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Ice* child ice skating at Museumplein
Image from Koen Smilde

Ice skating in Amsterdam

Last updated on 3 November 2026 at 14:48
Reading time: 5 minutes
When the temperature drops, the Dutch start dreaming of a frozen winter and the prospect of ice skating outdoors. Weather forecasts are watched eagerly and skates sharpened just in case! But even if the canals don’t freeze this year, here are the best spots in Amsterdam to go ice skating. Starting with the Jaap Eden Ice Rink in Oost, which boasta a 400-metre outdoor track, and seasonal rinks dotted across the Amsterdam squares, from Rembrandtplein to the Museumplein, all open for the winter season.

Ice-skating in a winter wonderland on Rembrandtplein

Festive market stalls on Rembrandtplein, surrounded by trees festooned in Christmas lights.
Image from Edwin van Eis

In the winter months, Rembrandtplein transforms into a cosy wonderland, complete with snow cannons, charming chalets, and twinkling lights with an ice-skating rink at its heart. After gliding across the ice, you can warm up at the winter plaza with a glass of mulled wine and tasty treats. The square takes on a magical ambience as night falls, with lively bars and restaurants galore.

Ice skating on Rembrandtplein | mid November - early January | Rembrandtplein, Centrum

Jaap Eden Ice Rink

Jaap Eden Baan people ice skating
Image from Jaap Eden Baan

This huge ice rink in Amsterdam Oost is the go-to spot for pros and first-timers. Budding speedskaters can make use of the 400-metre track, which allows you plenty of space and freedom to glide. But don’t worry, if you haven’t nailed your double axles yet, there’s also an indoor rink complete with a beginner's corner, as well as skating lessons for absolute beginners, in English as well as Dutch. Jaap is the home turf of the Amstel Tijgers ice hockey team and of figure skating clubs, so be sure to check the agenda for ice hockey matches, discos and other public activities. The bus stops Kruislaan and Middenweg are a five-minute walk away, and GVB buses are included with the I amsterdam City Card.

Jaap Eden Ice Rink | October to late March | Radioweg 64, Oost

Schaatsbaan Museumplein

Ice* child ice skating at Museumplein
Image from Koen Smilde

The magical ice rink is back in the heart of Museumplein, Amsterdam’s iconic square. Every winter, the square is transformed into a wintry paradise. Perhaps the cosiest skating rink in the capital welcomes young and old, skilled or beginner, to enjoy the opportunity to slide about with breathtaking views of the Rijksmuseum. Non-skaters can grab a warming mug of hot chocolate or snacks from the bistro to watch the frosty mayhem. And in December, you’ll find a Christmas market complete with crackling fires and festive stalls.

Schaatsbaan Museumplein | end of October - mid-January | Museumplein, Oud-Zuid

Winter landscapes in art

Rijksmuseum gallery of honour
Image from Erik Smits

Slide over from Museumplein skating rink right into the Rijksmuseum, which is free with the I amsterdam City Card, for a glimpse of Amsterdam’s winters of the past. The museum has plenty of 17th-century masterpieces on display, with the wintry Dutch landscape as its central muse. Experience works by artists such as Hendrick Avercamp, Adam van Breen, and Jan van Goyen, with emotive scenes of communities wrapped up warm and enjoying ice skating, sledging, socialising, and even ice fishing.

Rijksmuseum | Museumplein, Oud-Zuid

Enjoy free entry to the Rijksmuseum and 70+ other museums and attractions with the I amsterdam City Card.

Learn more about the I amsterdam City Card

Indoor and outdoor ice skating at Winterparadijs RAI

Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs
Image from Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs
Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs
Image from Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs
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From mid December to early January, Winterparadijs fills RAI Amsterdam with a festive array of activities. In addition to its expansive indoor and outdoor ice rinks, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, curling, tubing, and slides, as well as a cinema, theatre, and a towering Ferris wheel. For those seeking a more leisurely experience, the après-ski village provides the perfect place to relax with mulled wine and plenty of dining options. Whether you’re inclined to embrace winter sports or prefer the lively karaoke bar and silent disco, Winterparadijs promises a quintessential holiday escape for all.

RAI Amsterdam | mid December - early January | Europaboulevard 22, Zuid

Stadshart on Ice in Amstelveen

Winter Village in Amstelveen
Image from Winter Village Amstelveen
Image from Winter Village Amstelveen
Image from Winter Village Amstelveen
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Venture out to the centre of Amstelveen, only a stone's throw south of Amsterdam, where Stadshart on Ice reigns for the entirety of the Christmas season. With a big ice skating rink, perfect for children, and over 60 market stalls selling handcrafted wares, it's the perfect gathering place for family and friends alike.

Stadshart on Ice in Amstelveen | not happening in winter 2026-2027 | Winkelcentrum Stadshart, Amstelveen |

Ice skating in Amsterdam: frequently asked questions