What to Wear in Amsterdam
Netherlands · 7 monthly packing guides
Amsterdam runs a low-key, high-functioning wardrobe. The city is built for bikes (the cargo bike — bakfiets — and the upright Dutch bicycle define daily transport), and clothing reads accordingly: trousers that don't catch on a bike chain, sneakers or low boots that handle wet brick, a packable rain layer for the 12 to 13 days with rain in each summer month on NOAA's Schiphol record. The Dutch palette runs muted (cream, navy, sage, charcoal) with bursts of saturated color in the canal-house architecture but rarely in the wardrobe. Cool 17-22°C / 63-72°F summer with persistent rain means a thin layer always.
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach 1°C / 34°F in January; average highs reach 23°C / 73°F in July.
Compare Amsterdam by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | 1°C / 34°F | 6°C / 43°F | 16 | 8h 15m |
| February packing guide | 1°C / 34°F | 7°C / 45°F | 14 | 9h 55m |
| May packing guide | 9°C / 48°F | 18°C / 64°F | 9 | 15h 45m |
| June packing guide | 11°C / 52°F | 20°C / 68°F | 10 | 16h 45m |
| July packing guide | 14°C / 57°F | 23°C / 73°F | 11 | 16h 30m |
| August packing guide | 13°C / 55°F | 22°C / 72°F | 12 | 15h |
| December packing guide | 2°C / 36°F | 7°C / 45°F | 17 | 7h 45m |
Choose your Amsterdam packing list
Amsterdam in January: 6°C / 43°F afternoons, 1°C / 34°F nights, about 16 wet days, the windiest month at Schiphol, and Tulip Day on Saturday 16 January.
In this capsule: Rust single-breasted wool overcoat, below the knee; Oatmeal chunky shawl-collar cardigan, patch pockets; Mid-indigo straight-leg jeans.
Amsterdam in February: 7°C / 45°F afternoons, 1°C / 34°F nights, rain on about 14 days, and the February Strike commemoration at the Dokwerker on Thursday 25 February.
In this capsule: Navy wool coat, single-breasted, knee length; Cream fine-knit cardigan, crew neck, tan buttons; Cream cotton-wool long-sleeve base layer.
Amsterdam in May is cool and showery — 18°C / 64°F, 9 rain days, 15h 45m of daylight. The Dutch wardrobe rule is bike-first: hems that don't catch, fabrics that dry, layers that pack.
In this capsule: Long-sleeve cotton or merino tee + tank; Light wool or cashmere sweater; Bike-friendly trousers — straight or slim-cut, secure fit.
Amsterdam in June is the longest-day month — 16h 45m of daylight, 20°C / 68°F afternoons, 10 rain days. Vondelpark stays light past 10pm.
In this capsule: Long-sleeve cotton or merino tee + tank; Light wool or cashmere sweater; Bike-friendly straight or slim-cut trousers.
Amsterdam in July is the warmest month — 23°C / 73°F peak, 11 rain days, the Dutch summer at full strength but still mild by Mediterranean standards.
In this capsule: Linen or lightweight cotton tee + tank; Bike-friendly trousers — linen or cotton, straight or slim; Mid-calf or shorter skirt — alternative to trousers.
Amsterdam in August is end-of-summer with peak rain frequency — 22°C / 72°F, 12 rain days, 99mm rainfall. The bike-and-canal rhythm runs at full strength.
In this capsule: Layered linen/cotton base — tank + light long-sleeve; Bike-friendly trousers — linen or cotton, straight or slim; Mid-calf or shorter skirt — bike-safe length.
Amsterdam in December: 7°C / 45°F afternoons, 2°C / 36°F nights, about 17 wet days, and Light Festival cruises that begin as the sun goes down.
In this capsule: Khaki knee-length waterproof parka, wired hood; Antique-gold knit, full sleeves; Black full-length straight jeans.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: NOAA NCEI · Amsterdam Schiphol · 1991–2020 normalsKNMI operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed this month's figures from its NLE00152485 global-summary-of-the-month record, 30 complete years, and the mean wind from its 06240099999 daily record. Rain days count days with 0.01 in (0.25 mm) or more. Recorded per month because Amsterdam's May–August pages name no station.
- February: NOAA NCEI · Amsterdam Schiphol · 1991–2020 normalsKNMI operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed this month's figures from its NLE00152485 global-summary-of-the-month record, 30 complete years, and the mean wind from its 06240099999 daily record. Rain days count days with 0.01 in (0.25 mm) or more. Sunshine is KNMI's own 1991–2020 normal for Schiphol. Recorded per month because Amsterdam's May–August pages name no station.
- May: KNMI · 1991–2020 normals
- June: KNMI · 1991–2020 normals
- July: KNMI · 1991–2020 normals
- August: KNMI · 1991–2020 normals
- December: NOAA NCEI · Amsterdam Schiphol · 1991–2020 normalsKNMI operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed this month's figures from its NLE00152485 global-summary-of-the-month record, 30 complete years. Rain days count days with 0.01 in (0.25 mm) or more. Recorded per month because Amsterdam's May–August pages name no station.
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 7 published guides cover January, February, May, June, July, August, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, January has the lowest average low at 1°C / 34°F, while July has the highest average high at 23°C / 73°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.