Amsterdam – Sightseeing and Travel During the Holiday Season
For years, Amsterdam has been ranked among the best European cities to visit. One of the best times to visit the Dutch capital is during the holiday season. The city’s cozy winter mornings, iced lakes, winding canals, buzzing pubs, astonishing architecture, delicious cuisine, and general tranquility will blow your mind away. If you are planning to visit Amsterdam during the upcoming holiday season, these are some of the activities that you can engage in.
Visit the Christmas Markets
Just like any other place, Christmas is the highlight of the holiday season in Amsterdam. During this time, the entire city gets into a carnival mood, and shopping is usually the main agenda on most residents’ minds. Despite the biting cold, Christmas markets and fairs in Amsterdam are always more vibrant than any other time of the year. There is an open market in every part of the city. Here, you will find vendors from all over The Netherlands displaying and selling their wares. Here, you can buy anything you want at reasonable prices. You can also sample amazing cuisines and drinks.
The Light Festival
This annual event is held every year from mid-November to mid-January. The festival features renowned artists from all over the world. Unique light installations are always created to capture the mood of the event. The artists exhibit special pieces during the festival. To see them, you just need to hop into one of the many specialized cruise boats that sail on the canal during the festival. The theme of this year’s Light Festival is Disrupt, and it promises to be a must-attend.
Ice Skating in the City Center
If you are a winter sports fanatic, there’s no better place to be during the Holiday season than Amsterdam. Ice skating, in particular, is a favorite pastime among many Amsterdam residents. Museumplein, Westergasfabriek, and Leidseplein are popular ice rinks where you can go and gauge your skating abilities against the best. The rinks are located in the city center, and therefore, are easily accessible. A visit to these family-friendly venues will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip to the city.
Sample Some Oliebollen
If you are a foodie, you shouldn’t leave Amsterdam without having a taste of oliebollen. These donut-shaped cakes are made in the shape of a boll and flavored with an apple filling. Often, they are served with icing sugar. They taste like heaven, but you should be careful since they are highly caloric. Even so, there’s no better way of having a cheat day than sampling a few oliebollens.
Check Out the City’s Christmas Lights
Amsterdam is known for having some of the most enchanting Christmas lights. The chance to see these beautiful lights shouldn’t pass if you are visiting the city this coming holiday season. Dam Square, the Museumplein, and Damrak are some of the places where you can see these lights. A special “turn on the lights” event is often held at Dam Square to symbolize the start of the holiday season in Amsterdam. At night, you can take a walk and savor the Christmas lights as well as the decorations.
