Amsterdam · Netherlands
January
Grey, cold, and quiet — the Rijksmuseum without a queue for the first time.
Strong option
#9 of 12 months
There are better months for Amsterdam — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
5.6°C
Low
0.8°C
Rain
63mm
Sun
1.9hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How January scores in Amsterdam
Weather
Below average
Value
Outstanding
Crowds
Outstanding
Events
Average
Atmosphere
Good
What you gain in January
- ↑Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum at lowest visitor levels of the year — same-day entry possible
- ↑Canal-side bruine kroegen (brown cafés) at their most authentic and unhurried
- ↑Hotel rates at annual lows — central Amsterdam affordable for the first and only time
What you sacrifice
- ↓Only 1.9 hours of sunshine daily — overcast almost continuously
- ↓Cold (0°C overnight): ice on the cobblestones, limited outdoor canal walks
- ↓Keukenhof and tulip fields months away; parks bare and leafless
How January compares to April (best month)
| Factor | January | April ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 3 | 8 |
| Value | 9 | 6 |
| Crowds | 9 | 5 |
January in other destinations
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Amsterdam, not across destinations. Methodology →