Best time to visit The Netherlands
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.
14 THINGS TO DO IN THE NETHERLANDS (APRIL 30 - MAY 09)
Strawberry Season
The Netherlands have probably the best strawberries in the world!
Dutch Countryside & Windmills
Explore the scenic rural surroundings around Amsterdam: its windmill villages, fishing harbours, and local family farms
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
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
Whirling Elm Seeds
Natural confetti all around Amsterdam!
Sailing and Cruising Season
The Netherlands are made for sailing! Sail the beautiful rivers and channels to admire this beautiful country
Rijksmuseum
Explore the best classic art by the masters of Dutch Golden Age
Fierljeppen
Watch the traditional Dutch sport and try it yourself
Dunes at Texel
The natural phenomenon of continuous sand drifting dunes at Texel National Park is a site for everyone to enjoy
Eastern Scheldt Lobster
The pride of Zeeland province, this lobster is like no other!
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!
52 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Keukenhof (Garden of Europe)
out of rangeWitness seven million flowers blooming around you!
Alkmaar Cheese Market
on holdNo 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
Amsterdam Light Festival
out of rangeEverything is illuminated around you. This is a period of Amsterdam beautifully transforming into a city from a fairy tale
Tulp Festival (Amsterdam Tulip Festival)
out of rangeDiscover the most beautiful tulips during an amazingly bright event
Sail Amsterdam
canceledOne of the rarest and most remarkable events in Amsterdam!
Redhead Days (Roodharigendag)
out of rangeA celebration of everything about red hair and redheads
Scheveningen New Year’s Dive—Nieuwjaarsduik
out of rangeA typical Dutch tradition with a chilly turn!
King’s Day (Koningsdag)
out of rangeCarnival, 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
Amsterdam Dance Event
out of rangeOne of the biggest dancing events in Europe attracts 350,000 visitors from around the world yearly
Magical Maastricht Christmas Market & Light Route
out of rangeThe city of Maastricht is famous for its beautiful Christmas market and holiday lights
The Tall Ship Races
out of rangeOne of the most impressive sailing events worldwide
Dutch Carnival—Vastelaovend
out of rangeEven though Carnival is more of a southern tradition, it's being widely celebrated in Catholic provinces of the Netherlands
Deer at Zandvoort aan Zee
out of rangeVisit National Park Zuid-Kennemerland now to witness some macho behaviour of deers
North Sea Jazz Festival
out of rangeAnother biggie on European summer circuit is the North Sea Jazz Festival in the port city of Rotterdam
Open Garden Days of Amsterdam
out of rangeA unique yearly event opens the hidden gardens of Amsterdam
Awakenings Festival
out of rangeSearching for a power-packed European techno event? Here you go!
Football Orange Fever
out of rangeThe Dutch are crazy about two things: football and orange colour
Rotterdam Carnival Zomercarnaval
out of rangeRotterdam summer sparks with the vibrant and colourful carnival
Ice Sculpture Festival in Zwolle
out of rangeAround 250,000 kilos of ice is yearly used to turn Zwolle's city centre into a majestic winter wonderland
National Tulip Day
canceledThere can be no excuse to miss the National Day of one of the Dutch symbols—the tulip
The Four Days Marches
canceledThe greatest walking event in the world attracts crowds of 40,000 people to Nijmegen
Gouda by Candlelight
out of rangeThe city of Gouda is not only famous for cheese, but also for its annual Christmas candle event
Zeeland Mussels
out of rangeZeeland is famous for two things - lobsters and mussels. Now is the time for mussels!
Schiermonnikoog Island
out of rangeA great summer retreat spot to enjoy walks, hikes, and picnics
Rollende Keukens (Rolling Kitchens)
out of rangeEnjoy the best meals from trucks in the middle of the city
Gay Pride Canal Parade
out of rangeOne of the most colourful and fun festivals on the canals of Amsterdam
Skûtsjesilen Championships
out of rangeThe championship of the typical Frisian ships is a highlight of the region
Dauwtrappen: Kicking the Dew
out of rangeThe healthy yet odd custom fourty days after Easter
Easter Fires
canceledOne of the most spectacular celebrations of Easter happens in the Netherlands!
Mysteryland
out of rangeThe leading electronic music festival in the Netherlands
National Mill Day
out of rangeWindmills and water mills open doors for all the fans
Christmas Markets in the Netherlands
out of rangeThe Netherlands Christmas markets are about to impress you with the variety of festive stalls and dazzling lights
Chocoladeletters
out of rangeWe already know that Sinterklaas is the biggest holiday, but we haven't yet told you anything about these special treats!
Oliebollen
out of rangeA New Year culinary habit, attractive to most foreigners
TCS Amsterdam Marathon
out of rangeA running event as a great occasion to visit the capital of Netherlands
Bloemencorso Bollenstreek
out of rangeSpring brings lots of colors to Holland and is celebrated with the annual flower parade
Sinterklaаs
out of rangeOne of the most beloved traditional characters of the Christmas season in the Netherlands
Twente Ballooning
out of rangeOne of the most popular ballooning events in the Netherlands
Cranberries at Terschelling and Vlieland
out of rangeThe island of cranberries is a true cranberry lovers destination now!
Oosterschelde National Park
out of rangeDo you want to see seals sunbathing? Visit Oosterschelde!
Best Kept Secret Festival
out of rangeGreat music in a unique and intimate environment
Marathon Rotterdam
out of rangeOne of Europe's most popular running events
Flag Day Scheveningen
canceledMore of a national day it is a celebration of all things Dutch, including the "new" herring!
Snert
out of rangeA thick Dutch version of split pea soup is particularly good during winter
Pinkpop Festival
out of rangeThe oldest continuous pop festival in the Netherlands
Speculaas
out of rangeA popular Dutch Christmas treat
Relief of Leiden
out of rangeThe commemoration of the defeat of the Spanish siege in 1574 makes up a special celebration in Leiden
Venison
out of rangeWith the grand opening of hunting season, all meat lovers prepare their forks and knives!
Surfana Festival
out of rangeThe best weekend for all surf-minded people spiced up with music, food, and arts
Sinterklaas Arrival Parade in Amsterdam
out of rangeMeet Dutch Santa Claus and his vigorous helpers
Hutspot
out of rangeTraditionally eaten for the Relief of Leiden day, the hot stew is a nice filling dish
Winter Fun at Hoge Veluwe
out of rangeBeautiful snowy fairy tale exists!
