When is the best time to visit the Netherlands?
You’ve got the where: the Netherlands!
You know the who: You!
Now, you just need to figure out when to visit Amsterdam and the rest of the country. There is no bad season to visit Holland– you just need to decide what’s important to you. Is there a festival you’re hoping to attend? Do you want to avoid crowds? Are you drawn to this Dutch nation’s famous flowers? Once you decide what is most important to you, deciding when to book your flight is a breeze. We’re sharing our favorite things to do in every season to help you decide when to visit the Netherlands!
To continue to give you helpful travel advice for the Netherlands, this post contains affiliate links. What does that mean? Basically, if you click on an affiliate link, I earn a commission for referring you to the product/service. It’s important to know that this does not change the price for you.
Spring
It’s impossible to determine the best season to visit the Netherlands– but spring here is pretty amazing. The cold winter weather recedes and the entire country experiences a rebirth as colorful blooms carpet the landscape.
Instagram is full of tulip fields during this season, and visiting one in real life is even better than double-tapping one online. In Kop van Noord-Holland, you’ll find flowers as far as the eye can see. The best news? The world’s largest flower field is only one hour outside Amsterdam by car. Flevoland is the country’s largest flower bulb area, with over 5,000 hectares of tulip fields. You’ll find blooms between mid-March and mid-May, but late April is usually the best time for peak colors. That’s also the time of year you can check out the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek (flower parade) between Noordwijk and Haarlem.
Note: Don’t ever enter a tulip field without permission. Farmers work hard, and no Insta shot is worth ruining their hard work! Even if you don’t trample the flowers (a definite no-no), your shoes can contain foreign germs that could harm the flowers.
Tulips aren’t the only flowers worth checking out. Each year, Amsterdam hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival. Visit Bloesempark in Amsterdam Forest to immerse yourself in the stunning pink petals.
To see over 7 million flowers in one place, take a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam and pay a visit to the Keukenhof. This is the largest flower garden in the world, and the theme changes every year. The secret’s out about this place, so be sure to book a ticket before you go!
On April 27, you’ll find a sea of color of a different kind. To celebrate King’s Day, locals and tourists dressed in orange parties in the streets.
It’s not all flowers and sunshine! On cold or rainy days, stay warm and dry by visiting a museum. With more than 430 museums in the country– you’re sure to find one you’ll love.
If you visit the Netherlands in springtime, packing can be tricky. You may witness the first sunny days of the year, but you’ll likely experience cool temperatures and some rain, too. Pack a water and windproof jacket, layered clothing, and comfortable walking shoes!
Summer
Summertime and the living is… busy! In 2019, the Netherlands welcomed more than 20 million foreign tourists, and it feels like they’re all here during the summertime! And who can blame them? Summer is the best time for bike tours, boat tours, and visiting the outdoor markets.
For nine days in late July/early August, prepare for non-stop rainbow-hued parties because it’s Amsterdam Pride! March in the Pride Walk, visit Pride Park, find a spot along the canal to watch the Canal Parade, or join in over 300 other activities!
Bummed that you missed the spring blooms? From mid-August through mid-September, visit Veluwezoom National Park to see miles of purple heather.
Typical high temperatures hover around 73°F, so don’t forget a light jacket for the evening when you’re packing for a summer visit to the Netherlands.
Fall
The beginning of fall often maintains a summer-like feel, making it a great time for outdoor activities like biking, exploring, or going on a food tour! As someone who loves learning about a place through the food on the table and the story it tells, I think food tours are an amazing way to immerse yourself in a new culture. Challenge yourself to eat like a local and try Hollandse Nieuwe (New Dutch herring)-- raw herring fish with chopped onions and pickles. Of course, you’ll also get to try less intimidating Dutch delicacies, too, so don’t be afraid!
This country hosts over 1,000 festivals each year, so there’s never a shortage of fun things to do. If you’re visiting the Netherlands the second weekend of September, you’re in luck! On these Open Monument days, you can access more than 4,000 historical buildings and sites– usually at no charge.
Expect the unexpected with unpredictable weather. As you pack for the Netherlands in autumn, pack a wind and water-resistant jacket, an umbrella, and layers.
Winter
For more than 10 years, the Amsterdam Light Festival has been sparking up smiles from early December to late January. Artists from around the world create art installations you can see on foot or by taking a cruise on the canal.
Get in the holiday spirit by visiting a Christmas market in the Netherlands. Valkenburg is the most popular, but you’ll find markets across the country where you can shop for local handicrafts while sipping mulled wine.
Planning to ring in the New Year in the Netherlands? I hope you packed a swimsuit. The New Year’s Day dive (Nieuwjaarsduik) is a tradition that’s not for the faint of heart! There are 209 dive locations across the country, but diving into the North Sea at Scheveningen, The Hague is the most popular spot for an ice-cold start to the new year. It can only get better from there, right?
As winter comes to an end, Carnival celebrations pop up all across the country. Want to see the biggest celebration? Maastricht has a Groeten Optoch (big parade) on Sunday and Femilie- en Kinderoptoch (family and children's parade) on Monday, with folk dances and Zate Hermeniekes (drunken marching brass bands) throughout!
Prepare for a cold and wet climate when you pack for the Netherlands in the winter. Bring sturdy boots, a winter coat (preferably waterproof), gloves, a hat, and warm layers.
Have you decided when to visit the Netherlands? Or have you decided that you might just need to book four trips to Holland to see this country every season of the year?