9 Best Things to Do in Amsterdam This Winter
Make the Most of Your Winter in Amsterdam!
Amsterdam has fun activities to offer all year long, but winter creates a special atmosphere and experience you won’t be able to find for the rest of the year. Seasonal offerings include special events and festivals, as well as unique dishes and treats that become especially popular and prominent throughout the season.
Visiting Amsterdam during the winter also typically means lower prices on almost everything compared to visiting during the busier seasons of spring and summer. Experience the magic yourself by discovering some of the best things to do in winter in Amsterdam.
1. Museumplein
The fantastic museum quarter
Good for: Couples, Families, History
Museumplein is the city’s museum quarter, where you’ll find a large central square surrounded by a large selection museums offering fascinating exhibitions. Some of the establishments here include the iconic Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, the latter of which has a huge collection of the famous artist’s works.
The museum quarter is incredibly alluring during the winter because you’ll find an easy reprieve from the cold with beautiful surroundings and exciting exhibitions to explore. Plus, wintertime offers access to several festivals held in the square depending on when exactly you visit. You’ll find Museumplein in the northern Amsterdam Oud-Zuid district.
Museumplein
2. Amsterdam Christmas Markets
An abundance of holiday spirit
Good for: Families, Shoppers, Food
Amsterdam Christmas markets are among the best ways to immerse yourself in holiday cheer during winter visits, with Christmas-related items and food for sale wherever you look. Among the vendors that show up in local Christmas markets, you’ll be able to shop for antiques, handicrafts, apparel, and Christmas decorations galore.
The local markets wouldn’t be complete without offering delicious sweet and savory treats, and you’ll find plenty of foodie options spread among the stalls. Plus, several ice skating rinks tend to appear with the markets. You’ll find these seasonal markets located all across town, though mostly near the city center.
3. National Tulip Day (Nationale Tulpendag)
A glorious celebration of the tulip season
Good for: Budget, Photo
National Tulip Day (Nationale Tulpendag) is a celebration that occurs throughout the country, but in Amsterdam you can enjoy gardens where you’re allowed to pick flowers. With about 200,000 tulips in total, the temporary garden used for this celebration is downright bursting with color, and you can enjoy it for free.
This celebration is held on the third Saturday of January, so plan your trip accordingly if you want to take part. While it’s free to enter, you’ll want to arrive early to ensure you get a chance to go flower picking. The event is held in Dam Square, which is near the city center in Burgwallen Oude Zijde.
Location: Dam, 1012 RJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
National Tulip Day (Nationale Tulpendag)
4. Amsterdam Canal Cruises
Relaxing and scenic boat trips
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Amsterdam canal cruises let you explore the city from a different perspective with a relaxing journey on the water that showcases the city’s top spots. A lot of the cruises are guided, so it’s a great way to start your vacation in Amsterdam as you can discover where some of the best attractions are.
When you embark on a canal cruise, you’ll be in for about an hour-long adventure on the water. Some of the trips even offer food and drink along with the sight-seeing, so it’s an excellent way to relax and refuel during your winter visit. They’re located all around the canals, often departing close to the city center.
5. The Canal Ring
Scenic strolls along picturesque canals
Good for: Adventure, History, Photo
Amsterdam’s Canal Ring is one of the most iconic features of the city, and walking along the side of any of the photogenic canals in this region can be as relaxing as it is beautiful. Winter tends to bring out the best in the canals, with the snow complementing the lights glinting in the icy water.
When you see the canals, you’ll find an alluring atmosphere whether you visit day or night, but you should try to experience both during your stay. If you’re lucky enough for the canals to freeze, you may be able to enjoy additional activities on the water itself. Multiple canals surround the city center, so they’re very easy to find.
The Canal Ring
6. Willet-Holthuysen Museum
Fine art that’s free for under 18s
Good for: Couples, Families, History
The Willet-Holthuysen Museum is a stunning fine and applied art museum with plenty to see inside to escape the winter cold. It houses the collection of the art enthusiast Abraham Willet and his wife. The items are primarily from the 18th century, with the house itself arranged to showcase that period.
While you’re free to explore the museum at your own pace, you may want to consider a guided tour, as they offer more information than you would normally find on your own. Plus, anyone under the age of 18 gets in for free. The Willet-Holthuysen Museum can be found along the canal in eastern Thorbeckeplein.
Location: Herengracht 605, 1017 CE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +31 (0)20 523 1822
Willet-Holthuysen Museum
7. Amsterdam’s Classic Winter Dishes
Iconic dishes the locals love
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
Try Amsterdam’s classic winter dishes to warm yourself up, immerse yourself in the season, and experience how the locals typically celebrate the holidays with delicious food. Some of the dishes available are instant favorites for the whole family. One of these is Dutch fries, which are usually served with toppings like patatje oorlog, a peanut sauce with mayonnaise and onions.
Other dishes you can enjoy during the winter include poffertjes and bitterballen. Poffertjes are tiny pancakes that are sweet and delicious, while bitterballen are deep-fried Dutch meatballs. You’ll find these treats available throughout the town at both restaurants and open markets alike.
8. Amsterdam Light Festival
Sparkling displays of lights
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
The Amsterdam Light Festival is a charming festival that illuminates the city with incredible light displays designed by talented artists. The lights are typically kept up from early December to late January, so you’ll have plenty of time to take in their splendor.
To determine what kind of light decorations will be implemented, a selection committee chooses from submissions by artists and designers from around the world. When you visit the festival, you’ll see the top candidates showcasing their brilliant designs. Out of hundreds of applicants, typically only 30 or so are actually implemented. It’s located throughout the entire city.
9. Amsterdam Brown Cafes
Cozy, traditional dutch pubs
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Amsterdam brown cafes are local Dutch pubs where you can grab a pint and relax with good company in truly cozy surroundings. You’ll find quite a few options available, yet they all tend to be quite relaxed without the noise you’d typically find in a sports bar.
Brown cafes will give you a feeling of “gezellig”, which isn’t a word that translates easily to English. It’s essentially the feeling of warmth, comfort, and conviviality. Brown cafes are ubiquitous in Amsterdam, so you’ll find one easily, but they’re especially prominent by the canals.
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