Travel to Netherlands — everything you need to know
When to go to Netherlands?
- Apr – May — Tulips & spring : Tulip fields are in bloom, Keukenhof is open. Cool but sunny on fine days.
- Jun – Aug — Summer : Mild temperatures, lively terraces, outdoor festivals. Best period for bike trips.
- Sep – Oct — Autumn : Fewer tourists, golden light over the canals, lower prices. Some chance of rain.
- Nov – Mar — Winter : Cold and rainy, but a cosy atmosphere in the brown cafés. Christmas markets and ice rinks.
Weather in Netherlands
Check the weather city by city, starting with Amsterdam.
- Amsterdam: daytime highs from 6 to 23 °C depending on the season, 71 mm of rain per month on average.
- Rotterdam: daytime highs from 6 to 23 °C depending on the season, 74 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Netherlands?
The Netherlands is a surprisingly diverse destination despite its small size, combining a cosmopolitan, bohemian capital with tulip fields as far as the eye can see, iconic windmills and medieval historic towns. Amsterdam, with its 17th-century canals, world-class museums and unique architecture, is one of the most visited cities in Europe. Bike culture, warm hospitality and the Dutch free spirit make it an endearing and accessible destination.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a one-of-a-kind capital, built on a network of 165 canals lined with gabled houses typical of the Dutch Golden Age. The Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House are among the most visited in the world, but the city charms above all through its atmosphere of freedom, its flea markets and its countless brown cafés. Getting around by bike like its 900,000 residents is the best way to soak up the local culture.
Highlights : Rijksmuseum — masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals, Van Gogh Museum — the largest collection of the artist's work in the world, Anne Frank House — the home where the young Jewish girl hid during the war, 17th-century canal ring — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Keukenhof & Tulip Fields
Keukenhof, open only from mid-March to mid-May, is the world's largest flower garden with 7 million bulbs in bloom across 32 hectares. Around it, multicoloured tulip fields stretch as far as the eye can see between Lisse and Haarlem, creating a spectacle unlike anywhere else. Renting a bike to explore these floral landscapes is an unforgettable and inexpensive experience.
Highlights : Keukenhof — 800 varieties of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in bloom, Haarlem — elegant historic town with a superb cathedral and the Frans Hals Museum, Aalsmeer — the world's largest flower auction (visit in the morning).
The Hague, Delft & Rotterdam
These three cities in South Holland offer three contrasting faces of the Netherlands. The Hague is the city of international institutions and the Mauritshuis (Girl with a Pearl Earring). Delft, with its miniature canals and legendary blue pottery, feels frozen in 17th-century serenity. Rotterdam, destroyed in 1940 and rebuilt, has become one of Europe's boldest cities for contemporary architecture.
Highlights : Mauritshuis in The Hague, Delft old town and the Royal Delft pottery factory, Rotterdam cube houses (Kubuswoning) — icons of Dutch design.
Kinderdijk & Zaanse Schans
Kinderdijk is home to the largest preserved group of windmills in the world, with 19 windmills lined up along 18th-century polders, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Zaanse Schans, a few kilometres from Amsterdam, is a living open-air museum village where working windmills, cheese farms and clog workshops recreate Dutch life of old. Together, these two sites capture the essence of Dutch identity in iconic landscapes.
Highlights : Kinderdijk — 19 windmills lined up on the polders, UNESCO-listed, Zaanse Schans — open-air museum village with windmills, cheese farms and clog workshops, Giethoorn — lakeside village nicknamed the Venice of the Netherlands, Alkmaar — famous cheese market every Friday morning.
Travel budget for Netherlands
The Netherlands is slightly more expensive than the Western European average. Amsterdam in particular has seen a sharp rise in prices in recent years. However, getting around by bike and eating at markets or supermarkets helps keep the budget under control.
- Backpacker : 80–105 €/j — Hostel, street food and supermarket, rented bike, one museum a day
- Comfort : 140–200 €/j — 3-star hotel, lunch and dinner restaurants, museums and activities
Practical tips for travelling to Netherlands
- Flight from Paris : Paris–Amsterdam: 1h15 flight. Also reachable by Thalys/Eurostar in 3h20 from Paris-Nord.
- Visa : No visa required for EU/Schengen citizens. ID card is sufficient.
- Currency : Euro (€). Cards accepted almost everywhere, but some small shops are cash only.
- Language : Dutch. English is spoken fluently by nearly the entire population, one of the best rates in Europe.
- Electricity : Type F (Schuko, 2 round pins). 230V / 50Hz. Compatible with French plugs.
- Health : Excellent healthcare. European Health Insurance Card valid for EU nationals.
- Bike : The bike is king in the Netherlands. Renting one is essential and makes many sites accessible without a train.
- Weather : Bring a light rain jacket in every season. Showers are brief but frequent. Wind is often present.
Compare Netherlands with other destinations