When to Visit Holland

Thinking about touring the Netherlands in January? With cool temperatures, wintry activities, and few tourists, it can be a pleasant time to visit. There are plenty of things to do in January in the Netherlands, including ice skating on the frozen canals in Amsterdam, exploring world-class museums like the Van Gogh Museum, and even enjoying a cultural festival in Rotterdam. Despite the chill, it’s a great time to explore this beautiful country.

The weather in the Netherlands is famously fickle, but the best time to visit the Netherlands is doubtless in summer, when there are pleasant daytime temperatures and minimal rainfall. However, summer is also the high season throughout Europe. Expect sky-high airfares and hotel rates in Holland and beyond.Some travelers may prefer to travel between high season and low season instead, especially considering the recent overcrowding in Amsterdam. Spring is an enticing season, in particular for garden lovers yearning to see Dutch tulips bloom. Autumn involves fewer tourists and cheaper prices across the board. While summer is generally considered a good time to got to the Netherlands, it isn’t the only option. Read on for an in-depth guide on the best time to travel to the Netherlands.

With huge festivals, cheap rates, and temperatures starting to warm up, visiting the Netherlands in February is a good time to visit. Whether you’re looking to party at the legendary Carnival or want to explore the historic cities and museums without a ton of tourists around you, touring the Netherlands offers a lot of variety.Although the temperatures in February are starting to rise, it’s still chilly during this month. Indoor attractions are a great idea, or if you’re heading outside, wrapping up warm is going to be really important!

From Van Gogh to tulips to Amsterdam blossoms, March is an excellent time to take a trip to the Netherlands— at least if you’re happy to rug up. This small European nation resides in a temperate zone so you can expect balmier March temperatures than its northern neighbors, but the Netherlands will be colder this time of year than Southern European countries like Italy and Spain.There are still plenty of benefits to visiting the Netherlands in March. Colder temperatures mean far fewer tourists, which results in thinner crowds, cheap airfares and better-value hotels.

The Netherlands is a unique country known for many things beyond bicycles and gouda cheese, including its art and historical attractions in cities such as Amsterdam, a charming system of water canals spreading across the whole nation, and iconic traditional windmills.The Netherlands in April is when temperatures are finally rising after a chilly winter. The Netherland tours have plenty to offer to all types of visitors this month. Head to Zaanse Schans to see the famous windmills that inspired many artists from all over the world, try the Dutch precursor of gin, jenever, or get lost in the intricate entanglement of canals and crooked houses typical of this country.

Planning a trip to the Netherlands in May is a great option, as you will find enjoyable temperatures and sunny days, which you don’t see a lot in this country. With favorable temperatures, you also get to enjoy the late spring. There are fewer crowds in May compared with the high season. Rent a bike and explore some of the Netherlands' best national parks, such as Hoge Veluwe National Park, head to Flevoland and see the stunning flower fields characterizing these lands, or explore Amsterdam and stay out till late, partying in one of the city's popular clubs.

June is the beginning of summer in the Netherlands and also the start of the peak tourist season. The weather in the Netherlands in June is comfortably warm, with long days and plenty of outdoor activities. June is the ideal time to visit lovely beaches like Zoutelande. If cycling is your thing, enjoy the beautiful countryside around Amsterdam on a bike. Or go kayaking in the canals of Utrecht and discover lesser-known Dutch cities like Deventer. Hotels will book up in June, so make your arrangements early if possible. Read on to find out what your trip to the Netherlands this month will look like.

July is the middle of summer and the peak tourist season in the Netherlands. It’s one of the warmest months although extreme temperatures are rare. Take a trip to the Netherlands in July to enjoy the beaches of Zeeland province and cycle in the 500-acre Bossche Broek. Check out the cultural hotspots, like Anne Frank House and the Royal Palace, in the capital Amsterdam. Consider spending some days in cities like Haarlem, where you can visit the 14th-century St. Bavo Church, and see the art collection of the Netherlands’ oldest museum, Teylers Museum. Hotel and air ticket prices are highest in the Netherlands this month, so book well in advance.

If you’re thinking about touring the Netherlands in August you can expect amazing sailing and music events, as well as beautiful weather conditions. August is the height of the peak season in the Netherlands, so there are a lot of tourists around and the prices tend to go through the roof, especially in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. To find more affordable options, you can head to Scheveningen or Utrecht.

September in the Netherlands is that sweet spot between the crowded summer season and the onset of colder weather. You are likely to encounter mild autumn weather and relatively fewer tourists. Towards the end of September, leaves start turning a lovely golden hue. Travel and hotel costs are moderate in the Netherlands in September. Enjoy the Dutch coast around Zeeland; bike past herds of Sayaguesa cattle in the Drents-Friese Wold National Park; visit the country’s largest castle, Kasteel de Haar; and see world-class art in Amsterdam’s museums. Read on to find out what your tour to the Netherlands in September can look like.

October is one of the best times to take a trip to the Netherlands if you want to combine indoor and outdoor activities with a bit of cultural immersion. The month falls in the middle of autumn, which brings mild but wet weather conditions. Depending on the day outside, you can enjoy the tours of world-class museums at the Museumplein in Amsterdam, stroll the beautiful canals and waterfront streets, or hike the Dutch moorlands awash in autumn hues. As the peak tourist season is long over, you can also expect to find affordable tours and accommodations in the Netherlands in October.

If you are thinking about touring the Netherlands in November, expect the weather to be damp and chilly. You will be better off if you keep your tours and activities indoors, of which the country has no shortage. The Netherlands is home to many world-class art galleries, museums and architectural marvels. Take advantage of low tourist crowds to see the sights such as the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam; the Peace Palace and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag in the Hague; and Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden. The Netherlands is small and mostly flat land with an excellent transportation system, so getting around won’t be an issue.

Charming cities, smaller crowds, and unique Christmas traditions should put a trip to the Netherlands in December on any traveler’s to-do list. The country’s mild winter weather and wide range of holiday activities make it the perfect destination when traveling through Europe in the latter half of the year.