Seasonal Highlights at a Glance
Spring (maart-mei): Tulip fields peak in April. Keukenhof gardens open mid-March to mid-May. Daylight increases from 11 to 16 hours. Temperatures range 6–15°C. King's Day (Koningsdag) on 27 April fills Amsterdam with orange festivities.
Summer (juni-augustus): Warmest months, 17–22°C. Longest days, up to 17 hours daylight in June. Outdoor festivals in Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. North Sea beaches busy, especially Scheveningen. Canal cruises popular.
Autumn (september-november): Cooler, 8–17°C. Shorter days, 11 hours daylight by November. Amsterdam’s museums less crowded. Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven each October. Forests in Veluwe show autumn colors.
Winter (december-februari): Coldest, 0–6°C. Shortest days, 7–8 hours daylight. Christmas markets in Maastricht and Haarlem. Possible ice skating on canals if temperatures drop. Oliebollen sold at street stalls.
Seasonal events and weather shape travel experience. Month-by-month details follow in the next section.
Month-by-Month Weather Guide
January: Average temperatures 1–6°C. Rainfall 60mm. Short days (8 hours daylight). Expect wind and drizzle. Museums less crowded. Hotel prices lower.
February: Similar to January. Occasional frost. Carnival celebrated in Limburg and Brabant. Outdoor activities limited. Off-peak travel fares.
March: Temperatures 3–10°C. Rain increases. Daylight extends to 12 hours. Early spring bulbs bloom. Keukenhof opens mid-month. Still quiet outside Amsterdam.
April: 6–13°C. Rainfall 40mm. Tulips peak. King’s Day (27 April) brings crowds. Longer days (14 hours). Higher accommodation costs in Amsterdam.
May: 9–17°C. Rainfall 50mm. Green countryside. Ascension and Pentecost holidays. Outdoor terraces open. Moderate crowds. Bike rentals popular.
June: 12–20°C. Rainfall 65mm. Longest days (17 hours). Festivals begin. Canals busy. Accommodation prices rise in cities.
July: 14–22°C. Rainfall 75mm. Warmest month. Beaches at Scheveningen and Zandvoort crowded. Peak tourist season. Book trains early.
August: 14–22°C. Similar to July. Rain showers possible. Outdoor events. High prices and crowds in Amsterdam.
September: 12–19°C. Rainfall 70mm. Days shorten. Harvest festivals. Fewer tourists. Lower hotel rates. Good for cycling.
October: 8–15°C. Rain increases. Autumn colors in Hoge Veluwe. Foggy mornings. Museums busier during school holidays.
November: 5–10°C. Rainy and windy. Short days (9 hours). Sinterklaas arrives mid-month. Fewer visitors. Cheaper stays.
December: 2–7°C. Rain 70mm. Christmas markets. Early sunsets. Chilly winds. Amsterdam festive but crowded. Book ahead for holidays.
Festival and Event Calendar
King’s Day (Koningsdag): Celebrated 27 April. Nationwide street parties. Amsterdam’s canals fill with boats. Orange clothing is standard. Accommodation prices double. Book months ahead.
Tulip Season: Mid-March to mid-May. Keukenhof gardens open 8 weeks. Entry €19.50. Peak bloom late April. Lisse and Noordoostpolder host flower parades.
Sinterklaas Arrival: Mid-November. Parades in cities like Gouda and Dordrecht. Free public events. Sinterklaas departs 5 December.
Carnaval: February or March. Celebrated in Limburg and North Brabant. Parades, costumes, and music. Maastricht and Den Bosch are main hubs. Hotels fill quickly.
Amsterdam Pride: Late July–early August. Canal Parade attracts 500,000 visitors. Central hotels sell out.
Leidens Ontzet: 3 October in Leiden. Commemorates 1574 siege. Free herring, fairs, fireworks. Unique to Leiden.
Oerol Festival: June on Terschelling island. Outdoor theatre and art. Tickets €25–€35 per show. Book ferry and stay early.
Tips for visitors:
- Book accommodation early for major events.
- Expect crowded trains on festival days.
- Regional festivals offer authentic Dutch culture.
- Use OVpay or OV-chipkaart for public transport.
Crowds, Costs, and Comfort
High season (april–augustus): Amsterdam, Keukenhof, and Giethoorn see peak crowds. Hotel prices in Amsterdam Centrum often exceed €200 per night. Trains and trams are full, especially during King's Day and tulip season. Museums like Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank Huis have long queues. Book tickets and accommodation at least 3 months ahead. Shoulder season (maart, september–oktober): Fewer tourists outside major events. Accommodation drops to €120–€160 per night in cities. Keukenhof closes mid-May; tulip fields are gone by June. Public transport less crowded. Canal cruises and bike rentals are easier to book. Low season (november–februari): Cold, wet weather. Hotel rates in Amsterdam drop below €100 per night. Many attractions remain open, but shorter hours. Christmas markets in Maastricht and Valkenburg attract local crowds. Museums are quiet. Trains run on regular schedules; delays possible due to winter weather. Tips for quieter experiences: Visit Haarlem, Utrecht, or Leiden instead of Amsterdam. Explore Friesland or Zeeland for rural calm. Use the OV-chipkaart for flexible travel. Early mornings and weekdays are best for popular sights. Avoid major holidays and school vacation weeks.
Smart Timing Strategies
Match your trip to your interests:
- Tulip season: Visit mid-April for peak fields near Lisse and Keukenhof. Crowds highest weekends.
- Cycling: May–September offers mild weather. Fietspaden (cycle paths) are less crowded in June or September.
- Museums: November–March means fewer visitors at Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. Shorter queues, lower ticket demand.
- Festivals: King's Day (27 April) and Amsterdam Pride (early August) fill cities. Book trains and hotels months ahead.
Packing tips:
- Weather is variable year-round. Bring a rain jacket and layers, even in summer.
- Waterproof shoes are useful in autumn and winter.
Transport advice:
- Spring and summer: OV-fiets (bike rental at stations) is convenient. Reserve in advance during tulip season.
- Winter: Trains and trams run reliably. Icy conditions may affect cycling.
- Use OVpay or an OV-chipkaart for all public transport. Single tram/bus rides start at €3.20.
Checklist:
- Confirm festival dates
- Book accommodation early for April–August
- Pack for rain
- Plan regional day trips by train
