Berlin edges it in January. Amsterdam averages 1–6°C with very low crowds; Berlin -2–3°C with low crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Amsterdam and Berlin
The verdict for January
Quiet, cold and atmospheric
+The quietest side of Amsterdam, with better-value accommodation.
–Cold, dark and wet with limited outdoor appeal.
Amsterdam at its quietest — canals, cafés and museums without the crowds, and the year's best accommodation value if you don't mind the cold and dark.
Cold, quiet and wonderfully uncrowded.
+Very low crowds + lowest hotel prices
–Cold, dark and often grey
January is Berlin at its quietest and cheapest. Daylight is short and the weather is cold, but museums, cafés, galleries and the city’s famous nightlife all carry on as normal.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month