Amsterdam is one in every of Europe’s hottest locations at any time of 12 months, however if you happen to go to Amsterdam in January, you possibly can keep away from the height vacationer season and benefit from higher charges to benefit from the metropolis’s slim streets, historic buildings, Dutch delicacies, and common sights.
Whereas January could also be one of many coldest months of the 12 months, with common highs within the 40s (levels Fahrenheit) and low temperatures within the low 30s, there may be benefits to visiting Amsterdam within the winter months. International warming is already making a distinction, however when it will get chilly sufficient, the canals of Amsterdam freeze over, permitting locals to skate alongside the frozen canals.
And whilst you can’t but see tulips within the fields, the third Saturday of January is Nationwide Tulip Day. As a part of this kick off to tulip season, guests can choose tulips free of charge in a specifically designed tulip gardens.
Guests and locals alike can benefit from the particular occasions and festivities which are a part of Winter Competition Amsterdam, which runs from November till February. You possibly can get pleasure from nighttime canal boat cruises through the Amsterdam Gentle Competition and ice skating on the ice rinks at Museumplein or Rembrandtplein. (Sorry, January is just too late for the Christmas Markets or Amsterdam Winter Paradise.)
Issues to Know About Visiting Amsterdam in January
Regardless of the chilly climate, there’s loads to get pleasure from within the lovely metropolis throughout this time of 12 months, however there are some things you need to remember earlier than you go. A few of these are execs and a few are cons, which manner it tilts is dependent upon you! Nonetheless, if you happen to can stand the chilly, I discovered January an ideal time to go to with fewer vacationers to navigate by.
See my detailed 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary if you’re questioning simply what to do if you happen to go to Amsterdam in January! (or try this publish on visiting Amsterdam with teenagers.)
You Will Have Restricted Daylight
If you’re visiting Amsterdam in January, your days will likely be quick and your nights will likely be lengthy, which suggests fewer daylight to discover. Dawn will likely be between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and sundown will likely be between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., with the times getting progressively longer because the month goes on.
It might not work so nicely if you’re an early chook, as there are only a few locals up and about within the pre-dawn morning hours. Nonetheless, if you happen to wish to sleep in a little bit and never really feel like you might be losing your day, Amsterdam is your home. Plus, the town stays full of life at evening, with twinkling Edison lights draped throughout the charming slim streets. Amsterdam at evening is admittedly fairly fairly.
Anticipate Fewer Vacationers
The most important advantage of visiting Amsterdam in January is that you just received’t discover the identical plenty of vacationers that descend on the town at different occasions of the 12 months. It received’t really feel empty by any stretch, and you continue to want to order your timed-entry tickets to common sights just like the Anne Frank Home or Van Gogh Museum, as a result of these will nonetheless promote out, nevertheless it received’t be overly crowded.
As somebody that hates crowds and finds they’ll actually detract from having fun with a spot like Amsterdam or Venice, this was an enormous plus for me.
Motels Can be Cheaper
Because the legal guidelines of provide and demand dictate, with fewer vacationer and fewer demand for lodging come decrease costs at accommodations. Whereas I used to be capable of e-book our lodge on the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht utilizing my World of Hyatt factors, you’ll usually discover lodge rooms priced about $100-200 much less per evening than you see within the excessive season.
One other aspect profit to the accommodations additionally not being so full, it’s possible you’ll get fortunate and be capable to get into your room straight away if in case you have an early arrival. Our in a single day flight from the USA landed at 8:00 a.m. and we arrived at our lodge by 9:00 a.m.. I by no means imagined they’d have a room prepared for us, however they did! It was such a pleasure to have the ability to change and settle in earlier than heading out to get breakfast and discover.
Some Eating places and Retailers Could Shut
Since there are fewer vacationers in Amsterdam in January, a few of the outlets and eating places use that point to shut for renovations, holidays, or lowered hours. We realized this early on throughout our first morning in Amsterdam when the place I deliberate to go for breakfast was closed for renovation and the place advisable by our lodge was simply inexplicably closed.
We encountered this on occasion all through our time in Amsterdam, even noticing one common cheese store closed from someday to the subsequent. However don’t fear, there’s nonetheless loads that’s open, particularly all the main sights. In case you make reservations for meals forward of time or get some assist out of your concierge you can be discover. It isn’t like the town shuts down.
Not All Excursions Are Operating
One other distinction that we seen when visiting Amsterdam in January versus spring by fall is that operators are providing a extra restricted number of excursions. With fewer guests and a need to fill their tour teams, it doesn’t make sense to supply excursions that you’ll find yourself cancelling if you happen to don’t get sufficient bookings.
We seen this with one meals tour that we had been hoping to attempt — however that additionally is sensible since nobody desires to face exterior within the rain or snow consuming! However we nonetheless loved a tour of the Van Gogh Museum and our canal boat tour ended up being a non-public tour since nobody else booked. This might affect solo vacationers although since most corporations will desire a minimal of two folks on every tour.
Be Ready for Some Rain (or Snow!)
October and November are the rainiest months in Amsterdam, however you possibly can nonetheless anticipate some wet days in January too. Or, whether it is chilly sufficient, you might even see snow. Fortunately, the winter season can nonetheless grant you some sunny days too.
We had a little bit of each throughout our three days in Amsterdam. The necessary half is to be ready by sporting waterproof footwear with a very good tread and a heat, water resistant coat. And don’t overlook to carry alongside a journey umbrella! (Though some accommodations may have some to borrow too.)
Go Early to Benefit from the Gentle Competition
The Amsterdam Gentle Competition is an annual occasion that runs by mid-January. So if you’re there in early January, you may get to get pleasure from these particular installations through a night canal boat tour or self-guided strolling tour.
Every year, the Competition has a special theme and artists are commissioned to create installations alongside the canals that hook up with that theme. For 2024, the theme was “Synthetic Intelligence.” The coziest option to expertise the shows is by a canal boat tour. There’s a paid cellular app which you can obtain to find and find out about every of the items or it’s possible you’ll get fortunate and encounter just a few by yourself.
What to Put on in Amsterdam in January
If you’re visiting the Dutch Capital through the colder months, it is advisable be ready! Here’s what it is advisable put on in Amsterdam in January to be snug:
- Heat, waterproof footwear or boots with a very good, non-slip sole that will likely be good in rain or snow and preserve your toes heat when strolling round within the chilly
- Fleece-lined or wool leggings or pants that can reduce the wind and preserve you heat. I discover denims could make me chilly!
- Lengthy sleeved shirt or base layer however nothing too heavy — I discovered some museums and eating places might be fairly heat, whereas others (just like the Van Gogh) had been fairly chilly inside.
- A sweater, cardigan, or mild fleece that may be eliminated when you find yourself inside if you happen to get heat.
- A heat parka or winter coat that’s water resistant and has a hood. I feel a mean puffer jacket received’t be heat sufficient until you actually layer up. I want one thing that covers my backside and involves a minimum of my mid-thigh or knee-length to maintain me warmest.
- Heat knit hat
- Heat gloves
- Wool socks
- And don’t overlook a journey umbrella!
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged professional in household journey, named the Media Member of the 12 months for 2023 by the Household Journey Affiliation. Tamara is a member of SATW, the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.
