If you are planning to visit Amsterdam, then don’t wait any longer. The time is here, pick up that passport and let’s ride. Why? Because Amsterdam is a dream to behold in winter. The rare chance of entering one of your favourite fairy tales stands at the ready in Amsterdam’s snowy winter.
Amsterdam becomes a snowy dreamscape in winter, now, who would want to miss that? To add to the fun, there are so many things to do in winter in Amsterdam that you just can’t miss this chance. 

Now that you are convinced, it is better to plan ahead because Amsterdam is grand with a lot of things to do. So, to help we have collected the most gezellig things to do on your trip during winter in Amsterdam. 

Why visit Amsterdam in Winter?

Knowing that Amsterdam is on almost everybody’s list of ‘places to travel once in a lifetime’, finding the best time to visit this city always works for the best. 

Winter is the best time to visit Amsterdam because it translates to a bit cheaper accommodations, fewer queues wherever you go, fewer crowds, dreamy settings, everything lit up and a romantic ambience. The best month will be: January.

Amsterdam in January is especially perfect, you get to see the Dutch capital laden with fairy lights and with any luck you might even see frozen canals, or you can always go to outdoor ice skating spaces. The Dutch also celebrate Tulpendag in January so that’s a plus! 

Top things to do in Amsterdam in Winter

Let’s get into the list of unmissable things to do in Amsterdam in winter. Whatever you plan, add these to your itinerary to truly experience the 

1. Ice Skating on the Canals: Museumplein

Among the popular Amsterdam winter activities, Ice Skating usually comes at the top. If the temperature drops a lot, frozen canals are not hard to find. However, if this doesn’t happen- no need to worry because there are plenty of outdoor ice skating rinks to skate your heart at. 

To answer your question of where to skate? Museumplein, Jaap Eden Ice Rink, Rembrandtplein.

Museumplein- the iconic square of Amsterdam where all the iconic museums are found, is also where you will find the cosiest ice skating rink. Ice* Amsterdam comes to the square every year and welcomes you to skate at its rink while taking in the beauty of Rijksmuseum. 

If you can’t skate and just want to take in the vibe, just order a hot chocolate or even your whole lunch at the bistro just beside the rink. Take photos and just enjoy looking at people on the rink. 

Price: €14.50 
Timings: From November 15 to February 5 ‘25, 10 am (9 am on weekends) to 10 pm 
Address: Museumplein 4 in Amsterdam
How to reach: You can reach by car. Tram (Lines 3, 5, or 12), bus (Line 305) or train (Line 1 or IC or SPR) are also options. 

Tip: You can book our Amsterdam-serviced apartments near the ice rink to reach it in absolutely no time. 

2. Wander Through the Jordaan District

A stroll can never go wrong. Take the well-treaded path in Jordaan District and wander aimlessly just taking in the beautiful sceneries- snow, historical buildings, and picturesque streets. 

Jordaan District looks especially picture-perfect and makes you want to stop time to just take it all in– snow covers the rooftops and frost dangles from the windows. 

To take a break visit one of the iconic Bruin cafés (brown cafes). You will find a great concentration of brown cafes in Jordaan District with some offering breathtaking canalside views.         
Explore World-Class Museums: The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum
You can’t go to Amsterdam and not see art in museums. The Rijksmuseum is the crown of the museum trio. Begin there for the world’s most impressive art collection including pieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.

Your next stop should be the Van Gogh Museum, the museum traces his journey from the Netherlands to France. More than 200 of Van Gogh’s canvases are on display along with 500 drawings and 700 handwritten letters making it the best experience into his psyche and art.

Last but so not least, the Stedelijk Museum houses a collection of modern artists collected by the curator Willem Sandberg. A rotating selection features Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse and many more that together become the highlights of the collection.

3. Winter delights and warm eats

You know the other best thing about Amsterdam in winter—food! Oliebollen is the decadent traditional Dutch beignet (a type of doughnut) that only appears in the winter. 

Try Oliobollen at: 

• Bakker's Oliebollenkraam; Spaarndammerstraat 792, Westerpark
• De Amsterdamse Oliebollenkraam; Belgiëplein, Nieuw-West
• Bakkerij Ad Straathof; Ten Katestraat 21, Oud-West

Dutch cheese is another thing one should not miss. De Kaaskamer is the stop for cheese in Amsterdam where you will find 350 kinds of cheese with all kinds of European imported sides to make it a meal. 

Try cheese at: De Kaaskamer

You can always take time out, just wander the snowy streets of Amsterdam and try the food as you go. Other top selections you can look for are: poffertjes, stamppot, snert, stroopwafel. 

Explore the blog on the Best restaurants to try in Amsterdam.

4. Explore the Christmas Markets

Amsterdam gets transformed into a Christmas dream in the winter, especially from November to December. You can find many local Christmas markets around the city with something different to offer.  

Either gulp a glass of glühwein or shop to your heart’s content, the Christmas markets are a treat. As you explore the markets, carolers and festive entertainers keep your glee meter high—another great reason to go.

Christmas markets to check out:

• Christmas Village Amsterdam: Museumplein gets into the festive cheers and turns into the Christmas Village with everything jolly.
  • Date and timings: From 12 to 26 December, 11 am - 9 pm at Museumplein, Oud-Zuid
• Funky Xmas Market: Amsterdam’s monthly Sunday market becomes Funky Xmas Market on a specific date.
  • Date and timings: 17 December 2024 - Funky Xmas Market at Westergasfabriek, Westerpark
• Sustainable Christmas Market: Your sustainable stop for gifts, vegan food and festive music is the Sustainable Christmas Market.
  • Date and timings: Saturday 14 December 2024 | De Ceuvel, Noord

5. Discover Hidden Winter Gems

Most people don’t know but you will find the winter wonderland in Amsterdam at the RAI Convention Center also known as the Amsterdam Winter Paradise. 

Ice skating rink, rides, a Ferris wheel, festive cheer and spirit, drinks and food and a lot more awaits here. 

Where: Amsterdam Winter Paradise
When: 19 December 2024 - 5 January 2025 | RAI Amsterdam, Zuid    

6. Enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival

(Image credits: winterfestivalamsterdam.com)

Amsterdam in winter is beautiful, but what makes it dreamy? The lights, the fairy lights! Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual treat which turns the whole city into a light paradise. With a new theme every year- they have different magical light installations around the city at canals, on the streets, on bridges and on landmarks.

Tip: Book a guided walk or boat tour on the official Amsterdam Light Festival website and enjoy the striking light installations around the city. 

Date: November 28’ 2024 to January 19’ 2025

7. Wander decorated streets 

Other lit stops in Amsterdam include the famous shopping streets that come out strong with their festive lights covering the streets. 

Take a stroll through the luxury shopping street P.C. Hooftstraat, the Spiegelgracht, Haarlemmerstraat, Albert Cuypstraat and the 9 Streets. 

Utrechtsestraat is already famous for its array of the best bars, cafés, boutiques and shops but in winter, the street turns itself into a winter paradise. The street is decorated with bright decorations from end to end.

Check out the blog on the top accommodations in Amsterdam with a balcony, where you can enjoy stunning views of the beautifully decorated streets.

8. Relax with a hot drink at a canal café

If you are like us and appreciate good food with breathtaking views, then Canal cafés are for you. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) is where you will find a treasure cove of canal cafés. 

Enjoy a hot drink and a cosy plate of traditional Dutch cuisine while 

Some canal cafés to try:

• Cafe t’ Smalle
• Smidtje Canal Café
• Cafe Marcella
• Café Thijssen
• Café de Jaren

9. Experience the XtraCold Ice Bar in Amsterdam

(Image credits: tickets-amsterdam/ice-bar-amsterdam/)

You haven’t truly experienced the cold until you have been to the iconic XtraCold Ice Bar in Amsterdam. With a temperature of -10°C it is about to get chilly! 

Based on the ill-fated voyage of Willem Barentsz to the Arctic, the bar lets you get a taste of what it's like to be stranded in the truly chilling ice-cold weather of the North Pole.

The walls and glasses- everything is made of ice, but the bar gives you a coat to cover yourself with the ticket. Your ticket also gets you three drinks. If you get too cold, turn to the warm bar for a while. 

Location: Find the XtraCold Ice Bar at Amsterdam Icebar, Amstel 194-196, 1017 AG Amsterdam
Timings: noon to midnight
Tickets: €24.50

10. Visit the Ice Sculpture Festival: Art Below Zero

The Ice Sculpture Festival dubbed as Art Below Zero this year is celebrating 750 years of Amsterdam. Expert sculptors and artists using over 500 tonnes of snow and ice have created a breathtaking series of ice sculptures for you to gasp at. 

Enter this icy world to relive the moments of history that have been stopped in ice by the artists for the festival. 

Walk through time– beginning from 1275 to the present day at Art Below Zero happening at the Central Market Hall. 

Dates: December 21’ 2024 to March 2’ 2025
Timings: Every day from 10 am to 6 pm
Tickets: Adults- €19,50 
Children- €14,50
How to reach: It is 5 minutes from the A10 motorway and 15 minutes by bike from the Central station 

Tip: Book tickets in advance at the official website             

11. Winter bike tour

Now why only walk or take cars, be a true local by choosing a winter bike tour. On the bike tour, you can enjoy fresh air brushing against you while taking in the views. 

There are many guided tours you can choose from, our choice is the Amsterdam City Highlights Guided Bike Tour. This tour takes you through iconic sites the Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Prinseneiland and many more. 

You can always choose other themed bike tours like the one which takes you around the city to how the Amsterdam Light Festival, a tour completely based on Anne Frank that takes you through the Jewish Quarter, or a countryside bike tour. 

Price: From €37
Tip: It is always best to book the bike tours in advance as there are limited spaces. Reach at the meeting point on time. 

Conclusion: Amsterdam in Winter is Truly Magical

Amsterdam in winter is something magical with snowy picturesque views and fewer crowds so you can take it easy. Many special treats and festivals that can’t be enjoyed all year round can be relished in winter. Gorgeous scenes and scrumptious food (almost no queues) what more does one desire?
To give your trip a Dutch touch, our advice is to book accommodation in Amsterdam located in the key spots that put you within minutes distance of everything nice. You can explore the city more easily while living in these apartments with all the freedom you get.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that we have done everything to make your winter trip to Amsterdam a piece out of a fairytale. Just follow the footsteps we have laid in for you and you will experience Amsterdam at its best. 
To end it with a tip for first-time visitors, let us add that plan at least 5-7 days in Amsterdam for a completely immersive experience of this dreamy European city. Try to plan your days but don’t force it too much, it is always great to just go with the flow, especially with all the canals around you.