One of the most frequent considerations for travelers to Amsterdam is when to visit, and you should consider February for an off-season trip if you don’t mind cold weather but want to save money on your trip.
In February, the main tourist attractions are by no means deserted, but there will be fewer crowds, and to beat the weather, Amsterdammers offer tourists plenty of tasty options to keep warm, including hot chocolate breaks at the Museumplein ( Museum Square)) and fondue in local Swiss enclaves.
Fortunately, if you bundle up warm and remember to pack the right gear to keep warm, February is a wonderful month to see Amsterdam, whether for the first time or as a seasoned tourist.
Amsterdam weather in February
Although February is Amsterdam’s coldest month, with average high temperatures averaging, you won’t find much snow at this time of year as temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
- Average High: 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 degrees Celsius)
- Average Low: 31 degrees Fahrenheit (-0.5 degrees Celsius)
Also, February is usually quite dry, with less than 2 inches of precipitation over the course of 10 days in the month. February gets a little over nine hours of daylight per day, but because the city has cloudy or partly cloudy skies most of the month, it will only get about an hour or two of direct sunlight per day. Fortunately, there is still plenty of daylight to walk to the museums or take a canal boat tour before the night chill sets in in Amsterdam.
What to pack
Winter in Amsterdam is cold but not cold, so you should bring your clothes in layers with a warm winter jacket, preferably waterproof. Also, you should pack jeans in darker shades, and a knit hat, scarf, and gloves will come in handy for any extended time outdoors. Walking shoes, good athletic shoes, or boots are a must when walking the cobbled streets and visiting the gardens, but high heels and open-toed shoes are not recommended at this time of year.
If you want to dress up a bit for the opera or good food, men can put on a nice sweater, dress pants, and dress shoes, but they should also consider wearing long thermal underwear to protect themselves from the fresh air; women can wear dresses or business casual attire, but they should always remember to wear a long coat for the first few.
February events in Amsterdam
While you won’t find crowds of tourists, there are some great events that will draw crowds during the month of February.
- Chinese New Year: Held annually at the end of January or February, the Chinese community in Amsterdam re-enacts an authentic Chinese New Year celebration each year at the Nieuwmarkt, the heart of Amsterdam’s Chinatown. The festivities feature a traditional lion dance and spectacular fireworks, and the Nieuwmarkt is lined with stalls and street performers for revelers to enjoy.
- Valentine’s Day: Although the tokens of this non-native holiday have infiltrated the Netherlands, it is not widely celebrated. However, for lovers who want to celebrate abroad, there are some great ideas for romantic activities in Amsterdam, and you won’t want to miss out on the excuse to sample some of the best chocolatiers in town on February 14 this year.
- De Koninck Blues Festival in Delft – Blues musicians take over more than 30 venues in Delft’s picturesque old town for a few days every February. Performances are free, but blues workshops and lectures have a modest fee. Delft is approximately 40 minutes from Amsterdam.
- Wonderland Festival – This annual dance and music festival features a full line of electronic music that takes place at the Warehouse Elementenstraat at Elementenstraat 25.
February Travel Tips
- The cultural arts season is in session during February, so your Valentine’s Day plans could include a spectacular production of » Tannhäuser » courtesy of De Nederlandse Opera.
- The Keukenhof Gardens, on the outskirts of Amsterdam, will flourish with saffron and white paper. If the weather is warmer, you might even see early daffodils blooming. Established tours and public transportation will take you to these famous gardens.
- On the bright side of February visits, airfares and hotel rates hit a low this month as companies try to attract customers with competitive rates. Tourist crowds are at an annual low, so February visitors can visit Amsterdam’s popular museums, attractions, and more.
- Amsterdam fashion is generally ‘Euro-casual’, so you’ll see men going to work in a white dress shirt, jeans, and dress shoes, while women’s styles include traditional European clothing. , elegant and vintage, available in local stores. .
