Best Time To Visit The Netherlands: A Year-Round Guide

When is the best time to visit the Netherlands? If you’re wondering when to plan your trip to the Netherlands, this season-by-season guide will help you decide.

Before we expand on the best time to visit the Netherlands, though, it’s important to remember that this country is great to visit year-round. However, there are certain times of the year when this destination really shines. 

There’s so much to discover in the Netherlands, from the picturesque capital city of Amsterdam to the smaller towns and flower-filled landscapes of the Dutch countryside. 

Amsterdam is the most popular destination in the Netherlands, drawing millions of tourists every year. It’s a unique city, filled with picturesque canals and bridges, elegant 17th-century Dutch Golden Age architecture, and more bicycles than people. 

Outside of Amsterdam, smaller Dutch cities like Delft or villages like Giethoorn and Edam are also worth visiting. And of course, the Dutch countryside is famed for its postcard views of colorful tulip fields and cheerful wooden windmills.

So, when is the best time to visit the Netherlands and experience this charming destination for yourself? Here’s a season-by-season breakdown to help you choose.

An Overview of The Netherlands’ Climate & Weather

Before we get into the seasonal guide to the Netherlands, we’ll take a look at the country’s climate and weather as a whole.

The Netherlands is a flat, low-lying country located on the North Sea. This gives it a maritime climate, with temperate weather year-round. Winters are cold but not extreme, while summers feature mild temperatures. The country experiences many cool, cloudy days, and high winds are also very common.

Rainfall is fairly consistent throughout the year, averaging between eight and twelve rainy days per month. Although the Netherlands isn’t known for its warm weather and sunny days, the seasons of spring, summer, and fall are all lovely times to visit.

Cities closer to the coast, like Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, typically have slightly cooler weather overall compared to places further inland.

Best Time To Visit The Netherlands: A Season-By-Season Guide

What is the best time to visit the Netherlands? Here’s an overview of what to expect during each season to help you decide when to plan your trip.

Why Visit The Netherlands in Spring (March to May)

Spring is one of the best times to visit the Netherlands to see the tulips in full bloom. Keukenhof, one of the world’s largest flower gardens, is a top attraction at this time of year, with the tulips in bloom from mid-March through mid-May (usually peaking in mid-April).

April also brings King’s Day, a national holiday for the king’s birthday, celebrated with massive street parties all across the country. Everyone is decked out in orange outfits (in honor of the House of Orange), and there’s a festive atmosphere with lots of partying, concerts, and street fairs.

Celebrating King’s Day is not for the faint of heart, but if you don’t mind the crowds, it’s a unique holiday to experience during your trip to the Netherlands.

Spring also brings longer days and slightly warmer weather to this beautiful country, making it a nice time to visit after the dark, cold days of the winter season.

Spring Weather & Climate in The Netherlands

March is still a chilly time of year in the Netherlands. However, in late March, hints of spring can start pushing through. The average daily high in Amsterdam is 50°F, with much of the rest of the country experiencing similar temperatures. 

The month of April is a little warmer with average daily highs of 56°F, while in late spring, the temperatures keep creeping up to average daily highs of 64°F. If you’re looking for the best weather and still want to see the tulips in bloom, early May is the best time to visit the Netherlands.

Advantages of Visiting The Netherlands in Spring

The biggest draw to the Netherlands in the spring is, of course, the flowers at Keukenhof. Elsewhere around this small country, tulips and other colorful flowers are also in bloom, making this a beautiful time of year to visit the Netherlands.

King’s Day in April is another great time to visit the Netherlands if you want to experience the unique festivities of this national holiday, although the crowds are huge.

King’s Day has taken place on April 26 (the birthday of the current King of the Netherlands) since 2014. Outside of the weekend around King’s Day, things are not quite so crowded in April.

May is a great month to visit the country for warmer weather, and you can still enjoy spring blossoms during the first half of the month.

Best Places To Visit in The Netherlands in Spring

Amsterdam is an excellent destination to visit year-round, but it’s especially beautiful during the spring when vibrant blooms spill out of local markets and flower boxes along the canals.

Keukenhof, which is located about 40 minutes from Amsterdam, is also best visited during the spring. In fact, the gardens are only open from mid-March until mid-May.

Why Visit The Netherlands in The Summer (June to August)

For many, summer is the best time to visit the Netherlands. The weather is warm but not stifling hot, the days are long, and it’s a great time of year to spend time outdoors.

From dining al fresco at a canal-side café in Amsterdam to cycling on bike paths in the Dutch countryside, summer is the perfect season to enjoy all that the Netherlands has to offer.

Although you might not think of the Netherlands as a top European beach destination, Dutch people nonetheless flock to the North Sea coastline during the summer months to soak up the sunshine and fresh air.

If you’re visiting the Netherlands in the summer, it’s worth visiting the beach. From Amsterdam, you can get to the Dutch coast in just half an hour.

Summer Weather & Climate in The Netherlands

Thanks to its mild, maritime climate, the Netherlands enjoys warm summer weather that isn’t uncomfortably hot like Southern Europe can often be at this time of year.

In June, the average daily high is 68°F in Amsterdam, with much of the rest of the country experiencing similar weather. July and August are the warmest months of the year, with average highs of 72°F in Amsterdam, and slightly hotter the further inland you go.

Advantages of Visiting The Netherlands in The Summer

Great weather is one of the top reasons to visit the Netherlands in the summer. With lots of sunshine and warm, pleasant weather conditions, this is one of the best seasons to experience the Netherlands.

Although the tulip season is over, other flowers are in bloom, and everything is still colorful and vibrant during the summer months.

It’s also a lively time of year to visit the Netherlands, with plenty of outdoor events taking place throughout the summer, including live music festivals and food festivals.

Best Places To Visit in The Netherlands in The Summer

Once again, Amsterdam is an excellent destination to visit year-round, but especially in the summer months when the city feels so alive. Summer is also a good time to take a day trip from Amsterdam to a smaller town in the Dutch countryside.

Popular day trips include Edam, which has a weekly cheese market on Wednesdays during the summer, and Volendam, the adjacent town with a charming waterfront promenade. Both towns are easy to reach from Amsterdam and full of typical Dutch charm.

Although further away from Amsterdam, the village of Giethoorn is also a great place to visit in the summer. This car-free small town is full of picturesque canals, pedestrian pathways, and beautiful thatched-roof houses with lush gardens.

Why Visit The Netherlands in The Fall (September To November)

Fall is an underrated time of year to visit the Netherlands. The tourist crowds of the peak season – summer and spring – have dissipated, but the weather is still nice, especially during September.

In October, the fall foliage brings vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold. October is also the last good month to visit the Netherlands if you plan to spend a lot of time outside because, by November, a long, cold, windy winter settles in.

Fall Weather & Climate in The Netherlands

Things start cooling off in the Netherlands in the shoulder season, although September is still fairly warm with average daily highs in Amsterdam of 66°F.

In late October, the weather turns chillier as the season changes, with average high temperatures of 58°F. This also marks the start of a four-month stretch where precipitation is higher, with an average of 12 rainy days per month.

November sees average daytime highs of 49°F, and again, this can be a rainier month, so you’ll want to pack waterproof shoes, a raincoat, and an umbrella.

Advantages of Visiting The Netherlands in The Fall

Fall is a pleasant time to see the Netherlands with fewer tourists and nice weather, particularly in September and October. The fall foliage around Amsterdam and other parts of the country is beautiful, and it’s not too cold yet, so you can still enjoy outdoor activities.

There are still plenty of things happening in the fall, from the Bloemencorso Zundert, which takes place the first week of September and is the largest flower parade in the world, to the Amsterdam Dance Event, a large electronic music festival that happens every October.

Best Places To Visit in The Netherlands in The Fall

Outside of Amsterdam, fall is a great time to visit other major cities like Rotterdam and The Hague. Both can be visited by train on easy day trips from Amsterdam. Rotterdam offers a change of pace from the historic charm of Amsterdam with its bold, modern architecture, while The Hague is full of history and great museums.

Another of the best places to go in the fall is Zaanse Schans, a heritage village and open-air museum less than 30 minutes from Amsterdam. With its picturesque wooden windmills and historic houses against the backdrop of the autumn foliage, Zaanse Schans is full of fall charm.

Why Visit The Netherlands in Winter (December to February)

Winter might not be the first choice of when to visit the Netherlands for many tourists, because of the wet and cold weather and the not so long days. But if you don’t mind the winter chill, this can be a surprisingly good time to travel to the Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam.

The city gets very festive for the holidays, with the Amsterdam Light Festival running from the end of November through mid-January. The city and its canals are decked out with impressive public light art installations centered around a particular theme, which changes every year.

Although it’s not as well-known as neighboring Germany for its Christmas markets, you can also experience this holiday tradition in the Netherlands. Festive Christmas markets selling handmade gifts and delicious treats pop up in cities across the country throughout December.

Winter Weather & Climate in The Netherlands

The average daily high in Amsterdam for the months of December, January, and February hovers around 43°F and 44°F, with lows that often creep towards freezing. 

Winters in the Netherlands are cold, wet, and windy. You can expect more rainy days throughout the winter, as well as the occasional snowfall, although it’s not extremely common. 

When visiting the Netherlands in the winter, it’s important to pack waterproof footwear, rain gear, and lots of layers to keep yourself warm.

Advantages of Visiting The Netherlands in The Winter

If you don’t mind the weather, winter can be the best time to visit the Netherlands for fewer crowds. December is a magical time when the city is full of holiday cheer and aglow with twinkling lights that reflect in the canals.

This is the perfect time of year to enjoy some traditional Dutch comfort food, like bitterballen (fried and breaded balls of meat) and a mug of beer, or stamppot (a hearty dish made with potatoes, vegetables, and sausage) on a cold winter’s night.

Best Places To Visit in The Netherlands in The Winter

Amsterdam is the best destination in the Netherlands for a winter trip, especially if your travel dates coincide with the Amsterdam Light Festival. This festival, along with other holiday decorations across the Dutch capital, brightens up the city center and cuts through the winter gloom.

There are also plenty of indoor activities in Amsterdam to keep you occupied during the winter months.

You can easily spend hours exploring museums like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, or the Anne Frank House, shopping in Amsterdam’s massive De Bijenkorf department store, or touring a brewery and enjoying a few beers at the Heineken Experience.

Explore The Netherlands Any Time of The Year With JayWay

Regardless of when the best time to visit the Netherlands is for you, one thing’s for sure. This is a country to explore and enjoy with all your senses, especially if you leave it to JayWay’s experienced staff to plan the perfect itinerary for you. Your dream trip to the Netherlands awaits only an email or phone call away.