10 Things to Do in Amsterdam in Winter

Although you might think that the cold winter might limit the things to do and see in Amsterdam, I have to tell you that it doesn't. Despite the low temperatures, there are plenty of activities organised in the city between November and March, some of which make the cold disappear for a few hours. Despite the low temperatures, between November and March there are many activities organised in the city, some of which make the cold disappear for a few hours.

In addition, the Christmas season starts early, which certainly makes Amsterdam in winter a bright and colourful place. Here are some of the best things to do in the Dutch capital during winter, so what are you going to put in your travel diary?

It's no secret that the quintessential winter celebration is Christmas. Amsterdam is not far behind, as it is a city that enjoys the festive season in style. From the end of November until January, the Dutch capital is filled with lights, shows, decorated fir trees and lots of Christmas plans.

The cold weather takes a back seat when the warmth, smells and tastes of Christmas arrive in Amsterdam. Here's what you can't miss out on during this festive season in the Dutch capital.

Admire the big Christmas tree

Dam Square is the centre of Amsterdam and is home to the city's largest Christmas tree. It is more than 20 metres high and it takes about 4 kilometres of lights to illuminate it. Also, this might be a good time to visit the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, which is right in front of it.

Shop for gifts at Amsterdam's Christmas markets

If you get hungry, thirsty or want to buy some decorations or gifts during your trip to Amsterdam, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Christmas markets. They are usually set up along central squares such as Leidseplein and Koningsplein. Take the opportunity to try Oliebollen, a typical Dutch Christmas doughnut.

During the whole month of December and part of January, winter seems less harsh thanks to the Amsterdam Festival of Lights. For several years now, artists from the city (and other countries) have wanted to bring to life a new mode of expression through light.

With this in mind, more and more institutions and individuals are joining this event. The most special thing about this exhibition is not only that the canvas is the city itself, which will serve as an excuse to walk around it, but also that most of the works and projections are created just for this festival. To make sure you don't miss anything, I recommend you follow one of the two "paths" proposed by the organisers:

• Vaaroute: the works that are part of this route are projected on the bridges, so they are also reflected in the water of the canals, it is very nice to see it live! To see it better, I recommend you book a river cruise through Amsterdam.
• Illuminade: it's almost 3 kilometres long, but it's very entertaining because the light creations are interactive.

They say that to keep your body at a good temperature, even when the cold is unbearable, it's best to eat. Winter in Amsterdam can be a bit harsh, with temperatures hovering around freezing even during the day. If you're at a loss for what to do to warm up, my suggestion is to fill your stomach with one of the city's most typical foods: cheese.

Don't think you'll only be tasting 'normal' cheeses, because Amsterdam lets your imagination run wild when it comes to cheese making. You can find some with pesto, sausage and even marijuana flavours.

Although you can always pay for a food tour, you don't have to. Want to know a secret? Many specialty cheese shops and cheese brand facilities offer cheese tasting experiences. This way you can do a tasting and then choose which varieties to take home with you.

Winter nights in Amsterdam tend to be dark and cold, so you need to seek shelter indoors. Where? Museums are always an option, but they are not always open at night. However, November is Museumnacht, when you can buy a single ticket and visit Amsterdam' s best museums after the normal closing time.

You'll feel like you're in a movie as you wander through Amsterdam's incredible museum collections at night. As it is such a special date, concerts, workshops or special guided tours are also organised. There are more than 50 museums taking part, so let me recommend my favourites:

• Allard Pierson Museum: contains archaeological objects such as Greek pottery and Roman utensils, as well as Egyptian mummies. I was personally fascinated by the Ancient Egyptian and Greek rooms, where there are reconstructions of temples and mummification processes.
• EYE Amsterdam or Film Museum: ideal if you fancy seeing something more modern and interactive. You can learn about the history of the cinematographic world from silent films to current major productions, as well as take a look at the objects kept there.
• Hermitage Amsterdam: this is the headquarters of the Russian city in Holland. There are two permanent collections in total. The main one focuses on relations between the two countries and the other is dedicated to the history of the Amstelhof building itself, which was an important retirement home for women in the 17th century.

On winter days in Amsterdam when the sun doesn't appear for a single second and only rain falls from the sky, the best decision is to go into a Bruin Café. Don't you know what they are? They are very traditional pubs in the city that were built in wood, which makes the atmosphere even cosier, perfect for winter days!

When you start to warm up, I recommend you to take a look at their beer menu, as they have a lot of varieties. Although there are also some international beers, keep in mind that Holland is a big producer of this drink, so take the opportunity to try the beers made in the pub itself or in a nearby company.

If the more local beers don't appeal to you so much and you want to get to know the Dutch brand par excellence, sign up for a tour of the Heineken brewery; you'll still be protected from the cold and there's no shortage of beer.

Is there anything more winter-like than ice skating? Of course not, which is why Amsterdam has no shortage of ice rinks from November to January. For me, the best ones are:

• Rembrandt Square: the whole area is decorated for the occasion. Professional skaters come here.
• The one in Museumplein: perfect if you want something more "amateur". The water pond between the museums freezes into a large ice rink.
• Olympic Stadium: I recommend the others, but if you prefer an indoor one, this is the best.

The price is quite affordable; admission is about €3 and skate rental is €5 more.

Carmen's Traveller Tip

Another very special place to skate (and always free) is Amsterdam's own ring of canals. When the temperature drops low enough, all that water turns into a huge ice rink. Just avoid skating under the bridges, where the ice is thinner and could break up.

If you're a winter lover, it's a good idea to head to Amsterdam around this time of year for a winter festival. Winter Paradise opens in mid-December and runs until early January, coinciding with the Christmas season.

However, everything you find there goes beyond Christmas:

• Concerts by Dutch bands.
• Artificial ski slopes.
• A giant Ferris wheel.
• Artificial and real snow areas to organise a ball fight or go tobogganing on the slides.

Winter lovers' paradise comes to the capital of the Netherlands, so that even when the weather in the city is fine, you can still enjoy the snow.

What does Amsterdam taste like? You'll have to go to find out, but I'll tell you, it's pretty sweet. You won't want to miss this chance to sample the Dutch treats that are so traditional between December and February.

Amsterdam's food is good all year round, but in winter I'd say its cuisine is at a whole new level, especially when it comes to pastries. In fact, there are some dishes that are only eaten at this time of year, which is something you'll appreciate because, when it's cold, there's nothing like eating something fresh from the oven to warm you up, don't you think?

Poffertjes

They look like tiny pancakes, and taste similar, but Poffertjes stand out because they're fluffier, sweeter and fried. Try to eat just one, although I warn you it's almost impossible, they are delicious!

They are usually served with icing sugar and butter, but sometimes they are also served with strawberries or cream.

Preparing them is not easy, so don't try it at home. Why? Because you need a frying pan or a special plate, like the one they use in Amsterdam restaurants, to get the right shape and prevent the dough from sticking.

Apple pie

The typical Amsterdam apple pie, no matter where you try it, always looks very homemade, as they try to respect the traditional recipe of the grandmothers.

In Dutch, they are known as Appeltaart, and the thick dough covering the baked apple and cinnamon filling is always surprising. The most recommended is the one from the restaurant Winkel 43; the taste is unmistakable and I don't know anyone who hasn't liked it, and I don't think you'll be the first!

Oliebollen

Still have a sweet tooth? If you're in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve you can try the traditional New Year's Eve dessert: Oliebollen. These fried buns are reminiscent of doughnuts and doughnuts, although they are slightly softer.

The history of this dessert dates back to Germanic times, when tribal people ate Oliebollen to celebrate the winter solstice.

You wouldn't think of leaving Amsterdam without a tulip, would you? It's the city's most iconic flower and many street stalls and shops encourage you to take a bouquet. However, if you're in Amsterdam during January, you can attend the opening of the tulip season, which starts on 21 January, and get one (or more) for free.

That's right, January is the month when the tulips and their colours start to bloom. To celebrate, every year thousands of people gather in Dam Square around the tulip garden. If you come along, you can get a free flower, as well as attending one of the events that are organised in parallel. However, bear in mind that a large crowd of people gather there, so you will have to queue and wait.

If you run out of tulips, don't worry, because from that moment on, dozens of shops, markets and stalls start selling them in the city. In fact, from winter to spring, millions of flowers and seeds are sold every year.

How many types of chocolate do you know? During your trip to Amsterdam in winter you will get to know more than 700 thanks to the Chocolate Festival, which every year in February brings together the best artisans and also gourmands who want to taste every bar.

The event takes place in the Beurs van Berlage building, which is in the centre of Amsterdam. It is attended by professionals from the world of chocolate (chefs, farmers, producers, etc.), although it is also open to the public for a price of approximately €13 to raise awareness of this product and everything that surrounds it.

Of course, I recommend you go to the tastings, but I also encourage you to listen to the lectures or attend the workshops, many of which focus on the sustainability of chocolate production and respect for the areas where it is grown.

Here's a tip I'm sure you've come to expect: be prepared for the cold. Amsterdam is a city with quite low temperatures in winter (highs are only around 7°C), especially at night, when it can get as low as 0°C. Rain is very common, but not at all. Rain is common, but snow is not. In any case, always check the forecast.

Beyond the cold, one thing you should bear in mind is that daylight hours are much shorter between November and March. There is hardly any sunlight left by four in the afternoon, which limits some visits. Nevertheless, Amsterdam is a very modern, cosmopolitan city with plenty of things to do even on the darkest, coldest days.

As temperatures can drop to freezing, you'll need to pack warmly. You can't miss in your suitcase:

• Jumpers and a mackintosh, which will also protect you from the wind, as it will rain a lot and an umbrella is not always comfortable.
• Closed and stable footwear, as it can freeze and the ground can be slippery.
• Gloves, hat and scarf, which I'm sure you'll appreciate having at night, when temperatures drop even further and any extra layer of warmth comes in handy.

Are you ready for your winter plans in Amsterdam? Don't forget your coat, but don't forget to be prepared - you're sure to have a great time!