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The coolest urban beaches of Amsterdam

These days when the temperatures are unusually high in Amsterdam, regular sightseeing might get more tiresome and maybe even somewhat boring. This nice sunny weather (that won’t last long by the way, since it’s the Netherlands!) make you want to spend some time chilling, catching a suntan and having a drink next to the water. If you’re still wondering how locals enjoy themselves during the summer in Amsterdam, then continue reading to discover cool hang out spots and urban beaches.

Of course, you might think that we will be recommending you the easiest ways to get to Zandvoort or Bloemendaal beaches, which are great for a swim in the Northern see or observing the Dutch turning red. And even though they are perfect for some sand and nature explorations, we will draw your attention to a different kind of beaches that Amsterdam has to offer even within a shorter distance.

Pllek

Hop on a free ferry behind the Central Station and find yourself at the NDSM wharf on the other side of the IJ that turn outs to be all cool and hip. Industrial Pllek will greet you with its creative vibe, live music or DJs playing and cold beers. Just relax on giant bean bags, try some good food and admire a spectacular view of Amsterdam on the other side.

pllek

Amsterdam Plage

In case you don’t fancy crossing the water and want to stick to the area next to the Central Station, no problem as a small city beach is only a 15 minute walk away. It’s known as the Stenen Hoofd, open for lively crowd till 15 August. The best part is that it features a free open-air film festival called Pluk de Nacht, which will be a great way to spend your evenings from 3 to 13 August.

pluk de nacht

Blijburg aan Zee

One of the biggest city beaches, this one is situated on Ijburg, which is a man-made island to the east of Amsterdam. It’s pretty much the only urban spot where you can swim and enjoy evening camp fires. Blijburg is even more alternative than other beaches and proud to have a hippie atmosphere with the feeling of freedom and bohemian spirit. Taste some of the delicious food here to the tunes of live music. If you’re lucky, you’re might be right on time for dance or music festivals that happen here quite often.

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NEMO’s Rooftop Beach

For those of you who want to experience a very original beach type in Amsterdam, NEMO’s rooftop can be the right spot to spend a relaxed afternoon. This science museum in the shape of a cruise ship will surprise you with deckchairs, decking, an amazing cascade with 4 000 liters of water, olive trees and sand pits. Just have a break, eat your Amsterdam ice-cream and breath in the magnificent view across the city’s roofs. It’s the largest terrace in town, which is ideal for kids as they will have a great entertainment time at Splashing Water Wonder playground.

nemo rooftop

Strand Zuid

As the name suggests, this lovely beach is located in the south of Amsterdam very close to RAI Convention Centre. It attracts an upper class crowd that come to relax here, sipping their cocktails, having luxurious food and laying in hammocks or lounge chairs. The area of Strand Zuid is huge with about 2000m2 of property here, but don’t expect any swimming facilities. Play some volleyball and mingle with the richies instead.

strand zuid

Amsterdam Roest

With the opposite vibe from Strand Zuid, this beach is more for hipsters and trendy young people who like good music, post-industrial architecture, indoor and outdoor bars with an artsy vibe. Roest’s sandy waterside is great for sun tanning, while its alternative markets and film screenings can serve as an interesting entertainment for kids and adults alike.

Strand West

This beach is more of a modern lounge spot where locals come for afternoon tapas and a drink, beach volleyball and hammock lazing. Although swimming isn’t allowed here, you still have plenty of opportunities of having a nice beach day here all year round.

The Best Things in Amsterdam Are Free

The best things in life are free… And they can be found even in Amsterdam! What seems as an expensive city has so much to offer for every budget, taste and preference.  The summer time is the greatest time to enjoy it all and explore the city to its fullest with numerous free events and markets. So why not start now and look at the options!

Free outdoor concerts and festivals

Vondelpark Open Air Theatre will make your days with way more than just theater performances. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday there is something interesting and fun waiting for the spectators. Lots of live music (pop, hip-hop, jazz, orchestras and more), DJs playing their amazing danceable sets, workshops (often for kids too) and festivals that combine all of that are ready to surprise you in Vondelpark. This small stage can fit it all, while you’re enjoying yourself, trying nicely smelling food, dancing, singing and exploring. The best part is that lots of these events are for free, which means you can get an extra drink or mouth melting Belgium fries for the spare change.

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Amsterdam Gay Pride can easily become the highlight of this summer in Amsterdam with its unstoppable street parties, rainbow and pink colors all over the city and ever joyful crowd proud to express themselves. Observe Amsterdam transforming into the most tolerant city in the world from 23 July to 7 August and don’t miss Canal Parade as one of its best parts! Lots of fun, freedom and love are guaranteed with many events for free.

gaypride

Bijlmerbios is a free outdoor film festival at Amsterdam Zuidoost on 21-23 August, when you can see a cool movie at a unique location. Have you ever watched a film in the tunnel under the tracks? Well, now you have a chance to broaden your mind and join locals in the great pastime.

Uitmarkt is an ultimate event in Amsterdam that everybody’s looking forward to in the end of August (26-28 August to be precise), as it marks the beginning of the new cultural season in the city. This festival will blow your mind with about 2,000 artists and 450 performances at various venues in Amsterdam. Most of them will gather a huge crowd by both indoors and outdoors events at Museumplein and Leidseplein. And again, you don’t have to pay a cent for it because Uitmarkt became possible thankfully to numerous volunteers, including the artists you see.

uitmarkt

The glory of markets

We can’t promise you free goods at the markets, but you can totally expect a free entrance, nice food, awesome vibe and sweet people. We’ve been mentioning Pure Markt quite a few times, but that’s for a good reason. This biological Sunday market is traveling around the country with its base in Amsterdam (Amstelpark, Amsterdamse Bos, Park Frankendael) and offers you the freshest and most natural food and products. In addition you can entertain yourself with workshops, small concerts, a solar powered merry-go-round and creative shopping (designer, gift and vintage goods).

Neighbourfood Market will become your favorite from the first time you attend it at the hype Westerpark. The location of Westergasfabriek hugely adds up to the special atmosphere at this food and flea market with locally produced items. If you care about small productions, home-made stuff, good music and hip people of Amsterdam, then this is the place to be at on 17 July and 21 August. Yes, it happens only once per month, but is so much worth waiting for.

neighbourfood market

And of course, it’s impossible not to mention IJ-Hallen market that will take place on 23-24 July and 13-14 August in the North of Amsterdam. Even though you have to pay a tiny entrance fee, it has to be in this list here, as there are so many bargains you can get at IJ-Hallen. It’s the largest fleamarket in Europe, so why not visit it for the extraordinary gifts to bring home from Holland.

Don’t limit yourself thinking that you have to spend a fortune in Amsterdam. There are lots of things available for free, you just need to find the right place and time for it. And we haven’t even mentioned free film festival Pluk de Nacht, or Canal Festival with free concerts, or the fabulous Amsterdam Public Library open for everybody, or free classical and jazz concerts at the Royal Concertgebouw and the Bimhuis, or numerous gardens and parks sharing their free beauty with you.