The best time to visit Amsterdam is May, June and September, when average highs sit comfortably between 17.5 °C and 20.8 °C, sunshine runs long — up to 11.9 hours a day in June — and rain days stay around 11 to 12. July and August are warmest but form the peak season, crowded and pricey with school holidays. Winter, from December to February, is the quiet low season: short daylight, highs near 6.7 °C and up to 15 rain days.
Best months MayJuneSeptember
Amsterdam month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.7 °C | 2.2 °C | 15 | 3.7 h |
| February | 8 °C | 2.6 °C | 13 | 5.3 h |
| March | 10.4 °C | 3.3 °C | 12 | 7.7 h |
| April | 13.3 °C | 5.5 °C | 11 | 10.3 h |
| May | 17.5 °C | 9.2 °C | 11 | 11.6 h |
| June | 20.8 °C | 13.1 °C | 12 | 11.9 h |
| July | 21.7 °C | 14.2 °C | 14 | 12.1 h |
| August | 22 °C | 14.6 °C | 13 | 11.2 h |
| September | 19.5 °C | 12.2 °C | 12 | 9.2 h |
| October | 15.2 °C | 9.6 °C | 16 | 6.1 h |
| November | 10 °C | 5.1 °C | 15 | 4.4 h |
| December | 7.7 °C | 3.5 °C | 14 | 3 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Ideal for tulips and canal walks — May is a standout month.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is the sweet spot; July and August suit those who don't mind the bustle.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is one of the best months to go — warm, lighter crowds, still bright.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Only for festive lights and cosy museums — pack for wet, dark days.
Notable events
- April (27th)
- King's Day (Koningsdag)
- Spring (March–May)
- Tulip season at Keukenhof and nearby fields
- Winter (November–January)
- Amsterdam Light Festival
- Summer (late July–early August)
- Pride Amsterdam
Frequently asked
Is August too hot in Amsterdam?
No — August is the warmest month but only reaches average highs of 22 °C, comfortably mild. The bigger issue is crowds and prices during school holidays, plus 13 rain days.
What is the rainiest month?
October sees the most rain days at 16, closely followed by January and November with 15. Even the drier months like May and April still have around 11 rain days.
Is winter worth visiting?
Winter is quiet and atmospheric with festive lights, but expect cold highs near 6.7 °C in January, up to 15 rain days and as little as 3 hours of sunshine a day in December.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Amsterdam area guide →
Areas of Amsterdam
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Amsterdam — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.