Have you ever been to Amsterdam in snowy weather?

Reasons to Visit Amsterdam in Winter...

For anyone planning a trip to Amsterdam, the cold months offer a magical time to visit the Dutch capital, where nights are cozy, meals are hearty, and everything sparkles with fairy lights. Here are a few reasons why Amsterdam makes a perfect winter destination.

1 )Amsterdam looks like a fairy tale under the snow... Amsterdam is enchanting in white. Even in the worst weather, the city, incredibly beautiful, looks like a Christmas card when covered in snow - making it a wildly romantic backdrop for every visit. Head to one of the larger parks like Vondelpark or Westerpark to make a snowman; here, you'll find plenty of snow waiting to be turned into snowballs.

2 )The city transforms into a light spectacle... The annual Amsterdam Light Festival, which turns Amsterdam into a vast open-air art gallery during the darkest winter months, sees enchanting light installations adorn the canals, streets, and iconic structures from December to January. De Bijenkorf in Dam Square hosts a special ceremony every mid-November to illuminate its building with thousands of (energy-efficient) twinkling lights. Crowds gather to marvel at this spectacle, which includes performances, fireworks displays, and a shopping event that lasts well into the late night hours.

3 )And behold; the world's most beautiful ice rink. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor ice skating in Amsterdam, including the magnificent Winterparadijs ice fair and the Jaap Eden ice rink.

4 )Everything is gezellig... Dark nights, twinkling fairy lights, playing board games in cozy bars... Everything about winter in Amsterdam is truly gezellig. Pronounced 'heh-zell-ick' and with no direct English translation, this word is at the heart of Dutch culture and encompasses everything from 'cozy' and 'charming' to 'friendly' and 'relaxing'. It can be used for anything that warms your heart and gives you goosebumps, and you'll hear it often if you visit Amsterdam in winter.

5 )Amsterdam's winter markets are magnificent Amsterdam takes a more independent and unique approach to Christmas markets compared to many other European cities. Every weekend before Christmas, you'll find different markets in and around the city offering beautiful products and lovingly prepared food and drinks in unique locations, ranging from traditional to trendy. These markets are perfect for finding art, jewelry, artisanal food products, locally designed home goods, and handmade decorations. Shopping is often accompanied by divine carol singers and holiday festivities.

6 )A perfect Valentine's Day retreat Amsterdam is consistently ranked among the world's most romantic cities, so what better place for a Valentine's Day getaway? Imagine all the things you can do with your partner in Amsterdam on Valentine's Day, from romantic candlelit dinners to stunning concerts, old-fashioned cinemas, and striking cultural routes!

7 )You can eat to your heart's content Hearty, substantial, and satisfying Dutch cuisine is made for cold days and nights. From stamppot (traditional Dutch mash) to snert (thick pea and ham soup) and everything in between, Dutch dishes are designed to warm you from the inside out.

8 )Oliebollen season If there's one reason to visit Amsterdam in winter, it's oliebollen. These delicious doughnut balls only come out once a year, so you should eat as many as you can while you have the chance. Get them fresh from a street vendor, piping hot and coated in sugar, and then get some more.

9 )Museums are less crowded Amsterdam is less crowded in winter, which means shorter queues at major museums. Spend the winter months exploring the Rembrandt House Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Van Gogh Museum; here, you can take refuge from the cold and then cozy up in a comfortable cafe or bar afterwards. Don't look further than the 17th-century masterpieces displayed at the Rijksmuseum for a glimpse into Amsterdam's past winters. Dutch landscape artists such as Hendrick Avercamp, Adam van Breen, and Jan van Goyen depicted emotional scenes of entire communities bundled up warmly enjoying activities like ice skating, sledding, socializing, and even ice fishing.

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