The 4 seasons in the Netherlands
Winter is not the easiest season in the Netherlands. Winters are less harsh than in the past, but often windy and rainy. In recent years, a few cold spells over a period of ten days or so have allowed the canals to freeze over, bringing us back to our historic roots, much to the delight of tourists who have been able to skate on the canals.
Spring is undoubtedly the ideal time to discover the country. It's during this period that the fields of flowers bloom and adorn the country with a thousand colors. Temperatures can remain cool and hailstorms are frequent, but you may be treated to an early summer sequence that will be very pleasant.
Summer in the Netherlands is changeable, sometimes temperatures don't exceed 20 degrees and the air remains cool. In recent years, there have been heatwaves. You can see swimmers in the canals and a constant search for coolness. This is the most popular tourist season, with long queues in front of all the big city attractions.
Autumn is first and foremost a long Indian summer, with magnificent colors and a pleasant atmosphere that lasts throughout the country. Showers may occur, but are often followed by sunny spells. As autumn progresses, gusts of wind and showers become more frequent!
Spring and summer: the queen seasons
Early spring (April and May) is undoubtedly the best time to visit the Netherlands: although the air can be cool, this is usually the driest time of the year, and Holland is decked out in a thousand colors of flowers.
The peak season is summer, but Amsterdam can be visited all year round. So make sure you book your hotel nights before you leave! On the downside, you'll be visiting the city in huge numbers, and the queues at museums and attractions can sometimes seem interminable.
"Buienradar", or the rain radar
The unpredictable weather of the Netherlands! To avoid any unwelcome rainfall, the Batavians use the Buienradar application which forecasts and visualizes with impressive accuracy, the precipitation over the Netherlands(bui meaning rain).
What do we put in our suitcases?
The onion principle is the basis: layers of clothing. The seasons sometimes change in the space of an hour, and you risk being overdressed! The locals seem to have a good resistance to cold and wind, and at the first ray of sunshine, you'll see women in skirts and children in shorts. We recommend gloves and a hat in winter, and always bring a swimsuit in summer! In the Netherlands, water is never far away, so make the most of it!
In general, the country isn't very fussy, so there's no need to get out your best clothes even to enter a chic restaurant. However, a certain amount of effort will be appreciated at the trendiest addresses.
A word of advice: if you tend to sweat, don't forget to bring a change of clothes with you after your bike rides!
It looks like the South
It's no legend: even in the south of the country, you'll feel a difference in climate. Spending a summer holiday in Maastricht or Eindhoven? You'll definitely feel hotter than in Amsterdam or Rotterdam! Zeeland, on the other hand, is known as the sunniest province in the country. You'll love its beautiful beaches from spring onwards. It's always a good idea to adapt your suitcase if you're combining a tour of the Netherlands. Sunscreen and hygiene products can be purchased in drugstores (Etos or Kruidvat).
