Best time to visit The Netherlands
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Best time of year to visit The Netherlands
Mid-March to mid-May with a bit chilly weather and moderate prices is the best time to visit Netherlands. It's a period of the country coming to life: Keukenhof is bloomed with colourful tulips and the Hollandse Nieuwe Herring is the freshest. June through August boasts balm weather, fun events like Fierljeppen and tastes of Alkmaar cheese market but also shows tourist crowds and steep prices. Autumn off-peak season brings generous discounts to many hotels around the Netherlands. Winter will infatuate you with traditional Christmas treats and absence of tourist crowds at major sights. But whenever you get there, remember to pack an umbrella as the weather in the Netherlands is quite unpredictable.
18 THINGS TO DO IN THE NETHERLANDS (MAY 07 - MAY 16)
Alkmaar Cheese Market
No country is as famous with its cheese as the Netherlands is! Don't miss your chance to try out all the different cheeses available regionally in one place now
Keukenhof (Garden of Europe)
Witness seven million flowers blooming around you!
Strawberry Season
The Netherlands have probably the best strawberries in the world!
Tulip Season
These spring flowers transform the Netherlands into a large colourful carpet
Hollandse Nieuwe Herring
Not every herring can be called Hollandse Nieuwe. Check the reason why this one gets the special name!
Smoked Eel
Once a staple food, gerookte paling now became a delicacy and a must try
Whirling Elm Seeds
Natural confetti all around Amsterdam!
Dutch Countryside & Windmills
Explore the scenic rural surroundings around Amsterdam: its windmill villages, fishing harbours, and local family farms
Sailing and Cruising Season
The Netherlands are made for sailing! Sail the beautiful rivers and channels to admire this beautiful country
Dunes at Texel
The natural phenomenon of continuous sand drifting dunes at Texel National Park is a site for everyone to enjoy
Football Orange Fever
The Dutch are crazy about two things: football and orange colour
Red Light District
Marijuana, prostitutes, erotic shops, and even theatres—the place is able to satisfy any unspoken desires or mere curiosity. And though most think so, the district is not only about sex and stuff
Eastern Scheldt Lobster
The pride of Zeeland province, this lobster is like no other!
National Mill Day
Windmills and water mills open doors for all the fans
Fierljeppen
Watch the traditional Dutch sport and try it yourself
Rijksmuseum
Explore the best classic art by the masters of Dutch Golden Age
Orchids at Lauwersmeer
Lauwersmeer park is a beautiful area at any time, but when the orchids bloom it turns into magic
Birdwatching at Lauwersmeer
Lauswersmer National Park is one of the top birdwatching destinations in Europe!
44 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Amsterdam Light Festival
Everything is illuminated around you. This is a period of Amsterdam beautifully transforming into a city from a fairy tale
Scheveningen New Year’s Dive—Nieuwjaarsduik
A typical Dutch tradition with a chilly turn!
Dutch Carnival—Vastelaovend
Even though Carnival is more of a southern tradition, it's being widely celebrated in Catholic provinces of the Netherlands
Sail Amsterdam
One of the rarest and most remarkable events in Amsterdam!
King’s Day
Carnival, dancing, singing and as much fun as you can ever imagine take place on the King's day (Dutch: Koningsdag), known before 2013 as Queensday, throughout the Netherlands
Deers at Zandvoort aan Zee
Visit National Park Zuid-Kennemerland now to witness some macho behaviour of deers
The Tall Ship Races
One of the most impressive sailing events worldwide
Amsterdam Dance Event
One of the biggest dancing events in Europe attracts 350,000 visitors from around the world yearly
Maastricht Christmas Market
The city of Maastricht is famous for its beautiful Christmas market
The Four Days Marches
The greatest walking event in the world attracts crowds of 40,000 people to Nijmegen
Zeeland Mussels
Zeeland is famous for two things - lobsters and mussels. Now is the time for mussels!
Schiermonnikoog
A great summer retreat spot to enjoy walks, hikes and picnics
Gouda by Candlelight
The city of Gouda is not only famous for cheese, but also for its annual Christmas candle event
Skûtsjesilen Championships
The championship of the typical Frisian ships is a highlight of the region
Open Garden Days of Amsterdam
A unique yearly event opens the hidden gardens of Amsterdam
Gay Pride Canal Parade
One of the most colourful and fun festivals on the canals of Amsterdam
Zomercarnaval
Rotterdam summer sparks with the vibrant and colourful carnival
Ice Sculptures in Zwolle
Around 250,000 kilos of ice is yearly used to turn Zwolle's city centre into a majestic winter wonderland
Dauwtrappen: Kicking the Dew
The healthy yet odd custom fourty days after Easter
Awakenings Festival
Searching for a power-packed European techno event? Here you go!
North Sea Jazz Festival
Another biggie on European summer circuit is the North Sea Jazz Festival in the port city of Rotterdam
Easter Fires
One of the most spectacular celebrations of Easter happens in the Netherlands!
National Tulip Day
There can be no excuses to miss the National Day of one of the Dutch trademarks—tulip. If you are eager enough and not afraid of crowds this might be your chance to get a distinctive special tulip from North Holland totally for free!
Oliebollen
A New Year culinary habit, attractive to most foreigners
Mysteryland
The leading electronic music festival in the Netherlands
Chocoladeletters
We already know that Sinterklaas is the biggest holiday, but we haven't yet told you anything about these special treats!
TCS Amsterdam Marathon
A running event as a great occasion to visit the capital of Netherlands
Relief of Leiden
The commemoration of the defeat of the Spanish siege in 1574 makes up a special celebration in Leiden
Cranberries at Terschelling and Vlieland
The island of cranberries is a true cranberry lovers destination now!
Bloemencorso Bollenstreek
Spring brings lots of colours to Holland and is celebrated with the annual flower parade
Sinterklaаs
One of the most beloved traditional characters of the Christmas season in the Netherlands
Rollende Keukens (Rolling Kitchens)
Enjoy the best meals from trucks in the middle of the city
Oosterschelde National Park
Do you want to see seals sunbathing? Visit Oosterschelde!
Tulp Festival (Amsterdam Tulip Festival)
Discover the most beautiful tulips during an amazingly bright event
Snert
A thick Dutch version of split pea soup is particularly good during winter
Hutspot
Traditionally eaten for the Relief of Leiden day, the hot stew is a nice filling dish
Flag Day
More of a national day it is a celebration of all things Dutch, including the "new" herring!
Venison
With the grand opening of hunting season, all meat lovers prepare their forks and knives!
Best Kept Secret Festival
Great music in a unique and intimate environment
Pinkpop Festival
The oldest continuous pop festival in the Netherlands
Surfana Festival
The best weekend for all surf-minded people spiced up with music, food, and arts
Speculaas
A popular Dutch Christmas treat
Rotterdam Marathon
One of Europe's most popular running events
Winter Fun at Hoge Veluwe
Beautiful snowy fairy tale exists!
