Amsterdam is a beautiful city that is often visited in spring or summer, to admire it’s flower markets and it’s tulips. But the city also has a lot of charm in the winter, when the Dutch capital is less crowded by tourists the atmosphere in the city is very pleasant and will make you forget the cold weather. The streets are lit up, the parks have small ice rinks, pubs and restaurants are filled with a warm atmosphere.
Here are the must-dos for winter in Amsterdam, before the evening closures (5:00 pm to 5:00 am)
Covid-19: the situation in the Netherlands is rapidly evolving. Check the official measures on this page.
Enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival
If there is an event not to be missed in Amsterdam that puts a little cheerfulness in the winter nights, it is the Amsterdam Light Festival. Imagine… beautiful light decorations invade the city, from the buildings to the bridges and picturesque streets. Roads and bike paths are even specially designated to jump from one piece of art to another in order to admire the splendid lights. A great way to take advantage of this festival is to cruise on the canals at the end of the day in the « Venice of the North ». You can even go to Amsterdam Light Festival on a Donkey bike!
If you are looking for thrills, rides and live entertainment, the Efteling will fit your expectations. In addition to the roller coasters, you will find ice skating, cross-country skiing and snow hill rides. This illuminated theme park will bring even more magic to your trip.
Skate on Ice Amsterdam
Who says winter, says ice rink! The most well-known one is Ice Amsterdam, located on Museumplein, the big square next to the unmissable Rijksmuseum. There, you can skate while admiring the Christmas decorations, drink a hot drink, or taste a Dutch specialty. The place is really charming with its wooden fences, its lanterns and its replica of the “Magere Brug”. Don’t forget to climb the stairs to enjoy the view and take some pictures.
Some years, when the canals of the city are frozen, the municipality even allows both locals and visitors to skate on them!
Discover the winter markets
Discovering the Christmas markets in Amsterdam is one of the city’s top attractions in December. The Christmas markets are also real amusement parks with craft stands, wooden huts, street food, delicacies, ice rinks and music! In short, the Christmas markets in Amsterdam are 100% « gezellig ». For those who are late to the party, it’s also the ideal place to find last-minute gifts for your loved ones.
Keep in mind that those events usually begin from mid-December, as the Dutch celebrate Saint Nicholas (5-6 of December). While Copenhagen or Berlin Christmas markets close their door before New Year Eve, Amsterdam Christmas markets last until late January!
- L’Ice Village : the unmissable one, in front of the Rijksmuseum.
- De Amsterdamsche Kersmarkt : this market, located at Westergasfabriek, is well known for its quality products from independent sellers.
- Le Funky X-Mas : for a slightly funkier edition. At the Funky X-mas, you will find stalls of local designers and small craftsmen offering a wide range of fashion, jewelry and accessories.
- Het Amsterdam Winterparadijs : the biggest and the craziest of Amsterdam, with its 25-meter sled run.
- De Pure Markt Winter Edition : this market is a real community of lovers of gastronomy and good products.
Restrictions may come into force for the 2021 edition. For more information, please visit the official website of Amsterdam Tourism.
Discover Amsterdam by bike
How to get around Amsterdam? The obvious answer to this question is the Donkey bike! It’s not a myth, the capital of the Netherlands is the ideal city for getting around by bike. Rent Donkey bikes and take a guided tour.
For those who want to take an original bike itinerary, away from the Christmas trees, the beaten paths and the passers-by, we recommend you to head to Amsterdam Noord, where the docks are being redeveloped. Once there, consider visiting the brownfields, the Eye multiplex and the A’Dam Tower. After a short ride, stop by the restaurant Pllek. The atmosphere is cozy, the decorations are warm and the setting is friendly.
Stroll through the Pijp district
Pijp is the party district of Amsterdam. It is most lively and popular during the winter season. Artists, Erasmus students and young Amstellodammers gather every day in its restaurants, bars and stores to share pleasant moments of good humor and relaxation.
Visit the Albert Cuypstraat by bike and shop in its outdoor market, one of the most picturesque in the world. You can find French pastries, Dutch gouda, Asian clothes, Mexican pipes, …Don’t hesitate to discover the Heineken Experience Museum – as you might have guessed, the place is entirely dedicated to this mythical beer. At night, head for the Eerste van der Helststraat to enjoy a fermented drink or an ostrich beer.
A must-see in the city is the 9-straatjes district, which you will find in the middle of the Grachengordel (canal belt). There are lots of nice architectural details around every corner so keep your eyes peeled! Give the flower market a try, the Bloemenmarket, where you can find flowers, bulbs to plant of all kinds and tulips of course!
Relax in the Jordaan district
Located west of the city center, the Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s trendy neighborhoods. During the winter, it is home to a charming Christmas market, where wooden chalets and comfort food surround an ice rink – one more, but it’s not a surprise anymore to understand why ice skating is one of the national sports in the Netherlands!
Home to some great cafes, thrift shops, art galleries, and bookstores, you should have a snack break and enjoy oliebollen or kroketten, two typical dishes. Then hop on a Donkey bike and follow the Egelantiersgracht and Bloemgracht canals. Here, you will admire the renovated houses and decorated gardens. Complete your tour with a visit to the Noordemarkt square and the flowered residence of Sint Andrieshof.
And if you are traveling to Amsterdam in January, you will surely want to feel the atmosphere of Fashion Week, with dozens of happenings and events accessible for everyone.
Warm up in brown cafés and restaurants
Winter is the best time to go to a bar or a good restaurant and taste Dutch specialties. Amsterdam is the ideal place to discover the brown cafés, which are equivalent to Irish pubs. So-called because of their paneled interior decorated with brown wood. Once in a brown café, you can choose from a wide range of beers or you can indulge in a juniper-flavored grain brandy or a more traditional beer. We recommend Café Hooischip, an authentic and welcoming Dutch bar, or Café Chris, established in 1624.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam
At midnight, spectacular fireworks are set off at various locations in the city, giving it a fairy-tale feel. Rembrandtplein, Dam Square, Leidseplein and Nieuwmarkt are the best places to watch this show. We advise you to go there around 7pm to get a good seat. Mingle with the crowd and enjoy this open air event with a few local drinks or warm up by the fire or the shooting firecrackers. At the stroke of midnight, hundreds of fireworks illuminate the city and the sky is filled with beautiful colors.
To get home, stay safe and ride a Donkey!
