20 Best European Cities to Visit in the Winter, According to Travel Experts
"A winter-long public art event featuring high-tech, artist-designed light installations along the city’s canals; programmed to brighten the dark months and complement other seasonal treats like street-bought hot doughnuts." - Lydia Mansel
Lydia Mansel
Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com.
Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A seasonal festival running into mid-January that features a route of light installations (27 installations in the edition noted) viewable by foot or canal boat, making winter evenings visually engaging." - Sophie Friedman
Sophie Friedman
Sophie Friedman is a journalist, editor, and fact-checker specializing in travel and anything related to it. She also writes for AFAR, Fodor's, and The Infatuation, and was previously editor-in-chief of Michelin Guide US.
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I went on a canal cruise with Friendship Boat Amsterdam during the Amsterdam Light Festival, and it was such a cozy and romantic experience. Definitely one of the highlights of my winter.
The cruise included unlimited drinks, and the red wine was really good. A guide shared interesting stories about the artworks as we cruised through the Amsterdam canals, which made the experience even more special.
The cruise lasted about 1.5 hours. Sitting outside was cold but absolutely worth it for the views, and blankets were provided so it stayed cozy. There’s also the option to sit inside if you prefer.
The artworks were beautiful, the swans were my favorite, and seeing everything from the water felt magical. I would 10/10 recommend seeing the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Ashok Kumar M
Google
Beautiful themed lights through the canal side walks. It’s a memorable evening. You can either walk through the streets or take a boat ride both is good. You can also get the map of different lights by it’s designer name and idea behind it
Kaye F.
Google
I visited (yet) the festival with the theme of Legacy, which took place in 2025. It was truly beautiful! Seeing all the arts, made from such an interesting methods and materials, enlighted and mirrored on the canal’s surface… it was truly beautiful experience and I cannot wait for another collection!
Chris S.
Google
While visiting in mid December, we were excited to do a canal cruise to see the "light festival". We went based on some reviews. A canal cruise in the evening costs significantly more. Save the money and go during the day. The art work was worth seeing in daylight as well. The evening tour was great on the canal company we used, beautiful boat, great captain, but the displays were not as expected. We had seen videos from prior years, and this one was disappointing. Very spread out and not one was festive.
P van W.
Google
I go every year, somethings good sometime a little less, but always good to see, I prefer to walk and see them, this gives I think the best view, and use the app for more information, so if you here atheis tome see it, on foot, bike or boat
Aishvarya S.
Google
It was a relaxing ride. But the boat was crowded and we had to wait 45 mins in the Q to get inside. The other people also felt it was a small boat for too many people. We went during peak winter so we booked the heated cruise.
Video travel D.
Google
Very disappointed from this light festival!! Can't believe that some artist do such ugly art work and other bay big money they display it! Very overrated. As a dutch citizen told me- we advertise big but the product does not exist! The boat trip was standard, nothing different than other boat trips. Don't go, don't waist your money.
Stephanie R.
Google
Really interesting light installations made even more special by the Christmas decorations in houses along the route.