Month guide · Rotterdam · Netherlands
Rotterdam in January
What January is really like in Rotterdam: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marczoutendijk, 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 8.3 hours of daylight. Grey, damp and windy, but museums are quiet and hotel prices low; the film festival brings energy late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 8.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 7°C (45°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Rotterdam: 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 08:42
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:00
- Daylight
- About 8.3 hours
- Sea
- 7°C (45°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold, damp and dark, but low prices, the film festival and indoor architecture and museums.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- International Film Festival Rotterdam (usually late January to early February)
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.
Market · Centrum
Markthal
Come for an early lunch on a weekday; it gets very crowded on Saturday afternoons.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Food
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Cool and Witte de Withstraat
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
Opened in 2021 in the Museumpark, this mirrored, bowl-shaped building by MVRDV is an art storage building opened to the public.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Views
- Iconic
Gallery · Cool and Witte de Withstraat
Kunsthal
Check what is on before you go; there are usually several shows at once.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Cool and Witte de Withstraat
Het Nieuwe Instituut and Sonneveld House
The national institute for architecture, design and digital culture holds exhibitions in its Museumpark building, and also runs the nearby Sonneveld House, a 1933 Nieuwe Bouwen villa with its original furniture and fittings.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
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 Rotterdam?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Rotterdam in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Rotterdam?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Grey, damp and windy, but museums are quiet and hotel prices low; the film festival brings energy late in the month.
+How warm is Rotterdam in January?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Rotterdam in January?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.