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Hi! I'm looking to spend 3 days in either Amsterdam or Stockholm during the first week of December. How is the weather? And which city would you recommend?

thursdaysd

You can research historical weather here:

https://www.wunderground.com

You can find out how many hours of daylight there will (or rather won't) be here:

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/

I would not go to either in December. I would only go to Scandinavia in December if I hoped to see the Northern Lights, in which case I would go quite a bit further north.

massimop

I had a very nice time in Amsterdam in December, and I went later than you would be going. I could have been better prepared for all the rain I encountered -- laminated maps plus outerwear with a waterproof hood rather than umbrella and a hat -- but otherwise I had a very interesting visit. I went to many indoor sightseeing venues (museums, shopping) but also did a fair amount of walking & a canal tour.

I've not been in Stockholm at any time of year, so can't comment. But if the days are very very short, even shorter than Amsterdam, that might make me hesitate. Also, when I think about visiting Stockholm, much of what I would want to see is outdoors and depends on nice weather. Amsterdam is a place I go to specifically to spend long hours in museums, and in December the crowds are much much lower, so that's a plus for me.

thursdaysd

Stockholm is well provided with interesting museums too, but I wouldn't want to visit without a ferry ride through the islands. Equally, part of the attraction of Amsterdam for me is the canals, for which I would want good weather. I would also want at least day trips to Delft and perhaps Rotterdam for which I would also want good weather.

I found winter in England very depressing, but I suppose if you are only spending a few days it wouldn't be so ba.

Odin

I've been to Stockholm during December and the weather varies from year to year. One year it was blizzard like conditions but that was unusual IME, another year it was not very cold, no snow and very pleasant. I was in Stockholm this past January, it was cold and dry, no snow & stunningly beautiful. 2nd week in December is more interesting than the first; countdown to Christmas starts with the Santa Lucia celebration on the 13th December. One thing is for sure, Scandinavian know how to make their cities cosy and inviting during the short winter days.

PalenQ

One thing is for sure, Scandinavian know how to make their cities cosy and inviting during the short winter days.>

Same can be said for Amsterdam, which would be my choice without ever having been to Stockholm in winter -for one thing a whole lot cheaper with things like booze especially so and, arguably, more famous indoor museums and attractions.

I would think days would be significantly shorter farther north and colder? Amsterdam should not be cold or snow or ice then - not sure about Stockholm.

Stockholm may be a great place in December but I know Amsterdam certainly can be -it's all what you make of it.

massimop

I've taken canal tours twice in Amsterdam and both times I sat inside a boat with glass. I didn't sit in an unprotected boat. They really don't depend on nice weather.

massimop

I found England in winter depressing but found Spring and Summer even more depressing, since I expected it to turn sunnier and less rainy, but instead it felt like just more winter.

menachem

I love Stockholm in winter. Been there many times because of a conference I used to attend there every year, in the last week of november. Stockholm is super nice and cosy in the run up to Christmas. More so than Amsterdam, I would say. Also, tourist season in Amsterdam is now all year long and you'll have a nicer, less commercial, experience in Stockholm. Of course it's more expensive, booze-wise, but hotel prices will be much friendlier than they are in Amsterdam: prices are insane there.

Tulips

I thought Stockholm hotel prices were pretty high too. I visited last January - not as festive as December, but very pleasant. Cold an beautifully clear weather.

In Amsterdam it's Sinterklaas on December 5. The evening of December 5 is mostly spend at home with family or friends.

Both cities have plenty to occupy you for a few days.

ticino

Early December can be quite ok in Stockholm (for a few days) because of Christmas. Most decorations are up by late November. But without snow it can quite miserable as it will be dark by 3 o'clock and the little sun we get (if not cloudy) stays very low. I don't think that the chances of snow are that high.

Djurgården can be very beautiful with snow. On sunny days there will be more people walking there than during the summer, regardless of temperature. Unfortunately December is still too early for Djurgårdsbrunnsviken to freeze, walking on ice is a very popular activity among many of my visitors. Some prefer visiting Stockholm during the winter than during the (often terrible) summer, especially in February/early March when the days are longer. They always book last-minute after looking at the weather.

Many boats still go out to the archipelago in early December, so if you are interested in going to some island, you will be able to do it.