Like every year, time flies, and this year is no different. Especially in times of
COVID-19, everything seems to be in an even higher gear. This is already the
second year that our winter & holiday season looks a little different than
usual, but do not worry. There are still plenty of options to get cosy with the
right measures in place. This year, Amsterdam is once again being decorated and
lit up in full orchestra style. The perfect time for a city walk to admire all
the beauty!
‘De
Bijenkorf’ on Dam Square
Every year, it’s another ”moment” when the lights of ‘De Bijenkorf’ are switched on in the middle of Dam Square. De Bijenkorf is a large Dutch department store that exists
for over 150 years. It all started with a small shop on the Nieuwendijk in Amsterdam.
When business went well, more properties were bought in order to grow. This
required rebuilding, and to avoid having to close the doors temporarily during
this rebuilding, a temporary shop was opened on Dam Square. What started as a
temporary solution turned out to be a great success. Turnover has never been so
high and, after being financed, the emergency solution was replaced by a
gigantic monumental building with 15,000 m2 of retail space and now the entire
department store covers 20,000 m2 of Amsterdam. Originally, it was a luxury
department store and at the time, it stocked exotic products such as olive oil
and Persian carpets. These days, you can find the biggest and most famous
brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton here. Over the years, the Christmas
decorations in the shop windows and the lights all over the place have become
bigger and more impressive, making it an even bigger eye-catcher than it
already was! You can even attend the lighting ignition on Dam Square every year
now.
Amsterdam
Light Festival
This year,
the Amsterdam Light Festival will be on until 22:00 in the evening. Throughout
the city (mainly on the canals), you can find decorations of illuminated
artworks and light shows. The Amsterdam Light Festival was created to entertain
tourism during the winter period. Amsterdam has a high flow of tourism
specifically around spring. This is because there are many events but also the
famous Tulip Festival is in full swing. To make it more attractive for tourism
to visit Amsterdam in the autumn and winter period, this festival was created.
You can take a free walk to see everything. The best way, however, is to book a
tour on a canal boat!
The canals
of Amsterdam
Were you
already planning to book a canal cruise for the Light Festival? Well, that’s a
good idea! You get to see two sights in one. Every year around the winter
period, the canals transform into a spectacle. By default, the canals are
beautifully illuminated around the quays and the bridges. During the holidays,
most of the trees around the canals are also lit up. Perfect for a romantic
winter walk in the evening, or a boat trip.
Amsterdam
city centre
It doesn’t
really matter where you go in Amsterdam during the festive season, almost
everyone makes an extra effort to decorate. From residents lighting up their
balconies to shop windows. Whether the shops are open or closed, admiring the
decorations in the evening is a delight. Don’t miss the Utrechtsestraat. With
all the decorations, the facades of the buildings and shops seem to stand out
even more. But also other famous places like the Museum Square, 9 streets, P.C.
Hooftstraat etc. remain also worthwhile.
Where to
stay?
Are you
already planning to go and see all the beauty in winter? Then why not book a
hotel and make a comfortable weekend of it! In these times it might be better
not to choose a city location but a location such as the Zuidas. A centrally
located spot in Amsterdam between Schiphol Airport and the city centre. Within
5 minutes by bike you are already at the Museumplein. Because the Zuidas has a
large train, metro & bus station, you can be anywhere in no time. Schiphol
Airport is only 6 minutes away by direct train and Central Station Amsterdam is
14 minutes by metro. You can also consider choosing a serviced flat instead of
a regular hotel room. Especially now that the restaurants & bars are closed
earlier, it makes you a lot more flexible and independent during your stay.
After all, you are not dependent on busy breakfast buffets and expensive room
service.
