A Festive Girls’ Getaway: 3-Night Amsterdam City Break
This was my most recent trip in December 2025, travelling with my mum for a festive girls’ weekend in Amsterdam, and what a lovely short break it was. It was the perfect city break from the UK, with plenty of cosy cafés, canals and Christmas touches. We flew from Norwich, which couldn’t have been easier. The flight was just 40 minutes: by the time you were up, you were already coming back down. We flew with KLM, and even on such a short journey we were treated to a snack and a cold drink, which is always a welcome bonus! A little disclosure: the main aim of this trip was to experience some Christmas markets and soak up that festive feeling. While there were some festive elements, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend Amsterdam solely for its Christmas markets. That said, it was still a lovely time to visit, and the city was decorated beautifully, giving it a real winter charm.
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
After landing at Schiphol Airport, we took the train into Amsterdam Central Station. With the weather on our side, clear, fairly sunny (but still chilly!), we decided to walk to our hotel.
The walk took around 30 minutes and was a great way to see the city straight away, although we definitely noted to get a tram back to the station on check-out day. Those cobbled streets aren’t ideal when wheeling a small suitcase!
After an early flight, we spent the afternoon wandering through this beautiful floating city, strolling along narrow streets with canals at every corner. After lunch, it was time to visit the Anne Frank House - somewhere I’d wanted to visit for a long time, and it was absolutely worth it.
The audio tour was fantastic, giving a true insight into how Anne and her family survived their time in hiding, while also sharing the incredibly sad outcome that followed. The museum was very well organised, and I would highly recommend visiting.
After such an emotional visit, we took some time to reflect over a drink in the most charming little corner pub, with great company and a cosy atmosphere to end our first day before calling it a night.
Day 2: Markets, Pancakes & Canal Lights
After breakfast, we headed to the famous floating flower market, which was still vibrant even in December. There were plenty of opportunities to pick up lovely keepsakes - I couldn’t resist a tulip keyring, and for those of you who know my mum, it won’t come as a surprise that we very nearly needed an extra suitcase to bring all of her goodies home!
Next, we visited the first (and by far the best) Christmas market of the trip, over in Museumplein, just outside the Van Gogh Museum. There were a handful of stalls selling all the festive classics, and we couldn’t not try poffertjes: mini Dutch pancakes with melted butter and a dusting of powdered sugar… delicious!
That evening, we went on a canal cruise as part of the Amsterdam Light Festival. It was a lovely way to experience the city after dark. While we expected a little more on the “light” front, the audio guide was really insightful and gave us a great overview of Amsterdam’s history.
Dinner that night was hands down the best meal of the trip. We ate at a traditional restaurant and tried local Dutch cuisine; stamppot (essentially mash served with sausage or stew). It was comforting, tasty, and perfect for a cold winter’s evening. The staff were incredibly friendly, and after chatting with them, we were introduced to a local after-dinner cherry liqueur… which quickly turned into “two more please!”
Day 3: Wandering & Iconic Neighbourhoods
Day three was a relaxed one, spent wandering the shops, canals and Westerpark, and enjoying lots of lovely food at the many restaurants and cafés. A key word here is café, not coffee shop, as that’s something entirely different in Amsterdam!
We also sought out some of the smaller Christmas markets dotted around the city. These were much more low-key than the larger European markets, but they added a lovely festive touch, with twinkling lights, local crafts and plenty of cosy spots to grab a warm drink.
We made sure to take in all the classic sights and neighbourhoods, including the Nine Streets, Jordaan and Dam Square. We finished the day with a walk through the famous Red Light District, a unique and slightly surreal part of the city that’s certainly an attraction, though one I won’t dwell on too much here!
Day 4: A Final Stroll & Home Time
On our final day, we spent the morning strolling along the canals and stopping for a delicious breakfast overlooking the flower market, the perfect, relaxed way to end the trip.
Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel, grabbed our bags, and jumped on the tram to the train station (upholding the promise we made to ourselves!). A smooth train journey back to the airport, a quick flight, and before we knew it we were home in time for tea.
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam is a truly beautiful city, and I would 100% visit again. It is perfect for short breaks, but there is still plenty more to see and do if you have extra time.
If this Amsterdam girls’ getaway has sparked a few ideas for your next short break, I would be delighted to help you plan something similar, tailored just for you. I can look after the flights, hotel and all the little details, so all you need to do is look forward to your trip!
You can reach me by email, phone or on my socials, whichever is easiest for you. I am always happy to talk travel and help you discover these beautiful gems for yourself.
