Summer in the city: Amsterdam’s best cool down spots…

Summer has hit our hometown (again!) and we’re hoping it’s here to stay this time…We’re all dreaming about cooling off somewhere by the water: and let’s be honest, our canals don’t always come to mind as the most appealing place for a dip! We’ve put our heads together and come up with some chill-out spots to share with you all – but we can’t promise that you’ll have a space saved…

Café de Ceuvel 

Café de Ceuvel is a café with a sustainable mission and an eclectic events program, tucked away on the Johan van Hasselt canal off the river IJ in Amsterdam Noord. Converted by a group of architects from a former shipyard into an urban paradise in 2012, Ceuvel is the perfect place to wind down in the summer heat. Surround yourself by lush greenery, hammocks, and slumber in washed-up houseboats, and dive into the IJ from one of the many swimming spots! 

The annual Icarus Festival is also not one to miss at Cafe de Ceuvel, coming up in August! Read more about it here.

Korte Papaverweg 4, 1032 KB Amsterdam.

Brouwerij Homeland

Dangle your feet off the floating boardwalk in the harbour behind the National Maritime Museum. Make sure to pop over to the Brouwerij Homeland for a refreshing beer and snack. We hear they have a new Amsterdams Wit beer on tap…

Marineterrein, Gebouw 006, Kattenburgerstraat 5, 1018 JA Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Roest 

To our excitement, Amsterdam Roest has announced that it will be open over the summer! In tune with our favourite gritty and unique aesthetic at LEFF amsterdam, Roest is home to a chilled our dockside bar, restaurant and music venue in a converted industrial setting. Along the bank is a man-made sandy beach, long picnic benches and plenty of launch pads for your most impressive bomb into the water.

Jacob Bontiusplaats 1, 1018 LL Amsterdam.

Java Eiland

Don’t forget that us Amsterdammers have our own island! Basically. We think Java island strikes a perfect balance between dynamic modern architectural buildings and the tranquil grassy banks and wooden docks. Take your own picnic!

Blijburg Beach

An urban beach both real sand and a monitored swimming area with some of the cleanest water you’ll find in the area! Despite being under an hour from Amsterdam’s city centre, Blijburg feels like a coastal oasis away from the hustle and bustle. 

And hey, don’t bother taking your watch off before a dip…our S-series watches have a water resistance of up to 10 ATM!