We first landed in the Netherlands in the spring of 2022 on a trip to visit our friends who lived there. This vacation set into motion a huge change in our lives, and we ultimately packed everything up and moved to the Netherlands the next year. After living here for almost 3 years, I have experienced the Netherlands in every season and know when the best time to visit is and the worst. Keep reading to find out when to visit the Netherlands.
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Best And Worst Time To Visit The Netherlands For Weather
The Netherlands is located near the North Sea and quite far north. Due to the proximity of the sea, the temperatures stay fairly moderate year round.
We live in the north of the Netherlands, and in the winter we barely see snow. This past winter was the most we have ever seen and the snow was on the ground for maybe a total of one week.
The winter does, however, bring rain and grey skies. Some years it can rain everyday and other years we’ve seen a few days without. Sun is, however, always a luxury in the winter months.
Alternatively, the summers are not too hot either. We have a heat wave every once in a while, but usually the temperatures are in the 70s (mid 20s). This makes traveling very comfortable. Temperatures start to increase in the spring around April and stay warm until about the end of September.
For weather, the best time to visit the Netherlands is in the summer and early fall. The spring is very pleasant as well with temperatures rising and the sun shines quite a bit this time of year too.
When visiting the Netherlands at any time of year, I would always plan for rain. It can happen year round.
I also feel that the thermometer might read 60 degrees, but it feels cooler to me than if I were in Montana, for example. 60 degrees in Montana is t-shirt weather, my kids would be in shorts, and it might feel hot. Whereas in the Netherlands, 60 degrees is chilly, and I wear long sleeves and possibly a light jacket.
Pro Tip: Packing layers is the key and always bring a rain jacket.
The worst time to visit the Netherlands for the weather is in the winter. It won’t be too cold on the thermometer, but it will feel like it. The wind will blow, and it will most likely be raining.
When To Visit The Netherlands For Costs
The Netherlands isn’t cheap, but it isn’t the most expensive country in Europe to visit. You will find the highest costs in and around Amsterdam. To save a little money on travel, there are a few things you should know.
Peak season to visit the Netherlands is in the spring (late March to early May) when the tulip fields are blooming.
According to Amsterdamtips.com, millions of visitors swarm the Netherlands during the 8 weeks of tulip season, with roughly 1.4 million tourists visiting the world famous Keukenhof Gardens each year.
For a small country that is a lot of travelers during a short period of time. This brings higher costs for flights, hotels, and transportation.
Summer, June through August, is also a busy time and peak season in the Netherlands. This time of year locals and tourists from around the world will be traveling, so costs will be higher at this time of year.
For slightly lower prices and still excellent weather, consider visiting in September.
For lowest costs, visiting in the off-season is your best bet; October through November and January to early March.
According to Skyscanner, January is the cheapest month for flights. Booking 1 to 3 months in advance is usually when you can find the best deal.
November and January to March are the months with lowest hotel rates, according to Agoda.com. These months are colder, so keep that in mind.
Note: While December is in the winter, it can also be quite pricey to visit the Netherlands. Many tourists will travel during the holidays and Christmas Markets are a huge attraction.
When School Holidays Make Prices Inflate
Something I didn’t realize until moving to the Netherlands is how much flight costs jump during school holidays. If you are coming during these holiday times, you might be surprised by the cost.
If you want to see when the schools in the Netherlands have their breaks visit this official website.
The Netherlands school breaks are in October, December, February, April/May, and July-August each year. The December break and the April/May break are at the same time for everyone in the country. Whereas, the October and February break varies depending on where you live in the Netherlands.
What you need to know is that during these months, costs for hotels and especially flights do increase.
When Is The Netherlands Crowded?
Any time of year, Amsterdam will be crowded. However it is possible to avoid the crowds, even in the city center. There are two streets that I’m thinking of that are always super busy year round.
Damrak is the busiest and is the main street that leads away from Amsterdam Centraal train station. If you can get even a couple blocks away from this street, the crowds on the sidewalks will thin out.
In addition, Nieuwendijk, which sits parallel to Damrak, is also always busy midday. This street is lined with shops that always bring a crowd.
Pro Tip: Want to shop away from the crowds in Amsterdam? Pick De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets) area of Amsterdam instead. It is filled with cute boutique shops.
Besides that, deciding when to visit the Netherlands will determine if the place you visit is crowded or not.
Note: April 27th is a national holiday in the Netherlands. It is King’s Day. The whole country will wear orange and it is a big party. It will be crowded everywhere, even the small towns. While it can be super fun, it can also be overwhelming if you aren’t aware that it is happening.
Peak Season By Netherlands Destination
Peak season for visiting the Netherlands is late March to early May, and then July through August. December is also busy for the holiday season. The crowds vary during each season depending on where you are, so I’ll describe them below.
- Amsterdam is busy in every month of peak season.
- From the spring to the end of August expect big crowds in these other Netherlands destinations: Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken, and Giethoorn.
- Lisse, Haarlem, Keukenhof Gardens, and Leiden are busy in the spring when the tulips are in bloom.
- Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam are large cities which can also feel more crowded with the tourists and locals during the peak months in the spring and summer.
- During the summer months, it will be busier along the coast; Scheveningen in The Hague, Zandvoort, and the coast of Zeeland.
If you are looking for quieter spots to visit during peak season months, read next: 8 Cute Small Towns In The Netherlands Worth Visiting – Note that I list Zaanse Schans (next to Zaandam) and Giethoorn in this list of Dutch small towns. These are adorable small towns worth visiting, but these two in particular can be very busy during peak season.
When To Visit The Netherlands: The Sweet Spot
With considering the weather, the crowds and the costs, I think the best time to visit the Netherlands is in September. The weather is still fantastic at this time, the crowds are starting to thin and the prices are starting to go down.
If you want to see the tulips though, you will need to visit between late March and early May as this is the only time the tulip fields are blooming. The weather can vary each year, so to time the tulips right, I would come in late April.
Find the tulip fields with the least amount of crowds here: 5 Undiscovered Tulip Fields In The Netherlands That Are Beyond Beautiful
Worst Time To Visit The Netherlands
The worst time to visit the Netherlands is in the winter, especially if you hate the rain. You can get a good deal on flights and hotels, which could make it worth it.
Unless you are coming for the Christmas Markets and the Amsterdam festival of lights, December is not the greatest time to visit either. The high prices combined with the chilly weather isn’t as enjoyable as other times of year.
For those that dislike crowds, avoiding April and July would be advisable. These are some of the busiest times of the year and the most expensive.
Summing It Up
When to visit the Netherlands all depends on what type of trip you have in mind. I hope this travel guide gives you a better idea of when would be an ideal time for a trip to the Netherlands. If there is something I didn’t answer for you, please leave me a comment or send me an email. I am happy to help in anyway I can.
