01Weather
Amsterdam weather in May
Afternoons in May average 18.1 °C (65 °F) and nights cool to 9.6 °C (49 °F). The month brings about 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with April it is 4.2 °C warmer; June is 3.4 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 24 °C / 75 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 13 °C / 56 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 5 °C / 41 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.1 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 0.0 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 30 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 30.2 °C / 1.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 06:09 | 21:05 | 14.9 h |
| 15 May | 05:44 | 21:29 | 15.7 h |
| 31 May | 05:25 | 21:51 | 16.4 h |
Daylight grows by about 90 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Amsterdam).
03Crowds
How busy Amsterdam is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Liberation Day on 5 May
- Keukenhof final weeks
- Ascension and Whit weekends
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 5 May 2027 | Liberation Day |
| 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| 16 May 2027 | Pentecost |
| 17 May 2027 | Whit Monday |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Amsterdam in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Liberation Day festivals | 5 May | national |
07Packing
What to pack for Amsterdam in May
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is bright, mild and busy, with Liberation Day on 5 May bringing free festivals across the city, the final weeks of Keukenhof until mid-May, and the Ascension and Whit long weekends drawing visitors from Germany and Belgium. Remembrance Day on 4 May brings two minutes of silence at eight in the evening, observed everywhere, with the trams stopping. Cycling conditions are ideal, with afternoons around 18 °C.
Expect queues at the Anne Frank House if not pre-booked, and full canal boats at weekends. The Vondelpark open-air theatre opens its free summer programme at the end of the month. Rain falls on about nine days, usually briefly. Hotel prices are at spring peak levels until Keukenhof closes, then ease slightly before the summer high. For the long evenings without the holiday weekends, the second half of May is the better choice, followed by June.
09Compare
Amsterdam month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 2 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 8 °C | 3 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 11 °C | 4 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 14 °C | 6 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| May | 18 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 22 °C | 13 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| July | 22 °C | 15 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 23 °C | 15 °C | 12 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 20 °C | 12 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 15 °C | 10 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 5 °C | 13 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 8 °C | 3 °C | 14 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Amsterdam.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| London in May | 17 °C | 9 |
| Paris in May | 19 °C | 13 |
| Copenhagen in May | 16 °C | – |
| Prague in May | 19 °C | 11 |
| Dublin in May | 17 °C | 13 |
| Venice in May | 21 °C | 10 |
11FAQ
Amsterdam in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Amsterdam?
May is a good month to visit Amsterdam. Daytime highs average 18 °C (65 °F), rain falls on about 9 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Amsterdam in May?
Expect mild days around 18 °C (65 °F) and nights near 10 °C (49 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 24 °C, and one in ten stays below 13 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in May?
May brings about 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is showery by Amsterdam standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 30 percent.
What should I wear in Amsterdam in May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three.
Is Amsterdam crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Liberation Day on 5 May; Keukenhof final weeks; Ascension and Whit weekends.
What time does it get dark in Amsterdam in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 21:29 and rises at 05:44, giving 15.7 hours of daylight.