Are you wondering what to wear to Amsterdam in February? February is the last month of Winter in Amsterdam and the conditions still feel pretty Wintery. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Amsterdam in February for weather, dress codes, cycling and more.
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Weather in Amsterdam in February
As we said February in Amsterdam is still definitely Winter. But what can you expect from the weather in February?
Is it cold in Amsterdam in February?
February in Amsterdam is actually traditionally one of the coldest months in the city of canals. On average the temperature in February has average highs of 6C/42.8F and average lows of 0C/32F.
As such you can expect cold temperatures that can even cause ice and snow in the city and you will still definitely need lots of layers and a good coat with you.
And remember if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Amsterdam monthly guides as the weather does change quite dramatically between seasons and months :
- What to wear in Amsterdam in January and
- What to wear n Amsterdam in March.
Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in February?
Although February tends to be colder than January, the good news is that it is slightly drier with only 11 days of rain across the month, computed to 12 days in January. But there is still a high chance you will see rain on your Amsterdam vacation so having some waterproof shoes and jacket is a very good idea.
And remember that if you plan on cycling in the city, which we definitely recommend, you will require some waterproof cycling gear i.e. waterproof over jacket and some waterproof trousers.
Does it snow in Amsterdam in February?
February is actually one of the iciest and snowiest months to visit Amsterdam. When we lived in Amsterdam we had some spectacular snow and ice in February and this isn’t atypical
On average you can expect to see between 3-4 days of snow in the city in February which can be anything from a light flutter to more of a deluge as we had in 2021.
Also you can expect freezing temperatures on between 4-6 days. In fact, when we lived in the city in 2021, the canals were frozen for almost a week and many Amsterdammers took out their ice skates to take to the canals.
Therefore having warm layers is vital for your February packing list and don’t forget warm socks too!
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
What do locals wear in Amsterdam in February?
Winter capsule wardrobes are still out in February. The Dutch are a practical bunch generally speaking and you will find that this is reflected in their dress sense. However it is important to stress that practical and casual does not mean unstylish. So even in your practical and casual dress be sure to look neat, tidy and put together to be in keeping with the locals.
Tip: Want to skip queues in Amsterdam? we recommend buying your Amsterdam attraction tickets in advance with skip the line access for some of the most popular attractions such as the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum to name but a few. Even though the crowds are relatively low in February, no one wants to be queuing outside attractions in the cold or rain.
What to wear in Amsterdam in February
Best Shoes for Amsterdam in February
Boot
Boots are absolutely my number one pick for February in Amsterdam. Boots, if you pick a pair with a good sole, can cope well even in snow and ice which you may experience on your travel.
We tend to pack ankle boots instead of knee high boots as there are easier to fit into a suitcase and reduce the risk of overpacking.
When selecting your boot for February in Amsterdam the important thing to look for are:
- a good sole that can grip in ice,
- have some waterproofing and
- have no or a thick heel that can cope with cycling and cobble stones. (Thin heeled shoes are definitely on the what not to wear in Amsterdam list).
Click here to shop boots for Amsterdam.
Sneakers
Although boots are most appropriate for Amsterdam in February, sneakers should also be on your packing list. They are a great shoe for cycling in and also for touring the many famous museums that city has on offer such as Moka, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and NEMO to name just a few.
Also you don’t need to worry about the type of sneaker you need to wear as you will see all sorts of styles but given the weather in February having something with a bit of waterproofing and that won’t discolor in the rain is a good idea.
Some of my favorite brands for touring cities are Hoka and All birds. But I love the Ecco brand for Europe in Winter as they have a great choice of waterproof sneakers.
For a full guide on the best shoes for Amsterdam check out this post.
What to wear in Amsterdam in February for women
But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Amsterdam in Winter we wanted to reiterate that we think it is a great idea to pack a capsule wardrobe.
It means you are less likely to lose your luggage when traveling and prevents you from overpacking. For help in packing a capsule wardrobe check out these posts:
Coat
A warm coat with some waterproofing is an essential for February you are definitely going to want a warm coat that has some insulation as well as waterproofing and wind resistance given the freezing temperatures you can get at this time of year.
Some of my favorite brands of coat for Amsterdam are Eddie Bauer and Columbia.
Click here to shop coats for Amsterdam.
Hat, Scarf and Gloves
Winter accessories are a must for February in Amsterdam especially if you get lots of snow as we did in 2021.
I would recommend taking with you a matching scarf and gloves set that match your winter coat to finish off the look. But be sure to get gloves that are touch screen compatible so as you are likely to be taking lots of photographs.
Click here to shop winter accessories
Layers
Layers are your best friend in Amsterdam in February. For a week iI would recommend packing the below layers:
- a cardigan,
- a hoodie, and
- smart sweater.
A hoodie is perfect for museums and daytime tourist attractions but a sweater and cardigan are good for nights in the city.
Dresses
Personally I avoid wearing dresses for sightseeing in the daytime in FEbruary as I find it a bit chilly. However I like a dress for going out in Amsterdam at night. For Winter I would pair my dress with thick tights and boots.
Click here to shop long sleeve dresses for Amsterdam here.
Trousers
As February is cold we recommend picking thicker trousers made of heavier fabric. Jeans are good on most days and are suitable for dress codes in the city for both day and night.
However on rainy days you may want to also have some trousers that aren’t denim. I like a black pant such as the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant or a thick wool pant. And black is very much a color you will see lots of locals wearing at any time of year.
Click here to shop trousers for Amsterdam.
Pashmina
A pashmina or thicker wrap is always on my Amsterdam packing list especially in Winter.
It can act as a scarf to dress or a a more casual outfit but is a useful extra layer on cooler nights and days.
T Shirts
As i mentioned the Dutch are a casual and practical bunch so t shirts are fine for most places. I would recommend having several long sleeve tops for February though given the average temperatures in the city.
Blouses / Shirts
Blouses with long sleeves are perfect for Amsterdam in the Winter for both sightseeing and going out to dinner. They are a versatile layering item and can be dressed up or down depending on where you are going.
Waterproofs
Although you will have a coat with you for Amsterdam in February, I also recommend packing some waterproofs too such as a packaway jacket and some waterproof trousers .
Amsterdam is a city best seen by bike and all locals will have waterproofs on when cycling around the city at this time of year. If you need to pick some up in the city the best place to head is HEMA, a chain store that is all over the Netherlands.
Click here to shop waterproofs
Underwear
Goes without saying.
I also like to pack merino wool socks for Winter travel in Europe. They are thinner than hiking socks but are insulating so are good for cold weather.
Nightwear
Thicker PJs and better for February as it can be cold at night.
What to Wear in Amsterdam in February Packing List for Men
So now you know what to pack for women in Amsterdam in February, we will turn our attention to a men’s packing list. Alongside our regular men’s travel essentials we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:
Coat / Jacket
As with the women’s list a good coat is essential for February.
Waterproof Trousers / Top
Another necessity especially if you plan on cycling.
Chinos/Jeans
A combination of chinos and jeans mean you should be covered for every occasion.
T Shirts and Shirts
T shirts are suitable for most places in Amsterdam, but I woudl recommend having more long than short sleeve tops for travel at this time of year.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
What to Pack for Amsterdam in February (Non Clothing)
Now you know what to wear in Amsterdam in February, we will turn our attention to other non clothing essentials to pack.
Travel Adaptors
Amsterdam uses the traditional European plugs. So if you are coming from the UK or USA etc you will need an adapter to make your electronics work. Click here to purchase!
Power Pack
Amsterdam is a beautiful city so you will be using your phone lots to take photos. On top of that you will be using your phone for navigation, weather updates (the drops app is an essential app for Amsterdam) and public transit info. This obviously is a drain on your phone battery. Be sure to have a power pack with you to recharge those batteries.
Theft Proof Bag
As with any tourist city around the world there are pickpockets in Amsterdam. I lived in Amsterdam for several years and never experienced any crime but we always recommend a cross body anti theft bag such as this one for travel anywhere in Europe.
Click here to shop theft proof bags.
Compact umbrella
Although not the rainiest month, a compact umbrella will still come in handy in February.
Click here to shop travel umbrellas.
Toiletries
For our essential toiletries packing list click here. But if you want to pick these up on arrival rather than packing them head straight for Kruidvat or Albert Heijn.
Reusable Water bottle
Especially useful for those planning on cycling around the city.
Medical Supplies
Remember to pack any medicines, prescriptions, Travel First Aid Kit and Blister plasters.
Backpack
For storing items on your day trips to places such as Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn and for when you are cycling.
FAQs about Amsterdam February Packing List
Hopefully the above has given you a good overview of what to wear and pack for Amsterdam in February. However if you still have questions drop us a comment below and we will add our answers in our FAQ section below.
Do I need coat in Amsterdam in February?
YEs a coat is very much still required in February especially with the raised chances of snow and ice in the city.
However you may also want some cheap packaway waterproofs too for using while cycling.
What clothes to pack for Amsterdam at night in February
The dress code for Amsterdam in January at night is smart casual. When I go out in Amsterdam in February I tend to wear smart jeans and a nice merino wool sweater.
If you are looking for more guidance on what to wear for dinner in Amsterdam check out this post.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in Amsterdam in February that we haven’t answered here? Then pop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer them.