Amsterdam Weather in March

March weather in Amsterdam

March feels raw rather than wintry. Daytime highs reach 9°C, but mornings can fall to 3°C. Rain comes on 12 days, and clouds often hang over the canals. The longer days help, though sunshine is still limited.

You can spend a damp spell in the Rijksmuseum or browse the covered stalls at De Hallen in Oud-West. A walk through the Jordaan works well between showers, but cycling across open stretches can feel cold and wet. Save a long outdoor canal cruise for a brighter day.

Events and spring signs

Spring brings the start of tulip season. Keukenhof, outside Amsterdam, usually opens in late March, though its opening date varies each year. It's a good reason to add a day trip if the gardens are open.

March 8 is International Women's Day, with events in Amsterdam that vary from year to year. There isn't a major fixed citywide holiday to plan your whole trip around.

Crowds and local tips

March is usually quieter and cheaper than the busy summer months, though school breaks can bring more families. You'll find museums and canal-side streets less packed than in June or September, Amsterdam's best months overall.

Budget travellers often like this shoulder-season trade-off: fewer crowds, but changeable weather.

For a rainy afternoon, take the free ferry from behind Amsterdam Centraal to NDSM Wharf. You can explore its street art and former shipyard spaces without being stuck in the city centre. Check the ferry signs for the NDSM route; other ferries go elsewhere.