Season guide · Rotterdam · Netherlands
Rotterdam in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: GraphyArchy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
World Port Days in September, then wetter, windier weather and cultural seasons. Expect highs up to 19°C (66°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 36 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 4°C (39°F) to 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 36
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 19°C (66°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 11 | 12.6 h | 3/5 |
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 12 | 10.5 h | 3/5 |
| November | 10°C (50°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 13 | 8.7 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 15°C (59°F) against a yearly 14°C (57°F), and 36 of the year's roughly 129 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: World Port Days (Wereldhavendagen) — port open days and demonstrations (usually early September)
- November: Sinterklaas arrival celebrations (usually mid-November)
Good choices for autumn
Historic site · Katendrecht
SS Rotterdam
The former flagship of the Holland America Line, launched in 1958, is permanently moored at Katendrecht as a hotel, restaurant and museum ship.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Museum · Katendrecht
Fenix
Climb the Tornado to the rooftop for views of the Wilhelminapier towers.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Views
- Rainy day
Museum · Centrum
Maritime Museum Rotterdam
Near the Leuvehaven, the Maritime Museum covers shipping and the port, with interactive galleries, ship models and an outdoor harbour of historic vessels and cranes, plus a large hands-on play area for children.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
Religious site · Centrum
Laurenskerk
It is a two-minute walk from the Markthal; check whether the tower is open for a climb during your visit.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Market · Centrum
Markthal
MVRDV's horseshoe-shaped market hall, opened in 2014, wraps apartments around a vaulted food hall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Food
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- The Hague (About 25 minutes by train) — The seat of the Dutch government has the Binnenhof, the Mauritshuis with Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, and the beach at Scheveningen.
- Gouda (About 20 minutes by train) — Gouda has a Gothic town hall in its market square, the Sint-Janskerk with 16th-century stained glass and a cheese market held on Thursday mornings in summer.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Rotterdam?
Yes: September is among the best months. World Port Days in September, then wetter, windier weather and cultural seasons.
+What is the weather like in Rotterdam in autumn?
Highs of up to 19°C (66°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 36 rainy days over the season.