Amsterdam has a temperate climate, with cool summers and mild winters, which makes it perfect to visit any time of the year. Most visitors, in fact, come between April and September. However, if you want to avoid the crowds the city is absolute delightful on crisp spring or fall days and the city has a thriving cultural life all year round; it never shuts down.

Although temperatures in the summer seldom rise above 28° centigrade, probably as a result of global warming, the city positively sweltered in July 2006. In fact, some parts of the country reached record temperatures of 37.1°, and July was deemed the warmest month since records began in the Netherlands in 1706. Bear in mind that many establishments in the city aren't equipped with air-conditioning, so on hot days you're best advised to do what the rest of the locals do: sit out on terrace with a refreshing drink or join the throngs heading to a beach.

The best weather advice, however, is to either bring an umbrella or be prepared to buy one. The weather in Amsterdam is unpredictable at best.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 4° C 5° C 8° C 12° C 17° C 20° C 21° C 21° C 18° C 14° C 8° C 5° C Low -1° C -1° C 1° C 3° C 7° C 10° C 11° C 11° C 9° C 6° C 2° C 0° C

Convert to Fahrenheit.