Amsterdam best time to visit

Amsterdam is a year-round destination, but the right season depends on what matters most to you — tulips, sunshine, calm museums or low prices.

Season	Months	Weather	Crowds	Prices	Tulips?
Spring	Mar–May	8–16°C, showers	High (Apr–May)	High	Peak (mid-Mar to mid-May)
Summer	Jun–Aug	18–22°C, sunny	Very high	Peak	No
Autumn	Sep–Nov	10–16°C, some rain	Low (Sep–Oct)	Moderate	No
Winter	Dec–Feb	2–8°C, dark	Very low	Lowest	No

Key dates to know

Keukenhof open: ~19 March – 10 May (exact dates vary by year). Closed all other months.
Tulip peak: roughly 10–25 April — coincides with school holidays and King's Day.
King's Day: 27 April — city-wide street party, expect huge crowds and high hotel prices.
Amsterdam Light Festival: ~late November – mid January — canal boat tours with illuminated artworks.
NYE at Dam Square: 100 000+ people — book early and manage expectations.
September sweet spot: museums calm, summer crowds gone, weather still mild (14–17°C).
Winter daylight: only ~8 hours in January/February — plan indoor activities accordingly.

January–February: Very few tourists, cheapest hotels, Amsterdam Light Festival ends in January. Cold (3–7°C), dark, canals may partially freeze.

March: Keukenhof opens mid-month, early tulip fields. Still cool, spring vibe beginning.

April: Tulip peak, Keukenhof at its best, King's Day (27th). Most crowded and expensive spring month.

May: Keukenhof closes mid-month, Remembrance Day (4th) and Liberation Day (5th). Green city, pleasant cycling.

June–August: Peak summer, long days (up to 17 h daylight in June), terraces full, queues long.

September–October: Best overall balance: calm, mild weather (14–18°C), short queues, good cycling.

November: Light Festival starts, cool and rainy. Low crowds, good hotel deals.

December: Christmas markets, festive lights on the canals, quiet between Christmas and NYE.