10 Things to Do in Amsterdam in October

The month of October in Amsterdam is characterised, for the better, by autumn. During this season, the city's parks offer a beautiful postcard view and the streets have a special atmosphere. Although the cold is more intense in October, there are many things to do and see apart from the more typical and touristy.

The cold autumn days are perfect for visiting the city's museums or enjoying a hot coffee in one of its squares. But there are also festivals and celebrations unique to October that are worth experiencing as well as unique sporting events. So what are the best things to do in Amsterdam in October? The answer is below.

If you are a lover of art and of Vincent Van Gogh, you will know that autumn was a source of inspiration for the artist. In fact, many of his works are landscapes of this season and the typical autumn colours are very frequent in his paintings. What better time then to buy your ticket to the Van Gogh Museum.

Many of his most important paintings can be found in this museum in Amsterdam dedicated exclusively to the figure of the Dutch-born artist. Van Gogh is one of the symbols of Amsterdam and, in fact, his museum is the most visited tourist site in the city.

The beginning of October marks the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Forgiveness. This is one of the most important celebrations in the Jewish calendar and is therefore a good time to visit Amsterdam's Jewish quarter.

This small neighbourhood in the centre of Amsterdam is home to some of the city's most important museums, such as the Rembrandt House Museum and the Jewish Historical Museum. The latter is the perfect place to learn about Jewish culture. During its festivities, this neighbourhood breathes a special atmosphere. If you decide to visit it, you won't regret it, but always do so with respect for its religious customs.

In connection with the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, many people take the opportunity to take an Anne Frank tour of the Jewish Quarter. Some people choose to do this tour to coincide with this key date as a symbol of respect, but it is always a good time to learn about Anne Frank's story.

On this tour, which lasts approximately two hours, you will explore both the Jewish Quarter and Jodenbuurt, and you will learn all the historical details about the time when Amsterdam was under German rule, as well as the importance of the Anne Frank House.

A canal cruise in Amsterdam is a must if you visit Amsterdam at any time of the year. But it is in autumn when, in my opinion, they are at their most beautiful. Thanks to the orangey colours of autumn and the many trees along the banks of the canals, cruising the canals at this time of year is a real treat, especially for those who love photography.

It's not as advisable to do it at night when the temperatures drop, but an evening cruise with dinner on Amsterdam's canals is still a safe bet if you want to enjoy the city's most characteristic sights.

Although Oktoberfest, the world's most famous beer festival, is a German celebration, Amsterdam is no slouch when it comes to celebrating the festival. The Netherlands and its capital city have always had a strong beer tradition and they don't miss the opportunity to celebrate Oktoberfest in their own way.

The bars fill up and the beer mugs dance non-stop and, to mark the occasion, floating terraces are set up on the canals. The party atmosphere is everywhere and there are special tours of the original Heineken brewery in Amsterdam itself.

Rain and autumn in Amsterdam inevitably go hand in hand. Don't let the rain spoil the party and take the opportunity to take shelter from it in the city's museums. The capital of the Netherlands could well be considered not only the city of canals, but also the city of museums. There are more than 50 for all tastes and it is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam.

On a rainy day my recommendation is to visit the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk, as these three are located together around the Museumplein Park, and are the main museums of Amsterdam. But, of course, there are many alternatives. Here are some other options:

• The Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam, which will show you Dutch life during World War II.
• Amsterdam 's Moco Museum, or Modern Contemporary Museum, will allow you to delve into the street artist's most acclaimed works such as Laugh Is The Air, Girl With Balloon and Barcode.
• Amsterdam's NEMO Science Museum, where you'll find a range of interactive experiments in engineering, physics, biology and chemistry for children and adults alike.
• The FOAM photography museum in Amsterdam, where you will have the opportunity to discover new talents as well as to admire classic artists.

Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and Amsterdam is proof of this. The city of canals is particularly fervent about the 31st of October, and many parties and events are held to mark the occasion. If your trip coincides with this day, you can enjoy many spooky activities around the city.

There are guided tours that tell Amsterdam's spookiest stories and many canals are decorated with Halloween decorations. But the scariest thing to do is to visit the Amsterdam Dungeon. A horror attraction built inside a gothic church that tries to scare the viewer with a theatre and a setting worthy of the best Halloween.

Every year since 1986, theGrachtenrace has taken place at the beginning of October. A rowing race along the city's canals, it has become one of the main sporting events on the Amsterdam calendar.

More than 140 teams take part and race 25 kilometres along the canals through the entire city. Fans crowd the bridges that span these canals to watch and cheer on the participants and enjoy the race while eating a bite to eat at the nearby food stalls or terraces. It's definitely an experience with a difference and one to be had in October if you're travelling to the Dutch city.

The other big sporting event of October, and of the whole year, is the international Amsterdam Marathon. This race has a worldwide reputation and thousands of runners come from all over the world to compete in it. All kinds of activities are prepared around the event in the city and everything is set up for runners and spectators to enjoy the sport.

You can enjoy watching the participants pass by some of the city's emblematic places or if you are a running enthusiast you can join them. In addition, the race is a charity race and the funds raised are donated to non-profit organisations.

There are many ways to enjoy autumn in Amsterdam without being cold and safe from the rain. One of my favourite plans in this regard is to go to the cafés on Leidseplein Square. This centrally located square in Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful squares in the city and is a regular meeting point for Amsterdammers who go to the cafés on the square.

Here you can enjoy a good hot coffee, relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourists and the autumn chill. When night falls, this square becomes the centre of nightlife thanks to its numerous restaurants and pubs. It's definitely a great place to beat the autumn chill.

As expected, October is a month of pure autumn weather. In Amsterdam this means cooler but pleasant temperatures, more cloudy days and frequent showers. Highs range between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius, while lows hover around 10 degrees Celsius. Temperatures rarely drop below 6 degrees Celsius or rise above 20 degrees Celsius. Overall, it's a pleasant climate to see the city if you're not particularly chilly.

One thing to watch out for is rainfall. The probability of a rainy day increases to 35%. It is more likely, and almost certain, that we will be caught in cloudy skies. Here the probability rises to 60%. But don't let these figures fool you, the temperatures are perfectly bearable and the rainy days make up for the autumnal charm of Amsterdam.

The high season in Amsterdam ends in September, so October is the first month of the low season until May. This doesn't mean that Amsterdam empties of tourists, but it does mean that there is a noticeable drop in tourism. In October you won't have too much trouble finding flights and accommodation and there are fewer queues at tourist attractions.

However, there are occasional days when the trend is the opposite. International events such as the Amsterdam Marathon or Halloween attract thousands of visitors. But if you're looking for a month with a good balance between tolerable weather and quiet crowds, October is a good time to visit Amsterdam.

As is always the case, prices are highly dependent on the number of tourists and demand. In the case of October the demand for hotel rooms and accommodation, flights and so on decreases, so prices also decrease. It's not a big drop compared to the winter months, but it's certainly a cheaper month to visit Amsterdam than the summer months.

If you're travelling to Amsterdam in October, you'll need to be prepared for the cold and rainy weather. Therefore, the essentials you should pack in your suitcase are:

• Warm and preferably waterproof clothing.
• Comfortable, waterproof footwear.
• Rain is almost inevitable, but in Amsterdam umbrellas are not recommended because of the strong wind that sometimes blows. It is best to bring a mackintosh.