Best Time To Visit Netherlands

Strolling through colorful flower gardens, sipping hot chocolate at surreal Christmas markets, cycling alongside clear canals, and catching a glimpse of contemporary and heritage architecture. This is the Netherlands for you. However, knowing when is the best time to visit the Netherlands can make all the difference.

This blog guide breaks down all the Netherlands seasons, Netherlands weather, what to expect, top months to visit, and some insider tips to help you plan that perfect trip.

Best Time To Visit Netherlands

• Peak Season: June to August
• Off Season: December to February
• Shoulder Season: September to November and March to May

Spring: The Tulips Dreamland (March to May)

The landscape of the Netherlands turns dreamy, magical, and colorful. The scent of daffodils and tulips hugs the air of the Netherlands, making spring one of the most pleasant seasons to visit this country.

• Temperature in the Netherlands: Spring brings a pleasant climate as the temperature varies between 5°C and 19°C.
• Weather in the Netherlands: During March to May, the season of spring is blooming at its fullest. The weather is pleasant enough for outdoor activities and exploring the city. March is slightly cool; however, the temperature rises gradually to 19°C by the end of May.
• What Not To Miss: If you get a chance to be in the Netherlands while it’s spring, you cannot miss anything. As far as you’ll see, the country is buzzing with life, colors, festivals, events, and calm. Starting with the famous tulip gardens, the fields are cloaked in vibrant colors. Fields of hyacinths and daffodils are the cherry on top of the cake. Spring is the best time to visit the Netherlands for tulips. The Netherlands art fair held in Maastricht is quiet among the avid collectors as it talks about popular arts and antiques. If you like food, then the famous Alkmaar Cheese Market is your place. This market hosts a food fair especially for the types of cheese. The Hague on the other hand hosts one of the biggest Eurasian Festivals called the Tong Tong Festival, which is all about local drinks and food.
  Your trip to the Netherlands is incomplete without visiting Keukenhof Flower Gardens. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the Netherlands for all the right reasons because who wants to miss the mesmerizing beauty of seven million daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and tulips all planted on one field.
• Things to Keep in Mind: You have to pack a mixed wardrobe. As it is warm and pleasant during the day, the Netherlands gets chilly at night. Also, keep your rainy season tools ready because it might rain as the season pans out.

In a Nutshell:

Spring in the Netherlands is all about blooming flora, millions of tulips, cool and crisp weather, strolling through the canals, and good food festivals.

Summer: Cultural Festivities and Long Days For Outdoor Activities (June to August)

Run to the country's beaches on the north side as it becomes more lively than ever for sunbathing, swimming, and building sand castles. Summers in the Netherlands are packed with vibrant experiences, food truck festivals, theatre and outdoor activities.

• Temperature in the Netherlands: The Netherlands temperature in Summer stays between 13°C and 22°C.
• Weather in the Netherlands: The temperature is mild and perfect for you to enjoy some chilled beers or martinis by the side of canals.
• What Not To Miss: If you are interested in culture and history, then it is highly recommended to take part in the Holland Arts Festival in June. Cities like Rotterdam or Amsterdam host a lot of festivals where it is all about concerts, EDM, wine, theatre, food truck events, and fun. With this, it is a great season for water sports, bike tours, and pools. During August in Scheveningen, a fireworks festival takes place. You can barely see the sky during the fireworks. As the days are longer, you get ample time to visit one of the world’s best museums, art galleries, and castles.
• Things To Keep In Mind: The city is packed with tourists as it is the peak time, which results in shooting prices of accommodation and flight tickets.; So to escape from this, book your tickets and accommodation well in advance. To explore the summer in the Netherlands in the most amazing sense, we advise you to rent a bike or a bicycle.

In a Nutshell: 

Summer in the Netherlands is all about a pleasant climate, a good time to explore cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, or go to the national parks and the coastal towns.

Autumn: Less Crowds and Golden Hour (September to November)

As the trees shed their leaves, the Netherlands turns itself into a tale of vibrant color. The views in the morning are breathtaking near the canals, parks and gardens. The fall foliage, traditional events, and outdoor activities reveal a great deal about Autumn in the Netherlands.

• Temperature in the Netherlands: Autumn averages somewhere between 8°C and 14°C.
• Weather in the Netherlands: Pure magic, is what the Netherlands in Autumn is called. The average temperature is around 8°C, and it goes up only to 14°C, making the weather pleasant and clear. However, it may rain during these months.
• What Not To Miss: In November, there is an international-level Documentary Film Festival where the best documentaries from all around the world are displayed. The nature is so calm and clear during Autumn that you will love the forest trails and evening walks. Visit events like Sint Maarten and Uitwaaien, where you will see children dancing, singing, and asking for sweets. If you are into mushroom foraging, you should do that around this time. As the atmosphere gets cozy, it is the best time for hiking, Island visits, and castle visits.
• Things To Keep In Mind: This season is the rainiest of all, so make sure to carry your raincoats, umbrella, and gumboots. Along with this, as the peak season passes away in summer, you will see fewer crowds, which means it’s the best time to travel to the Netherlands if you are on an affordable budget.

In a Nutshell: 

Autumn in the Netherlands is all about golden leaves, cozy cafes, festivals, and night markets. If you are a photographer, you will find the Netherlands in Autumn.

Winter: Festivals, Calmness and Magic (December to February)

Chilly winds, festive markets, beautiful light festivals, ice skating, and Dutch winter cuisine are how the Netherlands welcomes Winter. The country offers some of the best mulled wines and hot chocolate, making Winter a lot better.

• Temperature in the Netherlands: The Netherlands temperature in Winter varies between -1°C and 7°C.
• Weather in the Netherlands: The country is cold and chilly, but it won't get as cold as other European countries. There may or may not be some snowfall as the temperature falls below the freezing point in January, but it quickly comes back to the normal bracket of 2°C to 7°C.
• What Not To Miss: As winter starts, the country is sparkling with Christmas vibes. Every home and shop around the streets is well lit, making the night views extremely beautiful. If you love cinema, Rotterdam hosts an international film festival, which is worth a visit. As we approach the middle of January, it’s time to celebrate the iconic symbol of the Netherlands, tulips. On January 19th, National Tulip Day is celebrated. Get yourself into amazing winter activities like ice skating and visit the Efteling Theme Park for some unforgettable memories. And yes, do not miss being a part of the Amsterdam Light Festival.
• Things To Keep In Mind: The crowd is smaller, making travel and accommodation fairly affordable. Make sure to carry your thermals and woolens as it gets quite cold at night.

In a Nutshell:

The Netherlands in winter is all about the Christmas market, snowy canals, ice skating, twinkling streets, and some amazing mulled wine and hot chocolate.

Conclusion

The Netherlands is an amazing destination to be in. Who would like to miss one seven million perfectly planted tulips, outdoor winter sports, festivals, fireworks, and warm Dutch hospitality? However, the best time to visit the Netherlands depends on what you want to experience. No matter what time of the year you want to visit the country, ultimately, the best time to visit the Netherlands, Visament is here to guide your travel journey. If you need a Netherlands Visa for Indians, apply for a visa online with Visament for fast approvals and expert assistance.