Amsterdam in June Wasn’t Exactly What I Thought it Would Be

I recently spent a few days in Amsterdam (June 3 through June 7), and honestly, I had mixed feelings going into it. I was bracing for heavy tourist crowds, hoping for decent summer weather, and trying to get a feel for whether this was truly the start of high season.

What I found was surprising in both good and not-so-good ways. There’s plenty to love of course, but also a few things that might catch you off guard.

Scott Leazenby walking through Central Amsterdam — **Pro:** not having to deal with any crowds. **Con**: I should’ve brought a jacket. *“I almost can’t even feel my testicles!”*

Pro: It’s Not Crowded (Yet)

One of the biggest surprises of my trip was how not crowded Amsterdam was. I expected hordes of tourists filling the streets, crowding the museums, and making it impossible to walk through the canals without bumping shoulders.

But that wasn’t the case at all. It felt like traveling during shoulder season (more like March or October than summer).

Shops and restaurants in a tight Amsterdam side street — Is this a joke? This has got to be a joke. I was expecting to have to throw some elbows to be able to walk down a tight street like this. Where the heck is everybody?

Even though my flights in and out of the U.S. were packed, the city itself didn’t reflect that at all. Immigration was quick, public transportation was wide open, and I didn’t wait in line for anything. The tourist hotspots weren’t swarming, and it was easy to move around. That alone made the trip feel relaxed and enjoyable.

Con: The Weather Is Chillier Than Expected

I’ll be honest. I was not prepared for how cold it was. I knew Amsterdam tends to be foggy and drizzly year-round, but I figured early June would lean into early summer vibes. It didn’t.

Daytime temps were mostly in the low 60s Fahrenheit, and nights dropped into the low 50s. Not freezing, but definitely cold if all you packed were light clothes and a thin jacket like I did. I found myself wishing for warmer layers almost every evening.

A man wearing a black leather jacket walking down a small side street in central Amsterdam — A badass leather jacket is a good idea. $20 says this guy is having no problem feeling *his* testicles.

If you’re coming from a warmer part of the U.S., definitely bring something heavier than just a hoodie.

Con: It Rains (Almost) Every Day

Another weather quirk I didn’t expect: the constant on-and-off rain. It didn’t pour all day, but it did rain at some point almost every single day of my trip. The good news is, the rain never really lasted too long. It was more of a passing drizzle, followed by sun, then another shower, and so on.

Still, it kept me on my toes and made packing a bit tricky. Bring an umbrella or a water-resistant jacket (and maybe plan a few indoor activities just in case).

Wait. Didn’t I just warn you about it being rainy all the time? **Plot twist:** Mother Nature isn’t a *total* a**hole. You might see the sun every now and then.

Pro: Hotel Prices Are Still Reasonable

One of the biggest wins of visiting Amsterdam in early June is the hotel pricing. I stayed in two hotels (the Park Plaza Victoria in central Amsterdam and the Sheraton Schiphol Airport). Both were cheaper than I expected. Honestly, I thought I’d be paying full summer rates since it was June, but it seems the real high season hadn’t kicked in yet.

If you’re on a budget (or just like getting good value for money), June is a great time to snag centrally located hotels without the usual summer markup.

Con: Uber Is a Gamble

Getting around Amsterdam is usually a breeze, but I had some weird experiences with Uber. Technically, there were always cars available, but drivers often canceled on me at the last minute (then still showed up afterward). It turns out that sometimes drivers want to bypass the app so they can charge higher taxi rates when demand is high.

It was frustrating, unpredictable, and honestly not worth the hassle. If you need a ride, I’d recommend using a regular taxi service or sticking to public transport. It’s better to skip the Uber drama altogether IMHO.

Bicycles parked along the street in central Amsterdam — If it’s not raining, consider renting a bike as an alternative to the Uber / taxi thing. Yes, it will eventually rain on you, you’re gonna get sweaty when the sun pops out, and good luck not getting hit by a car. Still, I’ll take bicycle drama over Uber / taxi drama any day of the week!

Con: Some Shops and Restaurants Aren’t Fully Operational Yet

I was surprised to find how many shops and cafes were closed during midday hours. I’d walk around at noon or 1 p.m. and see “temporarily closed” signs on businesses that definitely weren’t shut down for good. They just hadn’t opened yet. It reminded me a lot of what I saw during my trip to Rome in January.

It wasn’t across the board, but enough places were closed that it felt like the city wasn’t fully up and running yet. Restaurants weren’t busy, cafes were quiet, and it was nothing like the typical Euro summer buzz. It gave the city a somewhat sleepy feel during times I expected it to be lively.

Back alley leading to a canal in central Amsterdam

Pro: Fewer American Tourists (And That’s Kinda Nice)

I’m American, but I’ll admit there’s something special about traveling in Europe and not hearing American voices all the time. In early June, school is still in session in the U.S., which means most Americans aren’t traveling yet.

That was definitely the case in Amsterdam. I barely heard English on the streets, and it made the experience feel more immersive and authentic. I like that.

Scott walking out of the central train station in Amsterdam — Even the graffiti is in something other than English. All I can hope for is that “tump” doesn’t mean “death to all 51 year-old white male American tourists wearing a blue shirt and a hat!”

Con: Infrastructure Glitches Are More Common

Because early June is still technically “off-season” for Amsterdam, it’s also the time when the city does a lot of its construction and infrastructure maintenance. During my trip, I ran into several hiccups. None of them huge, but still annoying.

For example, the train ticket kiosks at the airport weren’t accepting credit cards for a few days. That meant I had to go to the ticket office instead, which was an unexpected delay.

On top of that, several streets in the city center were under construction, making certain routes impassable. It forced me to take detours and miss a few areas I wanted to explore.

Pro: It Feels Like the Calm Before the Summer Storm

All in all, visiting Amsterdam in early June feels like standing on the edge of high season. You get a taste of the longer daylight hours, open patios, and general buzz of a European summer, but without the intensity that comes later in the month.

Bridge over a canal in central Amsterdam — Just imagine how chaotic this picture would be if it were mid August. I’m quite enjoying the lack of sweaty tourists here in early June, thank you very much.

There are fewer crowds, more affordable hotels, and a quieter atmosphere, but at the cost of some early-season quirks like chilly weather, unpredictable rain, and a few logistical bumps along the way. Whether that trade-off is worth it really depends on what kind of travel experience you’re after.