Early winter · Weather & things to do
Amsterdam in December
Amsterdam cools off: highs slip to 44°F (6°C), from 49°F in November, with lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 44/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 44°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 3.2 in (81 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 28 min
- Comfort score
- 44/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 44°F (6°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 37°F (3°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.2 in (81 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 79%.
Only about 7 h 28 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 7 h 28 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 55/100 in November to 44/100.
- Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Amsterdam in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Zaanse Schans
Working windmills and wooden houses on the Zaan river, 20 minutes by train.
Anne Frank House
The hidden annex where Anne Frank wrote her diary.
Jordaan and the Canal Ring
UNESCO-listed canals and lanes of gabled houses and small shops.
Vondelpark
City park of ponds and lawns, busy with cyclists and picnickers.
Winkel 43
Corner café famous for tall Dutch apple pie with whipped cream.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 44°F.
Nearby in December
- Ghent in December~104 mi · highs 43°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Brussels in December~107 mi · highs 43°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bruges in December~107 mi · highs 44°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Cologne in December~132 mi · highs 42°F, 3.0 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Amsterdam in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Amsterdam?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 44/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – September. Expect highs of 44°F (6°C) and 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain. Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Amsterdam in December?
Average highs are 44°F (6°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in December?
Some: about 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 32.6 in (828 mm).
What should I pack for Amsterdam in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Amsterdam
Planning Amsterdam in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.