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A winter trip to Amsterdam is a different kind of magic
Forget the spring tulips and summer bike rides. Amsterdam in winter is all about the slow charm of a snowy day by the canal, a spiced drink warming your hands, and the kind of winter aesthetic that makes you fall in love with a city all over again. The streets are quieter, the museums more inviting, and the light has a crisp clarity that gives even the most familiar landmarks a cinematic touch.
From Amsterdam travel in December through the depths of Amsterdam in January, this time of year blends winter beauty with old-world atmosphere. Think ice skating in the heart of the city, smoke curling from the chimney of a brown cafe, and the kind of moody skies that belong in a Vermeer painting. Here’s everything you need to plan your voyage through one of the most beautiful places in the world.
When is Winter in Amsterdam?
Winter in Amsterdam officially runs from December to February, but the cold lingers well into March.
December in Amsterdam kicks off with lights and celebrations, January settles into a slower rhythm with grey skies and drizzle, and February offers the chilliest days of the year.
Snow isn’t guaranteed, but when it falls, it transforms the city into an Amsterdam winter scenery postcard.
Is this your first time visiting Amsterdam? Get all the information you need in our Netherlands Travel Guide, including what things to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!
Amsterdam Winter Weather by Month
December
Amsterdam travel in December can be chilly but festive. Average highs sit around 6°C (43°F), with lows dipping to 1°C (34°F). Rainfall averages 69mm across 14 days. You can expect 2-3 hours of sunlight per day. Layers are essential.
January
Amsterdam in January is the coldest month. Highs hover around 5°C (41°F), and lows reach 0°C (32°F). Rain or sleet is common, with about 61mm across 13 days. Snow occasionally dusts the city. Daylight is still limited to around 2-3 hours.
February
By February, temperatures begin to nudge upwards slightly, with average highs of 6°C (43°F) and lows of 0°C (32°F). Precipitation is a touch lower, around 45mm over 10 days, and there’s a bit more sunshine too: closer to 4 hours a day.
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Where to Stay in Amsterdam
Luxury: Stay at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam for canal views, understated elegance, and a location that’s walkable to most of the city’s key sights.
Mid-Range: Book a few nights at The Hoxton, Amsterdam. It’s stylish without trying too hard, and you’ll be right on the Herengracht canal.
Budget: The Social Hub Amsterdam City offers modern rooms, communal spaces, and tram access into the centre.
Hostel: ClinkNOORD, just across the IJ river by free ferry, is bright, clean and full of fellow winter wanderers.
What to Pack by Month
December
December in Amsterdam blends cold drizzle with festive markets and glowing lights. You’ll be outdoors a lot, even in the chill, so waterproof and windproof layers are non-negotiable. Cafés are warm and cosy, but the transition between inside and outside can be stark. Prioritise warmth and flexibility.
January
January is when Amsterdam truly feels like the Netherlands winter people imagine: cold, damp and grey. This is peak winter beauty and peak chill. You’ll want clothes that trap heat and wick away moisture. Everything you wear should be comfortable for walking, whether you’re exploring museums or ducking into cafes.
February
February in Amsterdam is unpredictable. You might get a cold snap, a sunny afternoon, or surprise sleet. Layers and wind resistance are key. The city’s still in winter mode, but with slightly longer days and more locals outside, it’s easier to enjoy long walks and canal views.
Other Winter Vacation Ideas
Where to Go & Why
Go Ice Skating at Museumplein
Start with the ice rink at Museumplein, which offers Winter Magic with a backdrop of the Rijksmuseum. It’s postcard-perfect for winter photography. After skating, warm up with hot chocolate from Van Wonderen Stroopwafels on Kalverstraat.
Take in the Amsterdam Light Festival
The Light Festival transforms Amsterdam from late November into January with floating art installations and luminous trails. Rent a bike or walk along the canals after dark for the best views of this city aesthetic.
Wandering De Negen Straatjes
De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) are ideal for a wintry wander. Boutique shops, glowing windows, and candlelit cafes give serious travel inspiration for Amsterdam winter style.
A picturesque grid of nine little lanes tucked between the Prinsengracht and Singel canals, just west of Dam Square and the Royal Palace, the streets are part of the UNESCO-listed canal belt and connect the three main canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht.
A good place to begin is at Runstraat, one of the westernmost streets, then wander east toward Reestraat. If you’re coming from central Amsterdam or De Jordaan, this entry point gives you a natural flow through boutique shops, galleries, vintage stores, and cafés.
Head to Amsterdam’s Museums
Warm up inside the Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum, both quieter than peak season and better appreciated with time to pause. For something different, visit Our Lord in the Attic, a hidden Catholic church tucked into a canal house.
Sample Dutch Winter Foods
Dutch winter food is unapologetically hearty: built to fuel cold-weather cycling, wind-whipped walks, and long, dark evenings. It’s comfort food at its most nostalgic and unpretentious. If you’re the kind of traveller who chases culture through your stomach, winter is the best time to eat like a local.
Start with erwtensoep, a thick green pea soup often served with smoked sausage and rye bread. Stamppot is another cold-weather staple: mashed potatoes mixed with kale, endive or sauerkraut, usually topped with a hefty sausage or meatball. For something sweet, look out for poffertjes, little fluffy pancakes dusted in powdered sugar and sometimes drenched in butter. You’ll find them at markets and winter fairs across the city.
If you’re visiting over the festive season, keep an eye out for oliebollen; Dutch doughnuts sold from street stalls in the lead-up to New Year. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and often filled with raisins or currants, they’re basically winter in a bite.
For a modern take, Foodhallen is a good shout: an indoor food market with everything from gourmet bitterballen to reimagined classics served alongside craft beers and local spirits.
Visit the Christmas Markets in Amsterdam
Amsterdam does have Christmas markets, and while they’re not as massive as some in Germany, they’re full of character. The Ice Village at Museumplein is the main event: running from mid-December until just after Christmas, it combines festive stalls with skating and a picture-perfect backdrop of the Rijksmuseum.
For something bigger, Winter Paradise at RAI offers indoor and outdoor entertainment, skating, food, and drinks; it’s ticketed but worth it if you’re craving full festive overload. Smaller pop-ups like the Funky Xmas Market at Westergas and Pure Markt Winter editions also appear throughout December, great for local gifts and snacks. Dam Square and Rembrandtplein have trees, lights, and occasional stalls, especially closer to Christmas Eve.
Jordaan and Bloemenmarkt
Check out the floating flower market, even in winter, and then head to De Jordaan for cozy brown cafés and a chance to people-watch over a warming jenever, the (delicious) ancestor of modern gin.
Hop on an Evening Canal Cruise
End your day with a canal cruise after sunset. Most boats are heated and offer mulled wine or warm snacks. It’s a great way to see the city from a different perpective and a fitting finale to your Amsterdam winter experience.
Enjoy a Sauna and Spa Day
When the damp cold gets too much, head to a local spa for a day of warmth and steam. Sauna Deco on Herengracht mixes Art Deco glamour with genuine heat, while Spa Zuiver offers a more modern wellness complex out by the forest. It’s the best way to recharge after days of cold canals and cobbled streets. Most boats are heated and offer mulled wine or warm snacks. It’s a calm, moody finale to an Amsterdam winter experience.
Take a Winter Day Trip
If you’ve got an extra day or two, hop on a train and see more of the Netherlands’ winter landscape. Haarlem is just 15 minutes away and offers a charming old town with cosy cafés and a superb art museum. Utrecht’s canals, with their lower-level wharves and winter lights, are equally atmospheric and far less touristy.
For something a bit more iconic, head to Zaanse Schans or Kinderdijk, where traditional windmills line the riverbank and some still turn, even in the snow. It’s a strong contender for Amsterdam photography lovers chasing winter scenery beyond the city limits.
10 Amsterdam Winter Travel Tips
Amsterdam Netherlands might be better known for its spring blooms, but winter brings a slower, more cinematic beauty. With the right layers, a little planning, and a love of atmosphere, the Amsterdam travel winter edition is one for the books.
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