Month guide · Amsterdam · Netherlands
Amsterdam in October
What October is really like in Amsterdam: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Elekes Andor, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 15°C (59°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 10.5 hours of daylight. Autumn colour along the canals and more frequent rain; Amsterdam Dance Event fills hotels.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 15°C (59°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Amsterdam: days average 15°C (59°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with September (19°C (66°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 08:05
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:46
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
Autumn (September–November). Settled September days, Amsterdam Dance Event and autumn colour, turning wet and windy by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- Amsterdam Dance Event (usually mid-to-late October)
- Amsterdam Marathon (usually mid-October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Oosterdok
NEMO Science Museum
Renzo Piano's green copper building rises like a ship's bow over the IJ tunnel, with five floors of hands-on science exhibits for children of all ages.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Views
- Architecture
Experience · De Pijp
Heineken Experience
Book online for a lower price and a time slot, and combine it with the Albert Cuyp Market a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Rainy day
- Food
Museum · Old Centre
Our Lord in the Attic
Behind a 17th-century canal-house façade in the Red Light District hides a complete Catholic church built across the attics of three houses, at a time when Catholics could not worship openly.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Museum · Old Centre
Rembrandt House Museum
Pair it with the Waterlooplein flea market outside and the nearby Jewish Cultural Quarter.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 15°C, lows near 8°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Amsterdam?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Amsterdam in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Amsterdam?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colour along the canals and more frequent rain; Amsterdam Dance Event fills hotels.
+How warm is Amsterdam in October?
Average highs are around 15°C (59°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in October?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.