When the weather forecast calls for mild temperatures and all-day sun, Amsterdammers plan their days around spending as much time as possible sitting outside in the rays. But sometimes the most popular spots go quickly, and even once you find that treasured seat on a café terrace, there's a chance you'll end up in the shade in a matter of hours. If you're lucky enough to experience Amsterdam on a super-sunny day, try one of my picks for the sunniest spots in Amsterdam, where the sun beats down almost all day no matter what time it is.
Along the Amstel River
As it's one of the widest waterways in Amsterdam, the city's namesake river is dotted with spots that see the sun all day long, most predominantly on the east side. Choose from one of the outdoor seating areas at the many casual cafés like Magere Brug (named for the bridge it overlooks) and local-favorite Café Hesp (one of my picks for best bars off the beaten path). If you prefer mingling with posh patrons, spring for the riverside terrace at the five-star Amstel Intercontinental Hotel. Budget travelers, grab a bite or a drink from a store, then claim one of the many benches in the waterside sun.Amsterdam's Best Parks
When Amsterdam warms up and dries out, locals and visitors head for these green oases in the city. Whether you opt to sit on the south-facing patio at Café Vertigo in the Vondelpark or sprawl out in the grass for an impromptu picnic on the wide-open Museumplein, you won't go without several sun-drenched spots to choose from in Amsterdam's best parks.Out on the IJ
If you're confused about what Het IJ is, you're not alone. Most Amsterdam visitors don't understand the semi-harbor, semi-lake with a strange name -- and that's OK, because all they really need to know is that it's a wide-open watery sun-catcher. Two of the most unique outdoor terraces are the waterside deck at Muziekgebouw and an urban concrete beach-like space on top of the NEMO science museum (the latter is only open during summer). Café terraces along the Levantkade on the southern stretch of KNSM Island can almost guarantee a good tan and no fellow tourists.
