what to do in amsterdam in december 2018

Amsterdam doesn't get closer to her Golden Age glorie than she does in winter. When snow (hopefully) falls, canals freeze, life slows downwardly and wandering along Waterlooplein you lot can just imagine bumping into a warmly wrapped upward Rembrandt on his way to his home at Jodenbreestraat. Winter in Amsterdam is about snuggling upwards, feasting on the best Dutch cuisine and yous tin either become 'gezellig' or party the night abroad at one of the many festivals.

December, Jan and February aren't the most inspirational months, maybe, to visit Amsterdam. But visiting the Dutch capital during the coldest months of the year has its advantages. Well-nigh tourist will prefer warmer destinations, and then you finally won't have to share Van Gogh's and Vermeer's masterpieces with tons of others. And information technology'southward really the perfect time of twelvemonth to feel Kingdom of the netherlands at its best. With excellent, and real (!) Dutch food, ice skating and relaxing together past the fire. Practice hop over!

Amsterdam Light Festival

As you may have read in my earlier article, I simply take this giant soft spot for light festivals and I feel that Amsterdam Light Festival is as much as a must-see in winter in Holland, as GLOW Eindhoven. Amsterdam Lite Festival tin exist enjoyed from November to the end of January, you can see dozens of astonishing calorie-free installations along and on the canals and in lesser-known parts of boondocks. Information technology's amazing to watch these works of fine art from the water or rent a bike to go and see them.

Scout the LIVE renovation of Rembrandt's The Dark Watch

The Night Lookout man, Rembrandt'south almost famous Principal Piece in Amsterdams Rijksmuseum, was ready for a flake of a cleaning and makeover. Non that surprising if yous realise millions set eyes on the large painting every yr. There's just one problem: restoration of a painting this size can have sometimes years and of course, Rijksmuseum didn't desire to deprive visitors of seeing this masterpiece. So, quite spectacularly, it'southward been decided that The Nighttime Spotter is going to be restored in open view, for the earth to encounter. True, yous won't be able to see Rembrandt'due south The Nighttime Lookout in all its glory, merely information technology'south such a unique feel to meet this piece renovated, right in front of you lot. I'1000 definitely going to have a peek.

Sit past the burn down at Pllek

Pllek is probably my favourite restaurant in Amsterdam. It's based on the still rather unknown NDSM island, which can be reached by complimentary ferry. The restaurant is built in former body of water containers and has a fabulous culling vibe. The menu is excellent, equally are the cocktails. The all-time part: Pllek has a small urban center beach where in winter a fire roars. And then gild a drink, snuggle up and enjoy an amazing view over Amsterdam.

Ice skating in Amsterdam

Ice skating on the Amsterdam canals, how much fun would that exist? Every few winters we accept enough frosty nights for the Amsterdam canals to freeze and get safe enough to ice skate on. Exist sure to check if the canals are officially approved for recreation past the city (to avoid scary situations like falling through thin ice).

Simply not every wintertime is common cold enough for the canals to freeze. Don't despair though if you have your mind set at water ice skating in Amsterdam. Every winter lots of ice rinks pop up in boondocks. The best one (in my humble stance) is the rink at Museumplein where you lot van ice skate with the Rijksmuseum as a backdrop. The historical Olympic Stadium, which was used for the Amsterdam Olympics of 1928, is also transformed into an ice rink over the winter months and gives you lot the perfect alibi to visit this amazing hidden gem.

Amsterdam Christmas markets

I am such a sucker for Christmas markets, and although Amsterdam doesn't take every bit many Christmas markets as you might hope, yous, of form, will be able to get your glühweinfix when you come to Amsterdam in winter. The largest winter village is found at the ice rink most Rijksmuseum: Ice*Amsterdam.

When in Amsterdam I highly recommend you visit Amsterdam Noord, and during the holiday season that'south where you lot visit a big Amsterdam Christmas market. The week before Christmas y'all can store the best Christmas gifts at Kromhouthal and taste some glühwein. If you're later something less traditional the Funky Xmas Market at Westergasfabriek is just or you. Designers, artists and other creatives sell their awesome creations to the public.

Read virtually more Christmas markets in The Netherlands

Het Amsterdams Winterparadijs

Though the largest Christmas Market is a proper Christmas Party and is held indoors at RAI: Het Amsterdams Winterparadijs. Considering information technology'south indoors, you don't take to worry about wind, rain and wrapping upwards in xx layers of clothes. Simply buy some tickets, relish some existent Dutch wintertime cuisine, have the kids on one of the rides or go indoor ice skating.

iii typical Dutch wintertime dishes to try in Amsterdam

• 'Snert'
  Dutch winter isn't consummate to me without having home cooked split up pea soup. When yous leave it overnight (preferably outside when it freezes) nosotros call split pea soup 'snert' and information technology tastes even improve. It tastes similar proper winter. Since I tin't invite you all over to my house to have my brilliant separate pea soup (ha!), I think you should get for some snert at Moeders in Jordaan.
• Fondue
  Fondue is not typically Dutch, but we do take loads of fondue during the holiday season. It's merely perfect comfort food. And it goes without saying that you should become order some at Fondue & Fondue.
• Oliebollen
  Oliebollen are a typical Dutch treat for wintertime, and peculiarly New year's Eve. Oliebollen are deep fried dough balls with a nice layer of powdered sugar. You can besides buy oliebollen with raisins and apples. You lot simply buy oliebollen at stalls all over boondocks (await for oliebollenkramen) or bakeries.

Gloat New year's day'due south in Amsterdam

Get a bottle of champagne, a pocketbook of oliebollen and you're all set to gloat New year'south in Amsterdam. A lot of locals will take bought tickets for (overpriced if you inquire me) New Twelvemonth'southward parties and at that place's really no demand. Wander over to Dam Square, Leidseplein or Nieuwmarkt to count down to the new years. Fireworks are traditionally lit in The Netherlands at midnight and the best place to go and spotter in Amsterdam is Magere Brug (skinny bridge) or another bridge over the Amstel river. Bank check out the New Year's effect calendar to plan your New Year'due south Eve in Amsterdam.

Grab a movie

Amsterdam has the prettiest and the most cutting-edge movie theatres in The netherlands. In that location's, of class, the Art Deco splendour of Tuschinski in the center of town where all the blockbusters can be viewed. Of you can hop on a (free!) ferry behind Central Station and visit the fantastic looking Eye which shows more Art Business firm similar films. I recommend visiting EYE anyway every bit it has a great café to which has an amazing view over Amsterdam.

Get yourself some free tulips

When united states of america Dutchies take down the Christmas decoration and put our Christmas tree on the adjourn to be nerveless, we cheer up our sad looking houses with tulips. Most of y'all remember tulips and The Netherlands go together in April and early on May, when you can spot the amazing tulip fields, merely the fields are meant for bulb production. The tulips for decoration are available roughly half of December (I just bought my first bouquet of the flavour!) until the end of February.

And if you visit Amsterdam in the 3rd weekend of January, you can even get a costless bouquet of tulips on Dam Square during National Tulip Day. Anybody is allowed to pick a couple of tulips for a bouquet from a specially designed 'garden'. What a great way to celebrate our honey tulip, right?

Have reward of short(er) queues

You're probably thinking: 'I'm non visiting Amsterdam in winter. The weather will be ghastly, information technology may rain and freeze and information technology will get dark at iv.30 pm! I'd rather go somewhere warm!'. Well, just remember that loads of people are thinking that and although Amsterdam is one of the nigh crowded cities in Europe, currently, things certainly slow down in winter months.

And this is particularly bang-up if you lot'd like to visit the recently reopened Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum. You lot won't have to compete with thousands of others to grab a glimpse of Vermeer's Milkmaid, Van Gogh'southward Sunflowers or the tiny sleeping accommodation where Anne Frank wrote her diary.

Lower hotel rates

Yes, it's a bit of an open up door. But because less people visit in January and February, this is the time of twelvemonth to profit from lower hotel rates in Amsterdam. And then you can finally stay in some squeamish, centrally located hotels without breaking the bank. Try your luck at my favourite hotels in Amsterdam: Lloyd Hotel and INK Hotel. If the rates nevertheless brand you queasy, I highly recommend checking out Citizen M, ClinkNOORD or i Hotel.

Plan your trip to Amsterdam in winter

• Flying into Amsterdam is pretty cheap from virtually places, cheque out the lowest fairs to Amsterdam and book some cheap plane tickets.
• Getting around Amsterdam is easy. If you buy an i Amsterdam City Card all public transport in the urban center is free for y'all, and the menu likewise grants y'all a free canal gunkhole tour, free admission to Amsterdam Museums and top attractions.
• Don't skip a visit to the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam while yous're in that location.
• Would you like to take a day trip from Amsterdam? These 4 typical Dutch villages nigh Amsterdam make for perfect half-day trips.
• Plan your trip to Amsterdam in winter using my consummate Culling Amsterdam City Guide.

Save on Pinterest

armstrongraceiziendas1939.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.yourdutchguide.com/winter-in-amsterdam/

Share this post