Like most of the northwestern European countries, Netherlands has 4 seasons with warm summer and windy and cold winter. Rain is something very common in this part of Europe, so take with you a raincoat when visit Netherlands.
Still, there are some months when the rainfall is lower and the weather is ideal for exploring the country.
But when is the best time to visit the Netherlands?
Of course, summer is the best time of year to visit Netherlands because the days are longer, the rainfalls are at their minimum level and it is warm outside. Except for summer there are still some good months to visit Netherlands, when prices are lower and the crowds are missing. Which are these months? Let’s see together!
As you probably guess, the Netherlands has four seasons as follows:
- spring is from March to May
- summer is from June to August
- autumn is from September to November
- winter is from December to February
Month |
Avg. Min (°C) |
Avg. Max (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| January | -1 | 3 |
| February | 3 | 6 |
| March | 4 | 14 |
| April | 5 | 13 |
| May | 9 | 18 |
| June | 12 | 21 |
| July | 15 | 22 |
| August | 15 | 23 |
| September | 13 | 21 |
| October | 6 | 13 |
| November | 4 | 9 |
| December | 3 | 6 |
Spring in Netherlands
Spring is the period of the year when nature is coming back to life. Thousands and thousands of flowers are in blossom, the fields are very colourful and the forest is green. It is the best time to visit the Netherlands for tulips. Everybody knows that Netherlands is famous for its tulip fields and its festivals.
Actually near Amsterdam is the largest flower garden in the world. It is named Keukenhof and is located just 40 kilometres away from Amsterdam and is host to one of the most famous flower festival in the world. Keukenhof garden is not open all year round. The opening period varies depending on the blooming period and is published on a yearly basis. Depending on the spring month you will go, you will see different species of tulips in blossom.
The most colourful and beautiful flowers are in blossom from late April to May. Great show!
On the other hand, the weather in spring is warmer, the days become longer and the number of tourists is still low. The only downside of the period is that rainy days are pretty often, and mornings and evenings are still cold.
Summer in NEtherlands
July and August are peak season and the best time to visit the Netherlands. Tourists are everywhere, the prices are very high and the queues at museums and other attractions are huge. Restaurants, cafes and bars are all full of tourists.
The weather is usually warm and humid, with fewer days of rain and many sunny days.
In the summertime, there are many events to which you can take part. Cycling, boat rides and picnics in the park are just some of the events organized all over the Netherlands. All kind of music festivals and entertaining activities are organized in big cities. It is a pity to visit Netherlands and not take part in one of these events!
Autumn in Netherlands
It is the time of year when the days are still warm and the crowds are gone. September and early October is the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to avoid the high number of tourists.
Nature is incredibly beautiful! The forest and the fields have all kind of brownish colours! Another colourful spectacle is prepared by nature! Just go and see it!
Festivals are fewer and everybody is preparing for the long days of winter!
The days are shorter and in the morning and evening is pretty cold. Rainy days are something common in this period of the year, so take with you a raincoat.
Winter in Netherlands
Winter is not a very popular season among tourists. Except for Christmas and New Year period, winter is a time of year when nothing interesting is happening in Netherlands.
It is cold and rainy or snowy, the days are shorter, so nobody is in the mood for visiting.
Just Christmas markets and New Year festivities animate the country. Netherlands countryside is very beautiful! The landscape is covered with snow! Everything is white and is stunned! You will discover another face of Netherlands! A completely different face than in summer!
So, the correct answer to the question when is the best time to visit the Netherlands would be late spring or early autumn, because the prices are lower, the number of tourists are still reasonable and the queues at the main attractions are ok.
You can choose a tour across the country, rent a car and explore each corner of this magnificent place!
Get the best price for your car rental today
Or.. you can set up your camp in a big city and do daily trips in the nearby areas.
We choose to stay at and and do daily trip in the area nearby! It was a good choice because the public transport is very reliable!
Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.
You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.
Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.
When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.
Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.
We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.
Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.
We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.
Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.
We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.
Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.
Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.
We wrote some more detailed articles on this subject here:
- Exploring Dutch Tourism: Facts and Figures
- Netherland Tourism Insights: A Concise Overview
- Brief information about Netherlands flags
- Discovering the Netherlands: Fascinating Insights and Fun Facts
- Schiphol Airport Netherlands: Exploring its Status as the Largest
- Navigating Dutch Currency: Smart Money Tips for Travelers
