Exploring Amsterdam in Winter: A Complete Travel Guide

Amsterdam is an amazing country with lots of enchanting canals, historical places with great architecture, and local folks enjoying lively culture. It is also a perfect magical destination to visit any time of year. But here is the twist: if you go to Amsterdam in winter, the places will show you extra charm. This is because the country turns into a beautiful wonderland filled with decorations of festive lights, warm cafes to relax and eat, and also enjoy some of the exciting winter activities. It doesn’t matter, whether you are visiting Amsterdam for the first time or many times, there is really something unique to see during the colder months. In this guide, we will try to fill you in with details of ice skating, holiday markets and museums, and cozy food experiences so that you can enjoy most of the time in Amsterdam. 

Also if you need any help regarding the Netherlands Visa, we will get that section covered before the end of this blog.

12 Things to do in Amsterdam in Winter

1. Explore the Amsterdam Light Festival

One of the major highlights of visiting Amsterdam in winter is to check out the Amsterdam Light Festival. Right from the end of November to the early month of January, the canals of the city and street are decorated with breathtaking light art installations, which are created by world-class artists from around the world. 

• Best way to experience: You should definitely take the canal cruise at the time of Evening so that you can see the illuminated artworks from the water. You can also walk around or take a bike on the important routes so that you can enjoy the light displays from close. 

• Tip: Try to book the canal cruise tickets in advance so that it doesn’t get over. The demand for cruises is even more during weekends and holidays. 

2. Ice Skating at Museumplein

Any trip to Amsterdam in winter is complete with taking the experience of ice skating. There is a famous place called Museumplein, which is a large public square. The name is like that because there are two renowned museums, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Here, the entire place is turned into a picturesque ice-skating rink. 

• Why visit: If you skate here you will get the stunning view of the Rijksmuseum. This will let you immerse yourself in the great festive atmosphere. 

• Skating gear: Skates are available for rent on sites. Nearby there are even cozy cafes available where you can warm yourself up with some hot chocolate and eat tasty Dutch treats. 

3. Visit the Christmas Markets

The Christmas markets in Amsterdam in winter look like a wonderland filled with the vibrant cheer of holidays. Just take a small stroll around any of these markets, and you can get anything from handicraft gifts to delicious foods to warm drinks. Some of the Popular markets are:

• Amsterdam Winter Paradise: Right at the centre of RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, this Christmas market is located. It is a kind of both indoor and outdoor market that is filled with ice skating, live music and a giant Ferris Wheel.

• Funky Xmas Market: This Christmas market is located in the Westergas area. You will get a lot of unique handmade gifts and sustainable products in these markets. 

• Ice Village at Museumplein: As we mentioned about the famous ice rink in Museumplein, you will even find stalls that will sell souvenirs, food, and mulled wine.  

4. Take a Canal Cruise

The canals are a really fascinating attraction, but while you are in Amsterdam in Winter, the experience totally becomes serene and magical. You should definitely take the canal cruise to see the beauty of the city from a different angle. 

• Winter experience: As it’s cold, most of the cruise operators will offer heated boats and blankets. Hot drinks are even served on the board, making the experience very cozy. 

• Special Cruises: A few of the cruises are sometimes themed as the Amsterdam Light Festival. Few others offer candlelight dinners with wine tastings. 

5. Warm Up in Amsterdam’s Museums

Visiting Amsterdam in winter is also a wonderful time to explore the best museums. While indoors, you can even escape the chilly cold and get a chance to explore the great world of art, history, and culture. A few of the top museums to visit are:

• Rijksmuseum: This museum is home to the amazing art of famous Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer. 

• Van Gogh Museum: The entire museum is dedicated to the life and the works of the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh.

• Anne Frank House: An important museum that will tell the story of Anne Frank and her family during World War II.

• Stedelijk Museum: If you are a lover of modern and contemporary art, then this is a must-visit place. 

6. Experience Dutch Winter Cuisine

Amsterdam in winter always calls for warm and hearty food. If you wander around the city, you will find many places where the traditional Dutch dishes are served to keep you warm and satisfied. Some of the must-try dishes are:

• Stamppot: It’s a mixture of mashed potatoes and vegetables, served with a smoked sausage. This is quite a popular traditional dish.

• Erwtensoep: Also known as the Dutch pea soup, which is thick soup made with peas, pork and vegetables. The taste is so amazing that it is perfect food for a cold day. 

• Poffertjes: These are mini pancakes that are fluffed up. You can even ask it to be served with powdered sugar and butter. 

• Oliebollen: The famous Dutch doughnuts which are most enjoyed during the New Year’s Eve. But sometimes it is even available throughout the winter. 

Where to eat: You should definitely visit the traditional Dutch restaurants like Moeders. If you are looking for some cozy cafes, then go to Cafe ‘t Smalle. 

7. Go Shopping in the Nine Streets also known as De negen Straatjes

When you visit Amsterdam in winter, don’t forget to visit the Nine Streets district. It is a popular place that is filled with vintage boutique shops and stores, along with trendy cafes. During the festive season, the place will be decorated with lights. It will give you a cozy experience which is perfect for holiday shopping:

• What to find: You will get a lot of unique fashion clothing, handmade jewelry sets, art instruments, and souvenirs to take back home. 

• Tip: If you get tired of walking around to find the best place for shopping , then just take a break at any of the cafes for a warm drink and snack. 

8. Experience a Cozy Brown Cafe

Bruin cafes or Brown cafes are actually traditional Dutch pubs. If you go to any of these pubs, witness their warm, wooden interiors and feel relaxed in the cozy atmosphere. This is the perfect place to enjoy a drink after exploring the city of Amsterdam in winter. Some of the popular brown cafes are:

• Cafe Hoppe: Right from the year of 1670, this oldest brown cafe has been serving drinks in Amsterdam. 

• Cafe ‘t Smalle: A charming cafe located on the canal side with a great history.

• Cafe De Dokter: This is one of the smallest brown cafe in Amsterdam. You will surely get an unique and intimate experience here. 

What to Drink: Try the Dutch beers, a glass of Ditch gin or Jenever, or a warm mulled wine.

9. Visit the Jordaan Neighborhood

One of the most picturesque neighborhoods is Jordaan. Here, you can roam around to get the real feel of the narrow streets, canals, and historical buildings. During Amsterdam in Winter, the area absolutely feels very romantic. Some of the best things that you can do in this neighbourhood are:

• Just take a stroll along the canals. You will be astonished to admire the beautifully decorated houseboats.

• Do visit the lively market in Noordermarkt, where you can get anything from fresh produce to antique items. 

• You can even explore the independent shops or the art galleries. 

10. Take a Day Trip from Amsterdam

Keep some extra time in hand so that you can take a day trip from Amsterdam in Winter to explore the nearby attractions. Some of the popular day trips are:

• Zaanse Schans: This is a famous and traditional Dutch village that has windmills and wooden houses.

• Volendam and Marken: These are some of the fishing villages which look very picturesques as they have colorful houses blended with the traditional Dutch culture. 

• Haarlem: A lively city with just a short train ride from Amsterdam. You will find a great amount of historical places built with beautiful architecture. 

11. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam

Planning to celebrate New year from Amsterdam in winter? Then you are in the right place, as the city will host a great amount of events, fireworks, and parties to celebrate. Some of the places where you can celebrate are:

• Nieuwmarkt: This will remain as the busiest area in New Year Eve celebrations, surrounded with a lively atmosphere and fireworks. 

• Dam Square: The square is right in the centre of Amsterdam. Here you will find the locals and tourists together celebrating with live music and fireworks. 

• Clubs and bars: Most of the clubs and bars in Amsterdam will host New year Eve parties. So book early to have a great Evening. 

12. Enjoy a Winter Bike Ride

To actually get the fulfilled experience in Amsterdam in winter, one should definitely go biking. Though it sounds weird because the winter climate in Netherlands will be very chilly outside, believe us when you bike through the quiet streets of the city and along the canals. It is a great way to enjoy and explore. Some of the major tips for winter biking are:

• You will have to dress in layers and wear glovers to stay warm. 

• The roads will be very slippery so you need to be cautious about it and snow. 

• Get the bikes with winter tires so that more traction is there and you don’t slip and fall down.

Get some professional help in availing the Netherlands Visa Appointment from UK

Are you facing any difficulty getting an online Netherland Visa London to visit Amsterdam in Winter? If yes, then worry not. You can use our professional expertise at NETHERLAND VISAS UK. Just click on the Apply Online tab. A list of forms will appear; continue then to fill in your details. Make the payment before submission. You will be contacted by our executives immediately to discuss everything to book your Visa appointment date. Your satisfaction with our service will be considered the top priority. 

Conclusion

Hence, to conclude that visiting Amsterdam in winter will actually give a magical experience as tha time the country will be filled with activities of festivals, and scenery will be absolutely stunning. Whether you just want to explore the museums of the city, or cruise along the canal, or just relax and have a drink at the brown cafe, everything is available in Amsterdam. So just get ready and pack your bags so that you can create some unforgettable memories after visiting Amsterdam. 

FAQ’s

1. Are there any special events going to happen during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Amsterdam?

Yes definitely. Amsterdam will host a lively New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks at the Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt. There will even be special parties in lots of other clubs and bars across the city. 

2. What are some of the indoor attractions one can visit in Amsterdam during winter?

There are many indoor attractions in Amsterdam. Most notably are the Anne Frank House, Rijksmusuem, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and NEMO Science Museum. Here you spend time, you can surely escape the cold.

3. How many days will it take for the Netherlands Tourist Visa to arrive?

After the Visa gets approved at the Visa Centre, it should take around 14 to 15 calendar days for your Visa to reach via courier. 

4. Do I need separate Visa application forms to fill in for my family members?

You fill in one application form on our website, we will take care of the rest. Just keep in mind that each member will get separate appointment slots at the Visa Centre.