Best Time To Visit Netherlands

Peak Season
Summer is the peak season for tourism in the Netherlands. Travellers are advised to make their bookings well in advance and also to prepare themselves for hordes of tourists everywhere. The weather is truly at its most beautiful during the summer. The days are also much longer, providing ample time for all tourist activities. The days are warm and sunny and there are plenty of events happening throughout the country.

Shoulder Season
Spring and Fall constitute the Shoulder season for tourism in the Netherlands. These months are best considered if you’re looking to have a quiet time, away from any tourist crowds. Spring, in particular, has the Tulip season going on in full swing and might be slightly more crowded than Fall. The weather during Spring and Fall is also quite pleasant.

Low Season
The Netherlands experience a drop in tourism during the winter season. The weather is chilly, but the conditions are not very harsh as most day temperatures are above 3 degrees Celsius. It is the time of the year with the lowest number of tourists. Travellers can expect to get the cheapest deals on flights and accommodation. They can also look forward to having a much quieter time and taking part in plenty of indoor activities.

The weather in the Netherlands is beautiful in Spring. The average temperature is in the range of 4 to 17 degrees Celsius. This is the best season for a visit if you plan to relax alongside the canals or are looking to have lunch outdoors. It is also the best time to experience Amsterdam’s world famous tulips. Keukenhof, the country’s most famous tulip garden, is open to the public and is at its peak glory during the Spring season.

Events in Spring

• The European Fine Art Fair takes place around mid-March. It is regarded as the world’s most important art and antique fair. It is hosted in Maastricht. It is frequented by fanatics and collectors from all across the globe.
• Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower park. It is best visited in the month of March. The fields are glorious and in full bloom.
• Alkmaar Cheese Market is hosted in April every year, in the city of Alkmaar. Cheese and dairy lovers from all over the world come to visit this popular cheese market. It is also a famous tourist attraction and a reason for a local celebration.
• Ascension Day takes place on 30th May. It is a public holiday and most businesses and restaurants remain closed.
• Liberation Day is celebrated on 5th May. It is a public holiday.
• Queen’s Day takes place on the last day of April. It is one of the most important Dutch festivals. People dress up in bright orange outfits on this national holiday. The festivities include live music, street parties, stage performances among others. Since 2013, Queen’s Day has been replaced as King’s Day.
• The Tong Tong Festival is celebrated in May. It is the world’s largest Eurasian festival and is hosted in The Hague. This interesting cultural event gives everyone an opportunity to indulge in Eurasian culture and food.

Summer is the high season for tourism in the Netherlands. All the restaurants and tourist attractions will be open. You can expect lots of crowds wherever you go. The duration of days is close to 15 hours. The average temperatures are in the range of 11 to 19 degrees Celsius in June and 13 to 21 degrees Celsius in July and August. While there are plenty of events happening throughout the country, it is recommended to visit the rugged, golden beaches of the Netherlands during these summer months. The warm, sunny days occasionally experience refreshing showers.

Events in Summer

• Sensations Amsterdam is one of the biggest dance music events on Europe’s calendar. It is attended by thousands of people every July. Some of the best international DJs and artists come together to perform for the crowds.
• The Holland Arts Festival takes place in June. Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Utrecht come together to showcase the country’s culture through music, film, theatre and dance.
• Pinkpop is a pop and rock Dutch music festival that takes place in the city of Landgraaf. The line up includes rock, pop, alternative, indie, folk etc.
• The International Fireworks Festival takes place in Scheveningen in August. Fireworks producers gather here at this beach town to take part in the contest exhibition.
• Flag Day is celebrated mid-June. This colourful Netherlands Festival is usually held on the second Saturday of June.
• North Sea Jazz Festival takes place in Rotterdam every July. It is a three-day event that is held in an indoor sports arena.
• Amsterdam Gay Pride takes place towards the end of July. The highlight of this event is the Canal Parade.

November is the wettest month of the year in the Netherlands. The average daily temperatures in the Fall months of September and November are in the range of 8 to 17 degrees Celsius. The average temperatures in November drastically drop to the range of 4 to 9 degrees Celsius. The crowds begin to recede, making it easier to visit all the tourist attractions. You can expect to have a nice, quiet time at all the popular museums and tourist spots. September is usually warm and offers plenty of events and activities. October is comparatively slow-paced, with most people choosing to spend their time indoors.

Events in Autumn

• The International Documentary Film Festival takes place in November. This unique event encourages dialogue based on cutting-edge documentaries.
• Amsterdam Marathon is hosted in October.
• Amsterdam Dance Event is hosted in October.
• Crossing Border Festival is the Netherland’s finest literature festival. It is hosted in the Hague. Writers, artists and musicians from across the world gather here to take part in this festival.
• Open Monumentendag or Heritage Day takes place during mid-September every year. It is a unique opportunity for locals as well as tourists to explore the historic buildings in the country.

Winter is the least popular season among the tourists. This season isn’t as harsh and the day temperatures usually stay above 3 degrees Celsius. The average daily temperatures are in the range of 0 to 9 degrees Celsius. Everything takes on a cosy vibe in the Netherlands during the winter. Christmas markets come up throughout the country, selling all sorts of festive items and delicacies. The festive atmosphere settles down after December and the Netherlands return to a slow-paced life in January. Locals tend to spend most of their time indoors, indulging in quieter activities. Most of the museums remain open and are relatively less crowded during these colder months. Travellers can explore all the tourist sites at their own leisure without having to worry about any crowds.

Events in Winter

• Dutch people celebrate Sinterklaasavond or St Nicholas Eve on December 5th. It is the main gift-giving holiday in this country. Families come together for an elaborate meal and to exchange presents.
• New Year’s Day is a public holiday in Holland. Most public places and restaurants remain closed on this day.
• National Tulip Day is celebrated on 19th January. It marks the official mark of the Tulip season.
• Southern Dutch provinces celebrate the Carnaval in March. It is an elaborate three-day long folk festival that involves parades, quirky rituals and lots of street parties.
• The International Chamber Music Festival is hosted in Utrecht in December.
• The International Film Festival takes place in Rotterdam towards the end of January. It is a unique event that showcases innovating movie making.
• Holland’s Flower Festival is the largest indoor flower market and fair in the Netherlands. It is usually hosted in February in Middenmeer. This popular event attracts more than 25,000 visitors each year.