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When to go · Netherlands

Netherlands in May

Great month. Mild and green; Liberation Day on the 5th; Keukenhof closes mid-May.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
High
Netherlands
Prices
High
Netherlands

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Netherlands

Mild and green; Liberation Day on the 5th; Keukenhof closes mid-May.

Is another month better than May?

No other month rates higher than May for Netherlands in this guide.

Weather in May

  • Coast and Randstad · Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdambest weather

    Windy and changeable; showers rather than all-day rain. Summers 20–25 °C (68–77 °F), occasional heatwaves; tulips late March – mid May.

  • Inland and south · Utrecht, Arnhem, Maastricht, Eindhovenbest weather

    Slightly warmer summers and colder winters; Limburg has the only hills.

  • North and Wadden · Groningen, Friesland, Texelfine

    Cooler and windier; island ferries and seal trips best June–September.

  • Achterhoek: Achterhoekbest weather

    Mild maritime climate; rain spread through year, warmest July–August (≈22 °C (72 °F)).

  • Bollenstreek: South Holland coastal plain · Bollenstreekbest weather

    Spring (Mar‑May) best for flowers; mild summer, occasional rain.

  • Eastern Netherlands: Veluwe and IJssel valley · Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Zwolle, Deventerbest weather

    Inland and slightly drier than the coast; heath turns purple in August and September. Winter days are short and grey; some park facilities close.

  • Northern Netherlands: Groningen / Friesland / Drenthe · whole region, coastal and inlandbest weather

    Slightly colder than the west, so outdoor ice skating often starts here first; wind off the Wadden Sea makes the coast feel colder than the temperature suggests. Drenthe's plateau is a little drier and more wooded.

  • Southern Netherlands: Zeeland coast · Walcheren, Delta Worksbest weather

    Sea wind all year; the coast is mildest in spring and early autumn, and summer weekends fill the estuary towns.

  • Southern Netherlands: North Brabant · Eindhoven, Breda, 's-Hertogenboschbest weather

    City trips work all year; carnival falls in February or early March.

  • Southern Netherlands: South Limburg · Maastricht, Valkenburg, hillsbest weather

    The warmest corner of the country; asparagus in spring, vineyards and walking from May to October.

  • Western Netherlands: Randstad and coast · Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrechtbest weather

    Mild, wet and windy all year; 20–23 °C (68–73 °F) is a normal July high, and rain can arrive any month. Coastal wind makes Scheveningen and Zandvoort feel cooler than the city.

  • Amsterdam18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 15 rain days
  • Aa en Hunze18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Aalsmeer18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Alkmaar17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Almelo18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Almere18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Alphen aan den Rijn18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Amersfoort18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Amstelveen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Andijk18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ansen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Apeldoorn18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Appingedam17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Arcen17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Arnhem19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Assen17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Asten18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Baarle17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Barneveld17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Beemster18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bergen, North Holland17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bergen op Zoom18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Berkelland18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Boekel19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Bolsward18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Bourtange17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Boxmeer17 °C (63 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Breda18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Brielle18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Broek in Waterland17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Broek op Langedijk18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Bronckhorst18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Bunnik17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 16 rain days
  • Bussum17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Castricum17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Coevorden17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Cuijk18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Culemborg18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • De Bilt17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • De Fryske Marren17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Delft18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Delfzijl17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Den Helder17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days
  • Deurne17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Deventer18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Diemen17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Dinkelland17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days
  • Doesburg17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days
  • Doetinchem18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Domburg17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Dordrecht18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Drachten16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days
  • Drenthse Veenkoloniën18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Dronten18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Edam18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ede19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Efteling18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Eindhoven19.2 °C (67 °F) / 7.9 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Elburg18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Emmen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Enkhuizen17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Enschede18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Epen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Franeker18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Gelders Arcadië17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Geldrop19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Geleen19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Gemert17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Giethoorn18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Goes18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Gorinchem18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Gouda18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Grave19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Groningen18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Gulpen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Haaksbergen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Haarlem18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Harderwijk18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Harlingen17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Heemskerk18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Heerenveen17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Heerlen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Heiloo18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Helmond19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hengelo18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hilversum18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hindeloopen16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days
  • Hoensbroek17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hogeland17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hoofddorp18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hoogeveen17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hoorn18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hulst18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • IJsselstein18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kampen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Katwijk18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kerkrade18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kinderdijk18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kuinre18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Laarbeek18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Landgraaf18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Langezwaag18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Laren18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Leeuwarden17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Leiden18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Lelystad17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Liemers19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Lisse18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Lochem18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Maassluis18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Maastricht19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Margraten18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Marken18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Meppel17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • Middelburg17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Mill en Sint Hubert17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Monnickendam18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Muiden18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Naarden18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Nieuwegein18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Nijmegen19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Noord-Beveland17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Noordoostpolder18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Noordwijk18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Nuenen19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Oegstgeest18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Oldambt18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Oldenzaal17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Ommen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Oost Gelre18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Oosterbeek18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Oss17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Oudewater18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Overloon17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Partij-Wittem18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Purmerend17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ravenstein19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Rhenen19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Rijswijk18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Roermond19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Roosendaal17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Rotterdam/Albrandswaard18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Rotterdam/Hook of Holland18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Rotterdam18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • 's-Hertogenbosch19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Schagen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Scheveningen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Schiedam18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Schiermonnikoog16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Schoonhoven17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Simpelveld18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Sint Anthonis18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Sittard19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Sliedrecht17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days
  • Sluis17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Sneek17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Soest18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Someren17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Spijkenisse18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Stavoren16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days
  • Terneuzen16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • The Hague17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tholen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Thorn19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Tiel19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tilburg19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Uitgeest17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Urk17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Utrecht18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Utrechtse Heuvelrug18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Vaals18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days
  • Valkenburg aan de Geul18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Veenendaal18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Veenkoloniën18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Venlo19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Vijfheerenlanden17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Vlaardingen18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Vlissingen17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Volendam18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wageningen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Wassenaar18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Weert19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Weesp18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Westerbork18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Westkapelle18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wijchen17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wijk bij Duurstede18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wijlre18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Winterswijk18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Woerden18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Workum18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Zaandam18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Zaanse Schans18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Zandvoort16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Zeewolde18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • Zeist17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • Zierikzee18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Zoetermeer18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Zutphen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Zwijndrechtse Waard18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Zwolle18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Remembrance Day and Liberation Day

    4–5 May

    Two minutes' silence at 20:00 on the 4th — everything stops; festivals on the 5th.

  • Spring holidays

    Ascension and Whit Monday (6 and 17 May 2027)

    Long weekends; coasts and campsites busy.

  • Tulip season

    Late March–mid May · Amsterdam

    Bulb fields and Keukenhof are crowded; hotels fill.

  • Remembrance and Liberation Day

    May 4–5 · Amsterdam

    Two minutes' silence on the evening of the 4th; festivals on the 5th.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Netherlands
High
Prices · Netherlands
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Netherlands, side by side.

  • Verdict

    May: Great

    Jun: Great

  • Crowds

    May: High

    Jun: High

  • Prices

    May: High

    Jun: High

  • Festivals listed

    May: 4

    Jun: 0

May: Mild and green; Liberation Day on the 5th; Keukenhof closes mid-May.

June: Longest days, terraces full, festivals. The best month for cycling.

Netherlands: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in May

Rated best or good this month

  • Coast and Randstad

    Best weather of the year (Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam)

  • Inland and south

    Best weather of the year (Utrecht, Arnhem, Maastricht, Eindhoven)

  • Amsterdam

    Mild and long days; book everything ahead.

  • Aa en Hunze

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Aalsmeer

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Alkmaar

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep

  • Almelo

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Almere

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep

  • Alphen aan den Rijn

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Amersfoort

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep

  • Amstelveen

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep

  • Andijk

    Best months: May–Sep