Out of all Dutch cities, there is one thing that Amsterdam does best: it looks like it came straight out of a freaking fairytale, especially in winter. All the twinkling Christmas lights add an extra enchanting dimension to the cold winter nights. December has officially arrived, so I feel like it’s time for an appreciation post of the Christmas season. I grabbed my camera and found the prettiest places in the city centre. Here are 10 photos of pure winter magic in Amsterdam.
Museumplein Ice Skating Rink
The Dutch winters used to be much colder and Amsterdam would be covered in a pristine layer of snow. Nowadays, the canals usually don’t freeze over anymore, but you can still go ice skating and drink some hot chocolate. Your best option would be the amazing ice skating rink at Museumplein, right in front of the iconic Rijksmuseum.
Bijenkorf Department Store
Like Paris has Lafayette and London has Harrods, Amsterdam has the Bijenkorf (Beehive). This luxury department store on Dam Square is known for its abundant Christmas lights and creative window displays. On top of that, Bijenkorf hosts an annual “Turn on the Lights” event to celebrate the start of the Christmas season, complete with musical performances and fireworks.
Magna Plaza
The Magna Plaza shopping mall used to be the main post office until 1987. It is one of the most incredible historical buildings in Amsterdam and part of the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites. Its exterior and interior are both equally impressive and the great hall is one of Amsterdam’s most beautifully decorated places (especially in December).
Amsterdam Light Festival
My favourite annual event in Amsterdam is, without a doubt, the Amsterdam Light Festival. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, the gloomy nights become illuminated by the most wonderful light installations from numerous international artists. This year’s edition opened on December 1 and will last until January 22. You can explore the festival by going on the Water Colors boat route or Illuminade walking route. The walking route opens a bit later on December 15 and ends slightly earlier on January 8. Of course, if you’re on a tight budget, you don’t neccesarily need to buy tickets to go on a tour. You can also go and see the artworks by foot or bicycle on your own accord.
Natura Artis Magistra Zoo
The Artis Zoo or Natura Artis Magistra opened in 1851 and is still the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. Artis includes a planetarium, aquarium, libarary and numerous historical buildings. The Artisplein or Artis Square (pictured) is freely accessible and offers a view of the zoo’s flamingos.
Nieuwe Spiegelstraat
The Nieuwe Spiegelstraat (New Mirror Street) is one of Amsterdam’s lesser known gems. The historic street offers an array of peculiar antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques. Accordingly, the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat is lined with lit-up store windows that are filled with curious objects. This makes an evening stroll in December all the more enjoyable.
Spiegelgracht
Christmas in Amsterdam makes the canals shine even brighter than they normally do. The Spiegelgracht (Mirror Canal) is part of the Amsterdam Canal District. The district has been part of the the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010. The 17th-century canal lies opposite the Rijksmuseum and connects to the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat.
Kalverstraat
The Kalverstraat is the most famous and busiest shopping street in Amsterdam. Just to give you a rough idea about its supreme shopping status: the Kalverstraat is the most expensive street in the Dutch version of the Monopoly game. The name Kalverstraat (Calf Street) originates from the medieval cattle market that used to take place in the same area.
Amsterdam Central Station
The city’s central station is another one of Amsterdam’s grand historical buildings and heritage sites. The building opened in 1889 and the station’s designer was Pierre Cuypers, the same man who designed the Rijksmuseum. Inside the main hall is also a piano that anyone is allowed to play. Most of the time, you can enjoy a free concert on your way to the train tracks.
Hi! My name is Roselinde and I am the founder of Globonaut. I am a cultural analyst, digital storyteller and photographer with a passion to explore the world through thoughtful travel. My dream is to make Globonaut a meaningful corner on the internet for everyone who wants to share their thoughts about living on planet Earth.
Roselinde,
I am so enjoying your posts. Also, the fact that I receive them in Dutch as well as English. My family and I liven in Eindhoven for three years and took Dutch lessons, but have no way to practice, until I registered to receive your blog notifications. Now I read the Dutch post first and translate as best I can, then I read the English post to see what I missed – perfect! I particularly enjoyed your last post on Christmas in Amsterdam. We visited Amsterdam quite often and your photos prophet back many lovely memories. Now that Christmas is coming I am missing amandelstaf, gevuldekoek, stroepwaffle, drop and chocolate letters! I would like to wish you prettig sinterklaasfeest (I hope you have been a good girl and will not get coal when place your wooden shoes outside the door), Prettige Kerstagen and Gelukkig Nieuw Yaar!
Dear David,
Thank you so much for your comment. It’s absolutely wonderful to hear you are enjoying my posts and my translations are useful to you! That really motivates me to keep translating all the articles 🙂 I can totally understand where you’re coming from, the Dutch sweets are the best thing about Christmas in the Netherlands! I am confident I have behaved incredibly well this year and will receive tons of presents in my shoes ;P Jij en je familie ook hele prettige Kerstdagen gewenst en alvast een gelukkig nieuwjaar!