’s your first time in the Venice of the North, then check out our best Amsterdam travel tips to help you make the most of your visit!
Contents
Reasons for visiting Amsterdam in October…
- Fewer crowds – Amsterdam is a year-round destination however, its tourism levels peak between May to August.
- Cheaper accommodation prices – Less tourism typically comes with lower prices, which makes a difference.
- Autumn colours – Who doesn’t love the burning orange and yellow umber tones of Autumn? These are especially beautiful when reflected in the canals meandering through the city.
- Cultural events – Events take place throughout the season, but come Halloween, the city will come to life with trick or treaters as well as plenty of spooky themed parties and costume club nights.
Amsterdam weather in October
Like much of Northern and Western Europe, the weather in Amsterdam during October is very changeable and showers are frequent. As such, I’d highly recommend bringing an umbrella and some semi-waterproof shoes in case you get caught out in the rain. Read our guide on how to spend a rainy day in Amsterdam.
Otherwise, you should know that the average temperatures are highs of 15 degrees and lows of 8 degrees. And, if you’re visiting the Dutch capital with the hope of enjoying the best of fall colours, then October is typically the best time of year to see them.
Autumn officially starts in September, but the leaves only begin changing colour towards the end of the month and carry on through to October. As such, the most vivid fall colours can be seen in mid-October when the city’s some 400,000 trees are a vision of the season.
The yellow, brown and burnt orange leaves finally all fall from the trees during the beginning of November. Though it’s worth noting, these timings are entirely dependent from year to year.
What to wear in Amsterdam in October
As a result of the less than easy to predict weather, the best way to pack for Amsterdam come early fall is to bring along plenty of layers. What this means is bringing along cute ankle boots like these ones, warm jackets, cardigans, easy-to-layer dresses, and plenty of warm tights.
I particularly love this company for purchasing pretty dresses that blend in perfectly in Europe. You should know before you go that Amsterdam uses the same plug sockets as much of continental Europe, which will be different from what you typically use if you’re from North America or the UK.
Bring along a universal travel adapter like this one to help you get by. And while English is widely spoken, it’s only polite to learn a few words of the local language; in this case Dutch. Bring a simple phrasebook like this one with you.
Things to do in Amsterdam in October
Snap photos of the fall foliage
Amsterdam is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe in the fall thanks to its abundance of beautiful fall foliage reflected against the calm canals that meander and make up the city.
For some of the very best photo opportunities, I recommend heading to the Jordaan district. After all, this is where the most historic canal-side houses are to be seen in the entirety of the city.
For those who wish to see beautiful fall foliage in the context of parkland, it’s worth heading to Amsterdam’s biggest park, Vondelpark. Expansive and enormous, the green space is home to a plethora of walking trails, cycle paths and even an open-air theatre.
Vondelpark is one of the best places to enjoy the city all year round, particularly in fall when you can wrap up warm in a scarf and gloves, breathing in the crisp and fresh October air while watching the world go by and enjoying the change of seasons.
Cosy up in a cute café or bar
Whether you’re in search of a speciality coffee or wish to sample a local beer, Amsterdam has no shortage of wonderful bars and cafés where you can hang out with friends, study, or meet new people. (Note: a coffee shop is an entirely different thing!)
During a recent visit to Amsterdam, I particularly enjoyed frequenting Cafe de Sluyswacht. Housed against the backdrop of De Oude Schans canal, the café is set within a former 17th-century canal keeper cottage. Plus, they serve vegan Bitterballen for those who wish to sample a local delicacy with a meat-free twist!
For those who are fans of history and don’t feel like veering too far away from central Amsterdam, Int’Aepjen is a quintessentially Dutch wooden bar where local beers are served in a traditional setting. Reasonably priced drinks can be purchased against the backdrop of a historic drinking establishment where sailors once traded monkeys for drinks!
Cosy cafés to check out in Amsterdam:
- Polaberry – the most Instagrammable café in Amsterdam? Read our guide here.
- Back to Black – Weteringstraat 48, 1017 SP
- Café De Prins – Prinsengracht 124, 1015 EA
- Jones Brothers Coffee Company – Sint Willibrordusstraat 54, 1073 VC
- De Koffieschenkerij – Oudekerksplein 27, 1012 GX
In Amsterdam, ‘coffee shops’ tend to refer to a type of cannabis retail outlet
Hidden, secret, and oh-so-quirky, there are plenty of unusual things to do in Amsterdam. From miniature canal houses hidden between two brick buildings, to the oldest café in the city and even a museum dedicated entirely to cats, there’s something offbeat to discover for even the most discerning of travellers.
Come October, you’ll be even more delighted to discover that the crowds of the summer dissipate, leaving behind a much emptier city where you can snap photos and explore to your heart’s content.
Some personal favourite hidden gems include purchasing the best cookie in Amsterdam from Van Stapele and discovering De Waag, the oldest non-religious building in Amsterdam.
Enjoy the best of Amsterdam museums
When the leaves start dropping and the evenings become colder, there’s no better excuse than to head inside and explore the many cultural hubs and institutions that the city has to offer.
If it’s your first time in Amsterdam, then you should head to the Rijksmuseum, which is home to many Dutch Masterpieces. Book your tickets here in advance. For those who have seen the city before, there are more hidden gems and unusual museums on offer.
For example, the Rembrandt House Museum offers the chance to visit the former artist’s home. Buy the tickets here. While the beautifully appointed Willet-Holthuysen Museum shows a glimpse into the canalside houses of times gone by. Buy the tickets here.
AMSTERDAM MUSEUMS TO VISIT
- STRAAT – The world’s biggest street art museum
- Anne Frank Haus – An important place to consider visiting
- Museum Vrolik – A world of human anatomy and all things seen on the inside
- Van Gogh Museum – A huge collection and history of the artist’s life and work
- The Mouse Mansion – This is technically a shop/studio visit
- Geelvinck Pianola Museum – Home to a collection of self-playing pianos
- Grachtenmuseum – Museum of the Canals, a fascinating look at how the city came to be known as the “Venice of the North”
- Huis Marseille – Amsterdam’s first photography museum
- Foam – An eclectic exhibition space and museum focused on photography
- The Museum of the Mind – A weird and wonderful glimpse into ‘Outsider Art’
Explore the forgotten hofjes of Amsterdam
Secluded, off the beaten tourist track, and away from the crowds of the rest of the city, truth be told, the most famous of the Amsterdam hofjes is that of Begijnhof.
However, what many visitors to Amsterdam don’t know is that there is a wealth of hidden courtyards and corners worth discovering, especially during the autumn when the fall foliage beautifully frames the passageways.
Take a day trip from Amsterdam in the autumn
Thanks to its position in the Netherlands and with easy transport links to the rest of the country, Amsterdam provides a great base from which to explore the wider reaches of the Netherlands. Read our guide on the best day trips from the Dutch capital here.
Some of the best day trips for seeing fall foliage include the beautiful city of Leiden (so historic that it’s often filmed to stand in for 17th-century ‘authentic’ Amsterdam) and the beautiful modern city of Rotterdam.
Celebrate Halloween in Amsterdam
Of course, the last day of October, i.e. the 31st of the month, heralds Halloween. Each year, there are a plethora of spooky Halloween events around costumed themed-parties that take place at the end of the month. Check the full guide for this year here.
Planning ahead of time
If you’re thinking about seeing a lot of attractions and monuments while in Amsterdam, Consider purchasing the I Amsterdam City Card, which includes free access free admission to 70 museums and attractions in Amsterdam and region and access to public transportation.
To work out whether or not the pass is worth it for you or not, add up the cost of the individual attractions you wish to visit and see if you’ll save money. Find more details here.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
As one of the most important cities in Europe, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Amsterdam, though of course this does come at a premium and the city is much more expensive than other cities in the Netherlands!
You should also be sure to book your accommodation as soon as you know your travel dates so as to secure the best rates and also be sure to be able to book the place you actually want to stay.
Flying Pig Downtown – This a popular city centre hostel, located right next to Amsterdam Central Station. With dorms sleeping from four to 32 people, there’s something for all budgets here! Check prices and availability here.
Eden Hotel Amsterdam – A bright, clean hotel with beautifully decorated rooms of different sizes, located in the centre of Amsterdam. Check prices and availability here.
INNSiDE by Meliá Amsterdam – This beautiful hotel boasts breathtaking views over the city centre. Rooms are spacious and modern, with comfortable beds and luxury bathrooms. There is also a fitness centre, bar and restaurant on-site. Check prices and availability here.
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