When is the best time to visit the Netherlands? April to September: April-May for tulip fields and already long days, June to August for the most pleasant warmth (about 20 to 22 °C (68 to 72 °F) in the afternoon), September for a good compromise between weather and crowds. Winter is cool, gray and windy, but Amsterdam remains a city-break destination all year, with its museums and Christmas markets in December. Amsterdam and the country’s other cities are shown on our map of the Netherlands.
The Dutch climate is oceanic: no great heat, no severe cold, but wind and possible showers in every season. Little known fact: spring is the driest season, and it rains most in late summer and autumn. Differences between regions are small, as the country is small and flat. Here is how to choose your dates, based on the climate normals of the KNMI, the Dutch weather service.
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When to go to the Netherlands at a glance
- Best time April to September
- For tulips from late March to mid-May, with a peak bloom usually around mid-April (varies with the weather)
- For warmth July and August, around 22 °C (72 °F) in the afternoon in Amsterdam
- Driest April (less than 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain at Amsterdam-Schiphol)
- Wettest August to November (85 to 99 mm (3.3 to 3.9 in) a month)
- Celebration not to miss King’s Day (Koningsdag), on April 27, or April 26 if the 27th falls on a Sunday
- For a tight budget January-February and November, outside holidays and major events
When to go to the Netherlands by priority
- Best weather: May, mild and not very rainy; June to August for the most pleasant warmth
- Cheapest: January, February and November, outside holidays
- Fewest crowds: September, with still 19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon and far fewer tourists than in summer
- Events: Keukenhof from late March to mid-May, King’s Day on April 27 (April 26 if a Sunday), Pride Amsterdam in early August, Christmas markets in December
Netherlands: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: April, may, June, July, August, September
❌ Period to avoid: November
Weather and climate in the Netherlands month by month
The table below gives the normals for the Amsterdam-Schiphol station, the airport through which most travelers arrive, representative of the west of the country (Amsterdam, Haarlem, The Hague, Leiden).
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2 °C (43 °F) | 1.2 °C (34 °F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Cool and gray, quiet museums |
| February | 6.9 °C (44 °F) | 1.0 °C (34 °F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Cool, low prices outside holidays |
| March | 10.1 °C (50 °F) | 2.8 °C (37 °F) | 52 mm (2.0 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Timid spring, Keukenhof opens |
| April | 14.3 °C (58 °F) | 5.2 °C (41 °F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | Very high | High | ✅ Tulips and King’s Day, the driest month |
| May | 17.8 °C (64 °F) | 8.6 °C (47 °F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | High | High | ✅ Mild, long days, end of the tulips |
| June | 20.3 °C (69 °F) | 11.3 °C (52 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | High | High | ✅ Pleasant for cycling and beaches |
| July | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 13.5 °C (56 °F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | Very high | High | ✅ Warmest, but crowded |
| August | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | Very high | High | ✅ Warm, showers more frequent |
| September | 19.2 °C (67 °F) | 11.0 °C (52 °F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Good compromise of weather and crowds |
| October | 14.7 °C (58 °F) | 7.7 °C (46 °F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Autumn colors, rain and wind |
| November | 10.0 °C (50 °F) | 4.5 °C (40 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Gray, windy, short days |
| December | 6.9 °C (44 °F) | 1.5 °C (35 °F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | Moderate, high for the holidays | Moderate to high | ⚠️ Lights and Christmas markets |
Note: rain often falls in short showers interspersed with sunny spells, rather than whole days of rain. There are on average 9 to 14 rainy days a month depending on the season. The wind from the North Sea makes temperatures feel cooler than they are, especially on the coast and on a bike.
Sunshine and rainy days
May is the sunniest month at Amsterdam-Schiphol (about 231 hours of sunshine), ahead of July and June; December is the darkest (about 58 hours). April has the fewest days with precipitation, December and November the most.
| Month | Sunshine (hours) | Days with precipitation |
|---|---|---|
| January | 69 | 12.2 |
| February | 94 | 10.8 |
| March | 146 | 9.7 |
| April | 198 | 8.6 |
| May | 231 | 8.9 |
| June | 217 | 9.7 |
| July | 225 | 10.9 |
| August | 204 | 11.6 |
| September | 154 | 10.9 |
| October | 117 | 12.4 |
| November | 67 | 13.4 |
| December | 58 | 14.1 |
Seasons in the Netherlands: pros and cons
Spring (April-May): tulip season
This is the most emblematic period. The bulb fields between Haarlem and Leiden are covered in bands of color, first crocuses and daffodils, then hyacinths and tulips. The Keukenhof flower park, in Lisse, opens only in spring, from late March to mid-May or so; dates change every year. It is 14 to 18 °C (57 to 64 °F) in the afternoon, and April is the driest month of the year. On April 27, King’s Day turns Amsterdam into a huge orange street party.
- Pros: bulb bloom, little rain, long days, festive atmosphere in late April
- Cons: high crowds around Keukenhof and in Amsterdam, expensive accommodation that fills up fast in late April, mornings still cool
- Our tip: book early for Easter and King’s Day; visit Keukenhof on a weekday and early in the morning
Summer (June to August): the warmest season
Summer is mild rather than hot: about 20 to 22 °C (68 to 72 °F) in the afternoon, with higher peaks on some days. It is the best season for getting around by bike, enjoying canal-side terraces, going to the beach (Zandvoort, Scheveningen) or to the Wadden Islands such as Texel. The sun sets late, around 10 pm in June. In return, it is the high season in Amsterdam, and August is the wettest month at Schiphol (99 mm (3.9 in)), often in the form of thundery showers.
- Pros: pleasant temperatures, beaches and islands, festivals, very long evenings
- Cons: crowds and highest prices in Amsterdam, frequent showers in August, a cool North Sea for swimming
- Who is it for? Families, cyclists, travelers who want to combine cities and seaside
Autumn (September to November): fewer crowds, more rain
September still feels like late summer (19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon) with far fewer tourists: it is a very good month for Amsterdam and the historic cities. From October, wind and rain set in (more than 85 mm (3.3 in) a month), days shorten and temperatures drop. November is the least pleasant month, but also one of the cheapest.
- Pros: falling crowds, gentler prices, beautiful light on the canals in September-October
- Cons: frequent rain and wind from October, short days in November
- Who is it for? A cultural city break, focused on museums
Winter (December to February): museums and lights
The Dutch winter is cool (6 to 7 °C (43 to 45 °F) in the afternoon), damp and often overcast, but rarely very cold: frosts happen, snow remains occasional. It is a good season for museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Mauritshuis) with shorter waits. In December, illuminations, Christmas markets and, in some years, a festival of lights along the Amsterdam canals brighten the evenings. January and February are the quietest and cheapest months.
- Pros: low prices in January-February, quieter museums, festive atmosphere in December
- Cons: short days, gray skies, cold wind, countryside and beaches hold little interest
- Good to know: skating on frozen canals remains rare; do not plan it as a trip goal
When to go to the Netherlands by region
The country is small, flat and under maritime influence: the differences are modest. The south (Limburg) is a little warmer in summer and colder at night in winter; the coast is windier. Comparison of the normals for three KNMI stations:
| Month | Amsterdam (Schiphol) | Rotterdam | Maastricht |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2 °C (43 °F) / 67 mm (2.6 in) | 6.4 °C (44 °F) / 71 mm (2.8 in) | 5.7 °C (42 °F) / 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| February | 6.9 °C (44 °F) / 55 mm (2.2 in) | 7.1 °C (45 °F) / 66 mm (2.6 in) | 6.7 °C (44 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| March | 10.1 °C (50 °F) / 52 mm (2.0 in) | 10.3 °C (51 °F) / 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10.7 °C (51 °F) / 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| April | 14.3 °C (58 °F) / 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14.3 °C (58 °F) / 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15.0 °C (59 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 17.8 °C (64 °F) / 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17.9 °C (64 °F) / 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18.8 °C (66 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| June | 20.3 °C (69 °F) / 65 mm (2.6 in) | 20.6 °C (69 °F) / 69 mm (2.7 in) | 21.7 °C (71 °F) / 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| July | 22.5 °C (73 °F) / 82 mm (3.2 in) | 22.7 °C (73 °F) / 79 mm (3.1 in) | 23.8 °C (75 °F) / 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| August | 22.4 °C (72 °F) / 99 mm (3.9 in) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) / 92 mm (3.6 in) | 23.5 °C (74 °F) / 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| September | 19.2 °C (67 °F) / 84 mm (3.3 in) | 19.3 °C (67 °F) / 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19.7 °C (67 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| October | 14.7 °C (58 °F) / 87 mm (3.4 in) | 14.9 °C (59 °F) / 87 mm (3.4 in) | 14.8 °C (59 °F) / 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| November | 10.0 °C (50 °F) / 85 mm (3.3 in) | 10.2 °C (50 °F) / 88 mm (3.5 in) | 9.7 °C (49 °F) / 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| December | 6.9 °C (44 °F) / 82 mm (3.2 in) | 7.0 °C (45 °F) / 86 mm (3.4 in) | 6.3 °C (43 °F) / 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Amsterdam and Holland (Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague, Delft)
The west of the country concentrates most visits. The climate is typically oceanic: 22 °C (72 °F) at best in summer, 6 °C (43 °F) in winter, well-distributed rain with a minimum in April. April-May for tulips, June and September to enjoy the canals and cities with slightly fewer people than in July-August. Amsterdam can also be visited in winter, for its museums. Tulips in April-May or quieter canals in June: our page when to go to Amsterdam details these options month by month.
Rotterdam and Zeeland
Rotterdam has almost the same climate as Amsterdam. The city, rebuilt after 1940, suits a visit all year thanks to its architecture and museums. Zeeland, further southwest, is a region of beaches, dikes and estuaries: aim for June to September. The Kinderdijk site and its windmills, near Rotterdam, is more pleasant from spring to autumn.
Maastricht and Limburg
Limburg, wedged between Belgium and Germany, has the most pronounced relief in the country and a slightly more continental climate: 23.8 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon in July in Maastricht, but 0.5 °C (33 °F) at night in January. It rains a little less in autumn than in Amsterdam. May to October for walks in the hills; December for the Christmas atmosphere. As Aachen is not far, this continental climate continues across the border: compare with the best time to visit Germany.
The north and the Wadden Islands
Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, as well as Friesland and Groningen, are outdoor destinations: cycling, beaches, birdwatching and seal watching, walking on the mudflats at low tide with a guide. They are best from May to September; out of season, the wind makes a stay harsher and ferry connections are less frequent.
When to go to the Netherlands by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip fields | Mid-April (late March to mid-May depending on the flowers) | Keukenhof, Lisse and Noordwijkerhout area |
| City break in Amsterdam | April-June, September, December | Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht |
| Museums | November to March, for shorter waits | Amsterdam, The Hague |
| Cycling | May to September | Holland, Zeeland, Hoge Veluwe National Park |
| Beaches and islands | June to August | Zandvoort, Scheveningen, Texel |
| Windmills and villages | April to October | Kinderdijk, Zaanse Schans, Giethoorn |
| Festive atmosphere | April 27 (King’s Day) | Amsterdam and nationwide |
| Christmas markets | December | Maastricht, Amsterdam, Utrecht |
| Budget trip | January-February, November | Outside Amsterdam: Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden |
Major events to plan your trip around
| When | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Late March to mid-May | Seasonal opening of the Keukenhof flower park | Lisse |
| April 27 (April 26 if a Sunday) | King’s Day (Koningsdag): national holiday, flea markets, concerts | Nationwide, especially Amsterdam |
| May 5 | Liberation Day, with festivals in several cities | Nationwide |
| July | North Sea Jazz Festival | Rotterdam |
| Early August | Pride Amsterdam, with the boat parade on the canals | Amsterdam |
| October | Amsterdam Dance Event (electronic music) | Amsterdam |
| Mid-November to early December | Arrival of Sinterklaas, then the Saint Nicholas celebrations in early December | Nationwide |
| December | Christmas markets and illuminations | Maastricht, Amsterdam, Utrecht |
The Netherlands month by month: what to expect
January: The quietest month: about 6 °C (43 °F) in the afternoon, often gray skies, short days. Ideal for museums without queues and low prices.
February: Close to January, a little drier. Carnival in the Catholic south (Maastricht, ‘s-Hertogenbosch) when it falls in February; otherwise in March.
March: Spring arrives gently (10 °C (50 °F)). The first flowers appear and Keukenhof generally opens in the second half of the month.
April: Tulip month and the driest of the year (40 mm (1.6 in)). King’s Day on the 27th. High crowds and prices: book early.
May: Mild (18 °C (64 °F)), long days, end of the tulip bloom. Liberation Day on May 5. One of the best months.
June: About 20 °C (68 °F), the sun sets around 10 pm. Perfect for cycling, canals and the first trips to the beach.
July: The warmest month (22.5 °C (73 °F)). High season: Amsterdam is very busy, as are the beaches and islands.
August: As warm as July, but the wettest at Schiphol (99 mm (3.9 in)), with thundery showers. Pride Amsterdam at the start of the month.
September: Still 19 °C (66 °F), far fewer people once the holidays are over. The best compromise for a city break.
October: Cooler (15 °C (59 °F)), more frequent rain and wind. Good conditions for museums and cultural life.
November: The least pleasant month: gray, windy, about 10 °C (50 °F). Prices among the lowest of the year.
December: Cool (7 °C (45 °F)), but lively: Saint Nicholas celebrations, illuminations and Christmas markets. Prices rise for the holidays.
When to book your trip to the Netherlands
Amsterdam is a city where accommodation is scarce and expensive. For tulip season, Easter, King’s Day and summer weekends, book 2 to 4 months ahead. Tickets for the most popular museums (Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum) and for Keukenhof are bought online for a time slot: book them as soon as your dates are set, several weeks ahead in high season. The rest of the year, a few weeks is generally enough. Once there, our Amsterdam travel guide helps you plan your days.
Planning your trip to the Netherlands
- Entry requirements: see the entry requirements for the Netherlands in our complete travel guide to the Netherlands.
- Time difference: the Netherlands is on Central European Time: 1 hour ahead of London and 6 hours ahead of New York all year (clock changes on different dates can shift this by an hour for a few weeks).
- Currency: the euro. Note that many shops, cafés and museums accept cards only, not cash.
- Weather: pack a waterproof windbreaker in every season; an umbrella copes poorly with the wind.
For more, see our complete travel guide to the Netherlands. Looking for another idea for a trip to Europe? Also see when to go to Ireland, with a comparable oceanic climate, or our ideas where to go in April, in May and in September. Right next door, see also when to go to Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit the Netherlands?
May is probably the most balanced: it is mild (about 18 °C (64 °F) in the afternoon), days are long, there is little rain and the last tulips are still in bloom. April is ideal for tulips, September for avoiding the summer crowds.
When can you see tulips in the Netherlands?
The tulip bloom usually peaks around mid-April, but it moves forward or back by several weeks depending on the winter and spring weather. Keukenhof park opens from late March to mid-May or so: check the dates on its official website.
What is the wettest month in the Netherlands?
At Amsterdam-Schiphol, it is August, with 99 mm (3.9 in) on average according to the KNMI’s 1991-2020 normals, followed by October, November and September. The driest month is April, with about 40 mm (1.6 in).
Is Amsterdam cold in winter?
It is cool rather than very cold: about 6 °C (43 °F) in the afternoon and 1 °C (34 °F) at night in January. Wind and humidity accentuate the feeling of cold. Snow is occasional.
What is the cheapest time to visit Amsterdam?
January, February and November, outside school holidays and major events. Avoid, conversely, tulip season, King’s Day (April 27) and summer weekends, when accommodation is most expensive.
Can you visit the Netherlands in winter?
Yes, for an urban stay: museums, cafés and December illuminations make Amsterdam, Utrecht or Maastricht pleasant. The countryside, beaches and flower fields, on the other hand, hold little interest at this time of year.
What is the sunniest month in the Netherlands?
May, with about 231 hours of sunshine at Amsterdam-Schiphol according to the KNMI’s 1991-2020 normals, followed by July (about 225 hours) and June (about 217 hours). December is the least sunny month (about 58 hours).
What is the weather like in Amsterdam in April?
About 14 °C (57 °F) in the afternoon and 5 °C (41 °F) at night, about 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain (the driest month) and nearly 200 hours of sunshine, according to the KNMI’s 1991-2020 normals at Schiphol. Pack a jacket for cool mornings and wind.
Our sources
- KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute): 1991-2020 normals for the Amsterdam-Schiphol, Rotterdam and Maastricht stations; sunshine and precipitation days for Schiphol read in the Wikipedia article « Amsterdam » (KNMI climate box)
- Dutch government (government.nl), public holidays in the Netherlands (King’s Day and Liberation Day dates), checked November 11, 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
