Amsterdam in March: Weather, Longer Days and Keukenhof's Opening

Weather in March

Averages from the KNMI 1991-2020 record for Schiphol, calculated from the institute's published monthly series, give a mean temperature of about 6.5°C, an average high near 10.1°C and an average low around 2.8°C. Precipitation averages about 52 mm. Sunshine is increasing: roughly 130 hours over the month is a reasonable expectation (approximate).

Individual days vary widely. A bright 14°C afternoon can be followed by sleet and a stiff north-westerly wind, and a late frost is possible, especially early in the month. Layers and a waterproof outer shell are more useful than any attempt to predict the forecast weeks ahead.

Daylight in March

Days lengthen quickly. On 1 March the sun rises at about 07:30 and sets near 18:20, around 10 hours 50 minutes of light. By 15 March sunrise is near 06:55 and sunset about 18:45, close to 11 hours 45 minutes. On 27 March there are roughly 12.5 hours (all approximate).

In 2027 daylight saving time begins on Sunday 28 March, when clocks go forward one hour. Sunset that evening is therefore around 20:05 local time. You lose an hour of sleep but gain an evening that feels almost like summer.

What is on in March 2027

The main confirmed date in our events calendar is the start of the Keukenhof season. Other things worth knowing:

• Keukenhof opens on Thursday 18 March 2027 and runs to Sunday 9 May 2027, daily 08:00 to 19:00
• Daylight saving time starts on Sunday 28 March 2027
• Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027, with Good Friday on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March; expect busier trains and some changes to opening hours
• King's Day follows on Tuesday 27 April 2027, if you are planning a longer spring trip

Keukenhof and the tulip season

Keukenhof's 2027 season is scheduled from 18 March to 9 May. Opening day does not mean peak bloom. In the first weeks you can typically expect crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths outdoors, plus indoor flower shows, with early tulips appearing as the weeks pass. The dense tulip displays, and the surrounding bulb fields, are usually strongest from around mid-April, depending on the weather.

If seeing tulips matters most, aim for April. If you want a quieter garden with fewer visitors and do not mind a less colourful picture, late March works. Bloom updates are published by Keukenhof and local bulb-region sites; check them shortly before you go. Book your entry slot in advance on the official website. See our Keukenhof guide and the Tulip Festival page for details.

Carnival and other timing

Carnival falls before March in 2027: it runs from 7 to 9 February and is celebrated mainly in the southern provinces of Limburg and Noord-Brabant, not in Amsterdam. You will not find it in the capital in March.

Crowds and prices

March is moderate. Early in the month it is quiet, much like February. Crowds build from mid-March as the tulip season opens and visitors arrive for Easter. The Easter weekend (26 to 29 March 2027) is the busiest stretch, so book museums, restaurants and any trains in advance. Hotel prices vary with demand and events, so compare current rates for your exact dates.

Day trips that are open

Keukenhof is the headline option from 18 March. Haarlem and Utrecht are open all year and make easy train-based days. Zaanse Schans is open-access, though individual windmills and museums can keep shorter hours before the main season, so check before you go. Kasteel de Haar and Giethoorn are also possible; confirm seasonal opening hours and boat availability with each site. Our day trips overview compares them.

If you want a flexible day that links the garden with a village or a castle, a private day trip can be arranged around your own timings; confirm which attractions are open for your date.

What to pack

Plan for four seasons in one day:

• Waterproof jacket with a hood and a warm mid-layer
• Comfortable waterproof shoes; garden paths at Keukenhof can be muddy
• Hat and gloves for early March mornings and evenings
• Sunglasses, because bright spells can be strong on the water
• A small daypack for shed layers