Netherlands

Netherlands Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Netherlands in May.

Thinking about venturing to the Netherlands this May and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in the Netherlands in May

May in the Netherlands generally has temperatures that range from mild to pleasant, with moderate precipitation.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is mild in Oost-Vlieland at 14°C (57°F) to pleasant in Roggel at 20°C (68°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 9°C (48°F) in Roggel and 11°C (52°F) in Oost-Vlieland.

For specific regional insights in the Netherlands, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in De Koog with an average of 53 mm (2.1 in) to moderate rainfall in Biddinghuizen with 73 mm (2.9 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is generally plentiful throughout many areas. Amsterdam enjoys about 220 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore the Netherlands by month

Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands in May

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across the Netherlands.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in the Netherlands

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands?

Temperature range in the Netherlands (May)

Precipitation variation in the Netherlands (May)

Amsterdam

In May Amsterdam generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
14°C (57°F)
17°C (63°F)
20°C (68°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
10°C (50°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
181 hours
220 hours
203 hours
Monthly rainfall
56 mm (2.2 in)
66 mm (2.6 in)
75 mm (3 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
14 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Zandvoort

In May Zandvoort generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
16°C (61°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
13°C (55°F)
Monthly rainfall
52 mm (2 in)
64 mm (2.5 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
14 days
13 days
Weather conditions

The Hague

In May The Hague generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
14°C (57°F)
17°C (63°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
10°C (50°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
192 hours
232 hours
218 hours
Monthly rainfall
52 mm (2 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
14 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Rotterdam

In May Rotterdam generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
18°C (64°F)
21°C (70°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
9°C (48°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
193 hours
228 hours
215 hours
Monthly rainfall
54 mm (2.1 in)
65 mm (2.6 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
14 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Maastricht

In May Maastricht generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 19°C (66°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
19°C (66°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
9°C (48°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
179 hours
210 hours
206 hours
Monthly rainfall
55 mm (2.2 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
75 mm (3 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Netherlands.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Netherlands in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Amsterdam 17°C (63°F) 10°C (50°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Zandvoort 16°C (61°F) 10°C (50°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Rotterdam 18°C (64°F) 9°C (48°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Maastricht 19°C (66°F) 9°C (48°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
De Koog 14°C (57°F) 11°C (52°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Groningen 18°C (64°F) 8°C (46°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)

The Netherlands weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Netherlands in May?

May in the Netherlands brings tolerable weather. In Amsterdam, daytime temperatures are typically around 17°C (63°F) and nighttime lows hover near 10°C (50°F).

What is the average temperature in the Netherlands in May?

Daytime temperatures in Amsterdam peak at roughly 17°C (63°F) in May, dropping to about 10°C (50°F) overnight.

Does the Netherlands get a lot of rain in May?

Not particularly. Amsterdam averages just 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain in May, making it a mostly dry month for the Netherlands.

Is May a Good Time to Visit the Netherlands?

Given the typically tolerable weather conditions in Amsterdam, May might be a good time to visit the Netherlands.

On average, the best time to visit the Netherlands is in June, July and August with generally perfect weather in Amsterdam. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, March and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Netherlands.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the Netherlands? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the Netherlands.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.