Best time to go to the Netherlands for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 27/05/2024When is the best time to go to the Netherlands?
The best time to visit the Netherlands is from May to September, when the weather conditions are favorable and allow you to fully enjoy all the country has to offer. However, a trip all year round is also possible. Your choice of vacation dates will mainly depend on the experiences you want to have and the activities you wish to do:
- For a city trip to major cities in the Netherlands, such as Amsterdam or Rotterdam, all seasons are possible. In July and August, you can enjoy the sun on terraces, relax in a park, or go for a bike ride, but museums are crowded. It's best to opt for the months of June and September: the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller. At other times of the year, you can deal with the cold or rain by warming up in the many cafes or restaurants.
- For a countryside getaway, prefer late spring and the summer period, between May and September. The sun will most likely be shining and the atmosphere less humid. Since the country is flat, you can go for long walks or bike rides, not to mention the charming villages that make for pleasant stops.
- To see the tulip fields, visit the Netherlands in April or May. It is indeed the world's leading flower producer, promising enchanting landscapes and a burst of colors in spring!
- For a beach trip and to explore the 450 kilometers of coastline along the North Sea, opt for summer, with a preference for the months of July and August, although the latter is a bit rainier. This is when it's the warmest, and the bravest can even try swimming. If the water is too cold for you, swimming is also possible in the lakes in the Netherlands. Less deep, they have much more pleasant temperatures.
- To avoid crowds, the low and mid-tourist seasons start in November and end in March. It's of course the least favorable weather-wise, but you'll have a quieter time visiting museums in major cities.
When to visit the Netherlands without breaking the bank? Unsurprisingly, it's best to avoid the high tourist season, between June and August. Prices skyrocket and the country becomes very expensive. By planning well in advance, you can find more affordable rates in April-May or September-October. If the cold and gray weather doesn't bother you, the lowest prices are during the low season, between November and March. Another option is to avoid Amsterdam, which tends to significantly increase the budget, in favor of other cheaper cities like Groningen, Leeuwarden, or even Rotterdam.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Central of Netherlands
Utrecht, De Bilt, Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe...
Holland
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag...
North of Netherlands
Groningen, Wadden, Leeuwarden...
South of Netherlands
Maastricht, Eindhoven, Zeeland...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in the Netherlands for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Netherlands in january Netherlands in february Netherlands in march Netherlands in april Netherlands in may Netherlands in june Netherlands in july Netherlands in august Netherlands in september Netherlands in october Netherlands in november Netherlands in december
Best time to travel to Netherlands by cities
Climate and Weather in the Netherlands
Like its neighbors Belgium or Germany, the climate of the Netherlands is oceanic and temperate. However, be aware that the weather changes very quickly throughout the country, and it is not uncommon to experience, in the same day, bright sunshine, rain, and very strong winds. Therefore, regardless of the season you visit, it is essential to bring warm and waterproof clothing.
In general, the North Sea softens the weather in the Netherlands, resulting in winters that are not too cold considering the latitude, and pleasant summers. Despite being a small country, the weather conditions vary significantly in each province, with milder and sunnier weather often experienced along the coast than further inland.
Climate in the Netherlands in Summer
Like elsewhere in Europe, it is during the summer season that it gets the hottest in the Netherlands. The maximum temperatures are around 22°C at the end of June, 24°C in July-August, and 21°C in the first half of September.
Despite these mild temperatures, the weather remains unpredictable throughout the season. It can rain for several days in a row or a heatwave can strike unexpectedly. You never know! Generally, humidity is high with regular showers, and it is the rainiest period of the year along with the month of December.
The temperature of the North Sea reaches around 20°C in August and September. Attention to those who enjoy invigorating swims!
Climate in the Netherlands in Autumn
If you plan to visit the Netherlands in the autumn, favor the beginning of the season, as the temperatures remain pleasant. At the end of September, it's around 20°C and in October, expect an average of 16°C. Precipitations are also lower than during the summer.
In November and December, the weather deteriorates rapidly and the wind can be chilling. It ranges between 9 and 11°C, rain is more frequent, and the sky is often gray. Towards the end of the season, snowfall is not excluded.
What attracts tourists the most during this period are the enchanting colors of the trees. If the sun comes out, the landscapes are splendid!
Climate in the Netherlands in Winter
Winter is probably the gloomiest season in the Netherlands, as this is when thick fog covers the territory. Rain, wind, and cold add up to create an atmosphere not conducive to strolling or tourism.
In January and February, the daytime temperature averages 7°C and drops to 2 degrees at night. Depending on the region, it either rains or snows, and the sky remains mostly gray. In March, the sun returns and gradually warms up the atmosphere. Expect 11°C at the warmest part of the day. Depending on the year, winter can linger on and snowfall is likely until the end of March.
Climate in the Netherlands in Spring
In April and May, the weather is mostly sunny and rain is scarce. Temperatures range between 16 and 18°C. It is only at the beginning of June that they exceed 20°C, regularly offering summer days, ideal for outdoor activities such as walking or cycling.
Temperatures and rainfall in the Netherlands
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Netherlands and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Amsterdam, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Delft, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in the Netherlands
Find out when Netherlands has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in the Netherlands
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, November and December. The number of visitors to Netherlands is high in: April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
- Very low season in the Netherlands: January, February and March.
- Low season in the Netherlands: November and December.
- High season in the Netherlands: April, June, September and October.
- Peak season in the Netherlands: May, July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Netherlands month by month
Average price for flights to the Netherlands
A return flight between New York City and Amsterdam is generally cheaper if you go in february ($ 675 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 627 more for your airline ticket to Amsterdam if you go in june.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to the Netherlands
Where to go in the Netherlands?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Amsterdam | 6°C | 7°C | 10°C | 14°C | 17°C | 20°C | 22°C | 22°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Maastricht | 5°C | 7°C | 11°C | 15°C | 18°C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 20°C | 15°C | 10°C | 7°C |
| Rotterdam | 7°C | 7°C | 9°C | 12°C | 15°C | 18°C | 20°C | 21°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 9°C |
| Utrecht | 6°C | 7°C | 11°C | 15°C | 17°C | 21°C | 23°C | 23°C | 20°C | 15°C | 11°C | 7°C |
| Delft | 7°C | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C | 21°C | 21°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Den Haag | 7°C | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C | 21°C | 21°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Eindhoven | 5°C | 7°C | 11°C | 16°C | 18°C | 22°C | 24°C | 23°C | 20°C | 15°C | 10°C | 7°C |
| Keukenhof (Stationsweg) | 6°C | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C | 21°C | 21°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Volendam | 6°C | 6°C | 9°C | 12°C | 15°C | 18°C | 20°C | 21°C | 18°C | 15°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Zandvoort | 7°C | 6°C | 9°C | 12°C | 14°C | 18°C | 20°C | 20°C | 18°C | 15°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Zeeland | 6°C | 7°C | 11°C | 14°C | 17°C | 20°C | 22°C | 22°C | 20°C | 16°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| De Bilt | 6°C | 7°C | 11°C | 15°C | 17°C | 21°C | 23°C | 23°C | 20°C | 15°C | 10°C | 7°C |
| Den Helder | 7°C | 6°C | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 16°C | 18°C | 19°C | 17°C | 15°C | 11°C | 9°C |
| Gouda | 6°C | 7°C | 11°C | 15°C | 17°C | 21°C | 22°C | 23°C | 20°C | 16°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Groningen | 5°C | 6°C | 9°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C | 21°C | 22°C | 19°C | 14°C | 10°C | 7°C |
| Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe | 5°C | 7°C | 11°C | 15°C | 18°C | 21°C | 23°C | 23°C | 20°C | 15°C | 10°C | 7°C |
| Marken | 6°C | 7°C | 10°C | 14°C | 17°C | 20°C | 22°C | 22°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Vlissingen | 7°C | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 15°C | 19°C | 21°C | 21°C | 19°C | 16°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Wadden | 5°C | 5°C | 9°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C | 21°C | 22°C | 19°C | 14°C | 10°C | 7°C |
| 's-Hertogenbosch | 5°C | 7°C | 11°C | 15°C | 18°C | 21°C | 23°C | 23°C | 20°C | 15°C | 10°C | 7°C |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Netherlands
What can I do in the Netherlands?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Netherlands reliable?
Climate data for Netherlands has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Netherlands allows us to determine the average for each month in Amsterdam, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Delft, Den Haag, Eindhoven, Keukenhof (Stationsweg), and 48 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.