Sail Amsterdam on in August

Sail Amsterdam is a huge maritime event held every five years in The Netherlands. Tall ships from all over the world visit the city to moor in its Eastern harbour, and people can then visit the ships for four days free of charge.

The event was organised for the first time in 1975 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam, under the name 'Sail Amsterdam 700'. At that time, interest in tall ships was on the rise. The success of Sail Amsterdam 700 led to the organisers to schedule the event every five years.

Sail is one of the largest celebrations of maritime history in the world, and the largest event of any kind in the Netherlands.

Lesser events take place during the festival involving small sailboats, sailor choirs and re-enactments of naval battles. The Sail In or Parade of Sail on the first day attracts hundreds of smaller craft and literally millions of people.

The Next Sail Amsterdam will be held from August 19 to August 24 this year.

Amsterdam has always been a city with water close to its heart. The rivers IJ and Amstel, as well as its historic canals, played a major role in its unique urban development and the city has played a huge part in international maritime over the centuries. So whenever Sail Amsterdam comes around, people from all over the world gather to welcome the ships sailing into the city, as well as to experience maritime-themed performances and concerts, and lap up the chance to climb aboard both the old and new ships.

Sail Amsterdam guarantees an impressive and incomparable fleet of 120 tall ships, plus sailing heritage craft, modern ships, naval ships and replicas. It's billed as the biggest nautical event in the world this year is said to attract up to 14 million visitors.

Apart from all the activity on the water, there is also plenty to do on the wharfs. The program boasts entertainment, art, culture, music, and sporting- and children’s activities.

Organisers say that sail Amsterdam is about boats, ships and anything else that floats and after five years of preparations Sail Amsterdam in August 2015 will absolutely amaze visitors. Days prior to the event you can get a preview of the fleet in IJmuiden, where the ships gather for the parade. This so-called PreSail IJmuiden also attracts thousands of boat lovers, water sports enthusiasts and curious people.