With the west and east getting a piece of the pie, the south decided to get in on the action too. And voilà: 'South Beach'. Located behind the RAI, this hip urban beach has sand, sea (well, a canal), and sofas. Its elegance and location attracts an upmarket crowd, and its heated terrace and parasol ensure it's open – come rain or shine – from the end of May until the end of September.
SUN SPOTS
For more sloth sunseekers, Amsterdam also has several possibilites for those who feel more at home with a sangria in their hand than a spade.
Slap on the suncream and head to the arty chill-out zone on the small rooftop terrace at Canvas; the cushioned lounge behind the renovated 1928 Olympic Stadium at Vakzuid; or the enormous waterside terrace of the Star Ferry at Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ.
Alternatively, pack a picnic and head to one of the numerous parks in the city. If you want to swim, try the open-air swimming pool in the Flevopark, or head off to one of the lakes around Amsterdam – the IJselmeer in Amsterdam-Noord makes for a perfect jaunt on your bicycle into the countryside – but watch out for the algae (when the temperatures rise the bugs come out in full force).
If you feel like a boat trip, try the decks of the Supperclub Cruise. Shade-seekers should head for Proeflokaal Janvier, or the Botanical Gardens, for the Orangerie's charming garden terrace.
Or simply stay at home with the blinds down and the fan on (after all, this is Amsterdam: air-con is just a concept here).