Amsterdam is for everyone – the extroverts, introverts and everyone in between. Escape into a corner in a cozy coffee shop and warm yourself with a cup of chocomel or step outside in the neon-lit red-light district of De Wallen and walk alongside party revelers. The weather in Amsterdam in January might be cold and harsh, but that does not affect the vibe of Amsterdam!
Choose to admire the ‘Sunflowers’ at the Van Gogh Museum or head to the Amsterdam Ice Bar for a night of unbridled partying. Dig into a plate of loaded fries from a street cart or indulge in eclectic cuisine at a Michelin-star restaurant. Here is a guide on how to explore Amsterdam in January just the way you want to!
What Makes Amsterdam in January Special?
Low Tourist Season: Amsterdam in January experiences one of the coldest months of the year, plus it is the end of the holiday season across the world which translates to few international tourists. This means you can have a run of the tourist venues and attractions without the summer throng! You also get cheaper rates of accommodation and airfare.
Enjoy the festivities post the holiday season: The start of January does not mean the end of festivities in Amsterdam! The year starts with the New Year’s Dive, when a lot of the winter fairs and markets are still open. The National Tulip Day heralds the start of the tulip season, while the Chinese New Year festivities amp up the excitement meter. There is always something happening in Amsterdam!
Exciting activities all through: Amsterdam does not experience too much snow and you can continue with outdoor activities like canal cruises and walking tours. You also get to enjoy ice skating rinks! Since most of Amsterdam’s sights are indoors like the museums (Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank’s House), Heineken Brewery, Amsterdam Ice Bar, Amsterdam Dungeon, etc. you don’t have to worry about the weather outside! You can stay warm inside and still enjoy other perks of visiting Amsterdam in January.
Amsterdam in January: Weather
January is one of the coldest months of the year and average temperatures range around 4.5°C and drop to around 1°C during the nights. You might experience rainfall but not much snow. However, the winds over the canals make it seem colder than the numbers say!
Amsterdam in January: Things to do
1
Heineken Brewery
Beer enthusiast or not, a visit to the Heineken experience in Amsterdam is an incredibly fun and insightful. Heineken is one of the world’s favorite beer brands and Amsterdam’s most popular brand! Take a guided tour to learn more about the brewing process and sample a beer at the end of the tour.
January Timings
Monday to Thursday: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
Friday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Last admission at 7:00 PM)
Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
2
Amsterdam Canal Tour
Amsterdam Canal cruises are a great way to learn more about the history of the city. The central part of the city known as Grachtengordel is the area around three concentric canals. The Amsterdam Lights Festival continues in January, making it ideal to go on evening cruises and admire the light sculptures up close!
January Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Getting There ›
3
A Day Trip to Zaanse Schans and Volendam
Head away from Amsterdam towards the colorful countryside that is dotted with iconic Zaanse Schans windmills and traditional Dutch architecture. Admire the working of ancient windmills in Zaanse Schans and visit a cheese-making factory at Volendam. Beat the cold and leave the troubles of planning your transport by going on a guided tour.
January Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
Zaanse Schans, Zaandam
Netherlands
Getting There ›
4
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam holds the largest collection of paintings by Van Gogh, one of the most prolific post-impressionist artists. The museum displays over 200 paintings and 500 drawings, which include the famous ones like Irises, Sunflower, and Almond Blossom.
January Timings
1 January 2024 - 11 AM to 6 PM
2 January to 7 January 2024 - 9 AM to 6 PM
8 January to 16 February 2024 - 9 AM to 5 pm
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
5
Anne Frank House and Walking Tour
Anne Frank became the human voice of the atrocities of World War II after the publication of ‘Secret Diary of Anne Frank’. Visit the house on Prinsengracht 263 and walk through the secret annex and learn more about her life. Anne Frank walking tour will also take you to other important Jewish buildings in the neighborhood.
January Timings
Every day: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
1 January is an exception - 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
6
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum, in the museum square, is the best place to begin your journey into the art history of the Netherlands. The museum displays over 8,000 artworks including that of Masters like Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Frans Hals. Every year over 2 million tourists make a beeline for the museum, making a skip the line ticket a good purchase.
January Timings
Every day: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Dam 20, 1012 KW Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
7
Red Light District Tour
The Red Light District is also known as De Wallen or The Walls as it refers to the walls of the old city where sex work has been carried on since the 15th century. The medieval buildings are well preserved even today and at night transforms into a neon-lit sin city. Take a tour to learn about the history of the place and what it means to locals.
January Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
De Wallen, Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
8
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
Rub shoulders with A-list celebrities at Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam museum was opened in 1972, the first one after the London museum. Today, the museum has statues of celebrities like Rafael Nadal, Barack Obama, Zayn Malik, Ryan Gosling, and even the Marvel Avengers!
January Timings
Daily: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Dam 20, 1012 KW Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
9
Amsterdam Icebar
Amsterdam is more than the historic canals and art museums, it has an exciting nightlife that offers a variety of experiences. One such exciting theme-bar is the Amsterdam Icebar where you can enter an icy winter wonderland. Everything from the cutlery to the seating is made of ice! Enjoy this gram-worthy bar that is a sensory delight.
January Timings
Daily: 11:45 AM – 1:00 AM
Amstel 194, 1017 AG Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
10
ARTIS Royal Zoo
Amsterdam is also a family-friendly destination and one of the most popular things to do for when visiting with kids is to head to the ARTIS Royal Zoo. The zoo also has an aquarium and planetarium that will keep the young ones occupied for a long time! Head there early to say hello to the penguins and lions!
January Timings
Daily: Yet to be updated on official website
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
Amsterdam in January : Events to look out for
Amsterdam in January: Weather
Amsterdam Light Festival
Date: 23rd Nov 2023 to 21st January 2024
Amsterdam is going to dazzle with breathtaking light installations. Snap some Insta-worthy pics, enjoy the enchanting atmosphere, and maybe even cozy up at a canal-side café to soak it all in.
Amsterdam Magic Show
Date: 4th January 2024
Magicians from around the world come together to create an evening of illusions, mind-reading tricks, and a whole lot of "How did they do that?!" moments.
World Christmas Circus
Dates: 20 Dec 2023 - 7 Jan 2024
It's not your average circus; it's a festive extravaganza featuring performances from acrobats, clowns, and majestic animals. Picture the classic circus vibes but with a festive twist.
Candlenight Concerts
Dates: 20 January - 25 February 2024
Whether you're a classical music aficionado or just looking for a serene escape from the chilly January evenings, these concerts provide a cozy and elegant way to enjoy the beauty of live music. Get ready to watch a series of concerts in some of the most iconic venues in Amsterdam!
Amsterdam in January: Seasonal delicacies
The Dutch Apple Pie is heralded as a national pastry and you can’t leave Amsterdam without tasting a slice! The apple pie is especially wholesome during the winters when topped with cream. Try this at Winkel 43.
Potato fries are one of the most popular street foods in Amsterdam. In this part of the world, the fries come loaded with sauces and condiments, and can be had as a snack or an entire meal! Try this at Manneken Pis.
Nothing beats the cold in Amsterdam in January like a cup of hot chocolate! Amsterdam’s favorite drink is Chocomel, a brand of hot chocolate that’s found in restaurants and street markets across the city. Try this at Pancake Corner.
Fried foods are the best way to beat the cold winter and Bitterballen is the ultimate comfort food in the city in January. The bite-sized snack is made with a beef stew, cooked with parsley, onions, vegetables, salt and pepper. Try this at Eetsalon Van Dobben.
The Dutch love their potatoes and the Stamppot is a fully loaded version of mashed potatoes with green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, sauerkraut, and turnip greens. Order at Moeders.
Amsterdam in January: Essentials
Weather
The days in Amsterdam in January are mostly overcast with less than two hours of sunshine. Daylight hours are also the shortest of the year with sunrise around 8:30 AM and sunset around 4:45 PM. The city does not experience snow storms or blizzards; however, there will be the odd snowfall.
Where to stay in Amsterdam in January?
Amsterdam is a sprawling city but its main city sights are concentrated in pockets and public transport is convenient. You could stay anywhere depending on your budget and style of travel, however, Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Some of the popular neighborhoods to stay in Amsterdam are Old Centrum, Canal Belt, Oud-Zuid, Rembrandtplein, Oost, and Plantage. Here are our favorite stays in Amsterdam –
What to pack for Amsterdam in January?
You can beat the cold weather in Amsterdam in January with adequate warm clothing. Warm boots are of paramount importance, make sure they are waterproof and have soft soles. Carry thermal wear or pack layers including rainproof jacket, scarf, woolen cap, and gloves for those nights out. Also, carry an umbrella or a waterproof parka just in case of rain showers.
Getting around in Amsterdam in January
The city is known for its cycling culture and you will find cycles everywhere. However, given the cold, ice and snow in Amsterdam in January, it is better to use public transportation. The best way to get around the city is by getting an I Amsterdam City Card which gives you free public transport access including entrances to sights. Here are the public transport options in Amsterdam –
Bus: Three companies (GVB, Connexxion and EBS) ply their buses across the city and suburbs.
Tram: There are about 15 lines that you can use to get in and out of the city center quickly.
Metro: The four routes are the fastest way to get to the neighboring districts.
Ferry: 14 ferries run across the River IJ.
Tips to Visit Amsterdam in January
- January is one of the best months to enjoy ice-skating in Amsterdam. The best spots to ice skate are at Museumplein and Rembrandtplein. Both the ice rinks will be open till February and you can rent ice skates and other accessories at the rinks.
- The Chinese New Year will be celebrated on 1st or 2nd January 2024 in Nieuwmarkt and surrounding Chinatown! There will be floats, dancing and ethnic food stalls.
Explore Amsterdam through the year
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Ready to visit Amsterdam in January?
Here are a few more Amsterdam guides that will help you plan your Amsterdam trip to perfection!
