May in Amsterdam averages highs of 17 °C (63 °F) and lows of 9 °C (48 °F), with about 8 rainy days and 15 h 42 min of daylight.
May weather in Amsterdam at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is May a good time to visit Amsterdam?
Mixed weather: cool and some rain. May is usually high season in Amsterdam: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in May 2026
- Tue 5 May: Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) public holiday
- Thu 14 May: Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) public holiday
- Sun 24 May: Pentecost (Eerste Pinksterdag) public holiday
- Mon 25 May: Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag) public holiday
- Tulip season continues at Keukenhof (open until about mid-May) event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Amsterdam in May
May's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Canal Ring walk or boat — Jordaan and the Nine Streets outdoors
- Vondelpark — rent a bike outdoors
- Amsterdam-Noord — free ferry, A'DAM Lookout outdoors
- Rijksmuseum — Rembrandt and Vermeer indoors
- Anne Frank House — tickets release online, book early indoors
- Van Gogh Museum — timed tickets indoors
Where to stay: Canal Ring or Jordaan for beauty; De Pijp, Oud-West or Oost for better value.
What to pack for Amsterdam in May
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 17 °C (63 °F), nights near 9 °C (48 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 8 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Amsterdam costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €75–180 | €210–450 |
Excluding flights. May is usually high season in Amsterdam: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
May in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 17° / 8° | 8 | Mixed weather |
| Paris | 19° / 9° | 10 | Good time to go |
| Berlin | 19° / 9° | 6 | Good time to go |
Plan your Amsterdam trip
- Is Amsterdam Expensive? Real Costs and 2026 Budget Guide
- 3 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary: First-Timer Plan for 2026
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is May a good time to visit Amsterdam?
By the numbers, May is a mixed month: cool and some rain, with average highs of 17 °C (63 °F) and about 8 rainy days. May is usually high season in Amsterdam: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are June, September.
How warm is Amsterdam in May?
Average highs are 17 °C (63 °F) and lows 9 °C (48 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in May?
Expect about 8 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 66 mm in total. It is the driest month of the year in Amsterdam.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.