Sea 8 °C
Amsterdam for Christmas Holidays in December
Published 5 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·
Amsterdam makes a good Christmas holiday base when you want festive atmosphere, museums, canals and easy days out with children. Plan around the school holiday, stay near a tram route and balance indoor attractions with evening walks through illuminated streets.
In December, expect average highs of 7 °C in Amsterdam and 3 °C at night, and the sea is 8 °C. The sun shines for about 1 hours a day, rain falls on 16 days of the month.
7 days in Amsterdam in December, Culture, from London Gatwick on your own
Plan a trip- Daytime highs in December
- 7 °C
- Sea temperature
- 8 °C
- Sun per day
- 1 h
- Flight from London Luton, nonstop
- about 1 h 02
A practical Christmas break in the Dutch capital
Amsterdam suits a Christmas city break because major sights sit close together and the centre has a strong mix of indoor attractions, canals and restaurants. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House give you useful choices on wet or wintry days, while canal walks and the Christmas markets bring energy to the streets outside them.
Most families gain more from a stay in the centre or around the Museum District than from moving hotels during a short holiday. A central base makes return journeys straightforward and gives adults a good choice of restaurants in the evening. Choose a hotel near a tram stop if children will need an easy ride back after a full day.
Treat each day as a gentle mix rather than a timetable packed edge to edge. Indoor sights work well in the colder part of the day, followed by a stop for a warm meal and an evening walk. Leave room in the plan for a café, a bakery and a canal bridge whenever the children need room to move.
December compared
November is warmer, with 10 °C by day and 11 °C in the sea; January is cooler, with 6 °C by day and 6 °C in the sea.
- November10°11 °C sea2 h sun
- December7°8 °C sea1 h sun
- January6°6 °C sea2 h sun
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Night °C | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Sea °C | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 8 |
| Sun h/day | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Rain days | 15 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Weather-ready days around the canals
December is cold and changeable, so a layered approach suits a family walking through Amsterdam. The monthly climate figures show a daytime temperature of 7 °C and a night temperature of 3 °C. Pack a warm coat, hat and gloves, plus a waterproof outer layer that works over everyday clothes.
Canal paths can feel colder than the sheltered streets around shops and museums. A short walk with a clear destination, such as a café, makes a good break. Indoor play options, cinema visits and museum days then add variety without relying on a particular weather outcome for every activity.
Cycling offers another local way to see the city, though the pace is livelier than a canal stroll. Families with older children can select a flat route together and stop when they want a warm drink. Younger travellers will usually appreciate a mixed day of a landmark, a rest stop and a relaxed evening.
Festive sights and a family pace
Begin with the city’s best known Christmas landmarks and then build the day around the people travelling. The Royal Palace, Dam Square, the narrow streets and the canal bridges provide an easy introduction to central Amsterdam. A museum later in the day gives everyone a seated activity and shelter from the weather.
The Albert Cuyp Market and the Jordaan work well for browsing food stalls, independent shops and seasonal produce. Children can help choose a Dutch cheese, pastry or hot drink, turning the market into part of the experience. Keep purchases light and comfortable, as several streets and bridges require a short walk with bags.
For a family with younger children, a relaxed pace is useful on arrival day. Walk from your hotel to a nearby bridge, stop for an early meal and let the group regain its rhythm. On the next day, add the Rijksmuseum or another major cultural sight. This structure gives the holiday a clear rhythm while preserving space for spontaneous choices.
A three day outline and a seven day extension
For a three day city break, use the first day for the centre and canal orientation. Visit Dam Square, walk towards the Jordaan and pause at a bakery or café. On day two, pair a major museum with an evening walk through the illuminated canal district. Keep day three for the Anne Frank House, a local market and a relaxed meal before departure.
iPhoto: Alf van Beem · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
A seven day visit gives you room to spread the principal sights across the holiday. Add the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and a neighbourhood day in De Pijp or Noord. The Rijksmuseum’s collection also connects naturally with Dutch history, while Noord offers a change of streets, waterside spaces and local places to eat.
For a family with older children, include an activity chosen by each traveller before assembling the route. A museum, a bike ride or a canal cruise can each become part of the same day. Let the central plan stay simple, then add these personal choices around it so everyone has a reason to explore.
iPhoto: Alf van Beem · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Already started
Your trip in Amsterdam
7 °C by day in December- Sea 8 °C
- from London Gatwick about 1 h 03
Day 1
Arrival in Amsterdam
Flight from London Gatwick in 1 h 03, direct. Settle in, first evening by the harbour or in the centre.
Day 2
Poel's Up
Beach day: the sea is around 8 °C in December.
Day 3
Miami Beach, USA
Beach day: the sea is around 8 °C in December.
Day 4
Amsterdam City Beach Festival
Beach day: the sea is around 8 °C in December.
Day 5
Museum Het Schip
Museum Het Schip in the morning, then lunch in Amsterdam.
Day 6
A'DAM Lookout
A'DAM Lookout in the morning, then lunch in Amsterdam.
Day 7
Last morning and flight home
One last coffee with a sea view, then back to London Gatwick.
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Weather in Amsterdam month by month
- January6 °C6 °C
- February6 °C5 °C
- March9 °C6 °C
- April13 °C8 °C
- May16 °C12 °C
- June20 °C15 °C
- July21 °C17 °C
- August21 °C19 °C
- September19 °C17 °C
- October15 °C15 °C
- November10 °C11 °C
- December7 °C8 °C
Getting there
The quickest way is from London Luton: you're in Amsterdam in about 1 h 02 on a direct flight. Direct flights leave from 8 UK airports. The nearest airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), 6 miles away.
- AMSAmsterdam Airport Schiphol6 miles to the destination
- RTMRotterdam The Hague Airport34 miles to the destination
| From | Flight time | To | Direct flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Luton LTN | about 1 h 02 | AMS | Direct |
| London Gatwick LGW | about 1 h 03 | AMS | Direct |
| London Heathrow LHR | about 1 h 03 | AMS | Direct |
| Birmingham BHX | about 1 h 07 | RTM | Direct |
| Manchester MAN | about 1 h 11 | AMS | Direct |
| Bristol BRS | about 1 h 14 | AMS | Direct |
| Edinburgh EDI | about 1 h 23 | AMS | Direct |
| Glasgow GLA | about 1 h 27 | AMS | Direct |
Flight times estimated from the distance, direct routes from OpenTravelData.
Travel advice for Netherlands
The current advice on safety, health and entry is published in full by GOV.UK Foreign travel advice. Check it before you book and again shortly before you leave.
School holiday dates and booking strategy
The school holiday timing affects demand for central accommodation and transport. The supplied calendars place Christmas holidays from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 for Kent, Northern Ireland and Cardiff, while Edinburgh continues to 5 January 2027. Check the dates for each child’s council and agree the travel window before selecting a stay.
Book the holiday around the arrival day, the main celebration at home and the return journey. A midweek departure can help families shape a useful city break around the school closure. The page also shows live partner prices when planning, allowing you to compare suitable rooms as the dates settle.
Keep the itinerary editable until the group has confirmed flights, tickets and family commitments. HolidayWow reads a one sentence trip description and turns it into a map based plan. You can choose a relaxed pace for individual days, move a stop, add dates and keep tickets, confirmations and documents with the trip.
Planning the route from departure to Amsterdam
A useful plan starts with the journey from home and ends with the transfer to the first hotel. HolidayWow can include the ride to the airport, the flight and the onward transfer in the trip film, giving each part a clear place on the map. This makes the home journey and arrival easier for everyone to follow.
Flight times to Amsterdam
- from London Luton1 h 02direct
- from London Gatwick1 h 03direct
- from London Heathrow1 h 03direct
- from Birmingham1 h 07direct
Distances from UK airports are shown as live information because routes and services can change. London Stansted is 200 miles from Amsterdam, while London Gatwick is 232 miles and London Heathrow is 236 miles. Manchester is 306 miles, Birmingham is 279 miles and Edinburgh is 415 miles away.
Share the finished itinerary through one link so family members can see the route and leave comments. Roles can distinguish viewers from editors, while voting helps the group settle on museums, meals and Christmas activities. Add a packing list and checklist based on the month, then store travel documents beside the relevant confirmations.
Flight times to Amsterdam
- from London Luton1 h 02direct
- from London Gatwick1 h 03direct
- from London Heathrow1 h 03direct
- from Birmingham1 h 07direct
Amsterdam in December: frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam suitable for Christmas holidays with children?
Yes. Amsterdam combines easily visited museums, canal walks, markets and short journeys between central neighbourhoods. Choose a hotel near a tram route, plan one main sight for each day and include plenty of warm breaks. The Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House provide useful indoor choices.
When should families travel to Amsterdam at Christmas?
The supplied school calendars place Christmas holidays from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 for Kent, Northern Ireland and Cardiff. Edinburgh schools continue until 5 January 2027. Compare these dates with each family’s travel plans and book central accommodation around the agreed arrival day.
What should we pack for Amsterdam in December?
Pack layers for daytime temperatures of 7 °C and nights around 3 °C. A warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf and waterproof shoes work well for canal walks. Add comfortable indoor clothes, a light umbrella and a small day bag for museum visits, shopping and extra layers.
How many days are enough for an Amsterdam Christmas holiday?
Three days works well for the canal centre, a major museum and a festive evening. A seven day visit adds neighbourhoods, further museums and personal activities. Families travelling with children often benefit from a slower rhythm, with a landmark, an indoor experience and a relaxed meal grouped together each day.
Can I share and edit an Amsterdam itinerary?
HolidayWow creates one shareable plan with viewing and editing roles. Group members can vote and comment, while the planner lets you move stops between days or change the pace. The app also keeps tickets, confirmations and other travel documents with the relevant trip.
Your next trip
Plan your holiday in Amsterdam in December
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