Amsterdam and Berlin are close in December. Amsterdam averages 2–7°C with moderate crowds; Berlin -1–4°C with moderate crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Amsterdam and Berlin
The verdict for December
Festive lights on the canals
+Festive atmosphere, lights and Christmas markets.
–Cold, with higher demand around Christmas and New Year.
The canal rings strung with lights, Christmas markets and glühwein make early December genuinely atmospheric at pre-holiday prices.
Christmas markets and cosy, early nights.
+Christmas markets + festive atmosphere
–Cold, dark and busy markets
December brings Berlin’s Christmas markets, with mulled wine, lights and crafts across the city. It is cold and gets dark early, but the festive atmosphere makes up for it, especially around New Year’s Eve at the Brandenburg Gate.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month