Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Amsterdam in January
This is the coldest month in Amsterdam: highs average 42°F (5°C) and lows 35°F (2°C), with about 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 41/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 42°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 35°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 3.0 in (75 mm)
- Humidity
- 91%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 58 min
- Comfort score
- 41/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 42°F (5°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Lows average 35°F (2°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.0 in (75 mm).
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 79%.
Daylight is short, roughly 7 h 58 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – September.
- Comfort slips from 44/100 in December to 41/100.
- Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.0 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Amsterdam in January
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Brouwerij 't IJ
Brewery tap next to the De Gooyer windmill.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 42°F.
Foodhallen
Food hall in an old tram depot with dozens of stalls.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Van Gogh Museum
Largest Van Gogh collection, tracing his life in paintings and letters.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 42°F.
Winkel 43
Corner café famous for tall Dutch apple pie with whipped cream.
Why now A cozy break on a 42°F day.
Rijksmuseum
Dutch national museum with Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Nearby in January
- Ghent in January~104 mi · highs 42°F, 2.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Brussels in January~107 mi · highs 42°F, 2.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bruges in January~107 mi · highs 43°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Cologne in January~132 mi · highs 40°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, 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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Amsterdam?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 41/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – September. Expect highs of 42°F (5°C) and 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain. Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Amsterdam in January?
Average highs are 42°F (5°C) and average lows 35°F (2°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in January?
Some: about 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 32.6 in (828 mm).
What should I pack for Amsterdam in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.0 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Amsterdam
Planning Amsterdam in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.