Amsterdam in Autumn: A Compelling Photo Essay
Find a patch of green, a park or a wild open space and come autumn time the place will undoubtedly transform into a veritable treasure trove of gold and ruby red vegetation with a crunchy amber carpet of fallen leaves, often sparkling in the sunlight. And in that month before the carpet turns to a dull sludge, the world is truly magical! Nowhere is this more true than Amsterdam in autumn.
There is one feature that makes Amsterdam particularly special and stand out from all other cities in the autumn stakes. In most cities, you have to find the nearest park to indulge in a spot of autumn magic. Not so in Amsterdam where autumn is literally everywhere thanks to it’s tree-lined canals. There is a stunning autumnal scene around every corner. And easily the best thing to do in Amsterdam is to soak up the atmosphere by wandering along the canals.
Visiting at just the right time means that in addition to the gorgeous autumn colour, the tree canopy has thinned out enough that you can admire the beautiful canal-side architecture through the leaves. These are views you’d otherwise find obscured through late spring and summer.
At the same time scenes aren’t as stark and dull as when all the leaves have fallen leaving only angular twig skeletons to frame the streets.
Floating leaves on the water surface currently look beautiful and like dappled dots of light. However by the end of November, these will no doubt clog up the canal edges making them look muddy.
Boats fill with leaves which if you react anything like I do, a wry smile spreads across your face. I certainly wouldn’t like to be the person who has to clear them all out before use!
And entrances to houseboats look all the more picturesque!
Some iconic buildings like the Rijksmuseum become more visible. Views like this, normally hidden behind summer vegetation, now appear in Instagram feeds. I love being able to see the architecture of the museum without all the people that congregate in front of the main entrance and the ‘IAmsterdam’ sign.
Similarly, many of the quaint frontages of houses in the Begijnhof courtyard are uncovered in autumn. Normally they are disguised by a green canopy. As an enclosed courtyard the Begijnhof generally doesn’t receive as much light as neighbouring canals and squares. With leaves mainly on the floor at this time of year, we’re treated to an uninterrupted display of some of the finest architecture in Amsterdam, including the restored 15th century wooden house at no.34. (as pictured in the first image of this photo essay)
Basically, Amsterdam in autumn is just so pretty and colourful and the light is heavenly. Try not to get run down by cyclists while taking photo… after photo… after (yep, you guessed it)… photo!
And if wandering the canals aren’t enough for your autumn treasure trove, you can always head to one of the parks. Vondelpark or Oosterpark are excellent choices.
My ultimate favourite area to soak up the autumnal atmosphere in Amsterdam is along the Prinsengracht Canal between Leidsegracht and Leliegracht near the Westerkerk. Hopefully you’ll see why in the following photos and be as transfixed as I am.
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Have you visited Amsterdam in autumn? What’s your favourite season to visit the city? Please let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
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Further Autumnal Reading:
Best Places to see Autumn Colour in the UK
Hamburg in Autumn: My Top 5 Spots to see Autumn Colour
Autumn at Craig-y-nos Country Park in the Brecon Beacons
Autumn at Queenswood Park & Arboretum, Herefordshire
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Jurga | 29th Nov 16
Beautiful beautiful pictures! We wanted to visit Amsterdam this autumn too, but as it often goes with nearby paces, we kept postponing it a bit too long, and now it’s almost winter… Amsterdam looks so lovely in autumn!
Tilly Horseman | 29th Nov 16
Thank you. I love autumn anywhere and like you I had a list of local UK places I wanted to see this autumn, but unfortunately didn’t get there in time and most of the leaves are now on the floor and going mushy. Hey, there’s always next year right?! Perhaps schedule it in for then… I do feel incredibly lucky to have seen Amsterdam at this time of year! ‘Brrrrr’ at the thought of winter…
Amsterdamian | 29th Nov 16
Lovely photos! And I’m glad you survived the cyclists’ attacks 😛 Amsterdam in autumn is gorgeous!
Tilly Horseman | 29th Nov 16
Thank you! Yes, i think the canals are definitely at their most magical at this time of year! The cyclists are manic though – can’t believe so many of them literally cycle AT you!