The Most Romantic Ways to Welcome The New Year in Amsterdam

Though Amsterdam is more famous—or rather 'infamous'—for its red-light district, there's no denying that the city is still pretty romantic. The scenic canals, the historic districts, and the lovely tulips all around prove that couples can fall deeper in love just by spending time here. And that's good for those who are spending New Year's Eve in the Dutch capital. They're bound to have a lovey-dovey start to the new year, that's for sure. But how can they amplify the mood even more during this night, especially when it's known to be a loud and lively holiday? Here are some ways to do it!



UPDATE: Due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, many of the events listed in this article have been canceled. Please be advised.

Watch The Fireworks Together

There's just something about watching fireworks together that's so romantic, isn't there? Even when it's not New Year's Eve, watching all those beautiful sparklers go off high in the sky, each looking brighter than the next, just makes you feel so emotional, doesn't it? What more when it's New Year's Eve in Amsterdam? Since the city gets cold during this time of the year, you'll likely be cozying up to your special someone as you watch the annual display go off right before your eyes. Now that'd be a romantic start of the new year you won't ever forget! Source: Wikimedia Commons

Dine at a Rooftop Hotspot

What better place to watch New Year's Eve fireworks, even in Amsterdam, than at a rooftop restaurant? Not only will you get to enjoy a scrumptious year-end feast, but you also get to breathe in the cool winter breezes of the Dutch capital while you do too! And of course, a dinner for two is the very definition of a romantic date for New Year's Eve, especially since rooftop restaurants are more or less exclusive, you can bet that there probably won't be a lot of people around when you go to one for the holiday. Out of the many such hotspots in Amsterdam, the famous Sky Lounge at the Doubletree by Hilton is your best bet! Source: Wikimedia Commons

Go on a Canal Cruise

On an ordinary day in Amsterdam, when you have nothing to do and you want to go all tourist all of a sudden, you can always go on a canal cruise. And yes, even when it's winter, the canals don't freeze up and you can still go on a cruise here if you want. But makes this activity so special during New Year's Eve, particularly for couples? Well, for one thing, a cruise will always be romantic no matter what time of the year it is. And secondly, since the holiday has many others partying in hotspots or staying at home, there are probably fewer crowds on these cruises on this night! Source: Wikimedia Commons

Stroll by The Amsterdam Lights Festival

If you're spending the holidays in Amsterdam on a budget, you've probably been to the Amsterdam Light Festival at least once already. After all, this amazing exhibition and light show is practically free, considering it takes place around the public canals of the city. But on New Year's Eve, there will be some parts of the festival that won't be as crowded as all the others but still just as magical. It's here where you and your significant other ought to stay as you wait for the clock to strike twelve! Spending time with your partner amidst all these beautiful lights at the start of the near year is a whole other level of romance! Source: Amsterdam Light Festival YouTube Channel

Ride Your Bike Together

You're probably thinking: what's so special and romantic about riding your bike in Amsterdam when it's so common? It's already its own mode of public transportation, would doing it on New Year's Eve be any different? Of course, it is! Firstly, since you'll likely do this around the later hours of the night and that most of the people would probably be busy partying during the holiday, you'll see fewer vehicles and even fewer fellow bike riders on the street. Secondly, no matter how many times you do it, there's no denying that riding your bike with your partner in Amsterdam will always be romantic. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Plan a Couples Night

When it comes to the Dutch and their holidays, they often prefer to celebrate them with other people. If you've made a lot of friends in Amsterdam during your stay here, they'll likely invite you to spend time with them even on New Year's Eve. This, in turn, leads to quite the conundrum: what if you want to have a romantic New Year's Eve this year yet you don't want to risk offending your Dutch friends at the same time? Well, you can always plan a couples night instead. Spend time with fellow couples and have a ball, all while waiting for the start of the new year! Source: Wikimedia Commons

It may not seem like it, but Amsterdam is a pretty romantic place for celebrating New Year's Eve. When it's just you and your significant other, you'll find lots of ways to ring in the new year, some of which you won't be able to on any other normal day.

Staying in for New Year's Eve in your luxury home in Amsterdam counts as another romantic way to celebrate the holiday.