December in Amsterdam averages highs of 8 °C (46 °F) and lows of 4 °C (39 °F), with about 12 rainy days and 7 h 42 min of daylight.
December weather in Amsterdam at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Amsterdam?
Tough month: cold and wet. December is usually low season in Amsterdam: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) public holiday
- Sat 26 Dec: St. Stephen's Day (Tweede Kerstdag) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Amsterdam in December
With frequent rain in December, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Rijksmuseum — Rembrandt and Vermeer indoors
- Anne Frank House — tickets release online, book early indoors
- Van Gogh Museum — timed tickets indoors
- Canal Ring walk or boat — Jordaan and the Nine Streets outdoors
- Vondelpark — rent a bike outdoors
- Amsterdam-Noord — free ferry, A'DAM Lookout outdoors
Where to stay: Canal Ring or Jordaan for beauty; De Pijp, Oud-West or Oost for better value.
What to pack for Amsterdam in December
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 4 °C (39 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 12 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Amsterdam costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €75–180 | €210–450 |
Excluding flights. December is usually low season in Amsterdam: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 9° / 4° | 10 | Tough month |
| Paris | 9° / 3° | 10 | Tough month |
| Berlin | 6° / 1° | 8 | Tough month |
Plan your Amsterdam trip
- Is Amsterdam Expensive? Real Costs and 2026 Budget Guide
- 3 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary: First-Timer Plan for 2026
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Amsterdam?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and wet, with average highs of 8 °C (46 °F) and about 12 rainy days. December is usually low season in Amsterdam: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are June, September.
How warm is Amsterdam in December?
Average highs are 8 °C (46 °F) and lows 4 °C (39 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in December?
Expect about 12 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 81 mm in total. It is the wettest month of the year in Amsterdam.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.