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Amsterdam in the snow

When Amsterdam becomes a Winter Wonderland

Nowadays it does not snow as often in Amsterdam as it did in the past – say, before Global Warming. That said, you are most likely to see snow in Amsterdam during the months of January and February.

Snow on Singel canal in Amsterdam
Singel, one of Amsterdam’s oldest canals, in the snow. To the left is the round ‘Koepelkerk’. Formerly a Lutheran Church, the building is now used as a conference center. Photo by DutchAmsterdam.nl

Amsterdammers woke up to a city covered in snow this morning. [Note: this was written in January, 2013].

Amsterdam is beautiful at any time of year, but you have to have seen it under a fresh blanket of snow at least once in your life.

Herengracht in Amsterdam, in the snow
Herengracht (‘gentlemen’s canal’). This is one of downtown Amsterdam’s four main canals in the UNESCO listed grachtengordel (‘canal belt’). Photo by DutchAmsterdam.

This is the Herengracht (“Gentlemen’s Canal), at the corner where it meets Brouwersgracht — one of Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals. More about the canals of Amsterdam]

Snow-covered houseboats in Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam
Snow covered houseboats in the Brouwersgracht canal, Amsterdam. Photo by DutchAmsterdam.

Various types of houseboats line the Brouwersgracht. Some are custom-built, while others were converted from commercial barges.

Houseboats in Amsterdam, Brouwersgracht
Houseboats in Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam. Photo by DutchAmsterdam.

More houseboats in the Brouwersgracht. Brouwersgracht literally means brewers’ canal, a reference to the fact that many breweries used to line the canal centuries ago.

Corner Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht in Amsterdam
Corner Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht in Amsterdam. At the corner the famous Cafe Papeneiland. Photo by DutchAmsterdam

This is one of the most-photographed spots in Amsterdam — the junction of Brouwersgracht and Prinsengracht.

Amsterdam Essentials…

At the corner is Café Papeneiland, in business since 1642. In May 2011 Bill Clinton enjoyed a piece of homemade apple pie here. Inside the café you will find a ‘Thank You’ letter he wrote to the owners.

And yes, the apple pie is as good as everyone says it is.

(Trust us, the DutchAmsterdam team members have taken it upon themselves to quality test on a very regular basis).

Prinsengracht, Amsterdam
Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals. In the distance the tower of the Westerkerk. Photo by DutchAmsterdam

Even with a Prinsengracht covered in snow, a true Amsterdammer’s heart is warmed by a view of the Westertoren. In her famous diary, Anne Frank wrote that she and her family could hear the bells of this church tower from their nearby hiding place.

More snow… and ice in Amsterdam

Videos of Amsterdam in the snow
Sometimes we can ice skate on the canals

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See more of Amsterdam

Anton and Janet Hein
Publisher at DutchAmsterdam | Website |  + posts

Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.

Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.

Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 43 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.

Last updated Monday, January 6, 2025 CET (Central European Time)

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