Amsterdam is the perfect destination for a winter trip. There are some top attractions in Amsterdam you would want to pay a visit to in this beautiful season. You might want to go ice skating, visit the city’s famous museums, or even just enjoy some hot chocolate and the cosy atmosphere of the city centre. Here are some of the top attractions in Amsterdam recommended for you.

A Day Trip to Zaanse Schans and Volendam

Zaanse Schans, a picturesque Dutch village on the banks of the Zaan River, is one of the top attractions in Amsterdam. It has been so meticulously conserved that it now serves as an outdoor museum. Zaanse Schans is a dramatic tribute to the industrial and residential region of the Netherlands. It is dotted with active windmills and old homes from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. 

This picturesque town formerly had more than 600 working windmills and enterprises. Now Zaanse Schans offers some unusual attractions, including a bakery museum. Among other things, there is a clog museum, a workshop, and a nearby cheese farm. Only a 20-minute drive separates this Dutch treasure from Amsterdam. Both tourists and residents should go on this fun day trip at least once in Winter.

Van Gogh Museum

Amsterdam’s extensive network of canals, winding bike lanes, and 17th-century Dutch charm beckon the wandering soul. The city has kept up with the times while preserving its tradition. The beaches, tulip gardens, and exciting nightlife there would tempt anyone. 

But a trip to the renowned Van Gogh Museum, a twenty-first-century monument to the life and works of the brilliant Van Gogh, is essential to seeing this “Venice of the North”; it’s one of the must-visit top attractions in Amsterdam. The four-storey museum is home to art galleries where Van Gogh’s and his contemporaries’ creations—including those of Monet, Gauguin, and Millet—are exhibited. Even though Vincent Van Gogh’s genius was fleeting, he was one of the essential artists in the history of Western art. 

Theo Van Gogh received his brother Vincent’s artwork when he committed suicide in 1890. But following Theo’s untimely passing, his widow Jo Van Gogh-Bonger took it upon herself to promote Vincent’s works in some ways. The Van Gogh Foundation was founded by her son Vincent Willem Van Gogh. 

The state of the Netherlands constructed the opulent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam next to the Rijksmuseum in 1973. More than 200 of the artist’s paintings are on show in the museum. It includes hundreds of letters, drawings, and other personal items.

Rijksmuseum

A collection of one million works of art can be found at the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands, one of the most famous art museums in the world. It is a must-see attraction in Amsterdam, with more than 2 million visitors each year. The Netherlands’ national museum, called The Rijksmuseum, is one of the top attractions in Amsterdam that gets even better during Winter.

The Netherlands has a rich artistic heritage from the Middle Ages. Dutch painters Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer are among the artists whose works are on display in the museum. The Night Watch, The Milk Maid, and The Threatened Swan are notable works of art on show at the Rijksmuseum.

Nearly a million works of art are in the Rijksmuseum’s original collection. However, the number of items on show now is just 8000 and spans the 800-year history of Dutch art. The artworks are available in 80 galleries. The most significant art museum in the Netherlands is the Rijksmuseum. The museum receives about two and a half million visitors annually. It ranks among the top tourist attractions in Amsterdam.

Thoroughly exploring the Rijksmuseum is a difficult task. To see everything on show, you might need weeks. Visitors can get a close-up look at the rich history of the Netherlands at the Rijksmuseum. The shown works of art date between 1200 and 2000. 

The Milk Maid by Johannes Vermeer, the Gallery of Honour, Rembrandt’s Self-portrait, The Great Hall, Vincent Van Gogh’s Self-portrait, Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, and Cuypers Library are some of the highlights of the collection. Additionally, the Rijksmuseum hosts frequent exhibitions. International loans and Rijksmuseum collections are featured in the shows. 

During your visit to the Rijksmuseum, you can enjoy theatre performances, workshops, family games, and guided tours. The public can now visit the museum and view Operation Night Watch. This unique restoration initiative uses technology to repair Rembrandt’s masterpiece Night Watch. Visitors to the museum can view the repair activities in progress.

ARTIS Royal Zoo

Another one of the top attractions in Amsterdam is the ARTIS Royal Zoo, where a magnificent fusion of culture, nature, and legacy is. There are different areas of the zoo. Each section can be explored in depth and at your pace. Take in the sights of zebras, giraffes, springboks, ostriches, and other animals coexisting peacefully on the Savannah. At the Butterfly Pavilion, be astounded by the many fluttering and various species of butterflies.

Let’s say you want to know more about the mysteries of space. Head to the ARTIS Planetarium for a cosmic adventure that starts at 3 PM on weekdays and 1 PM on weekends. Additionally, you can access the ARTIS Aquarium, where you may see various animals like sharks, seahorses, piranhas, and tropical fish. Explore the Amsterdam Canal to learn more about the harm that plastic has caused to aquatic life.

Walking around the historic city park with its old trees and diverse array of plants is calming and very relaxing. On Artisplein, you can unwind by the fountain as well. If you want refreshments, go to de Plantage, a café-restaurant inside the building.

In conclusion, visiting some of the top attractions in Amsterdam in Winter can be an enriching experience for everyone in the city at this time of the year. The museums are uncrowded, which makes for a more enjoyable visit. There are many great performances on stage, and restaurants offer special menus. It’s a fantastic time to visit Amsterdam. This guide is also of great help for visiting Amsterdam.