September often has several days of summer-like weather, although even the warmest summer months rarely see temperatures exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather2Travel reports that the city's average highs and lows for September are 64 F and 51 F, respectively. WeatherSpark notes that the average high drops 6 degrees and the average low 4 degrees during the course of the month. This means travelers should expect highs in the upper 60s in early September and in the low 60s late in the month.
Amsterdam is rainy in September. Weather2Travel says the city averages 16 days out of 30 with precipitation, while WeatherSpark puts the average rainy day number closer to 20. Likewise, the World Meteorological Association lists September as the month with the third highest rainfall. Amsterdam experiences an average of 3.2 inches during the month compared with 2.4 inches in August and 3.5 inches in the city's wettest month, November.
U.S. citizens need a valid passport, but not a tourist visa, to enter the Netherlands for visits of less than three months. As far as preparing for the weather, bring a raincoat, umbrella and waterproof walking shoes. A sweater might suffice during the day, but even if it is not raining, a jacket may be necessary in the cooler evening hours. Bicycle rentals are common, so bring comfortable riding clothes if planning to explore the city on two wheels.
September is a good time to visit Amsterdam. With the summer crowds dwindling, hotel and airfare prices typically decrease, and tourist attractions are often less packed. The month is considered the start of the cultural season, featuring such events as the Amsterdam Fringe Festival, the Dam to Dam Run and the Nederlands Theater Festival. However, Fodor's reports that the annual Open Monument Day on the second weekend in September is always crowded as several heritage sites and gardens open their doors to the public for the only time in the year.
