Christmas in Amsterdam kerst in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

THE ultimate amsterdam christmas guide

22 December 2016

Tips for Christmas in Amsterdam: the best things to do in one blog

Christmas in Amsterdam. Maybe my favourite week of the year. But there are so many things to decide! Do you celebrate it with family, friends, your lover and maybe not at all? And are you cooking at home or do you want to go out for dinner? Big parties or a small event? To help you make up your mind I made thig blog with fun things to do in Amsterdam. I think it’s such a special period! All the lights in the city and the delicious winter menus at the restaurants. Love it! I can’t wait to spend some time in cosy Amsterdam the coming days. So read on and discover what you can do on December 24, 25 and 26 december 2016 in Amsterdam. And at the bottom of this blog I’m also sharing some tips for New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam. Happy hollidays!

To do’s during christmas in amsterdam 2016

– The Amsterdam Light Festival is nice to check out. Walk the route and discover all the light scuptures along the canals. Or make a special boat tour over the canals to see everything from the water. Make it a perfect romantic night and bring your own gluhwein while exploring the city.

– Most museums in Amsterdam are open year round.. For example the Rijksmuseum is open 365 days a year and Het Stedelijk museum is also open on December 25 and 26. Het Tropenmuseum is open both December 24 and 26. And if you want to go to FOAM you can also do that during Christmas. Check the opening times before you go because they might be different for the holidays.

– In the Nieuwe Kerk you can check out the expo 90 jaar Marilyn on both December 24 and 26 between 10 am –  5 pm.

– After a visit to the Nieuwe Kerk you can go for hot coco to Metropolitain at Rokin!

– Do you want to go ICE skating during Christmas? ICE Amsterdam is open during Christmas (check their opening times before you go) and at Museumplein you also find the Christmas markets with food and crafts.

– What about dining at a super long table while you’re entertained with dance, theater and music? Check out the Winterparade at the Zuiderkerk in Amsterdam. Until December 30.

– Looking for a ‘classic’ night? During Christmas eve 24classics organizes a Christmas concert and they go classic in warehouse the ‘Zuiveringshal’ at Westergasterrein.

– Also fun: a Xmass Afternoon Tea at The Duchess in Amsterdam!

– During Christmas De Foodhallen are also open and there’s something fun going on every day in the days towards Christmas. Check out their agenda here! 

BEST restaurants that are open during christmas in Amsterdam 2016:

Looking for a place to eat out during Christmas? Check these places and book one of the last tables!

  1. Graham’s Kitchen
  2. Moon 
  3. MA’DAM
  4. Panache (special menu on December 26)
  5. De Luwte
  6. Jansz
  7. The French Connection
  8. 5&33
  9. The Duchess

Tip: More great restaurant for between Christmas and NYE? Check out our list with the 34 best new restaurants in Amsterdam here. 

best parties on december 24, 25 + 26 2016:

Check out the best parties that are on during Christmas here! 

More hotspots in Amsterdam

GET READY for the holidays at these beauty spots:

– Looking for a quick beauty fix before the holidays start? These are my favourite beauty addresses in Amsterdam. And make sure to book asap as of course it’s a very busy period for all of them with the holidays.
> Sense beauty & lifestyle: theadres in Amsterdam for shellac, manicures, pedicures, but also spray tan, eye brows and other beauty treatments.
> Het Massagehuys: for everyone who wants to forget the workweek within 1 hour.
>  Koan Float: my address to get some extra ‘sleep’ and be fit for all the Christmas dinners!
> Miss High Brow: within 30 minutes your brows are perfectly in shape and coloured.
> Delete: I hate the pain, but the next day you forget all about that and are happy with the result. And so is your lover! Male or female!
> When it comes to hairdressers I hop between these places depening om my schedule: Draagbaar, Toni & Guy at the Rozengracht and Day + Night if you want to get a hair cut in the evening (book at Ischa, Natalia or Danielle.
> And when you want to spoile yourself with a beauty treatment or massage then Skins is great! And don’t forget your swim suit to relax in the sauna and enjoy the pool!

Shopping during christmas in Amsterdam 2016:

– Need to buy some last minute Christmas gifts? These are our 19 favourite concept stores in Amsterdam!

– And of course we also made a list with the coolest new stores that opened the doors last year in Amsterdam.

Looking for a nice shopping area? Then the Nine Streets or de Haarlemmerstraats should not be missed? Most stores like PLUK Amsterdam are open during Christmas. Opening times for other stores may vary!

Merry Christmas! 

PS: And if you want to plan something last minute for NYE, here’s our link to the blog with the best parties for NYE in Amsterdam!

More from Amsterdam

Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
MOCO Museum for street art
Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
Red Light District tour
Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn

| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // €
Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
VERY VERY NICE // €€
Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // €€€
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.

More hotspots in Amsterdam

Let’s get social

I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>

 

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Anne de Buck

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