Netherlands Weather, climate and geography

Weather and climate

Best time to visit

There is never a bad time to visit the Netherlands, which has a moderate climate with warm summers (average 19°C/66°F) and relatively mild winters (average 3°C/37°F). That said, mid-April to mid-October is probably the best time to go, although coastal resorts and big cities like Amsterdam do get busy during the summer holidays (July-August) - higher prices reflect the increased demand. To see the country’s famed bulb fields burst with colours, plan a trip to the Netherlands between mid-April and mid-May. You won't be disappointed.

Required clothing

Summers are generally warm with changeable periods, but excessively hot weather is rare. Pack a light jacket or sweater even in mid-summer. Winters can be fairly cold with the possibility of some snow. Rainfall is ever a possibility, and rainwear is advisable year-round.

Geography

The Netherlands shares borders to the south with Belgium and to the east with Germany, while the North Sea lies to the north and west. Large areas of The Netherlands have been reclaimed from the sea and consequently one-fifth of the country lies below sea level. The country is flat and level and is criss-crossed by rivers and canals.

Areas reclaimed from the sea, known as polders, are extremely fertile. The landscape is broken by the forest of Arnhem, the bulb fields in the west, the lakes of the central and northern areas, and coastal dunes that are among the most impressive in Europe.