Weather in Amsterdam in December

How December compares

December is the 10th warmest month of the year in Amsterdam and ranks 129th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Amsterdam is 1.3°C cooler by day and 0.1°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Amsterdam peaks at 6.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 10.8°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 2.6°C; one night in ten drops to -2.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 14.1°C (2006-12-05) and the coldest night -9.9°C (1996-12-31).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 13 days with 1 mm or more, 71 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1993 with 125 mm, the driest 2016 with 14 mm. Humidity averages 86%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 6.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 5.0°C to 7.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (19.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 1.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 7.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:44 and sets about 16:27 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 75%.

Is December a good time to visit Amsterdam?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Amsterdam on our scoring are July, August, June.

Cold days call for flexible plans

Average nights fall to around 3°C, so take a warm coat rather than relying on a light jacket. Layers, gloves and comfortable waterproof footwear make sense if you plan to spend much time walking. The coldest nights can fall to -2.6°C or lower, while milder days can reach 10.8°C or more; pack for the colder end rather than banking on a mild spell. Put longer outdoor stretches around midday and leave room to warm up indoors. December is a reasonable choice if cold weather does not bother you, but less suitable if leisurely outdoor evenings are central to the trip.

Make the most of the daylight

With about 1.9 hours of sunshine a day, expect limited sun rather than bright conditions throughout your visit. The short daylight window matters as much as the temperature: save daylight for the walking you most want to do and keep indoor plans for after dark. About 13 rainy days make a waterproof outer layer useful, though that does not mean rain will last all day or affect every visit. Keep your schedule loose enough to swap an outdoor stretch for an indoor break when rain arrives. This is a month for adapting to the weather, not expecting the weather to fit a fixed itinerary.