Way ahead of the peak season crowds, March travelers have Amsterdam’s top attractions, as well as the spectacular Keukenhof bulb flower park, which opens at the end of March. While the weather can be unpredictable, it is a clear departure from the Dutch winter months, and the fickle outbursts of the sun become more constant towards the end of the month.
Amsterdam weather in March
The wintry cold in Amsterdam is replaced by a more temperate climate, and most years attest to a good number of sunny days later in the month. While temperatures gradually warm throughout the month, freezing temperatures, especially at night, are not uncommon early in the month.
- Average High: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius)
- Low Average: 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius)
March is the wettest month in the spring, averaging 2.3 inches of precipitation spread over 10 days. Since spring doesn’t officially begin until the end of March, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that snow is a possibility even in March; You can expect flurries of snow or snow for about three days a month during March. A bonus of March: the days start to grow longer. At the end of the month, the sun won’t set until 8 p.m.
What to pack
March is still susceptible to rain, and it can get quite cold, especially after dark, so keep an umbrella and a jacket handy. You’ll also want to pack waterproof boots, a windbreaker, and a hat. Gloves are also useful, especially if you want to rent a bike to pedal the iconic canals and bridges of Amsterdam.
March events in Amsterdam
In addition to the reopening of Keukenhof, the famous gardens of the Netherlands, March is full of artistic, gastronomic and sporting events.
- DiningCity Semi-Annual Restaurant Week allows diners to enjoy lunch or dinner at some of the most exclusive restaurants in the Netherlands at a modest prix fixe price, with special ‘weekly restaurant menus’; some participants even have Michelin stars.
- It started as a joke in 1995, Gouden Kabouter Awards ( “Golden Gnome”), the “Oscars incredibly unofficial to the scene of the club” have taken off to become an annual event and generate an international edition Golden Gnome, held in October to coincide with the Amsterdam Dance Event.
- The annual HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show features state- of-the-art boats, nautical accessories, and week-long maritime-themed activities for water sports fans amid its themed pavilions.
- Keukenhof , the Netherlands’ famous bulb flower park, reopens for the season. At its peak, you can expect to see seven million bulbs in bloom. Travel there hassle-free with our Keukenhof transport tips.
- Roze Film Dagen (Pink Film Days) brings together feature films, documentaries and short films that bear witness to the diversity of the LGBTQ experience, with submissions from 32 countries around the world.
- The Silent Procession route encompasses the milestones associated with the “Miracle of the Host” of 1345, when a sick man vomited the sacramental bread (or “host”), which then refused to burn when thrown into the fire.
- The Amsterdam Coffee Festival takes place at the beginning of March in Westergasfabriek. Coffee fans and professionals flock to the festival, which features cupping, barista demonstrations, food stands, live art and musical performances, and more.
March Travel Tips
- Airfare and accommodation in Amsterdam are still at their low rates in March, so you can find more deals. Out of season also means fewer crowds to interfere with your exploration of the city. You are unlikely to fight hordes of tourists at museums and other major attractions.
- Note that while some bulb flowers will bloom during March, tulips are sometimes delayed until April. For optimal flowering, plan your visit from late March to mid-April.
- March, with its cold and clear days, can be excellent for photography. Blue skies and bare trees make a great backdrop for photos of Amsterdam’s famous canal houses. On a cloudy day, use the gray skies to practice your black and white photography skills.
- Amsterdammers love to get outside when the temperatures start to warm up. Seize a sunny day like a local and find a quaint cafe along a canal to post and watch the scenery go by.
