The best time to visit Rotterdam is May, June and September. These months balance comfortable warmth with plenty of daylight: June averages a high of 21.5 °C with 12 rain days, May sits at 18 °C with 11 rain days, and September reaches 19.9 °C with just 11 rain days. July and August are warm too but fall in the school-holiday peak, when the city and its attractions are busiest. Winter is the quiet, low season — short days, cool highs and grey skies, best for travellers chasing indoor culture over outdoor strolls.
Best months MayJuneSeptember
Rotterdam month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.8 °C | 2.3 °C | 15 | 3.8 h |
| February | 8.3 °C | 2.7 °C | 12 | 5.4 h |
| March | 10.8 °C | 3.5 °C | 13 | 7.6 h |
| April | 13.9 °C | 5.7 °C | 11 | 10.3 h |
| May | 18 °C | 9.4 °C | 11 | 11.6 h |
| June | 21.5 °C | 13.3 °C | 12 | 12.1 h |
| July | 22.3 °C | 14.5 °C | 14 | 12 h |
| August | 22.7 °C | 15 °C | 13 | 11.3 h |
| September | 19.9 °C | 12.6 °C | 11 | 9.2 h |
| October | 15.5 °C | 9.9 °C | 15 | 6.1 h |
| November | 10.3 °C | 5.4 °C | 14 | 4.5 h |
| December | 7.8 °C | 3.6 °C | 14 | 3.1 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)
An excellent window — May in particular suits walkers and terrace-sitters.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is the sweet spot; July and August are warm but busiest.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is one of the best months to visit; October onward turns wet and grey.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For markets and museums like the Markthal, not for the outdoors.
Notable events
- April
- King's Day (Koningsdag)
- Summer (July)
- Rotterdam Summer Carnival
- Winter (January–February)
- International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)
- Summer (July)
- North Sea Jazz Festival (nearby, Rotterdam)
Frequently asked
Is Rotterdam too hot in August?
No. August averages a high of 22.7 °C, comfortably warm rather than hot, though it has 13 rain days and falls in the busy school-holiday period.
What is the rainiest month in Rotterdam?
January and October are the wettest, each with 15 rain days. Even the drier months such as May and September still see 11 rain days, so pack a light waterproof year-round.
Is winter worth visiting Rotterdam?
It depends on your plans. December brings only 3.1 hours of sunshine a day and a 7.8 °C high, so it suits indoor culture — museums, the Markthal and the film festival — more than long outdoor days.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Rotterdam area guide →
Areas of Rotterdam
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 Rotterdam — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.