Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Amsterdam
A compact canal city best explored by bike or on foot, with a dense concentration of museums and a UNESCO-listed historic centre. Cycling isn't just a tourist activity here — it's the primary way most residents get around daily.
Best time to visit: April for tulip season, or May to September for the mildest, driest weather.
Local tip: Book Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum tickets online well in advance — both regularly sell out, especially in summer.
Getting around: Renting a bike is the most authentically Amsterdam way to get around, though the compact centre is also very walkable and served by trams.
Good to know: Stick to marked bike lanes as a pedestrian — cyclists have genuine right of way here, and stepping into a bike lane without looking is a common visitor mistake.
What to plan your trip around
- Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch.
- Anne Frank House
The preserved hiding place documented in Anne Frank's diary, one of the city's most visited sites.
- Canal Ring
The UNESCO-listed 17th-century canal belt, best seen on foot, by bike, or from a boat.
- Jordaan District
A former working-class neighbourhood turned charming residential area of narrow streets and small galleries.
Amsterdam weather by month
Amsterdam weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Amsterdam gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | 2°C | 74 mm | 91% |
| February | 6°C | 1°C | 58 mm | 89% |
| March | 9°C | 3°C | 47 mm | 86% |
| April | 13°C | 6°C | 38 mm | 80% |
| May | 16°C | 9°C | 52 mm | 79% |
| June | 19°C | 13°C | 72 mm | 79% |
| July | 21°C | 15°C | 76 mm | 78% |
| August | 21°C | 15°C | 78 mm | 79% |
| September | 19°C | 12°C | 67 mm | 81% |
| October | 15°C | 9°C | 82 mm | 86% |
| November | 10°C | 6°C | 66 mm | 91% |
| December | 7°C | 4°C | 86 mm | 92% |
Amsterdam through the year
January · 6° / 2°C · 74 mm
- There's little difference between day and night (around 4°C).
- Expect more cloud than at any other time of year.
April · 13° / 6°C · 38 mm
- Good walking weather for combining Jordaan District and Rijksmuseum in one day.
- It's one of the sunniest months here, with cloud cover around 65%.
July · 21° / 15°C · 76 mm
- Only one month is warmer in Amsterdam than July.
- Comfortable temperatures make it easy to walk between Canal Ring and Rijksmuseum.
October · 15° / 9°C · 82 mm
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
- Seasonally, October counts as mid-autumn in Amsterdam.
The best time to visit Amsterdam is May, June and September, when average highs are 16–19°C and rainfall is around 64 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Amsterdam, season by season
December – February
Cold6° / 2°C · 73 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Cold13° / 6°C · 46 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
June – August
Good21° / 14°C · 75 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Amsterdam in May, June and September. Average highs are then 16–19°C.
- Why is May a good time to visit Amsterdam?
- In May, Amsterdam averages 16°C by day and 9°C at night, with about 52 mm of rain and 66% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Amsterdam?
- August is the warmest month in Amsterdam, with average highs of 21°C and lows of 15°C.
- What is the coldest month in Amsterdam?
- January is the coldest month in Amsterdam: average highs of 6°C, dropping to 2°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Amsterdam?
- December is the wettest month in Amsterdam with about 86 mm of rain. The driest is April, with around 38 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Amsterdam?
- January is the least pleasant month in Amsterdam, with average highs of just 6°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Amsterdam?
- Yes. April and October sit just outside the best months for Amsterdam, with average highs of 13–15°C and about 60 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Amsterdam before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Amsterdam from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Amsterdam. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/netherlands/amsterdam
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/netherlands/amsterdam">Best time to visit Amsterdam</a> (WeatherCompare)
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