Amsterdam in winter
The view of the old Amsterdam city center covered with snow is always interesting. In addition to streets being less crowded with visitors, the museums and attractions also have less people in them.
Climate changed in the Netherlands during the past decades and even winters are not so rainy and windy anymore. Colder weather is usually dry and often sunny. Therefore, winter is also a good time for a visit.
Pictures of Amsterdam in winter.
Airlines, hotels, and restaurants are cheaper and less crowded during this time, with more relaxed and cheerful service staff. There are also some appealing events going on.
There is no usual crowd in Amsterdam hotels except for the period of Christmas and the New Year. So rooms are usually less expensive and easier to book. Celebrating New Year in Amsterdam is interesting because of the street parties and fireworks shows. These start just before midnight and take for hours into the New Year.
If longer walks during winter are uncomfortable for you because of the cold, you may warm up in one on Amsterdams traditional cafés. All of them serve a bowl of warm soup. Eat it with traditional Dutch sandwitch "broodje". Made with cheese - "broodje kaas", ham - "broodje ham" or with tomato, cucumber and salad - "broodje gezond" - healthy sandwich.
If you plan to arrive to Amsterdam by car, we do not recommend using it in the city center. Street parking meters are not less expensive and driving on slippery narrow canal streets among people on bicycles may be quite tricky.
Amsterdam ice skating rinks
Each winter, even a soft one with no freezing temperatures, there are ice skating rinks all over Amsterdam. In parks and on squares. The most popular ones are on the Museumplein, just behind the Rijksmuseum, open from mid-November till 1 March and on Leidseplein, open mid-November till beginning of January. You may rent skates on the spot (ID needed) and have a warm drink there too. An entry to the rink costs typically just a few euros. There is additional payment for renting the skates. There is usually a small restaurant with traditional hot pancakes nearby.
The professional ice skating rink in Amsterdam that is open to public is called Jaap Eden Ijsbaan. Named after a Dutch athlete who was at the end of 19th century a multiple times speed skating and cycling world champion. The rink is open October till March and it is located in Amsterdam Oost at Radioweg 64. A 30 minutes ride with public transport from the Amsterdam centre. An entry there costs also few euros.