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
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€492
3 days
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Holland to Denmark cycling holiday
11 day cycling holiday from the Netherlands to Denmark.
From
£2095
13 days
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Cycling holiday in the Netherlands, Germany & Austria
European cycling at its best
From
£2245
17 days
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Netherlands travel advice
Gordon Steer, UK manager for our supplier World Expeditions, shares his tips on cycling holidays 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 centre 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 travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. 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 holiday - 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 holiday - 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.
The city has reached breaking point as it struggles with the ever-growing number of tourists.
