The Netherlands experiences mild, often rainy weather throughout the year, so there’s never a bad time to visit. However, April–June is widely favored, especially during mid-spring for the famous tulip season—Keukenhof gardens outside Amsterdam burst into a rainbow of blooms. Summers (July–August) see warmer temperatures, but also higher tourist numbers in Amsterdam and popular coastal spots like Zandvoort. Autumn (September–November) can be lovely for canal walks among turning leaves, and museums are less crowded. Winters (December–February) are chilly and damp, though holiday lights in cities and potential ice-skating on frozen canals (when conditions allow) make it charming in its own right. If you aim to see the iconic tulips, plan your trip for late April to early May, but otherwise, May–June and September remain great for moderate weather and calmer sightseeing.
January: Cold and damp; lower hotel rates, fewer tourists.
February: Carnival in southern towns; still chilly elsewhere.
March: Start of tulip season, crisp mornings.
April: Keukenhof in full bloom, occasional sunny spells.
May: Warmer days, good for outdoor cafes and canal cruises.
June: Mild weather, longer days, start of festival season.
July: Peak summer, busy in Amsterdam, warm temps.
August: Warm, prime for coastal visits, festival highlights.
September: Cooling down, less crowded, nice for biking tours.
October: Autumn arrives, leaves change color, wetter days.
November: Gray skies, museums less crowded, off-peak deals.
December: Christmas lights in cities, cold and festive.