After landing at Amsterdam airport transport yourself to the hedonistic world of the Dutch festival scene which can be as wild and wonderful or as serene as you choose it to be. The city in the summer is an ideal ‘quick getaway’ destination with flights from the UK only taking around 2 hours. Once you arrive you’ll find a city buzzing with excitement and embracing the world of ‘open air’ everything from swimming to concerts, barbecues, movies and the theatre.
The Great Outdoors
The Dutch embrace the warmer weather of summer with such gusto that it is impossible not to be swept up in it. The summer weather is generally beautifully sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 20 degrees Celsius. Plan to be outdoors for just about every event as that is where the action will be.
Restaurants get in on the action by opening up patios and terraces for patrons to enjoy a meal or a drink in the sun. Some places even offer the exciting opportunity of dining in one of their pop-up restaurants located on a nearby deserted island. This unique experience is certainly one to remember and is very popular so plan on booking ahead!
Outdoor Action
Amsterdam, surprisingly, could be considered a beach destination. Although sandy beaches are not typically the first thing that comes to mind when considering a holiday to the city the opportunities abound. Open-air swimming is hugely popular and some of the city’s parks, such as Amsterdame Bos, Gasperplas and Sloterplas, have numerous swimming spots open to the public. On a hot day any one of the city’s urban beaches will be full of swimmers and sunbathers soaking up the rays.
For the real deal take a 30 minute train ride out of the city to the golden sandy beaches of popular resorts such as Zandvoort Zee and Bloemendaal aan Zee. Plenty of beachfront restaurants and cafes as well as watersports will keep you well entertained for the day.
Festival Fun
With over 300 festivals happening every year Amsterdam could be regarded as the centre of European festival excitement. From food to culture to music and dance there is a festival happening somewhere to suit everyone’s interests. Here are 3 to consider:
Grachtenfestival – Canal Music Festival
Celebrating classical and jazz music from the iconic canal waterways of the Old City is pure joy for the music lover. This festival embraces a variety of different venues including museums, pontoon boats, public spaces and even private homes. Some recitals even offer dining included in the experience.
Pluk De Nacht – Open Air Film Festival
In the middle of August the ‘Catch the night’ open-air film festival attracts a lively audience for a unique viewing experience. The event displays a variety of art installations and film shorts along with photography. This is a brilliant chance to see some of today’s best indie films that may not have had wider cinema release exposure.
The Utimarkt in Amsterdam
If you only make it to one Dutch festival make sure it is the Utimarkt. Locally referred to as ‘the mother of all cultural activities in Amsterdam’ the Utimarkt provides a display space for literally every cultural institution in the city. With over 400 free previews and 2000 performances to view, the Utimarkt is the ultimate arts festival complete with shopping opportunities and a wonderful ambience.
How to Get There
Amsterdam is a wonderful city holiday destination that transforms into a summer festival wonderland in the warmer months. From dining, to beaches, to cinema and the arts, Amsterdam literally ‘has it all’ during festival season. With affordable and quick flights frequently available from the UK getting to all the excitement is easy as well. Pre-book a shuttle from the Amsterdam airport to your accommodation and you’ll hit the ground relaxed and ready to go.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Amsterdam airport transport Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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