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Best time to visit Amsterdam: month by month
Short answer
April to May (tulips and King's Day) and September are the best times, with highs of 12–20°C and long days. Summer is mild at 21–22°C but crowded and the most expensive. Winter is cold (7–8°C), wet and dark early, but cheap and atmospheric.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C | 3°C | 16 | low |
| Feb | 8°C | 2°C | 13 | low |
| Mar | 10°C | 3°C | 12 | medium |
| Apr | 12°C | 4°C | 11 | very high |
| May | 16°C | 8°C | 13 | high |
| Jun | 22°C | 13°C | 9 | high |
| Jul | 21°C | 14°C | 16 | very high |
| Aug | 22°C | 14°C | 14 | very high |
| Sep | 20°C | 12°C | 11 | high |
| Oct | 16°C | 10°C | 18 | medium |
| Nov | 10°C | 6°C | 18 | low |
| Dec | 7°C | 3°C | 18 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 10°C in March and 12°C in April to 16°C in May, with lows of 3–8°C and rain on 11–13 days a month. Tulip season and King's Day (27 April) bring big crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Mild: highs of 21–22°C and lows of 13–14°C, with long evenings, but rain on 9–16 days a month (July is surprisingly wet). The busiest and priciest time.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is pleasant at about 20°C; October (16°C) and November (10°C) are the wettest months, each with about 18 rainy days.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and damp: highs of 7–8°C and lows of 2–3°C, with rain on 13–18 days and darkness by about 16:30. The Amsterdam Light Festival runs in December and January.
Events worth planning around
- King's Day on 27 April (26 April if the 27th is a Sunday), with street parties and a city-wide flea market
- Tulip season, roughly late March to mid-May, with the Keukenhof gardens outside the city
- Amsterdam Pride, with the Canal Parade (late July or early August)
- Amsterdam Dance Event (October)
- Amsterdam Light Festival (December to January)
When to avoid
Late July and August are the most crowded and expensive, and King's Day weekend is extremely busy, with hotel prices at their peak. October and November are the wettest months if you want to walk the canals.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Amsterdam?
Late April to May for tulips, or September for mild weather (about 20°C) and smaller crowds than summer.
When is tulip season in Amsterdam?
Roughly late March to mid-May, peaking in mid to late April; check the Keukenhof's opening dates for the year.
Is Amsterdam worth visiting in winter?
Yes for museums, brown cafés and the Light Festival, and hotels are cheapest, but expect highs of 7–8°C, frequent rain and early darkness.