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Best time to visit Netherlands: month by month
Short answer
April and May bring tulips and King's Day (27 April), and June to September has the longest, warmest days at about 20-22°C, best for cycling. October to February is cool and wet, with highs of 7-10°C and 16-18 rainy days a month. Rain is possible all year.
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)
About 10°C in March rising to 16°C in May; tulip fields and Keukenhof from late March to mid-May, King's Day on 27 April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Mild, about 21-22°C by day and 13-14°C at night, with showers; long days and outdoor festivals.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
About 20°C in September falling to 10°C in November; wet and windy from October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Grey and damp, about 7-8°C by day and 2-3°C at night; Christmas markets and the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Events worth planning around
- King's Day, 27 April (26 April if it falls on a Sunday)
- Keukenhof tulip gardens, late March to mid-May
- Amsterdam Pride, late July to early August
- Amsterdam Light Festival, December to January
- Sinterklaas arrival, mid-November
When to avoid
King's Day and July-August are the most crowded and expensive in Amsterdam. October and November are often rainy and windy.
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Common questions
When is tulip season in the Netherlands?
Late March to mid-May; Keukenhof is usually open from about late March to mid-May.
What is the best month to visit the Netherlands?
April or May for tulips, or June and September for mild weather and fewer crowds than mid-summer.
Does it rain a lot in the Netherlands?
Yes, rain is possible all year, with about 9-18 rainy days a month; bring a jacket.