The Ultimate Best Time To Visit The Netherlands in 2023 + Events and Weather Chart

If you ask us, there is no “bad” time to visit the Netherlands. Alright, biased opinion since this is our home country! But that means you came to the right place to learn exactly when you should travel to the Netherlands.

Whether you love frolicking on the beach or discovering world-class museums, the Netherlands has a dose of everything you could imagine. There are tons of events throughout the year and you’re sure to find something that piques your interest whenever you visit.

We’ll go over the pros and cons of visiting each time of year and provide tips to have an unforgettable trip to the Netherlands. Read on to discover some of the country’s famous attractions and the best time of year to visit them.

Best time to visit the Netherlands

The best time of year to travel to the Netherlands really depends on what activities you want to do. Are you an outdoorsy person or would you rather stay inside to explore museums and art galleries? The weather in the Netherlands is never extreme, which can make peak season and off-season equally enjoyable.

Summer has pleasant temperatures, while winter months are cold and rainy. Spring and fall can be mild, but unpredictable. If you’re visiting the Netherlands for a music festival, Christmas markets or a specific event, then that will determine your travel time.

Let’s look at each season to help find your best time to visit the Netherlands.

Must Read: 10 Most Beautiful National Parks in the Netherlands

Video: The Netherlands all Seasons inspiration

Weather chart Netherlands

Month	Min Temperature °C	Max Temperature °C	Rain mm
January	2.0	5.8	69.0
February	1.7	6.3	57.0
March	3.2	9.1	58.0
April	6.1	13.1	57.0
May	9.7	16.4	68.0
June	12.5	19.0	73.0
July	14.8	21.0	88.0
August	14.8	20.8	86.0
September	12.7	18.3	76.0
October	9.4	14.3	70.0
November	5.8	9.8	68.0
December	3.0	6.6	74.0

Best time to visit the Netherlands by mont

Netherlands in January

Winter is the time to snuggle up by the fire and get ready for the holidays. Although the weather isn’t harsh, this is the least favorite time to visit the Netherlands, because of the cold and dark days. This is your chance to see all the museums and other indoor activities with fewer crowds.

If you are in the Netherlands during NYE really find some information about the New Year Day Dives as there are a lot of crazy people, who celebrate the new year with a dive in ice cold (sea) water. I know how it feels as I did it multiple times myself. The Dive in Scheveningen is the most popular. This one is even live on television and after the dive you can drink hot chocolate and eat “erwtensoep” the traditional pea soup of Unox. During the dive in Scheveningen almost everyone is wearing an orange Unox hat, and with everyone I mean thousands of people. So imagine how this looks when they all start running into the sea. 

National Tulip Day is the start of the Tulip season, read my Ultimate Guide Tulip Fields Netherlands 2022 to learn more about this special day in Amsterdam and all you need to know about the connection between the Tulips and the Netherlands.

Activities & Events

• Winter Efteling – Theme Park Kaatsheuvel – (book your ticket here)
• Iceskating – Several locations all around the country, when there is ice
• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
New Year’s Day Dive	1th of January	Multiple locations
National Tulip Day	2rd Saturday in January	Amsterdam
Eurosonic Noorderslag Music Festival	2nd weekend of January	Groningen
International Film Festival Rotterdam	end of January	Rotterdam
Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival Dutch	December – March	Zwolle
Amsterdam Light Festival	December – January	Amsterdam

Must Read: 13 Best Outdoor Activities in The Netherlands for Real Adventure

Netherlands in February

The Netherlands in February is still cold, wet and freezing so I really advise travelers to pack waterproof and warm clothing. This time of the year it’s not that busy and if you are lucky you can go ice skating on the canals of Amsterdam or one of the other places in the Netherlands. Please always be sure to check the ice conditions before you enter the ice.

For the people who love Carnaval like for all of them February is a special time of the year. The people are all dressed up, drinking, dancing on the streets and that’s not all there is a whole carnaval culture with a prince etc. Click here for more information.

Activities & Events

• Winter Efteling – Theme Park Kaatsheuvel – (book your ticket here)
• Iceskating – Several locations all around the country, when there is ice
• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
Carnaval	18 February – 21 February	Several locations
Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival Dutch	Dec – March	Zwolle

Must Read: Top 15 Best Self Guided Bike Tours in the Netherlands

Netherlands in March

The Netherlands in March is where everything can happen and I mean the extremes, on Monday you can have a sunny day with 15 degrees and the weekend after there can be snow. One of the unique things in March is the start of the tulip fields in Keukenhof and as it’s not crowded yet, this might be a good time of the year to visit Keukenhof Gardens.

Did you know that Europe’s largest art show takes place in the Netherlands? Click here for more information about the European Fine Art Foundation Show.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
European Fine Art Foundation Show	10 days beginning of March	Maastricht

Netherlands in April

The Netherlands in april days become warmer and this is the perfect time to see the famous Keukenhof tulips. Amsterdam is full of blooming flowers and the crowds are tame enough to have a peaceful picnic by the canals.

Bring extra layers and a rain jacket though, as the weather can still be gloomy at times. As the days get warmer, you’ll have more chances to take part in festivals and events such as the King’s Day celebration where everyone parades in the streets wearing orange outfits.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
King’s Day (Koningsdag)	27th of April	Entire Country
Marathon Rotterdam	Half April	Rotterdam

Must Read: 10x Best Amsterdam Self Guided Walking Tours

Netherlands in May

Netherlands in May the weather is getting better and better for a nice day tour on the bike, but be aware in May you can have some serious rainy days. Which means again, bring wind and waterproof clothing, to make sure you can enjoy the country even when the weather is not the best. I really like the quote “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” and really it’s true! Enjoy the National Windmill Day by bike or a nice hiking tour across the authentic windmills.

Note: The 4th and 5th of May are officially not holidays, but be aware some shops can be closed during those days.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
Remembrance Day (Herdenkingsdag)	4th of May	Entire Country
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)	5th of May	Entire Country
National Windmill Day	2nd Saturday and Sunday in May	Entire Country

Netherlands in June

The Netherlands in June is great, the temperature is around or above the 20 degrees so people are getting outside as much as possible. Terraces and beach clubs are filled with people enjoying the sun, lots of outdoor festivals are happening as the days are getting longer. This month is popular for long distance hikers and cycling tours to explore the country while being active.

World’s biggest Catamaran Sailing race will take place in the Netherlands on the Island of Texel, check out the video below to get to know more.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
Fiets Elfstedentocht	First week of June	Friesland
Ronde om Texel	Half of June	Texel

Check out: Best Things to do in Rotterdam

Netherlands in July

Summer has the warmest weather, but also the most crowds. July and August are the busiest tourist months for the Netherlands. If you hate shuffling through long lines for museums and paying higher accommodation prices, summer may not be the best time for you. However, there are tons of outdoor events and you can go for a picnic or relaxing boat ride. And with roughly 15-16 hour days, you’ll have plenty of sunlight to hit the beaches.

Do you like 4Days Marches? Lucky you, the Netherlands has the world’s largest walking achievement called “De Nijmeegse Vierdaagse”. More than 40.000 walkers from over 70 countries come to Nijmegen to walk 30, 40, 50 kilometers for four days in a row. Check out more information about this event here.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
De Nijmeegse Vierdaagse	Third week of July	Nijmegen
Gay pride Amsterdam	End of July, Beginning of August	Amsterdam

Netherlands in August

The Netherlands in August is really nice, if there is no heat wave of course. This month is really popular for Dutch people and tourists from surrounding countries to go camping, sailing, hiking and biking across the country. One of the biggest events in Amsterdam during this month is the Gay Pride, I guess I don’t need to say more as the most of you will already heart of the Canal Pride. For more information click here.

Into sailing? Check out the Sneek Week in Friesland, they organize the largest inland waters sailing event of Europe. Click here for more information.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
Gay pride Amsterdam	End of July, Beginning of August	Amsterdam
Sneekweek	Beginning of Augusst	Sneek

Must Read: The Best 14 Day Road Trip Across the Netherlands

Netherlands in September

The Netherlands in September is by most statics the end of the summer and start of the fall, but last years it was like summer was still going on. There are a lot of festivals going on, but be prepared for rainy days as the seasons is changing. September is well known for warm sunny days, thunderstorms and rainy days. As the high season is offer, the tourist attractions and national parks are less crowded, so if you prefer this than September is your time if the year to visit the Netherlands.

September offers two really nice sport events I wanted to tell more about: De Omloop Goeree Overflakkee which is the place I grew up and which offers amazing tulips fields every year. This is a long distance hike all around the Island Goeree-Overflakkee, 110 km crossing beaches, dunes, dikes and other unique nature scenery. The 110 km needs to be done in 24 hours, so this is a really nice challenge!

The other sport event is SUP11, an ultimate challenge where athletes will paddle 220 km in five days. The challenge is really the weather as September can be stormy, rainy, cold or sunny it will be a surprise what you get.

As I lived for multiple years in Rotterdam you really need to know about the World Port Days in Dutch called “Wereld Haven Dagen” great experience to learn more about the Port during all kind of demonstrations, shows and presentations. For more information click here.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
De Omloop Goeree Overflakkee	End of August beginning of September	Goeree – Overflakkee
Discover the Port (Wereld Haven Dagen)	Beginning of September	Rotterdam
SUP11	Half of September	Leeuwarden

Netherlands in October

Fall is a good time to avoid crowds in the Netherlands. Tourist attractions will be much quieter, but the temperatures begin to drop and there is a higher chance of rain.

September will still have some lingering warm temperatures, but locals start to flock indoors as October and November approaches. But if you’re looking for a peaceful trip, short lines and don’t mind a little rain, fall is for you.

The Netherlands is well known by the World’s best DJ’s, so don’t miss the Amsterdam Dance Event.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
Amsterdam Dance Event	Half October	Amsterdam

Check out: Hiking Near Utrecht 11 Most Beautiful Forest Hiking Trails

Netherlands in November

Fall is a good time to avoid crowds in the Netherlands. Tourist attractions will be much quieter, but the temperatures begin to drop and there is a higher chance of rain.

September will still have some lingering warm temperatures, but locals start to flock indoors as October and November approaches. But if you’re looking for a peaceful trip, short lines and don’t mind a little rain, fall is for you.

A typical Dutch tradition is ‘Sinterklaas”, together with his horse and friends “Pieten” he will arrive by boat in the Netherlands half of November. Every year on the 5th of December it’s “pakjesavond” (poem & gift-giving) . This is a really nice family tradition, I will invite you to try it out! I don’t will spoil you with all the information about the tradition, click here if you want to dive deeper into this.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
Intocht van Sinterklaas	Half of November	Entire Country

Netherlands in December

The Netherlands in December is in my opinion one of the greatest times to visit the country, not because of the weather but because of the vibe as the Christmas markets, ice rinks and Sinterklaas shopping is a big happening. The weather in December will be cold and dark and sometimes even snow! During New Years Eve there are all kind of events happening all across the country so if you like to party you will be covered. Once the holidays end, things settle to a slower pace until tulip season begins. P.s. don’t forget to try the traditional “oliebol” during new years eve.

Activities & Events

• Hiking and Biking is all year around a great activity

Name Event	Date	Location
Amsterdam Light Festival	December – January	Amsterdam

Must Read: 9 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam by Train

Best time to visit Amsterdam

Best months to visit Amsterdam: April, May and September

Amsterdam is one of the busiest cities in Europe and crowds can become a nightmare during peak season. Unless you’re not bothered by hordes of tourists, it’s best to avoid the capital during the summer.

Although predicting the weather can be tricky, spring and fall are both more enjoyable than summer. Crowds are not insane and travel costs have not skyrocketed to peak season prices.

March is a fantastic month to visit since the weather is improving and you still have shorter lines to all the cultural sites. This is a wonderful time to see the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.

April and May are possibly the best months to visit Amsterdam due to warmer weather, less rain, bearable crowds and flower season. This is the ideal time to enjoy the outdoors before peak season. And 27th of April is King’s day! One of the biggest events the Dutch know!

September is your best alternative since the weather is still fantastic and the summer crowds are beginning to fade. Although the crowds continue to decrease in October and November, Amsterdam starts to become cold and wet.

December-February is better to avoid if you don’t like cold weather. Christmas and New Year’s are a wonderful time to see Amsterdam in the holiday spirit and possibly see snow on frozen canals.

Must Read: Best Things to Do in Amsterdam

Best time to visit Rotterdam

Best months to visit Rotterdam: June-September

Rotterdam is home to Europe’s largest port and brimming with innovative architecture. The Netherlands’ second city rarely has extreme temperatures and it sees a fraction of the visitors as the capital.

Summer is an excellent time to soak up the sunshine and attend a festival. Rotterdam has made its mark as one of the world’s premier festival cities and you’ll find tons of events from June-September.

With moderate temperatures and limited rainfall, you can explore the city on foot or bike. This is the best time to sunbathe or swim at Rotterdam’s sandy beaches or wander its green spaces such as Vroesenpark and Het Park by the Euromast.

Although there’s not a drastic change in rainfall during the fall and winter months, the temperature begins to drop, making outdoor activities less attractive. This is an ideal time to visit cultural sites like Kunsthal Rotterdam and the Netherlands Photo Museum.

December-February are the most unfavorable months to visit Rotterdam due to chilly and sometimes rainy weather. Some exciting events are scheduled, such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam, but most activities will be indoors.

The temperature gradually rises during the spring and the months of April and May are your next best option to explore the city.

Must Read: Things to do in Rotterdam

Best time to visit The Hague

Best months to visit The Hague: May-September 

Situated on the North Sea coast, The Hague is where you’ll find the seat of the Dutch Parliament, the Peace Palace and a myriad of museums. After visiting the city’s rich cultural attractions, have fun in the outdoors at the beaches of Scheveningen, Kijkduin and Zuiderstrand.

Due to The Hague’s temperate climate, summer is a wonderful time to soak up the sunshine and explore the coastal landscape of southern Netherlands. Temperatures are rarely extreme and limited rainfall enables you to spend plenty of time outdoors.

Start your day at the elegant squares of city center and have a tasty brew at an outdoor café. Binnenhof, Het Plein, and De Grote Markt are a few of the lively squares that have an array of outdoor eateries and musical events during the summer.

The temperature gradually declines during October and November, but there are lots of indoor attractions in the city centre and by the sea. Study exquisite paintings at the Mauritshuis, see modern artistic masterpieces at Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, or meet marine animals at Sea Life Scheveningen.   

Fall is also the time of the annual Crossing Border Festival which combines music and literature for a celebration of the arts.

Like other destinations in the Netherlands, the winter months are the least favorable time to visit The Hague. December and January are two of the rainiest months of the year and cold temperatures persist throughout the day. However, flight and accommodation prices will be cheaper if you prefer cooler weather.

The city comes to life again in April and May with colorful flowers blooming at Lange Voorhout, cyclists coasting through the sand dunes of Westdunepark and residents flocking to green spaces like Zuiderpark.

Must Read: 13 Best Outdoor Activities in the Netherlands For Real Adventure

Best time to visit Netherlands for Tulips

Best months to visit the Netherlands for tulips: April & May

The Netherlands is famous for its breathtaking tulip fields, and around a million people travel to the country to see these blooming flowers. Naturally, lots of travelers are curious about the best time to visit the Netherlands for tulips.

National Tulip Day is held on the third Saturday of January and officially kicks off tulip season in the Netherlands. Locals and visitors can pick tulips from Amsterdam’s Dam Square. Make sure you’re early for the event as tons of people line up before opening to go inside the garden.

Middenmeer hosts the Holland Flower Festival in February and this indoor flower market sees roughly 25,000 visitors per year. The festival presents beautiful gardens and creative flower arrangements made by talented Dutch artists.

If you’d rather travel to the Netherlands to see the main tulip attractions, then the spring is when you must visit. The months of March-May are when the tulips really put on a spectacular display and bloom throughout the country.

Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower park and you can see this stunning spring garden from late March until early May. Millions of bulbs are planted within the park and you’ll see dazzling fields of tulips, orchids, roses, daffodils, carnations, lilies and many others.

To see flowers blooming across the country, we highly recommend you take the country’s longest tulip route in Flevoland. The route contains over 100-km of roads and showcases thousands of tulip fields of various colors.

Escape the crowds, capture astonishing photographs, and immerse yourself in Dutch culture on an unforgettable road trip that was recognised as one of the world’s best by National Geographic.   

Must Read: The Best 14 Day Netherlands Road Trip + Map and Tours

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Thanks for checking out the best time to visit the Netherlands. Hopefully, this has provided the information you need to plan a wonderful trip to the Netherlands based on the activities you wish to do. If you have travel experiences from the Netherlands, or if you have a question, please leave a comment below.