Rain puddles reflected the somber sky as I stepped outside Centraal station. The giant Christmas tree in front was brightly lit, though the clock inside clearly said 9:30. Where I lived, the 9:30 sun would render Christmas lights irrelevant — it would be high in the sky, blinding with tropical glare — but not here. Here, to my left, the sun was only beginning to rise, casting its tentative light on deserted streets. To my right, bare-branched trees stood guard over a sea of temporarily abandoned bicycles. And straight ahead: canals, glorious canals.
It was my first winter, and I was in Amsterdam.
.
It’s a place that feels like home almost immediately, the weather notwithstanding. Whereas Venice with its canals, gondolas, and colorful houses feels like the lingering memory of a dream, Amsterdam feels like the sort of place in which you wake up every morning and feel blessed you live there. Its buildings look both beautiful and sensible, its boats and houseboats practical. Bicycles abound — there are reportedly more bikes than residents in Amsterdam — and it’s not uncommon to see elegantly dressed people riding one on their way to work. Moreover, the city is eminently walkable; you can get lost in the pleasure of a casual stroll along the beautiful canals for hours.
.
.
Not that walking is the only thing you will want to do in the Dutch capital. Amsterdam is home to famous works of art, including Vermeer’s Milkmaid and Rembrandt’s Night Watch – both displayed at the Rijksmuseum – as well as the sunflowers, fields, and swirly skies of Vincent at the Van Gogh Museum. Even if you’re not particularly a lover of the arts, the Museum Quarter is a great place to just hang out — it has a pond that is converted to an ice skating rink in winter, and the grassy lawn is a wonderful place for a picnic on warmer days.
.
.
.
.
The Keukenhof garden is the best place to view the country’s iconic tulips; however, it is open only from mid-March to mid-May every year. Luckily, Dam Square gets transformed into a “field” of tulips for one day in January – National Tulip Day – and I got to experience the joy of picking as many tulips as I could carry with both hands.
.
.
.
Other things to do in Amsterdam:
- Go on a canal cruise. A sunset cruise is best, as you get to see the canals both in daylight and at night.
- Check out the “coffee” shops (though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend partaking).
- Visit Anne Frank’s house.
- Stay in a houseboat.
- Browse through open air markets.
- Take a day trip to Zaanse Schans to see windmills, craft houses, and traditional Dutch architecture.
.
.
The drawback of a winter trip is that fewer daylight hours mean less time for sightseeing so I didn’t get to tick off all the items in my Netherlands bucket list. There is, however, at least one advantage to visiting Amsterdam in winter: the Wintermarkt. From the festive stalls that line Damrak every winter, one can buy all sorts of culinary delights: grilled sausages, fresh waffles, heaps of fries, chocolate tools (literally handyman’s tools made of chocolate), and even Filipino-style fried rice. My favorite purchase from that entire trip was probably the bowl of Hungarian goulash – my first ever – that I got, steaming hot, from a stall in the Wintermarkt.
.
.
.
It’s these new experiences I love most about travel: the chance to discover new favorites and to soak in the atmosphere of a totally different world. I’ve been to a few other countries in my lifetime, but that first winter in Amsterdam (and that first bowl of goulash!) holds a special place in my heart.
.
*
© Small-Town Girls, Midnight Trains. All rights reserved.
Great writing! I want to pack my bags and fly off to Amsterdam right now! 🙂
Actually that’s a great idea….. 😀
🙂 Yes, it is! But sadly, I can’t. Have to take care of the EXAMS!! 😛
Haha! And I have to take care of the BILLS, so no gallivanting around the world for me yet too. Here’s hoping we’ll get to Amsterdam SOMEday. 🙂
Hehe! 🙂 Yup.. Someday!
🙂
Nice article. Haven’t been to Amsterdam yet, I hope to go there someday? Whats the best month to go?
Hi Jasmin! I’ve only been there in winter, but I would say the best month to visit Amsterdam would probably be April — the Keukenhof will be open, the flower fields will be in bloom, the days are longer (vs. the winter months) but it won’t be as crowded as in summer, and King’s Day (the 27th) should be fun. (Fall and winter should be cheaper in terms of airfare and accommodations, though.)
When did you make the trip out? Was this is 2013?
Amsterdam, I’ve heard, is a pretty neat city to visit. I should do that one of these days.
Sorry. I meant to say “Was this in 2013?”
Just this year. 🙂 Early January. It is! You should go. 🙂
Beautiful pictures, I think I’ll have to go to Europe in winter!
Thank you! It was quite the experience for me as we don’t have winter where I live. 🙂 There are less daylight hours, though, which messed with our sightseeing plans a bit, but overall it was a great trip. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
Just actually got back from Amsterdam! Love the city! Didn’t get to do all of the things that I wanted to do either, but either way the time spend there was incredible
It really is a cool city, isn’t it? There’s a sober and sensible but laidback vibe to it that makes a traveler feel at ease. (By the way, I just got back from your blog and I am jealous of your Israel trip! I wish I could go someday.)
Oh thanks! Yeah I would definitely recommend visiting Tel Aviv at some point; very cool city 🙂
I’m revisiting this post & enjoying it all over again.
Thank you! 🙂
Noooo thank you!
Nice blog! Amsterdam is my dream destination <3 You're so lucky 🙂 xx
Thank you Krizzia! I do feel very lucky. I’m sure you’ll be able to go there someday too! xx 🙂
I think you know by now, I have been staying here in your website for more than an hour now, and (still) because I was triggered (hahaha) when I read your fare post.. hahaha but then its just purely reading and contemplating and partially making itinerary in my mind.. :-p the pictures here still brings back the feelings I felt when I was there.. melancholic.. in time, I can take my family here with me.. it’s nice being/getting lost in these canals together.. 🙂
Awww. Yeah, ingun ana sad jud akong feeling before, that I wanted to share it with my family. Gastoooooo kaayo, like I don’t wanna think about unsa na unta akong napalit if wala ko ga-laag haha, but I know those are memories I will treasure forever and it’s such a privilege to be able to do that for and with my family, so worth it ra jud. Soon Gea! #ParaKaninoKaBumabangon haha! <3