Visit Amsterdam in December and experience winter magic and holiday spirit in the Dutch capital. The city offers lots of things to do that make December a great time to visit. As long as you’re equipped with warm clothes and you don’t mind the rather cold weather, nothing can stop you from exploring Amsterdam in December.

Reasons to visit Amsterdam in December

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Weather in Amsterdam in December

Unfortunately, Dutch weather is quite unpredictable – especially in December.  If you’re lucky you get some sunny days, but if you’re unlucky it could be snowing with strong winds and freezing temperatures.

The average temperature in Amsterdam in December is between 2°C and 6°C. But keep in mind that it’s quite windy so it will probably feel as if it was a few degrees cooler.

There is a chance of snow but it’s a really low chance. If it snows, it’s usually wet snow and it doesn’t stay on the ground. I don’t want to discourage you to visit Amsterdam in December though. There are several reasons why December is a great time of the year to visit the Dutch capital. Depending on the weather you’ll need to adapt your plans of exploring Amsterdam. But no worries, there are also lots of indoor activities you can do.

Reasons to visit Amsterdam in December

Zaandam, Netherlands

Less people

I think that most people have heard about how crowded Amsterdam can be during the warmer months of the year. Visiting Amsterdam in December gives you a completely different experience as it’s way more quiet and the streets aren’t fully packed with tourists.

Lower prices

Lower rates for rooms and experiences are a positive side effect of off-season travel. Amsterdam is generally a relatively expensive city so it’s a great way to save some money by visiting in December. However, prices rise again around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Chance of snow

Zaandam, Netherlands

As I said before, the chance of snow in Amsterdam is quite low but it’s not impossible. I was truly lucky to experience snow in Amsterdam when I visited in winter. And let me tell you it’s an amazing experience to see the snowflakes fall down on the tree-lined canals and streets. Winter in The Netherlands can definitely be magical.

Christmas markets

Christmas markets are always a good reason to visit European cities in December. Hot wine, traditional snacks and local handicrafts paired with holiday spirit. Do I need to say more?

What to pack

As Amsterdam is quite cold in December, make sure to pack enough clothes that keep you warm and dry. Also, layering is the key. When the sun comes out, it might even be warm enough to take off your jacket. Here’s a packing list with the essential items that you should bring for a visit to Amsterdam in December:

  • Hoodie – like this cozy winter hoodie (for women and for men)
  • Warm jacket – this lightweight packable jacket is perfect for traveling (for women and for men)
  • Waterproof windstopper
  • Umbrella
  • (Waterproof) Boots
  • Thick socks
  • Scarf, beanie, cloves
  • Sunglasses (let’s stay positive!)

I know I’m repeating myself but really be prepared for the cold. It will be windy, maybe even rainy and if you’re not well-equipped you might not enjoy your trip to the fullest.

Things to do in Amsterdam in December

Amsterdam in Winter

Visit a Christmas market

Visiting a Christmas market should be on top of the things to do in Amsterdam in December. The famous Christmas markets in Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein open their stalls in December. As a visitor you have the chance to buy gifts for your loved ones and enjoy some hot wine and traditional local snacks.

Street lights illuminate the canals and bridges in the evening and holiday spirit is in the air. Strolling through the Christmas markets in Amsterdam is magical and it makes you feel as if you’re in a fairytale. 

Besides the Christmas markets in Amsterdam you can also visit those in nearby cities such as Utrecht, Haarlem and Leiden. 

Amsterdam Light Festival

At Amsterdam Light Festival artists from around the world come to the Dutch capital to portray their creations of light displays. Those light displays are installed in the city and light up the canals and the streets of Amsterdam.

The event takes place annually in the winter months.

Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival with a boat tour and admire the artwork from the water. Or simply walk along the canals and enjoy the view of the light installations from there.

Visit museums

Luckily, Amsterdam is famous for being home to numerous museums. If you want to warm up after your outdoor exploration or if the weather is just too cold to be outside, visit one of the various museums in Amsterdam.

Here’s a list of Amsterdam’s most famous museums:

Do a free walking tour

Amsterdam in December

Put on a warm jacket and head out to explore the city center of Amsterdam. I recommend doing a guided free walking tour to learn about Dutch culture and history from a local. Make sure to visit the Dam Square, the red light district and De Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest building built in 1306.

On these guided tours you visit the most important sights of the city and you get an insight into Dutch life and tradition. This is a great opportunity to learn about the place you’re visiting from the perspective of a local.

Go ice skating

Ice skating is a great way to add an outdoor activity to your winter trip to Amsterdam (and to stay warm outside!). There’s an ice rink at Amsterdam’s Museumplein right in front of the Rijksmuseum called Ice* Amsterdam. Enjoy the beautiful setting of the Rijksmuseum and the surrounding Christmas lights while ice skating on the rink. Besides ice skating you can also have a snack and drinks at the bistro next to the ice rink or go shopping in one of the various shops nearby.

Ice skating Netherlands

When it’s a really cold winter, you can even go ice skating on the frozen canals like on the photo above. Don’t get too excited about that though, because most of the time the canals don’t freeze.

Do a canal cruise

Amsterdam Canal Cruise

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam that define the city’s landscape. The canal ring of Amsterdam is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What better way to explore Amsterdam than by floating down the canals then?

A canal cruise in Amsterdam in December has two major perks:

  1. You’ll see a lot from Amsterdam with the comfort of being on a boat.
  2. It’s warm.

The second point could be a very convincing argument to opt for a canal cruise when visiting Amsterdam in December. There are several options, such as a hop-on-hop-off tour, cruises including dinner or a simple 1 hour boat tour.

The most popular providers of canal cruises in Amsterdam are Stromma and Blue Boat. Or check out this boat cruise with guide, drinks and cheese.

Restaurant-hopping

If you’re cold and you want to warm up, just visit one of the great restaurants and cafés in Amsterdam.

  • De Kas Amsterdam
    A farm-to-table restaurant located in the outskirts of Amsterdam. Their menu changes weekly depending on the seasonality of their home-grown vegetables.
  • Pllek Amsterdam
    Amsterdam’s biggest green house and a city beach. They serve mainly vegetarian dishes.
  • Sea Palace Amsterdam
    Authentic Chinese cuisine offered in a restaurant that floats on a canal in Amsterdam.
  • Caffè Toscanini
    The best Italian restaurant in Amsterdam.

These are just a few of the numerous amazing restaurants in Amsterdam. For more great places to eat in the Dutch capital check out this restaurant guide.

Where to stay in Amsterdam in December

Amsterdam has a wide choice of amazing hostels, which is my personal favorite way to socialize and meet people. For budget-travelers I recommend these hostels:

  • Flying Pig Downtown – famous for their bar and a great place if you like to meet new people.
  • Ecomama – located in the heart of Amsterdam, it combines the cosiness of a community, the luxury of a hotel. I love their interior design!
  • St. Christopher’s at The Winston – has a great bar with beer garden and is in an excellent location.

For those who look for a more upscale place to stay, I recommend looking at booking.com

Things to do in Amsterdam in December
Things to do in Amsterdam in December

Despite the cold, it’s definitely worth it to travel to Amsterdam in December. Visiting Christmas markets, the Amsterdam Light Festival and ice skating in front of the Rijksmuseum is something unique that you can only do at that time of the year. If you get cold from all the outdoor exploration there’s always an interesting museum or a great café where you can warm up.

In case you’re traveling to The Netherlands during a warmer time of the year I recommend visiting one of the Wadden Islands. There you can experience typical dutch countryside paired with beautiful beaches and nature.

Would you visit Amsterdam in December? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments!

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