Netherlands in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Netherlands

11°C (51°F) High Temp

4°C (39°F) Low Temp

81 mm (3.2 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Tulip season begins - early varieties bloom late March at Keukenhof Gardens (opens March 20, 2025) with minimal crowds compared to peak April
Hotel prices are 25-40% lower than peak season (May-September) with excellent availability in Amsterdam and major cities
Longer daylight hours - sunrise at 6:30am, sunset at 7:00pm by end of March, perfect for full sightseeing days
Authentic local atmosphere - cafés and museums are busy with locals, not overwhelmed with summer tourists

Considerations

Unpredictable weather swings from sunny 15°C (59°F) to cold rain at 6°C (43°F) within the Easttimor day
Many outdoor terraces and beer gardens remain closed or have limited hours due to cool temperatures
Cycling can be uncomfortable in frequent March drizzle - waterproof gear essential for this quintessential Dutch experience

Best Activities in March

Keukenhof Gardens Early Season Tours

Late March marks the beginning of tulip season with early varieties in bloom. Weather is perfect for walking - cool enough to be comfortable outdoors for hours, and spring rainfall keeps gardens lush. Crowds are minimal compared to peak April-May period.

Booking Tip: Book tickets online 2-3 weeks ahead for €19.50 adults. Gardens open March 20, 2025. Combine with bus transport from Amsterdam (€25 return) or cycle the 32 km (20 mile) bulb field route. See current tour packages in booking section below.

Amsterdam Museum and Canal House Exploration

March weather makes indoor cultural activities ideal. Museums are less crowded, and the cool, often overcast conditions create perfect lighting for photography along the canals. Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House have shorter queues.

Booking Tip: Museumkaart (€64.90) pays for itself with 3+ museum visits. Book Anne Frank House tickets exactly 60 days ahead at 10am CET. Reserve 2-3 hour indoor blocks for rainy afternoon backup plans. Current museum tours available in booking section below.

Traditional Dutch Café Culture Experience

March is ideal for experiencing authentic brown café (bruine kroeg) culture. Cool weather drives both locals and travelers indoors to cozy establishments. This is when café culture is at its most authentic - before summer tourist season dilutes the local atmosphere.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for most cafés. Budget €4-6 per beer, €8-12 for traditional Dutch fare like bitterballen or erwtensoep (pea soup). Join locals during borrel time (5-7pm). Food walking tours typically cost €65-85 per person.

Zaanse Schans Windmill Village Tours

March offers perfect conditions for this outdoor heritage site - cool weather makes walking comfortable, and the variable spring light creates dramatic photos of historic windmills. Tourist crowds are minimal, allowing genuine interaction with craftspeople.

Booking Tip: Free entry to village, €4-6 per windmill interior. Located 17 km (10.5 miles) north of Amsterdam. Combine with Volendam fishing village (additional 20 km/12.4 miles). Book half-day tours (€35-45) or take train + bus independently. See current options in booking section below.

Hoge Veluwe National Park Nature Walks

March marks the transition from winter to spring in this 5,400-hectare park. Cool temperatures (8-12°C/46-54°F) are perfect for hiking, deer are more active, and early spring flowers appear. Kröller-Müller Museum provides indoor backup during rain showers.

Booking Tip: Park entry €10.40 adults, museum additional €4.90. Free white bicycles available throughout park. Located 83 km (51.6 miles) southeast of Amsterdam. Plan 6-8 hour day trip. Book accommodation in nearby Arnhem for multi-day visits. Current tour options in booking section below.

Utrecht and Den Bosch Historic City Walking

March weather is ideal for exploring these canal cities without Amsterdam's crowds. Utrecht's unique wharf cellars and Den Bosch's medieval streets are best experienced on foot in cool spring air. Indoor attractions provide perfect rain shelters.

Booking Tip: Utrecht is 35 minutes by train from Amsterdam (€7.90 each way). Den Bosch is 1 hour 15 minutes (€16.30). Self-guided walking is free with city maps. Guided tours typically €12-18 per person. Both cities easily accessible as day trips. See current tour options in booking section below.

March Events & Festivals

March 20 - May 12, 2025

Keukenhof Gardens Opening

The world's largest flower garden opens for its 2025 season with 7 million bulbs planted across 32 hectares. Early March features crocuses and early daffodils, building to tulip displays by month's end.

Late March (typically March 27-30)

Art Rotterdam Contemporary Art Fair

Netherlands' largest contemporary art fair featuring 100+ galleries from 20+ countries. Held at Van Nelle Factory, this event attracts serious collectors and art enthusiasts before peak tourist season.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof windbreaker - March brings sudden weather changes from sunny to rainy within hours

Comfortable waterproof walking shoes - cobblestones are slippery when wet, which happens 10 days this month

Layering pieces (thermal base, fleece, light jacket) - temperature swings of 10°C (18°F) daily are common

Compact umbrella - afternoon showers are brief but frequent, and wind can destroy cheap umbrellas

Warm hat and light gloves - early morning and evening temperatures drop to 4°C (39°F)

Quick-dry pants and long sleeves - humidity at 70% means cotton takes hours to dry

Sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen - UV index of 3 still requires protection, especially reflecting off canals

Power bank for phone - shorter battery life in cold weather and you'll use GPS/camera frequently

Cash in small bills - many cafés and small shops still prefer cash, especially for purchases under €10

Plastic bags for electronics - protects phone/camera during sudden rain showers while cycling

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations by early February - while March isn't peak season, King's Day (April 27) bookings start early and drive up March prices

Rent bikes from local shops (€10-15/day) rather than tourist areas (€20+/day) - try residential neighborhoods like De Pijp or Jordaan

Dutch people cycle in any weather - invest in proper rain gear if you want to experience the Netherlands authentically

Many restaurants offer 'voorjaars menu' (spring menus) in March featuring seasonal ingredients like white asparagus and fresh herbs at better prices than summer tourist menus

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all tulips bloom in March - peak season is mid-April to early May, though Keukenhof opens March 20 with early varieties

Booking canal tours without checking weather - open boat tours in March rain and wind are miserable, choose covered boats or indoor alternatives

Overpacking heavy winter clothes - March can reach 15°C (59°F) on sunny days, making heavy coats unnecessary and burdensome