Amsterdam in January

By Robert Heaney
Snowed-over bicycle leaning against the railings of an Amsterdam canal

If you’re looking to satisfy your winter wanderlust in a city known the world over for its cultural and historical value, then a trip to Amsterdam in January could be just the ticket. So long as you can brave the European winter chill, January offers the perfect opportunity to experience the capital of Dutch delights during one of its quietest and therefore most genuine periods.

Visiting Amsterdam in January

Image of Face, Head, Person, Selfie, Photography, Female, Girl, Teen,

Average Temperature: 33 - 39°F • Average Rainfall: 8 days/month • Average Sunshine: 2 hours/day

January serves as somewhat of a renewal of Amsterdam’s low-season. With most of the festive celebrations of December now long wrapped up, the beginning of the new year sees tourism rates enter a seasonal lull which will last into the coming months.

While the Dutch capital is still alive and kicking in this period, you’ll have the chance to experience it during one of its most quiet periods. While the city never truly sleeps due to its multifaceted appeal, you’re likely to find yourself fighting much less with crowds at popular attractions. If that wasn’t enough, visiting in this period will also likely give you the benefit of off-season accommodation rates and airfare.

With winter now in full swing, you can expect January to be a month to wrap up well for. Alongside average temperatures flirting just above freezing, you’re also likely to experience at least one day of rain per week. Warm, waterproof clothing is therefore a must, particularly if you plan on exploring the city’s iconic open squares and winter festivities.

Things to do in January

Image of Water, Waterfront, Boat, Sailboat, Vehicle, Watercraft, Person,

Given the average weather of Amsterdam in January, you’d be forgiven for wanting to forego exploring’s famous canals and architecture in place of more indoor activities. If you’re looking to stay toasty, then January could be a fantastic time to fit in more of the city’s renowned cultural and historical hubs.

Having been home to many celebrated artists both past and present, Amsterdam is unsurprisingly filled to the brim with some of Europe’s best art galleries. Leading the charge is the Rijksmuseum, home to the Netherlands’ largest collection of artworks and historical artifacts. Among this collection are over 20 pieces by Rembrandt, including the prized ‘Night Watch’, and four by Vermeer, such as ‘The Milkmaid’ and ‘Woman Reading a Letter’.

Second only to the Rijksmuseum is the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s most complete collection of the late post-Impressionist painter’s works. Just down the road is also the MOCO Museum, standing as a celebration of such popular contemporary artists as Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons.

For your fill of Dutch history, you’ll want to make your way to the likes of the Amsterdam Museum and the Maritime Museum, each offering key insights into the respective histories of Amsterdam as a whole and the nautical pursuits of the Netherlands. Also popular is the Anne Frank House, where a biographical museum now stands in memory of the Jewish wartime diarist.

If you happen to be visiting Amsterdam in early January, you’ll see the tail end of the Ice*Amsterdam festival. Hard to miss due to its huge presence on the busy Museumplein, this winter celebration comprises a central ice-skating rink complemented by market stalls, food stands and winter bars where you can warm up with a hearty cup of hot chocolate milk.

Events in January

Image of Flower, Flower Arrangement, Flower Bouquet, Lady, Person, Adult, Female, Woman, Face, Head, Scarf,

New Year’s Day

If you’re visiting Amsterdam over New Year’s Eve and find yourself still buzzing from a night of celebration, then you can join thousands of locals and visitors alike for the New Year Swim. On January 1, many flock to take a simultaneous dip in the North Sea as a symbolic way of washing off the previous year and starting the new one afresh.

And fresh is the operative word here because the North Sea will be cold. This isn’t a tradition for the faint of heart, but it’s a must-do if you really want an authentic Dutch New Year experience. After a brief dip in the sea, you can join your fellow revelers on the beach and continue the festivities with high spirits and a hot cup of pea soup to warm your chilled bones.

As you might expect, New Year’s Day is a public holiday in the Netherlands, meaning many stores and services will be closed for the day. This makes it a perfect time to rest after a night of festivity. Just make sure to grab any provisions and hangover cures ahead of time!

Amsterdam Light Festival

Running alongside the holiday season, the Amsterdam Light Festival illuminates the Dutch capital with impressive light displays by designers, artists and architects from around the world. Taking place throughout December and January, the festival typically showcases around 30 unique art installations, bringing an even more magical touch to an already festive city.

One of the most popular activities of the Light Festival is to take a canal cruise in the evening. These boat tours offer a chance for visitors and locals alike to see the city from a different perspective, offering unique insights into the history of prominent neighborhoods while also exploring the artworks lining the banks of the canals.

National Tulip Day

The third Saturday in January marks the official start of tulip season in the Netherlands with National Tulip Day. On this day, Amsterdam's Dam Square makes way for a garden of around 200,000 tulips, grown carefully over the preceding months in controlled, indoor environments. Thousands of visitors flock to this garden each January to pick their own free bunch of tulips, and many florists from this point forward will begin promoting the new tulip season.

IMPRO Amsterdam

For roughly a week in late January, a handful of Amsterdam’s key theatres become host to the IMPRO festival. Celebrating all facets of improvisational theatre, the festival attracts high caliber players from around the world to come together in a series of shows held throughout the week. The festival’s extensive program of events also includes open workshops for visitors of all backgrounds and capabilities to try their hand at improv.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Flowerbeds floating on water in front of Rijksmuseum
Blog

Best Museums in Amsterdam

Globally renowned as a rich cultural center, Amsterdam is positively brimming with engaging museums and historical landmarks. Having grown from a small riverside settlement in the middle ages to a modern cosmopolitan paradise, the Dutch capital has seen its fair share of significant historical and cultural developments over the centuries. Whether you’re looking to retrace the steps of Dutch history, appreciate the works of influential artists or simply discover some brand new cultural insights, the best museums in Amsterdam cater to a huge variety of audiences. Rijksmuseum One of the most important museums in both the Netherlands and indeed Europe as a whole, the Rijksmuseum stands as the largest museum in Amsterdam. Dominating the popular Museumplein, the museum is easily one of the most recognizable monuments in the city, most notably for its striking Renaissance- and Gothic-inspired architecture. The grand halls of the Rijksmuseum are home to a vast collection of art pieces and historical artifacts, illustrating the art and history of the Netherlands from the Dutch Golden Age to present day. Among its more than 8,000-strong collection are priceless pieces from such renowned Dutch artists as Rembrandt and Vermeer, including the former’s famous Night Watch painting. Amsterdam Museum Combining both historical artifacts and striking artworks, the Amsterdam Museum stands as the Netherlands’ most complete public chronology of the Dutch capital’s history. The museum sits within the canal band, just a short walk from the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. The museum documents the city’s growth from a thirteenth-century settlement on the banks of the River Amstel to the thriving cultural center we know today. Everything from archeological finds and historical artifacts to the works of such Dutch masters as Rembrandt help to paint a picture of life in Amsterdam and the Low Countries as a whole throughout various periods in history. Van Gogh Museum Having lived and worked in the Netherlands throughout his life, it’s only fitting that Amsterdam’s most significant art gallery be dedicated to the world’s most famous painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Just a brief walk from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum stands as the most complete permanent collection of the Dutch painter’s works. Among the gallery’s vast collection of permanent exhibits are over 200 original paintings and 500 drawings from the Post-Impressionist artist, alongside exhibitions showcasing the works of his contemporaries. The museum is separated chronologically into five periods, each exploring a different key period in his life and work. National Maritime Museum As a country defined by its fight against the ocean and its role as a pioneer in the Golden Age of Exploration, it’s no secret that the Netherlands is a country built on seafaring. The National Maritime Museum stands as a monument to Dutch nautical pursuits, covering everything from the Golden Age to Amsterdam’s historical role as an international trade hub. Situated quite fittingly upon the water, the museum recounts the history of Dutch maritime activity through the likes of naval maps, contemporary paintings, navigation instruments and a variety of replica ships. Moored outside the museum is a replica Dutch East India Company ship, upon which visitors can see what life was like for crew members on their exploratory voyages around the globe. NEMO Science Museum Housed within one of Amsterdam’s modern architectural marvels is the NEMO Science Museum, offering visitors of all ages an opportunity to explore science and technology in an engaging, interactive environment. Various exhibits, workshops, activities, demonstrations and movies allow visitors to see, touch, hear and smell how the world works across five immersive floors. Situated in the Oosterdok area, the venue’s accessible rooftop offers an additional open-air exhibition, terrace and restaurant, as well as stunning panoramic views across the city. While this is an ideal experience for families with younger children, that isn’t to say older individuals can’t get just as much of a kick from the vast range of immersive exhibitions on offer. Anne Frank House Easily the most popular historical site in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House. Once the original house in which the famous wartime diarist evaded German capture, the building now serves as a museum documenting her family’s more than two years in hiding, along with sobering insights into Jewish persecution under the Nazi regime throughout the Second World War. Located on the outer banks of Amsterdam’s canal band, visitors can explore the former premises of the Frank family business including the original concealed annex in which they and two other families remained in hiding. While the rooms of the property now sit empty of original furniture, they still breathe the chilling atmosphere of the period. EYE Film Institute The EYE Film Institute is the Netherlands’ most important center dedicated to the medium of film and the moving image. Visitors to EYE Amsterdam can enjoy a selection of classic screenings across its four main cinemas and explore the many facets of the film industry through its expansive exhibition area. The museum explores current, historical and artistic developments in film, while its interactive basement offers visitors the opportunity to explore its vast digitized collection. EYE also hosts an impressive program of immersive, educational events and activities for families and individuals alike to learn about the industry. Rembrandt House A short ways behind the Red Light District sits the former residence of celebrated Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. A vast property on the banks of Zwanenburgwal, the Rembrandt House has been restored to replicate its exact layout during the artist’s residency, decorated according to an inventory drawn up shortly after his declaration of bankruptcy. Enthusiasts of the Golden Age painter’s works can explore his studio and living quarters, adorned with a rotating collection of his paintings. Demonstrations held at the venue also offer insights into Rembrandt’s painting and etching techniques, alongside other artistic techniques popular among his seventeenth-century contemporaries. Venustempel Sex Museum As a city now long famous for its various hedonistic offerings, it should be clear that Amsterdam isn’t one to shy away from topics often considered taboo in other parts of the world. The Venustempel (‘Venus Temple’) is the world’s oldest – and indeed first – museum dedicated to eroticism and sensuality. Fittingly situated close to Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District, the museum displays an extensive collection of erotic paintings, photographs and recordings, among other exhibits. At the museum’s entrance, visitors are immediately greeted by a plaster bust of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and fertility, before embarking on an exploration of human intimacy throughout the ages.
Robert Heaney
Tram passing in front of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
Blog

Things to do near the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the jewel in Amsterdam’s sightseeing crown, but there are plenty more splendid attractions within just a few minutes’ walk of this must-see art museum. Discover the ostentatious Royal Palace, sip amber nectar at the Heineken Experience, meet the Dutch royal family in Madame Tussauds and more in our guide to all the best things to do near the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam…
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Rijksmuseum reflected on calm water
Blog

Amsterdam in August

You’d be hard pressed to find the Dutch capital thriving more than it does in August. Seeing its largest annual throughput of tourists, the city brims with life in every way, from its bustling nightlife scene to its busy squares and huge selection of events and festivals. If you can put up with busier attractions during this time, then you’re bound to find a trip to Amsterdam in August beyond rewarding. Visiting Amsterdam in August Average Temperature: 54 - 70°F • Average Rainfall: 11 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 6 hours/day There are few periods busier for Amsterdam than summer, and August truly takes the cake. At the height of peak season, you can expect the city to be packed with families and summer vacationers, resulting in busy attractions and high accommodation prices. However, that also means you’ll get to experience the Dutch capital at its best, with its veritably electric summertime atmosphere. Upholding the seasonal climate established in July, Amsterdam typically experiences bright, mild days throughout August. While you shouldn’t expect the heatwaves of more southern European destinations, you’re likely to spend some very pleasant days in August, ideal for exploring its iconic streets, squares and open spaces. That being said, it’s always smart to pack an umbrella, as rainfall is never unlikely in the Netherlands. Things to Do in August No matter the time of year, any trip to Amsterdam would be incomplete without discovering at least some of its famous cultural hubs. Taking precedence is the emblematic Rijksmuseum towering over the Museumplein, housing a vast collection of renowned artworks and historical artifacts. Where historical insight is concerned, the Anne Frank House stands as the most potent recounting of life in the Netherlands during the Second World War. As a city with more bicycles than people, there are few better ways to explore Amsterdam than on your very own pair of wheels. Over 470 miles of cycle paths make up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, making for a fantastic excuse to take a more physically active approach to exploring the capital. Many bike rental stores offer daily rates somewhere in the region of €10. There’s no better time than summer to make the most of Amsterdam’s many sprawling green spaces. The weather in August offers a perfect opportunity to take a stroll among Vondelpark’s ancient trees and stunning lakes, and grab a seat at one of its many charming park cafés. Equally, why not have a picnic in Westerpark, make the most of its live summertime events and shows, or even catch a viewing at its very own arthouse cinema? Second only to cycling, Amsterdam’s emblematic waterways offer a uniquely alternative means of seeing the city. You can choose from a large variety of tour operators offering their own canal boat excursions, often including tours of the capital’s key landmarks accompanied by local insights into their cultural and historical significance. Amsterdam’s nightlife scene is never better than in summer, when you can expect most bars and clubs to be brimming with life. Popular venues can be found throughout the city, but as a general rule of thumb, the old area of Jordaan is typically very popular with young people for its trendy bars. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are particularly popular for their club offerings, while the street of Nes often attracts more of an intellectual theater crowd. Events in August Pluk de Nacht Film Festival Mid-August is prime time for sultry evenings beneath the stars, and the Pluk de Nacht (‘Seize the Night’) film festival aims to deliver just that. This event consists of an open-air cinema premiering acclaimed independent films never before released in the Netherlands. Film lovers can grab a lazy beach chair and enjoy an evening of cinema accompanied by warm blankets and cocktails. Grachtenfestival Amsterdam’s Grachtenfestival, or Canal Festival, is considered one of the country’s most charming cultural events. The event brings together talented classical musicians from both around the country and abroad to perform in a 10-day classical music marathon on the city’s world-renowned canal belt. Throughout the event, over 150 unique stages open up across private gardens, rooftop terraces, canal houses, cruise ships, hotel suites and tube tunnels. Visitors can enjoy classical music, jazz and world music concerts from international names, with many performances offered at very affordable prices or even free of charge. Amsterdam Pride As the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, nobody knows how to celebrate Pride more than the Netherlands. Now a multi-day festival, Amsterdam’s Pride Festival typically attracts around half a million visitors each year in late July in celebration of equality, diversity and personal identity. Should you happen to visit around this time, you’ll find local bars and clubs veritably thriving with festivity. Various street parties and events bring together thousands of revelers dressed in the full color spectrum to enjoy live music performances and Amsterdam’s famous Canal Parade, during which over 80 official vessels celebrate the past, present and future of the LGBT community. Uitmarkt Late August marks the opening of the Netherlands’ cultural season, with Uitmarkt standing as its opening act. The largest cultural festival in the country, Uitmarkt draws in over half a million visitors each year to appreciate a huge selection of performances taking place throughout the city. Over 2,000 of the Netherlands’ best performers, musicians, actors, orchestras and filmmakers come together to perform across more than 30 venues. The full program of events is offered free of charge to the public and includes everything from classical music performances to dance demonstrations and everything in between in a show of the country’s vast cultural wealth. De Parade Touring the country’s five largest cities, De Parade is a traveling theater festival that transforms the open spaces of its host cities into festival venues filled with colorful carnival tents, live entertainment acts, a carousel and a variety of family activities and food stands. Beginning in Eindhoven, the event also travels to Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht before arriving at its final destination in Amsterdam. The festival typically arrives in Amsterdam in August and offers locals and visitors alike the chance to revel in fun-filled performances and the jovial carnival atmosphere. Whether you’re a fan of theater and the circus or simply want to spend an evening exploring the event grounds accompanied by live music and delicious local delicacies, De Parade is well worth a visit.
Robert Heaney

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.