Welcome to Amsterdam – where charming canals, bikes, stroopwafels, art, and architecture seamlessly blend into an unforgettable experience! Even in November, when the rain may add a misty glow to the streets, Amsterdam's lively spirit thrives. Cozy up in local cafes, wander through history-laden canals, and absorb the city's dynamic energy. Whether you're an art lover, partygoer, or history enthusiast, Amsterdam offers year-round magic. So, grab your umbrella and dive into the adventure!
What makes Amsterdam in November special?
- Gezellig atmosphere – Gezellig is a unique Dutch word that cannot be easily translated into English, but the closest it comes to is cozy! While the temperatures outside in Amsterdam in November might be cold and wet, everything else from the cosy cafes to lively markets will make you feel warm and happy.
- Early festivities – While Christmas starts in December around the world, in Amsterdam Sinterklaas comes as early as mid-November, making sure the celebration begin sooner. The Sinterklaas boat parade, Turn on the Lights party and Amsterdam Lights Festival will bring in the shine on those dreary November evenings.
- City to yourself – November is shoulder season in Amsterdam which means lesser tourists, quieter streets, and crowd-free visits to landmarks. This is also ideal for budget travelers who can enjoy lower airfares and discounts on accommodation.
Amsterdam in November: Weather
Amsterdam in November bids adieu to the fall weather and welcomes the beginning of winter. It is also one of the wettest months of the year, although snow is not on the cards. Amsterdam in November sees an average day temperature of 10°C with a drop to 4°C at night.
Amsterdam in November: Things to do
1
Amsterdam canal cruise
The city is called the ‘Venice of the North' thanks to the canals that criss-cross the cityscape. The centre of the city is built around three concentric canal belts known as Grachtengordel, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a canal cruise to explore them and view up close the Dutch Baroque architecture.
November Timings
Cruise timings depend on the chosen tour
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Getting There ›
2
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh is undoubtedly Amsterdam’s most famous son and the museum is a tribute to his life. Visit the museum to admire the largest collection of his work, over 200 paintings and 500 drawings, including iconic paintings like Sunflowers, Irises, Almond Blossom, and Self-Portrait.
November Timings
9am to 5pm
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
3
Amsterdam Dungeon
Prepare to get spooked at the Amsterdam Dungeon! The Dungeon is a unique interactive entertainment space where you can experience over 500 years of grisly history of Amsterdam play out in front of you. You can enjoy 11 shows which include everything from Spanish Inquisition to Witch Burning!
November Timings
Sunday – Friday: 11am to 6pm
Saturday: 11am to 7pm
The Amsterdam Dungeon, Rokin 78, 1012 KW
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Getting There ›
4
Anne Frank House and Walking Tour
The house on Prinsengracht 263 was the home and ‘secret annexe’ of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who was hiding with her family from the Nazi Regime. Visit the house and take a tour to understand the terror of the oppression and the need for hope despite bleak circumstances.
November Timings
9am to 10pm
Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
5
A Day Trip to Zaanse Schans and Volendam
Escape the city limits and head to the countryside towards the idyllic villages of Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken. A comfortable bus ride is the perfect way to get out of the city of Amsterdam in November. Enjoy the windmill-dotted landscape and the iconic Dutch riverside architecture.
November Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
Zaanse Schans, Zaandam
Netherlands
Getting There ›
6
Heineken Experience
If you are a beer lover, then you have to make a pilgrimage to the home of the world’s best beer, the Heineken Factory in Amsterdam. Take a guided tour with a beer expert who will take you through the beer-making process and the secrets of the world-famous brand.
November Timings
Sunday – Thursday: 10:30am to 7:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:30am to 9pm
Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
7
Amsterdam Icebar
The Amsterdam Icebar is a unique concept where everything within the bar is made of ice! You can enjoy drinks out of ice glasses and marvel at ice sculptures within the bar. Enjoy a night out at this incredible theme-bar that will leave you shivering with excitement instead of the cold!
November Timings
11:45am to 1am
Amstel 194, 1017 AG Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
8
Rijksmuseum
Located in the museum square, Rijksmuseum is the largest art museum in the country and displays over 8,000 artworks at any given time. With more than 2 million visitors each year, it is a busy museum and a skip the line ticket is the best way to get ahead of the long queues.
November Timings
9am to 5pm
Dam 20, 1012 KW Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
9
The Upside Down Museum
The Upside Down museum in Amsterdam is a unique experience that defies the norm. With its inverted exhibits, it challenges your perception and captivates your imagination. Not just another tourist spot, it's an artistic installation where you become part of the artwork. It creates delightful photo opportunities, letting you capture memories in an unconventional way.
November Timings
Wednesday & Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 7pm
Europaboulevard 5, 1079 PC Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
10
Red Light District Tour
The De Wallen area, infamously known as the Red Light District, transforms at night turning into a neon-lit sin city. Known for its sex shops and brothels, the district is actually a working neighborhood. Take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the area and spot the highlights.
November Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
De Wallen, Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Getting There ›
Amsterdam in November: Events to look out for
Museum Night Amsterdam
2 November 2024
Dreaming of a night at the museum? Experience the treasures of Amsterdam’s museums after nightfall on this special night. With entry up to 2am in the night, you will have the entire night to admire Van Goghs and Rembrandts! Over 50 museums participate in this event.
Nas - Illmatic 30 Year Anniversary Tour
5 November 2024
Nas is bringing his Illmatic 30 Year Anniversary Tour to Amsterdam on November 5, 2024, celebrating his iconic debut album. Fans can expect a nostalgic night as the legendary rapper performs classic tracks like "N.Y. State of Mind" and "The World Is Yours," honoring hip-hop history in a live setting.
Sinterklaas Parade
16 November 2024
Sinterklaas is the Dutch Santa Claus but he comes to the city in November itself to herald the start of the festivities! He comes in a kilometre-long boat parade with floats on the Amstel River. Over 40,000 spectators line the canals to get a glimpse of Sinterklaas.
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
14 - 24 November 2024
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam is the world’s largest documentary festival and is an annual event in the city since 1988. The event features documentaries from filmmakers across the world and they organise lectures, workshops, and screenings additionally.
Amsterdam in November: 5-day itinerary
Amsterdam in November: Essentials
LanguageDutch
Time zoneGMT+1
Country Code+31
Socket Type C, E and F
CurrencyEuros €
Where to stay in Amsterdam during November?
Amsterdam is a large metropolitan area and while it is one of the more expensive European cities to explore, you will find cheap accommodation deals in November. Some of the popular neighbourhoods to stay in Amsterdam are the Historic District, the Jordaan, Oud-West, Museum District and De Pijp. Here are our favorite places to stay in Amsterdam according to budget –
What to pack for Visiting Amsterdam in November?
You can be assured of getting caught in the rain in Amsterdam in November. Plan accordingly for three layers of clothing, the outer rain-proof layer that can be a long trench coat or a waterproof jacket. The second layer should be warm clothing, a sweater and a scarf, and the final layer of clothing can be jeans and quick-dry clothing. Wear ankle-length boots that are comfy for walking, and if you wish to go cycling then bring a backpack to carry your stuff comfortably.
Getting around Amsterdam in November
The weather in Amsterdam in November is forbidding enough to make you run for public transport. But, it’s a good thing as the public transport network is quite efficient and well-connected.
- Metro – With 4 metro lines, you can even reach districts like Bijlmer, Amstelveen and Diemen.
- Tram – Trams are excellent for short distances and the Tram #2 is touted to be one of the best in the world.
- Bus – GVB covers the city bus routes while Connexxion and EBS will take out to the countryside.
- Train – Train system is efficient and a great way to head to the airport and other cities in Europe.
You can use the I Amsterdam City Card to enjoy ticketless and free travel across public transport.
Amsterdam in November: Seasonal delicacies
Winter and soups go hand in hand, and nothing else warms up your wintry November nights in Amsterdam like a hot bowl of Snert. The pea soup is rich with vegetables like carrots, celery, leeks and topped with sliced smoked sausage. Pair it with rye bread and you have a wholesome meal!
Where To Order: De Blauwe Hollander
Every Dutch family has their own method of preparing this comfort food ‘Stamppot’! The dish is essentially mashed potatoes but with an addition of leafy greens like kale, spinach or turnip greens. Sauerkraut, pickled onions, and smoked sausage also are served alongside for a complete dish.
Where To Order: Cafe Sonneveld
Eager to dig into a quick evening snack before a night out in town? Order a plate of poffertjes! These small fluffy pancakes dunked in syrup and lathered with powdered sugar are a delicious treat and perfect for keeping you warm in the wintry November in Amsterdam.
Where To Order: De Vier Pilaren
Winter calls for indulging in decadent desserts and the best one to dig into is the Dutch favorite – Apple Tart. A meal in itself, a thick slice of warm Apple Tart topped with whipped cream or ice cream is the best way to end your day. A bite of the appeltaart feels like a warm hug!
Where To Order: Dudok
What can be more comforting than getting out of a long cold drizzle and sitting in a coffee shop drinking hot chocolate? Savouring the thick Dutch Hot chocolate is one of the unbridled joys you can experience in November in Amsterdam.
Where To Order: Smokey Coffeeshop
Amsterdam in November: Visiting tips
- Ice skating in Amsterdam starts in November, one of the best ice skating rinks in the city is on Museumplein in front of the Rijksmuseum. The rink starts on 12th November 2022 and goes on till 5th February 2023.
- ‘Turn on the Lights’ is an extraordinary event in the city that takes place outside the luxury departmental store De Bijenkorf. An open-air event will be conducted when Christmas Lights will be turned on along with the lighting of the Christmas tree. There is also a fireworks and lights show, accompanied by music events!
- The Dutch Ballet and Opera offers free lunchtime concerts every Tuesday at 12:30 PM in the foyer. It is an incredible chance to experience Ballet and Opera performances without spending for them!
- Amsterdam is known for its lively music scene and some of the music festivals in November are the Ongehoord Festival, Super-Sonic Jazz Festival, and Fun House. There are also music concerts by artists like Bryan Adams (23rd Nov, Ziggo Dome), Lil Nas X (8th Nov, AFAS Live), and alt-J (24th Nov, AFAS Live).
- Football-lovers can enjoy a game of the home team of Amsterdam AFC Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam on 6th November and 9th November.
Explore Amsterdam through the year
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