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The Netherlands has managed to do something that most countries struggle with – allow contemporary architecture to blossom without taking away the grandeur of heritage sites. While most countries have their historical sites in secluded places, here you can find a stunning castle or a centuries-old museum right beside a modern-age restaurant or café. Amsterdam is a classic example of this practice. Add to this, the beautiful canals and tiny streams after every few blocks and you have yourself a stunning capital city.
The people here are incredibly welcoming to tourists and you can experience their hospitality everywhere, be it while eating at a local restaurant, hiking on a trail or cycling through the city. The weather conditions in The Netherlands are nothing short of a dream as it is gets neither too hot nor too cold here. This makes it one of the few countries that you can visit almost any time of the year.
Do not expect too many hills or mountains as the country has a flat terrain all over. However, this does not mean that you won’t find exciting things to do as The Netherlands has many sprawling national parks, pristine walking trails, large parks, picturesque gardens with canals running through them and much more. Tulips are the most popular flowers in the country, and you can spot them almost everywhere you go during the spring season.
Riding a bike to explore a new place is something that a lot of people opt for over taking a car or public transport. One experiences a higher sense of freedom while travelling around in a bike. If you are of the same opinion, then there is no better place for you to visit than the Netherlands. What makes this experience even more wonderful is the fact that the country is extremely safe, irrespective of whether you are riding through the city or a countryside.
Apart from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Groningen are the most popular cities in the country that you must visit. Rotterdam is the most urban city in the country, laced with skyscrapers and a fast-paced lifestyle. The Hague is the capital city of the province, South Holland. Most cities have canals flowing through them, which certainly enhances the scenic beauty. The festivals and carnivals throughout the year make the cities even more colourful and planning your trip around them can show you a great side of every place you visit.
Keukenhof, Vondelpark, De Hoge Veluwe, the Wadden Sea and the Brabant Sahara are some of the top natural attractions in the country. The best part is that you can visit these places almost any time of the year because of the amicable weather conditions.
The Netherlands has one of the best weather conditions in all of Europe, making it an ideal tourist destination for people all around the world. There is no such thing as the ‘best season to visit’ when it comes to this country as every season is equally wonderful.
Peak Season: June to August
Off Season: December to February
Shoulder Season: March to May and September to November
The peak season is naturally the summer, as is the case with most European countries. However, one thing that is different is that both the spring and autumn are also a great time for you to visit. While they do fall under the shoulder season, there is not a drastic difference in the number of tourists that visit the country, especially during May and September. The winter season can be labelled as an off-season, but it still witnesses a high number of tourists.
| Travel Seasons | Min/ Max Temperature | Weather |
| Spring | 5-19°C | Pleasant and cold |
| Summer | 13-22°C | Pleasant and bright |
| Autumn | 8-14°C | Pleasant and cold |
| Winter | -1-7°C | Cold and dull |
Temperature: The temperature during spring in The Netherlands varies between 5°C and 19°C.
Weather: The spring season is one of the best seasons in the country due to its pleasant weather conditions. The month of March starts off as slightly cool, but soon starts getting warmer. The minimum temperature during these three months drops to around 5°C and the maximum temperature rises to 19°C.
Significant Events: Avid collectors from around the world come to the European Fine Art Fair, which is held in Maastricht. It is the world’s most popular fair for antiques and art. If you love to experiment with food, the Alkmaar Cheese Market hosts a food fair with the major focus being on different kinds of cheese. The Hague hosts the world’s biggest Eurasian Festival called the Tong Tong Festival, where you can enjoy the local food and drinks.
Why you should visit now: The spring season is one of the best seasons to travel around The Netherlands because of the pleasant weather. It is the perfect time to relax by a canal or spend some time outdoors in a park. Keukenhof, the world’s largest park, is filled with blossoming flowers (majorly tulips) in the month of March and the view is something that is breath-taking in every sense – you just won’t be able to stop gasping at the sea of colours around you! Also, since it is a semi-shoulder season, the prices of most tickets and accommodation are quite low.
Things to know before the visit: If you are visiting in March, do carry your woollens along with your summer clothes as it can get a bit too cold at night. You may want to carry your umbrella during May, as the chances of rainfall increase as the season pans out.
Tip: Book your tickets closer to your actual trip dates so that you give yourself some time for the prices to drop.
Temperature: The temperature during the summer ranges between 13°C and 22°C.
Weather: The peak travel season commences in the summer and you’ll witness a ton of activity at this time. With the temperature being very mild, you don’t have to worry about the sweltering heat and can enjoy sipping chilled beer by the canals even mid-day!
Significant Events: The Holland Arts Festival in June is one festival that you need to take part in if you are interested in knowing more about historical culture of the country. Amsterdam, Dan Haag, Rotterdam and Utrecht host many festivities related to this. If you love EDM concerts, then Sensations Amsterdam is the right festival for you. Hosted in July, it’s a leading event in the country as the best DJs of the world come here to perform. The International Fireworks festival takes place in August in Scheveningen at the beaches and you must check it out just to marvel at the incredible formations the fireworks make in the sky.
Why you should visit now: The summer in The Netherlands is incredibly beautiful. The days are the longest during this time, allowing you to travel around with ample daylight by your side even as the evening wears on. All the museums, art houses and castles are open during this time of the year. The summer is also the best time to relax on rugged golden beaches and enjoy the warmth of the sun.
Things to know before the trip: It is the peak season in the country and thousands of tourists flock to the cities during this time. This results in a hike in the prices of hotel rooms as well as flight tickets. Therefore, book your tickets in advance! Rent a bicycle or a bike to explore the city in the truest sense. Mingle with the locals without any hesitation as the Dutch are extremely warm people.
Tips: Carry a sunblock with you and use it from time to time as you will be outdoors for the majority of your trip. Carry your summer clothes as it does not get that cold at night.
Temperature: The temperature you get to experience in the autumn is somewhere between 8°C and 14°C.
Weather: Autumn in The Netherlands is something that is just as stunning as summer. The minimum average temperature during this time of the year in the country goes to 8°C and the average maximum temperature goes only as high as 14°C. It can get rainy during these months.
Significant events: The International Documentary Film Festival in November is a great festival where the world’s best documentaries are showcased. The Heritage Day in September is a day for both the tourists and locals, to explore the historical sites that remain closed during the rest of the year.
Why you should visit now: Autumn in The Netherlands is nothing short of magical. Be it a forest trail or a walk through a park, you will absolutely love the colours nature presents you with. Also, it is the shoulder season here and the number of tourists drops in a huge way.
Things to know before the visit: Since it is a shoulder season, the price of flight tickets and accommodation are comparatively low. Travelling here during this time will save you a lot of money!
Tips: This is one of the rainiest seasons in the country. Therefore, it would be advisable that you travel around with an umbrella.
Temperature: The temperature fluctuates between the range of -1°C and 7°C in the winter season.
Weather: The winter season in The Netherlands can get chilly, but it won’t get as cold as other European countries. The temperature can go a degree or two below the freezing point during January, but it usually stays within the bracket of 2°C to 7°C. There is hardly any snowfall in the country.
Significant events: As soon as December starts, the locals get into the festive spirit of Christmas and you can see that in the form of the well-lit shops in the streets. You can celebrate with the local people to get a sense of how the festival is celebrated. The National Tulip Day on January 19th officially opens up the season of Tulips in the country. The International Film Festival at Rotterdam is a popular festival for cinema lovers.
Why you should visit now: It is officially the off-season in winter. As a result, all the flight charges and accommodation rates are much lower than what they otherwise are. This is the ideal time to visit for those on a shoe-string budget!
Things to know before the visit: During this time of the year, most people prefer to stay indoors, and you might not find too many people walking down the cobbled streets once the sun sets. However, this is a great time for you to visit if you love to talk to locals and listen to beautiful stories, as they have a lot of time to spare during this season.
Tips: Carry at least two or three layers of woollens as it can get really cold.
No matter when you plan to visit the Netherlands, there’s one thing that you need to keep in mind, and that is your flight tickets! Check Thomas Cook’s travel packages for the best rates.
