5 Things to do in May

by Tanja
Things to do in May in Amsterdam

Looking for some nice things to do in May in Amsterdam? In May the weather is getting warmer. The sun sets at around 9.30 in The Netherlands so there are long days to fill. Here are 5 other ideas for things to do in May in Amsterdam.

RECOMMENDED READ: Amsterdam Events Calendar

1. Food Festival Rolling Kitchens

Every year in May, kitchens roll into Amsterdam Westergasfabriek. These are food trucks serving up your favorite food. The area of Westergasfabriek is perfect entourage for this hip event. The old gas factory was converted into one big open-air restaurant full of the best bars and terraces and hip stores. Try out some traditional Dutch food with a twist, treat yourself to some oysters with champaign or just munch on some fresh pizza. There is also live music and fun activities for children.

Rolling Kitchens in May 2020

In 2020 the Rolling Kitchens Food Festival takes place from 20 May to Sunday 24 May. You can walk to Westergasfabriek from Central Station in about 30 minutes (follow Haarlemmerstraat till the end, cross the square, cross the bridge and walk through the Wester Park). Alternatively: take tram 10.

Things to do in May in Amsterdam

2. Visit the Cromhout House Museum

The Cromhout House is one of Amsterdam’s most famous Amsterdam Canal Houses. The Cromhout House is part of four houses. The architectural style is exemplary for the merchant houses that were built during the Dutch Golden Age.

The owners of the Cromhout Houses were art collectors. The portraits, furnishings, silver, seashells and other curiosities form an astonishing feast for the eyes in the Cromhout House Museum.

3. Things to do in May in Amsterdam: Visit Hortus Botanicus

Outdoor terrace at Hortus Amsterdam.

If you would like to escape from the busy tourist center of Amsterdam, you can flee to the quiet gardens of the Hortus Botanicus. You will find an oasis of green to you wander around. Beautiful and strange flowers and plants come from all over the world. Especially in May, when so many flowers are blossoming, the Hortus in Amsterdam is worth a visit.

The botanical gardens in Amsterdam are one of the oldest of the world. It lies just East of the center in the Amsterdam Jewish Quarter, near the Waterlooplein Square. It’s a nice thing to do in Amsterdam wandering around the little paths and enjoy the 6.000 different kinds of tropical and indigenous trees and plants, in open air as well as a huge greenhouse with tropical climate.

4. Enjoy Europe’s highest swing

The A’DAM LOOKOUT is an observation deck on top of a huge tower. The tower sits on the banks of the IJ in Amsterdam Noord. The observation deck gives you a panoramic view of Amsterdam. It also has a swing which takes you over the edge of the building! ‘Over the Edge’ is Europe’s highest swing: 100 meters above the ground! The A’DAM Tower is easy to reach by free ferry from behind Central Station.

5. Watch the sunset at a Dutch beach

From Amsterdam it’s only 30 minutes by train to the beach from Amsterdam! Who knew! So if at the end of the afternoon you are tired from walking and the busy city, a fun thing to do is heading of the beach to have some food, drinks and watch the amazing sunset!

How to get to the beach

Take the train to Zandvoort (might have to change trains at Haarlem, which is also nice to visit!), walk over to the beach and choose one of the many beach restaurants. The sun in The Netherlands sets at 9 pm at the beginning of May and at around 10 pm at the end of May!

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