Best time to visit the Netherlands
Balmy summer days are made for bike rides through the countryside but busy cities are best seen at cooler times.![]()
The best time to visit the Netherlands is between mid-March and September. Winters here are generally cold and wet and, while it’s best to be prepared for rain at any time of the year, spring and summer are often drier and milder. To see the tulips blooming at their best, you’ll need to book a trip that departs between March and May. The summer months, when temperatures tend to hover around 19°C, are the busiest, especially in Amsterdam, whereas cooler autumn is a quieter time to visit the Netherlands. Coastal towns, buffeted by winds from the North Sea, also tend to be cooler in the summer.
The Netherlands Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
1
5
70
FEB
0
6
46
MAR
2
9
62
APR
4
11
47
MAY
7
16
51
JUN
11
19
62
JUL
13
20
71
AUG
13
21
70
SEP
11
18
82
OCT
8
14
87
NOV
4
10
93
DEC
2
7
81
Things to do & things not to do
in the Netherlands
Things to do in the Netherlands…
Things not to do in the Netherlands…
Amsterdam cycling tour in Holland
Authentic experiences in Amsterdam all private guided
From
€492
3 days
ex flights
Copenhagen to Amsterdam sailing vacation
Coastal Voyage: Copenhagen to Amsterdam
From
US $2240
12 days
ex flights
London to Amsterdam sailing vacation
London to Amsterdam: Nautical journey across the Channel.
From
US $2240
12 days
ex flights
English Channel sailing vacation to Netherlands
Challenging Sail to Vlissingen and stunning Middelburg
From
£749
5 days
ex flights
Holland to Denmark cycling vacation
11 day cycling vacation from the Netherlands to Denmark.
From
£2045
13 days
ex flights
Cycling vacation in the Netherlands, Germany & Austria
European cycling at its best
From
£2245
17 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Netherlands or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Netherlands travel advice
Gordon Steer, UK manager for our supplier World Expeditions, shares his tips on cycling vacations in the Netherlands:
Why choose the Netherlands?
“The Netherlands is a destination perfect for cycling. The terrain is flat and gently undulating, there are dedicated cycle paths and you often follow picturesque waterways. The country is years ahead in many ways in terms of cycling infrastructure, making it one of the easiest places to cycle in the world. It will appeal to everyone, including young families and recreational cyclists.”
The best cycling routes
“There are many great places to discover and, as overtourism has become a real issue for Amsterdam, our trips never spend more than a few hours in the city. For a short (and family-friendly) route, packed with classic Dutch landscapes and experiences, I would recommend a circuit from Amsterdam to the south and the lesser known but beautiful walled towns of Gorinchem and Heusden; from there, head to the famous Kinderdijk windmills and the cheese center of Gouda, before returning to Amsterdam.”
Accommodation & getting around
“The most pleasant way to travel is by barge – you unpack only once, you sleep in a comfortable cabin and the following morning you wake up somewhere new, ready to explore.”
What to bring
“Be prepared for northern European weather, so pack with that in mind – and bring a good rainproof jacket, just in case!”
The Netherlands advice
from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Netherlands travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Netherlands travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Cycling 50km per day is much easier than you think!![]()
– Doug and Angela Cliff
“Bring a lot of energy because there is a lot of excitement to be shared.” – Chantel Kotzé
“It takes a bit to understand the rail/public transportation, be patient and it soon becomes familiar.” – Dennis Allen on a rail tour
“Make sure you have done enough cycling so that you are physically up to 60-70+ miles per day. In particular your bottom is hardened up for sitting in a saddle for that length of time.” – Robert Hillen on a cycling tour
“It takes a bit to understand the rail/public transportation, be patient and it soon becomes familiar.” – Dennis Allen on a rail tour
“Make sure you have done enough cycling so that you are physically up to 60-70+ miles per day. In particular your bottom is hardened up for sitting in a saddle for that length of time.” – Robert Hillen on a cycling tour
More Netherlands articles
Beyond the cosmopolitan capital lies the quiet countryside, traditional towns and a charming coastline.
Discover the peaceful green heart of the Low Countries with a barge and cycling tour.
The city has reached breaking point as it struggles with the ever-growing number of tourists.
