Best Time to Visit Netherlands

For those still in the early stages of planning a holiday, the months between June and August serve as the best time to visit the Netherlands from India or any other country. From exploring palaces and castles to treating your eyes with enchanting fields of tulips on sunny days, the Netherlands has much to offer to all its visitors.

Although June is the best month to visit the Netherlands, it might be tough to find accommodation due to all the festivals that attract visitors from across the world. Moreover, rain episodes are common in the summer months, making the weather in this part of the year quite unpredictable.

If you are on a budget, then visiting the Netherlands during the fall season can be a good option. The air is cold and wet, bringing down the number of visitors this part of the year. This is also the best time of the year to go to Amsterdam to visit the Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum.

Depending on what your idea of an ideal holiday in the Netherlands is, you can decide which time of the year is the best to visit this country.

The beauty of the Netherlands can be enjoyed all through the year, as its coastal climate prevents the weather from getting too hot or extremely cold.

Take a look at the different seasons experienced in the Netherlands, as it will help you with your vacation planning:

Peak Season in the Netherlands

Tourism is at its peak in the summer season in the Netherlands. It is the best time to visit the Netherlands. The summer festival of the Netherlands, also called Vierdaagsefeesten, is an enormous, freely accessible event that includes over 1200 performances and 40 stages across Nijmegen, its oldest city.

Not to forget the Pride Amsterdam festival in August, which is the only waterborne Pride festival in the world, making it the best month to go to Amsterdam.

Shoulder Season in the Netherlands

Constituted in Spring and Fall, this season is when the crowds have started thinning down and the weather has become more pleasant. The Shoulder Season is when the cultural activities start across the country.

The Amsterdam Dance Event and Rotterdam’s Wereldhavendagen are among the most popular events held during this time.

Low Season in the Netherlands

Winter is the time when the Netherlands experiences a drop in tourism. Days get darker and nights get colder, bringing down the number of visitors even further than the Shoulder Season.

While it cannot be said to be the worst time to visit Amsterdam, the harsh weather conditions do play a part in preventing outdoor trips.

The rich cultural display, the vibrant festivals and the spectacular natural beauty of the Netherlands can easily keep tourists engaged all year round.

The following breakdown of each month of the year will help you decide the best month to visit the Netherlands.

January in the Netherlands

• There is a chill in the air as the heart of winter causes the mercury to drop in the Netherlands. Moreover, the days are mostly grey and you can expect rainfall in January.

• The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, experiences a total of 3 days of snow and an average of 15 mm snowfall. You can still engage in a multitude of activities including trips to various museums and ice skating on either frozen ponds and canals or on rinks.

Average Temperature: 1°C to 5°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Rotterdam for its International Film Festival

• The Scheveningen beach outside The Hague or the North Sea or any other lake, to experience the New Year’s Dive event

• Amsterdam to explore the Rembrandt House Museum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum

Things to Experience:

• National Tulip Day, which takes place on January’s third Saturday to mark the beginning of the tulip season.

• The Amsterdam Light Festival illuminates the streets of this city

• Ice skating on the popular frozen canals of Amsterdam

• Group walking tours in Rotterdam to experience the architectural spectacle in winter

February in the Netherlands

• It is another cold month in the Netherlands with low temperatures, fog, wind and snow making it tough to plan outdoor activities. However, festivals and carnivals begin in February despite the short daylight hours.

• Cheaper accommodation rates and fewer crowds are good enough reasons to visit the Netherlands in February.

Average Temperature: 0°C to 8°C

Best Places to Visit:

• The cities of Maastricht and Den Bosch for their elaborate Carnival celebrations

• Amsterdam for its International Fashion Week and Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival

Things to Experience:

• Valentine’s Day Cruise in Amsterdam’s canals

• Watch live football matches in Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam or Feyenoord in Rotterdam

• Get a two-hour Heineken Experience while keeping the cold weather at bay

• Take a tour of the Escher in The Palace at The Hague

March in the Netherlands

This is the month of tulips in the Netherlands, as the days start growing warmer and longer. Moreover, March is a month of dry spells, making it easier to plan outdoor trips to enjoy the scenic beauty.

This is the time to plan some of the best day trips in Amsterdam, as the pleasant weather and fewer tourists make for great outings.

Average Temperature: 3°C to 9°C

Best Places to Visit:

• The Keukenhof Gardens in the town of Lisse to get a first-hand experience of one the largest flower gardens in the world

• The Van Gogh Museum, the NEMO Science Museum and the Royal Palace Amsterdam

• Rotterdam International Comedy Festival for a laughter-filled experience

Things to Experience:

• Experience the natural spectacle of flowers in bloom at the Bloesempark

• Take your family to the Efteling Theme Park for a fairytale experience

• The colourful carnivals (if taking place in March) include street music, dancing, colourful costumes and drinking

April in the Netherlands

This is the month when the temperature finally rises, bidding farewell to the winter season. With a plethora of activities lined up, you can start by visiting the windmills at Zaanse Schans. Take a tour of the country to get entangled in the crooked houses and intertwined canals unique to the Netherlands.

Average Temperature: 4°C to 12°C

Best Places to Visit:

The Flevoland Province for its vast fields of tulip blooms, and if possible, Noordwijkerhout, Noordoostpolder and Amsterdam to experience the immersive landscape.

• Vondelpark in Amsterdam for its eye-catching scenic beauty

• The Wynand Fockink distillery in Amsterdam to get a taste of “jenever”.

• Trips to Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Bourtange, Giethoorn and Heusden

Things to Experience:

• Celebrate the King’s Day, which is the Dutch King Willem Alexander’s birthday, along with the locals

• The World Press Photo Exhibition in Amsterdam

• The Dutch wildlife at Nationaal Park De Biesbosch or Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park

May in the Netherlands

May is a good time to visit the Netherlands as the days are sunny and it is less crowded. Activities to engage in include visiting the clubs in Amsterdam for night-time celebrations or renting a bike to experience the late spring weather during the day.

Average Temperature: 8°C to 17°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Swifterbant, Dronten, Lelystad and Zeewolde for their colourful fields

• The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam for enjoying contemporary art

• Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus to understand the history of the Dutch lifestyle

Things to Experience:

• Take part in the National Mill Day celebrated in May’s second weekend.

• Enjoy bird watching at the Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe, the Schoorl Natural Reserve or even the Nationaal Park De Biesbosch.

• Canoeing or kayaking at the Prinsengrach or the Singel canals in Amsterdam

• Ride a bike from Amsterdam to the Waterland loop.

June in the Netherlands

This is the month when summer starts in the Netherlands. It is the best time to visit the beaches, ride a bike and explore lesser-known cities of this country. June is a heavily-booked month in the Netherlands so plan accordingly.

Average Temperature: 11°C to 19°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Giethoorn village for its thatched farmhouses, wooden arch bridges, boat rides on canals and its Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus

• A day trip to De Hoge Veluwe National Park and its Kröller-Müller Museum to view Van Gogh’s paintings

• The Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht, which is a UNESCO Heritage site

Things to Experience:

• Revel in music, theatre, dance and opera at the Holland Festival in Amsterdam

• Enjoy classical music at the Festival Classique held in The Hague

• Take part in the Pinkpop and Parkpop music festivals

• Visit breweries and cafes in Amsterdam

• Cycle along the Ooijpolder route

July in the Netherlands

It is the peak season for tourism in the Netherlands. The warm temperature is ideal for bike rides and visits to cultural hotspots and coastal areas. Take a rest at the parks and beach lounges and take a gastronomical survey of the local cuisines at streetside cafes.

Average Temperature: 13°C to 21°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Scheveningen, Duindamseslag Beach and Hollum Beach (Frisian Island) to experience beaches in summer

• The Bossche Broek for a refreshing cycling experience

• The Teylers Museum in Haarlem to enjoy watching art collections at the Netherland’s oldest museum

• The town of Delft to learn about 17th Century Netherlands

• Euromast Tower in Rotterdam for a spectacular view

Things to Experience:

• Live Music at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam

• Enjoy the Dutch Caribbean culture at the Rotterdam Summer Festival

• Get a health check by participating in the Internationale Vierdaagse Afstandsmarsen Nijmegen, also called the International Four Day Marches Nijmegen

August in the Netherlands

August is the month of live music and sailing events in the Netherlands. With tourists flooding in, August serves as one of the peak tourism months in this country. While Rotterdam and Amsterdam are pricey this month, you can find affordable accommodations in Utrecht or Scheveningen.

Average Temperature: 13°C to 21°C

Best Places to Visit:

• The Frisian Islands to experience the beaches and tour the Antiquity Room Texel museum

• Castle De Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands

• Tour the Haarlem city on a bike to explore its cobbled streets, mediaeval architecture and canals

Things to Experience:

• Be part of the Pride Amsterdam festival

• Enjoy the illumination at the Scheveningen International Fireworks Festival

• Enjoy sailing at the Sneekweek Sailing Regatta event

September in the Netherlands

With the onset of autumn in the country, September is yet another month for cycling and other outdoor activities. The crowds start thinning as the weather gets a little colder than the summer months. You can explore the breweries and take walks along the less-crowded beaches to spend your day.

Average Temperature: 11°C to 18°C

Best Places to Visit:

• The Floating Flower Market in Amsterdam

• De Hoge Veluwe National Park for spotting wildlife or riding a bike

• The Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht

• Markthal Market Hall to enjoy delicious Dutch cuisine

Things to Experience:

• Participate in the Netherlands Film Festival to watch Dutch films

• Rent an electric sloop or a water taxi to ride on Rotterdam’s Nieuwe Maas River

October in the Netherlands

• This is the month for sightseeing in the Netherlands. You can hike the moorlands or stroll along the stunning waterfront streets and canals. Although there is a possibility of occasional rainfall, you can explore the cultural attractions by visiting cities like Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Maastricht, The Hague, Haarlem, Leiden and Utrecht.

Average Temperature: 8°C to 15°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Museums at Museumplein in Amsterdam

• The Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam to reminisce the World War II

• The Old Harbor and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam

• Museum de Waag in Deventer

Things to Experience:

• Enjoy films at the Netherlands Film Festival as it continues through this month

• Participate in the Amsterdam Dance Event

• Learn about the latest in the fashion world at the Dutch Design Week, held in Eindhoven

November in the Netherlands

The weather in November in the Netherlands is chilly and damp. It is best to engage in indoor activities this time of the year, of which there is no dearth in this country. You can explore various architectural marvels, art galleries and museums as part of your sightseeing tours.

Average Temperature: 4°C to 9°C

Best Places to Visit:

• The National Museum of Ethnology and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden

• The Kunstmuseum Den Haag and the Peace Palace in The Hague

• Velvet Cave in Valkenburg for the Christmas experience

Things to Experience:

• Welcome the Christmas season with the Sinterklaas Intocht event in Amsterdam

• Take part in the world’s largest documentary film festival, the International Documentary Film Festival

December in the Netherlands

Exclusive Christmas decorations, charming cities and smaller crowds are good enough reasons to celebrate the end of the year in the Netherlands. You can expect an expansive holiday activity list when visiting this country in December. Rain and snow are common in this month, but that should not dissuade you from celebrating the festivities the traditional way in the Netherlands.

Average Temperature: 3°C to 6°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Deventer for the Dickens Festival

• The Amsterdam Light Festival that ushers in the spirit of Christmas

• Vrijthof Christmas Market in Maastricht for ice skating and Christmas shopping

Things to Experience:

• Experience one of the Netherland’s oldest light festivals, the Gouda by Candlelight Festival

• Enjoy a classical music event at the Het Concertgebouw

• Skate at the giant ice rink in the Ice Village (outside of Rijksmuseum)

There are many festivals and scenic beauties to enjoy when in the Netherlands. However, there is always the risk of unforeseen accidents in a foreign land.

With the help of Tata AIG overseas insurance, you can focus entirely on enjoying your trip. Our travelling insurance provides you with all the necessary protection for your trip. Moreover, since the Netherlands is a part of the Schengen region, travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for getting a visa.

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Now that you are well informed about the best time to visit the Netherlands and what the country has to offer every month of the year, planning your trip will become easier. You can take part in festivals, or visit visually appealing museums and monuments and cycle along the countryside to get closer to nature. The choice rests with you. But ensure you safeguard your trip with travel insurance to enjoy it to the fullest.

Is Holland and the Netherlands the same?

No, Holland refers to two out of twelve provinces in the country. The Netherlands refers to the country as a whole.

Is travel insurance mandatory for a Netherlands visa?

Yes, Indians applying for the Netherlands visa (Schengen visa) must have a minimum medical insurance coverage of Euro 30,000.