When to go

Amsterdam welcomes visitors all year round and has much to offer the visitor, regardless of when they arrive.

The busiest months are during July and August, the peak of summer, with temperatures an average of around 18 degrees Celsius/64 degrees Fahrenheit but reaching peaks of over 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many like to visit during the off season when hotel rates are cheaper and the crowds are less, typically between November and March. The winter months, especially January and February, can be cold, but the canals rarely freeze over anymore! Temperatures are an average of around 4 degrees Celsius/39 degrees Fahrenheit in the colder months of the year.

April and May are also popular times to visit - flowers are in bloom during this time and many visitors flock to see the Dutch tulips and other flowers. Keukenhof is the annual permanent open air flower exhibition, open in Spring, and attracts many visitors from around the world.

Rainfall is fairly constant throughout the year, but is particularly high in March and October, and a marked low in February and March. Unlike more tropical climes, rain often appears as drizzle or light rain/showers. Rarely, does rain fall heavily in sudden bursts.