Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most popular destinations at any time of year, but if you visit Amsterdam in January, you can avoid the peak tourist season and take advantage of better rates to enjoy the city’s narrow streets, historic buildings, Dutch cuisine, and popular attractions.
While January may be one of the coldest months of the year, with average highs in the 40s (degrees Fahrenheit) and low temperatures in the low 30s, there can be advantages to visiting Amsterdam in the winter months. Global warming is already making a difference, but when it gets cold enough, the canals of Amsterdam freeze over, allowing locals to skate along the frozen canals.
And while you can’t yet see tulips in the fields, the third Saturday of January is National Tulip Day. As part of this kick off to tulip season, visitors can pick tulips for free in a specially designed tulip gardens.
Visitors and locals alike can enjoy the special events and festivities that are part of Winter Festival Amsterdam , which runs from November until February. You can enjoy nighttime canal boat cruises during the Amsterdam Light Festival and ice skating at the ice rinks at Museumplein or Rembrandtplein. (Sorry, January is too late for the Christmas Markets or Amsterdam Winter Paradise.)
Things to Know About Visiting Amsterdam in January
Despite the cold weather, there is plenty to enjoy in the beautiful city during this time of year, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before you go. Some of these are pros and some are cons, which way it tilts depends on you! However, if you can stand the cold, I found January a perfect time to visit with fewer tourists to navigate through.
See my detailed 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary if you are wondering just what to do if you visit Amsterdam in January! (or check out this post on visiting Amsterdam with teens .)
You Will Have Limited Daylight
If you are visiting Amsterdam in January, your days will be short and your nights will be long, which means fewer daylight hours to explore. Sunrise will be between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and sunset will be between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., with the days getting progressively longer as the month goes on.
It may not work so well if you are an early bird, as there are very few locals up and about in the pre-dawn morning hours. However, if you like to sleep in a little and not feel like you are wasting your day, Amsterdam is your place. Plus, the city stays lively at night, with twinkling Edison lights draped across the charming narrow streets. Amsterdam at night is really quite pretty.
Expect Fewer Tourists
The biggest benefit of visiting Amsterdam in January is that you won’t find the same masses of tourists that descend on the city at other times of the year. It won’t feel empty by any stretch, and you still need to reserve your timed-entry tickets to popular attractions like the Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum, because those will still sell out, but it won’t be overly crowded.
As someone that hates crowds and finds they can really detract from enjoying a place like Amsterdam or Venice , this was a huge plus for me.
Hotels Will be Cheaper
As the laws of supply and demand dictate, with fewer tourist and less demand for accommodations come lower prices at hotels. While I was able to book our hotel at the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht using my World of Hyatt points, you will typically find hotel rooms priced about $100-200 less per night than you see in the high season.
Another side benefit to the hotels also not being so full, you may get lucky and be able to get into your room right away if you have an early arrival. Our overnight flight from the USA landed at 8:00 a.m. and we arrived at our hotel by 9:00 a.m.. I never imagined they would have a room ready for us, but they did! It was such a joy to be able to change and settle in before heading out to get breakfast and explore.
Some Restaurants and Shops May Close
Since there are fewer tourists in Amsterdam in January, some of the shops and restaurants use that time to close for renovations, vacations, or reduced hours. We learned this early on during our first morning in Amsterdam when the place I planned to go for breakfast was closed for renovation and the place recommended by our hotel was just inexplicably closed.
We encountered this from time to time throughout our time in Amsterdam, even noticing one popular cheese shop closed from one day to the next. But don’t worry, there is still plenty that is open, especially all the major attractions. If you make reservations for meals ahead of time or get some help from your concierge you will be find. It is not like the city shuts down.
Not All Tours Are Running
Another difference that we noticed when visiting Amsterdam in January versus spring through fall is that operators are offering a more limited selection of tours. With fewer visitors and a desire to fill their tour groups, it doesn’t make sense to offer tours that you will end up cancelling if you don’t get enough bookings.
We noticed this with one food tour that we were hoping to try — but that also makes sense since no one wants to stand outside in the rain or snow eating! But we still enjoyed a tour of the Van Gogh Museum and our canal boat tour ended up being a private tour since no one else booked. This could impact solo travelers though since most companies will want a minimum of two people on each tour.
Be Prepared for Some Rain (or Snow!)
October and November are the rainiest months in Amsterdam, but you can still expect some rainy days in January too. Or, if it is cold enough, you may see snow. Luckily, the winter season can still grant you some sunny days too.
We had a bit of both during our three days in Amsterdam. The important part is to be prepared by wearing waterproof shoes with a good tread and a warm, water-resistant coat. And don’t forget to bring along a travel umbrella! (Although some hotels will have some to borrow too.)
Go Early to Enjoy the Light Festival
The Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual event that runs through mid-January. So if you are there in early January, you can get to enjoy these special installations via an evening canal boat tour or self-guided walking tour.
Each year, the Festival has a different theme and artists are commissioned to create installations along the canals that connect to that theme. For 2024, the theme was “Artificial Intelligence.” The coziest way to experience the displays is by a canal boat tour. There is a paid mobile app that you can download to locate and learn about each of the pieces or you may get lucky and stumble upon a few on your own.
What to Wear in Amsterdam in January
If you are visiting the Dutch Capital during the colder months, you need to be prepared! Here is what you need to wear in Amsterdam in January to be comfortable:
Warm, waterproof shoes or boots with a good, non-slip sole that will be good in rain or snow and keep your toes warm when walking around in the cold
Fleece-lined or wool leggings or pants that will cut the wind and keep you warm. I find jeans can make me chilly!
Long sleeved shirt or base layer but nothing too heavy — I found some museums and restaurants could be quite warm, while others (like the Van Gogh) were pretty chilly inside.
A sweater, cardigan, or light fleece that can be removed when you are inside if you get warm.
A warm parka or winter coat that is water-resistant and has a hood. I think an average puffer jacket won’t be warm enough unless you really layer up. I prefer something that covers my bottom and comes to at least my mid-thigh or knee-length to keep me warmest.
Warm knit hat
Warm gloves
Wool socks
And don’t forget a travel umbrella!
Visiting Amsterdam? You may also be interested in…
3 Days in Amsterdam itinerary
Things to do in Amsterdam with teens
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