Amsterdam — By Marianne on March 1, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Filed under: amsterdam weather, best of week

March Weather in Amsterdam

March is the perfect time to visit Amsterdam if you do not mind a nip in the air. Crowds are still small and airfares still low. Locals begin to claim their seats at favourite cafe terraces and their mooring places for their canal-cruising vessels. Outdoor art markets reopen.

The change of seasons is on its way. The trees start to leaf out and it looks as if some one has highlighted them with a linden-green marker. Crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths start to bloom, the overture to the bulb season. Everyone tries to predict when the tulips are at their best and a visit to Keukenhof Flower Garden is a guaranteed success.

On the last Sunday of the month you will have to sacrifice one hour’s sleep, but in return you will be woken up by the sun at a quarter past seven.

Sunrise and sunset on 1 March 7.28 a.m. / 6.19 p.m. and on 31 March 7:19 a.m. / 8:12 pm.

You will still need a winter coat, and sometimes an umbrella. This time of year average high is 8.8°C (48°F), average low 1°C (34°F). Average precipitation 66 mm (2.6 in)

Tulips at Keukenhof Flower Gardens

ANNUAL EVENTS

WHAT: HISWA Boat Show
WHERE: Amsterdam RAI, Europaplein (map)
WHEN: 2 – 7 March
Boats in all sizes and shapes for all budgets, from a small dingy to sleek yachts. More than 500 boats to choose from.

WHAT: Keukenhof Flower Garden
WHERE: Stationsweg 166, Lisse (map)
WHEN: 18 March – 17 May
Keukenhof showcases several million blooming bulbs in its spectacular park and a huge number of floral displays in its indoor pavilions.

WHAT: Free Train Travel with Boekenweekgeschenk
WHEN: 18 March
Boekenweekgeschenk is a free book you get when you spend €12.50 on Dutch language books during Boekenweek (book Week). The free book is your train ticket valid for one person all day.

WHAT: Stille Omgang (Silent Procession)
WHERE: Begijnhof (map)
WHEN: 20 March from midnight – 4 am
Commemoration of the Miricle of Amsterdam. Pilgrims walk a holy route in Amsterdam’s old centre.

WHAT: Zomertijd (Daylight Saving Time)
WHEN: 28 March at 2 am
Change to Central European Summer Time. Set your watch ahead one hour.

WHAT: Thorbecke Open Air Art Market
WHERE: Thorbeckeplein, between Rembrandtplein and Herengracht (map)
WHEN: Every Sunday from 10.30 – 18.00, starting 28 March until 31 October

WHAT: Spui Art Market
WHERE: Spui, between Kalverstraat and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal (map)
WHEN: Every Sunday from 10.30 – 18.00, starting 28 March until 31 October
Professional artists showcase their works of art ranging from acrylics, oils, watercolours and etches to jewellery, ceramics, sculptures and photography. The artist group consists of sixty individuals. A rotating system sees to it that every Sunday twenty-five different artists exhibit their works.

photo credit: personal collection

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