So, you’ve booked a summer trip to the Netherlands. Excellent choice. The days are long, the skies are blue-ish (weather is still a suggestion) and the country suddenly feels like it’s wearing a sun hat. Summer in the Netherlands is light, lively and full of opportunities to pretend you’re effortlessly cool while sipping a cold beer or cycling through tulip fields.
From water escapades to festivals, here are the top 10 summer activities to enjoy in the Netherlands without melting entirely or getting chased by an angry goose.
1. Cycle Like a Local
🚲 Summer is the perfect excuse to embrace Dutch cycling culture.
With sunshine, gentle breezes and countless scenic routes, cycling becomes a joy rather than a commute. From city streets to countryside trails, the Netherlands is made for two wheels.
💡 Pro tip: Rent a proper bike, avoid tram tracks and remember that tourists are basically invisible to cyclists.
2. Explore the Tulip Fields
🌷 Nature’s own Instagram filter.
Spring technically ends before summer, but early summer still offers colourful fields in places like Keukenhof or Noordoostpolder. Tulips, sun and bees buzzing around your toes make for a proper Dutch postcard.
💡 Pro tip: Visit early in the morning to beat the crowds and avoid stepping on flowers. Seriously.
3. Hit the Beaches of Scheveningen and Zandvoort
🏖️ Sand, sun and a hint of Dutch chill.
North Sea beaches are ideal for sunbathing, volleyball or dramatically pretending you are in a Scandinavian soap opera.
💡 Pro tip: Bring layers; the wind thinks it is very important to keep you honest.
4. Go Sailing or Kayaking
🛶 Water is everywhere, use it.
From canals to lakes, summer is prime time for paddle adventures. It’s a workout disguised as fun and a perfect way to see cities from a new perspective.
💡 Pro tip: Start calm, watch out for swans and try not to capsize in front of locals. They will silently judge.
5. Enjoy Festivals and Outdoor Concerts
🎶 Dutch summers are loud, fun and occasionally muddy.
From music festivals in Amsterdam to cultural celebrations in small towns, there is always something happening outdoors. Think dancing, food stalls and a lot of suncream-scented crowds.
💡 Pro tip: Bring water, a hat and patience for queues. You’re here for vibes, not stress.
6. Picnic in the Parks
🧺 Urban green space heaven.
Vondelpark in Amsterdam or the parks in Utrecht are perfect for a summer picnic. Cheese, bread, beer and people watching: the Dutch way to relax.
💡 Pro tip: Bring a blanket, buy snacks from nearby shops and avoid pigeons. They are surprisingly bold.
7. Cruise the Canals
🚤 Day or night, summer canal tours are magical.
Heated boats are unnecessary and the long daylight gives you plenty of time to appreciate bridges, reflections and boats that go way too fast.
💡 Pro tip: Evening cruises with lights are charming; daytime cruises are perfect for photos and pretending you’re in a detective movie.
8. Go to the Countryside and National Parks
🌳 Flat doesn’t mean boring.
De Hoge Veluwe and Utrechtse Heuvelrug offer biking, hiking and wildlife spotting. The sun makes everything glow and picnic stops feel earned.
💡 Pro tip: Rent a white bicycle in De Hoge Veluwe, because it’s basically a Dutch rite of passage.
9. Try Dutch Ice Cream Everywhere
🍦 Calories do not count in summer.
From classic cones to stroopwafel ice cream sandwiches, Dutch ice cream is an art form. Eat one at least twice a day to be polite to your taste buds.
💡 Pro tip: Queue for the popular parlours; locals know where the good stuff is.
10. Watch the Sun Set Late
🌅 Summer evenings last forever.
In June, sunsets can be as late as 10pm, giving endless golden hour opportunities. Perfect for canals, parks and last-minute photos that make everyone jealous on Instagram.
💡 Pro tip: Bring a jacket anyway. The sun sets, the wind appears and suddenly you are cold.
✨ Final Summer Thoughts
Summer in the Netherlands is about long days, cheerful chaos and making the most of every sunbeam. From water sports to picnics, festivals and fields of colour, it’s the season to be outside, active and slightly sunburnt.
So grab your bike, sunscreen and sense of adventure and enjoy a summer that proves even a flat country can feel spectacularly lively.
