The month in detail
What to expect in December
Winter in Amsterdam is cool (46°F during the day). Days are short (1.9h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 45% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
December ranks 11 out of 12 months in Amsterdam. Compared to November: −4°F daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
1 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
4°
Daylight
7.5h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 29
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Amsterdam is July (7.6/10), 6.7 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Amsterdam
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Amsterdam
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.
Country · Netherlands
🗣️LanguageDutch
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 70°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 45°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘNovember · 45%
🏖️ Beach trip
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Amsterdam ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
NetherlandsTemperate oceanic climate with a 7.6 → 0.8 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
52.37°N · 4.89°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
July is the best month with 70°F highs, 57°F lows, 7.3h of sunshine and 35.0% rainy days. The months of July & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Amsterdam get in July?
Amsterdam averages 7.3 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Amsterdam?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Amsterdam in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 57°F, while afternoon highs average 70°F.
Is Amsterdam good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Amsterdam scores 0.9/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.2/10.
When should you avoid Amsterdam?
January is the most difficult month to visit Amsterdam, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Amsterdam in December?
The average UV index reaches 1 in December in Amsterdam (low), with about 7.5h of daylight. No protection needed.