The opening of the ice rink at Museum Square (Museumplein) always feels like the kick-off of winter in Amsterdam for me. Unfortunately, it has been announced that the ice rink at Museum Square (Museumplein) will not return in 2023. A disappointment for tens of thousands of visitors, including myself.
Luckily, there are still plenty of fun activities planned for the holiday season and Christmas in Amsterdam this year. I will create a more detailed guide about it later. Soon enough, the temperatures will drop, it will rain just a bit too often, and it will get dark earlier in the evenings. Hopefully, the ice rink at Museum Square (Museumplein) will return in 2024. Fortunately, the Christmas market at Museum Square (Museumplein) will still take place this year. And to be honest, it gets better every year. Especially tastier, as what I find particularly exciting, is that the focus is increasingly on food during ICE Village.
| CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN AMSTERDAM: Check out the best Christmas Markets in Amsterdam in 2023 here >>
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The ice rink at Museumplein will be back in 2024
ICE* Amsterdam, also known as the ice rink at Museumplein, is a winter tradition in Amsterdam, much like the Parade in the summer. It offers a chance to enjoy true Dutch ice skating fun, with the ‘Magere Brug’ (Skinny Bridge) connecting over the ice rink and providing a phenomenal view of the museums and the concert hall. I had been looking forward to it this year, especially because my son Manuel is now old enough to go ice skating together. Unfortunately, the ice rink at Museumplein won’t be there in 2023. Hopefully, all the necessary permits will be in place next year. I can’t wait to go back, skate, and take new photos, as the IAmsterdam letters are now gone.
| TIP: These 3 ice skating rinks in Amsterdam will be back in 2023 >>
Things to do in Amsterdam
Click here for 20 more tips
no ice skating at museum square / ice* amsterdam 2024/2025
Dates: will follow in 2024
Online tickets & info: iceamsterdam.nl
| TIP: have you heard of the spectacular Amsterdam Light Festival? All about the event and tickets for the canal cruises in this blog post >>
ice village Christmas market on museum square will be back in 2023
Despite ICE* Amsterdam not happening, fortunately, the festive Christmas market at Museumplein is still on! Ice Village Amsterdam Christmas Market will be open from mid-December until Boxing Day. I’m looking forward to strolling through the stalls filled with Christmas gifts and treats. It’s Christmas spirit at its best at Museumplein!
Dates: Wednesday, December 13th, through Tuesday, December 26th, 2023.
Amsterdam Bucketlist & Things to Do
(DIGITAL) ART EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fabrique des Lumières
⋙ NXT Museum
⋙ STRAAT street art museum
⋙ MOCO Museum for street and modern art
⋙ Amaze, an audiovisual labyrint
FOOD EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
⋙ Albert Cuyp Market Food Tour
⋙ Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
⋙ Pancake Cruise
⋙ Micro Brewery Beer Tasting Tour
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
⋙ Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
⋙ Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
⋙ 3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
FIRST TIME VISIT TO AMSTERDAM – MUST SEE & DO’S:
⋙ Private Canal Boat Tour
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ Canal Cruise in the evening
INSTAGRAM MUSEUMS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ Youseum
⋙ The Upside Down
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
⋙ Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS:
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
⋙ Go an a bike tour with the kids
⋙ NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Paddle board tour on the canals
⋙ Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour
| 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 in Amsterdam:
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Pillows Maurits at the Park: this newly opened hotel is all about luxury.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: recently renovated, this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ W Amsterdam: with lively restaurants and a posh rooftop bar with swimming pool.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with great all day bar.
☾ Hotel Jakarta: the most sustainable hotel ánd great value for money with a spa.
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam from the North side.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale and around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city by MGallery.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel with restaurant in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ Ruby Emma: eco design hotel with a great skybar near Amstel station.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Social Hub budget proof in trendy East district close tho the subway.
☾ 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 several locations in Amsterdam.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
Follow @yourlbb on Instagram
