There’s something truly special about road-tripping through Europe as a family, and this trip to the Netherlands felt particularly magical. We spent Christmas in Amsterdam with our family, soaking up festive lights, winter markets, and cosy canal walks. One thing that never gets old—especially for little kids—is driving onto Le Shuttle. Watching the car roll onto the train, knowing we’re about to go under the sea, is always a highlight for them. On this trip, we also drove through four countries, and the kids absolutely loved counting borders and announcing each new country like it was a major achievement. It set the tone perfectly for an adventure-filled, family-friendly holiday.

Our route took us from Amsterdam, down to the coast of Zeeland, and even across into Belgium for a festive day trip to Bruges. It was the perfect mix of city, sea air, and Christmas magic.

From London to Amsterdam: The Journey Is Part of the Fun

We started our trip by driving to the Eurotunnel and boarding Le Shuttle. If you’re travelling with children, this is such an easy and stress-free way to cross—no long airport queues, no luggage limits, and the kids can stay comfortable in the car. For ours, the novelty of “driving onto a train” is still exciting every single time.

Once in France, the journey felt like an adventure in itself. Passing through four countries on the drive to Amsterdam kept the kids entertained and made the travel days feel like part of the holiday, not just a means to an end.

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Day 1 – Arrival in Amsterdam
Le Shuttle crossing, drive to De Pijp, evening market stroll and stroopwafels

Day 2 – Festival of Lights
Canal walks, afternoon museum or rest time, evening canal cruise

Day 3 – Exploring Amsterdam
Jordaan, Nine Streets, relaxed dinner back in De Pijp

Day 4 – Drive to Zeeland
Scenic drive, afternoon exploring Middelburg

Day 5 – Beach Day
Cadzand-Bad beach walk, lunch at De Pirat

Day 6 – Bruges Day Trip
Christmas markets, hot chocolate stops, lights trail

Day 7 – Homeward Bound
Final beach walk and drive back

Amsterdam at Christmas: Lights, Canals, and Cosy Neighbourhoods

Where We Stayed: De Pijp

We based ourselves in De Pijp, and it was absolutely the right choice for our family. It’s away from the extremely busy centre of Amsterdam but still full of life, cafes, and local shops. It felt much more manageable with kids, especially in winter.

From De Pijp, it’s an easy walk along the canals into the city centre, or a quick hop on the tram if little legs are tired. It gave us the flexibility to dip in and out of the busier areas without feeling overwhelmed.

Albert Cuyp Market & the Best Authentic Stroopwafels

One of our favourite spots in De Pijp was the Albert Cuyp Market. It’s lively, colourful, and perfect for families. The standout treat for us was Rudy’s Stroopwafels—fresh, warm, and completely authentic. At €2.50 each, they’re an absolute bargain compared to the €10–15 prices you’ll see in the city centre. The kids were more than happy to sample a few (purely for research purposes, of course).

Winter Weather: Be Prepared

Amsterdam in December is beautiful, but it’s very cold. If you’re travelling as a family, being prepared makes all the difference.
Our essentials:

Thermal base layers
Thick socks (especially for canal cruises)
Hats, gloves, and scarves
Waterproof winter coats

Warm kids = happy kids.

Amsterdam canal trip: Festival of Lights

Visiting during the Amsterdam Festival of Lights made the city feel extra magical. The festival runs from late November until mid-January, and artists from around the world transform the canals and streets with stunning light installations.

We booked a night canal cruise, which was one of the highlights of the entire trip. Seeing the lights reflected on the water felt really special, and the kids were completely mesmerised. That said, it is cold—especially sitting on the water at night—so layering is essential. We packed thermals, warm socks, hats, gloves, and proper winter coats, and we were very glad we did.

Driving South to Zeeland: Slowing the Pace

After the excitement of Christmas in Amsterdam, we headed two and a half hours south to the southeastern region of Zeeland. The change of pace was instant and very welcome. Zeeland is known for its coastline, wide beaches, and relaxed atmosphere, and it’s hugely popular with Dutch and Belgian families for staycations.

Middelburg: Zeeland’s Capital

We took a day to explore Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland. It’s compact, charming, and easy to explore with children. The historic streets and canals are lovely to wander, and everything feels calm and unhurried compared to bigger cities.

Cadzand-Bad: Beach Time (Even in Winter)

One of our favourite days was spent in Cadzand-Bad, a beautiful coastal town with wide, sandy beaches. Even in winter, there’s something refreshing about a beach walk, and the kids loved running around in the fresh sea air.

We had lunch at De Pirat Restaurant, right on the beach. It’s relaxed, family-friendly, and a great place to warm up while still enjoying the view.

Nieuwvliet-Bad: A Place We’ll Be Researching

Nearby Nieuwvliet-Bad really stood out to us as a place we’d love to return to. It’s known for Eurocamp-style accommodation, which is ideal for families. We’ll definitely be doing more research into staying here on our next visit, as it feels perfect for longer, slower holidays with kids.

A Festive Day Trip to Bruges

One of the best parts of staying in Zeeland is how close you are to Belgium. Bruges is only about 40 minutes away by car, making it a perfect day trip without the need for another hotel stay.

The kids absolutely loved Bruges at Christmas—it was busy, yes, but magical. We wandered through the Christmas markets, stopped for hot chocolate and mulled wine, and took our time soaking it all in. Many restaurants had outdoor heaters, open fires, and blankets, which made it surprisingly cosy even in winter.

Things We Did (and Didn’t Do) in Bruges

Canal boat trips: €15 per person for 30 minutes. We skipped this as we felt the kids would be too cold, but we’d love to do it in warmer weather.
Horse and carriage rides: Around €70—again, something we’d love to do on a future summer visit.
Quiet canal walks: There are lots of beautiful, quieter canals away from Markt Square that are perfect for families.
Belfry Tower: I really wanted to climb it, but there was no way the kids were doing that without a meltdown—so we wisely skipped it.

The Bruges lights trail, which usually runs from late November to early January, is a lovely way to explore the city after dark.

bruges Practical Tips for Parents

Parking in Amsterdam: If you’re driving, save yourself around €30 a day by parking on the ring road / outer canal. It’s free and has easy access into the centre.
Train station parking: Cheaper and very close to the centre—also handy if you’re using the Eurostar.
Eurostar timing: London to Amsterdam is around 3 hours 10 minutes with a change in Brussels.
Driving vs train to Bruges: The drive is about 40 minutes from Zeeland—far easier than coordinating trains with kids.

Spending Christmas in Amsterdam as a family was unforgettable. From the excitement of Le Shuttle and crossing multiple countries, to glowing canals, winter beaches, and festive Belgian markets, this trip struck the perfect balance between adventure and downtime. With thoughtful planning, warm layers, and a flexible itinerary, the Netherlands is an incredibly family-friendly road trip destination, even in winter.