Best time to visit · Netherlands
The best time to visit Netherlands
Netherlands's seasons differ by place. Here is the best time for each destination, month by month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
May–September suit most of Netherlands. Amsterdam is at its best in April–June and September; Rotterdam is at its best in May–September; The Hague is at its best in May–September.
Key facts
- Best months overall
- May–September
- Destinations compared
- 3
Best months by destination
Netherlands month by month
| Month | At its best | Usually avoided |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | Amsterdam | — |
| May | Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague | — |
| June | Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague | — |
| July | Rotterdam, The Hague | — |
| August | Rotterdam, The Hague | — |
| September | Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague | — |
| October | — | — |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
What the seasons are like
- Amsterdam: Amsterdam has a mild, damp maritime climate: cool winters with nights around freezing, mild summers that rarely pass 25°C, and frequent wind and showers year-round.
- Rotterdam: Rotterdam has a mild maritime climate: cool, damp winters, mild summers and rain spread through the year, with frequent wind off the North Sea.
- The Hague: The Hague has a mild maritime climate: cool, damp winters, mild summers moderated by the North Sea, rain spread through the year and frequent wind at the coast.
Crowds and hotel prices
Relative levels from our destination research: when each place is busiest, and when rooms usually cost least.
| Destination | Busiest | Quietest | Lowest hotel prices | Warm & dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | April | February | January | July |
| Rotterdam | June | February | January | June |
| The Hague | June | February | January | June |
Events worth timing a trip around
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Amsterdam, January: Amsterdam Light Festival — artworks along the canals (late November to January)
- Amsterdam, February: Chinese New Year celebrations around the Nieuwmarkt (late January or February)
- Rotterdam, January: International Film Festival Rotterdam (usually late January to early February)
- Rotterdam, February: International Film Festival Rotterdam continues (early February)
- The Hague, January: New Year's dive — a mass plunge into the North Sea at Scheveningen (1 January)
- The Hague, March: Keukenhof spring gardens open nearby (usually from late March)
Questions travellers ask
+When is Netherlands cheapest and quietest?
Amsterdam: January; Rotterdam: January; The Hague: January.
+What is the best month to visit Netherlands?
May, when 3 of the 3 destinations in this guide are at their best.