Month guide · Amsterdam · Netherlands
Amsterdam in January
What January is really like in Amsterdam: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: John Lewis Marshall, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 8.2 hours of daylight. Cold, grey and short days, but quiet museums, low prices and the Light Festival along the canals.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 8.2 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Amsterdam: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with December (7°C (45°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:43
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:56
- Daylight
- About 8.2 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, grey and dark by mid-afternoon, but the Light Festival, festive markets and quiet museums make up for it.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Amsterdam Light Festival — artworks along the canals (late November to January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Museum Quarter
Rijksmuseum
Head straight to the Gallery of Honour at opening, then explore the quieter medieval and 20th-century floors.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Museum Quarter
Van Gogh Museum
The largest collection of Vincent van Gogh's work — around 200 paintings and 500 drawings — traces his development from the dark Potato Eaters to Sunflowers, The Bedroom and the Almond Blossom he painted for his newborn nephew.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
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Museum · Canal Ring
Anne Frank House
Check the museum's website for when tickets are released and book as soon as they appear; there are no tickets at the door.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Gallery · Museum Quarter
Stedelijk Museum
The city's museum of modern art and design, a 19th-century building with a white extension nicknamed 'the bathtub', covers Mondrian, Malevich, Kandinsky, Karel Appel and the CoBrA group, Warhol and contemporary design.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near 1°C and 12 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Amsterdam?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Amsterdam in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Amsterdam?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, grey and short days, but quiet museums, low prices and the Light Festival along the canals.
+How warm is Amsterdam in January?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in January?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.