The best winter outdoor activities in The Netherlands
Is winter a good time to visit the Netherlands? Yes, why not! The weather in the Netherlands is unpredictable with sun, rain, snow, and cold temperatures, but the landscapes are beautiful and there are plenty of outdoor things to do. Whether you’re drawn to the magic of the Winter Efteling, the Dickens Festival in Deventer, the artistic brilliance of the Amsterdam Light Festival, or the traditional warmth of Dutch oliebollen, I’m sure that this list invites you to embrace the unique experiences that make winter in the Netherlands truly special. Join me in exploring these activities. Enjoy!
My favorite winter outdoor activities in The Netherlands
The Netherlands offers various fun winter outdoor activities. Here are some of my favorite activities:
– Visit the Dickens Festival in Deventer: December 16 and 17, 2023
A Dickens festival is weekend gathering, open to the public, which attempts to recreate an English city from the time of Charles Dickens. During the Dickens Festival, parts of the great town Deventer will be transformed into the time of Charles Dickens. The cozy streets will be full of Christmas decoration and filled with actors who walk around in traditional clothing. Super exciting!
– Pick some tulips: January 20, 2024
On the third Saturday in January is National Tulip Day. Every year, over 200,000 tulips are brought to the Museum Square (new location) in the centre of Amsterdam. You can enter the square for free and pick some tulips to bring home with you. How exciting!
– Go ice skating at the Amsterdam canals, the ice rink of the Rijksmuseum or at the Openlucht Museum
When you are lucky and the canals and lakes freeze over, you can go ice skating. When it is not cold enough, you can also visit one of temporary outdoor ice rinks in The Netherlands. Some examples are the Museum square in Amsterdam to ice skate at the ice rink in front of the Rijksmuseum or the Openlucht Museum in Arnhem. Afterwards, go get a hot chocolate!
– Sled up snow-covered hills or dikes
This is obvious only possible when it is snowing, but so much fun! Since flood control is an important issue in the Netherlands, we have many thousands of dikes. Set yourself upon the sled and flew down the hills or dikes with apparent glee! As a child, I grew up in a house whose yard bordered a dike. As soon as the snow remained, I would go make snowmen or sled down the dike.
– Visit a Christmas market in the Netherlands
The largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands are in Dordrecht, Deventer and Maastricht. Valkenburg offers a truly unique experience with underground Christmas markets set in caves. Visit the markets, buy some Christmas gifts, and get into a café to order a cup of gluhwein or hot chocolate.
– Hop on a canal boat and take a look at the Amsterdam Light Festival: November 30, 2023 – January 21, 2024
Hop on a canal boat and take a look at the spectacular Amsterdam Light Festival! At this festival, artists from all over the world create amazing artworks around a specific theme using light, which are displayed along the city centre. Of course you can also explore the Amsterdam Light Festival on foot or by bike.
– Winter Walks
Experience the winter in the Netherlands by taking some leisurely strolls. The Dutch countryside, adorned in a blanket of white if you’re lucky, becomes a serene winter wonderland perfect for winter walks.
– Discover National Parks
Visit a national park during the winter months. The Hoge Veluwe National Park, in particular, undergoes a magical transformation, making it an ideal destination if you love nature.
– Feel magic at the Winter Efteling
The Efteling is one of the most famous attraction parks of the Netherlands! It opened in 1952 and is among the oldest theme parks in the world. It is the largest themepark of the Netherlands and focus on (Dutch) fairytales. In winter, the Efteling is even more magical! Think of thousands of lights, winter treats, bonfires, Christmas trees, and snowy pines…..
– Try a traditional Dutch winter dish; oliebollen
During December and early January, you can try a delicious Dutch snack called oliebollen (deep fried sweet dumplings). In every city you can find an oliebollen stand where you can buy these delicacies. These fried balls are a traditional Dutch New Year’s Eve snack. Be sure to eat them when they’re warm and don’t hesitate to ask for powdered sugar on top.
– Explore a Dutch zoo
When the weather outside is gloomy, it is the perfect opportunity to visit one of Netherlands’s many zoo’s. Check out one of the top 15 Dutch zoos!
– Photographic Exploration
Capture the beauty of winter in The Netherlands with your camera. From frost-kissed landscapes to the timeless charm of our architecture dusted with snow, the winter presents some unique and captivating photo opportunities.
– Walk along the canals
This is so simple, but as Netherlands is not too chilly, you can also just go outside and enjoy a stroll along the canals in Amsterdam or Utrecht for example. When you get too cold, just look for a cozy café for a warm tea or a local beer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, winter in the Netherlands offers plenty of outdoor activities, from the Dickens Festival in Deventer to ice skating on Amsterdam’s canals. Explore Christmas markets in Dordrecht, Deventer, and Maastricht, or find tranquility in national parks like Hoge Veluwe. The Amsterdam Light Festival illuminates the city from canal boats, and traditional Dutch winter treats like oliebollen add culinary delights. I hope that this list of winter activities in The Netherlands invites you to embrace the beauty of my country during the winter season. Happy exploring!
Do you know any other exciting activities to do during the winter in the Netherlands? Feel free to leave a comment in the comment section below. Enjoy the winter!
Author: Daphne
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