AI-generatedLeiden at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Aug · 21°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,850 h
- Rain a year
- 884 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 6 m
Climate in Leiden
Leiden has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 21 °C, while January is the coolest at 6 °C. With around 1,850 hours of sunshine a year, Leiden is moderately sunny; May is the sunniest month with 7.8 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 10°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 13°
- Night, 23:00: about 12°
08:0518:50
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:44–08:52 · evening 18:04–19:11
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:31–07:44 · evening 19:11–19:24
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Leiden in October?
In October, Leiden is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 100 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 28 km/h. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Leiden.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 45 min08:05 – 18:50
- UV index
- 2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 28 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 70 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snow
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Amsterdam
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %65 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %13 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %22 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Windproof jacket
Sunshine hours in Leiden
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 3.8 of 10.8 hours of daylight in Leiden, 35 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 4 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Leiden
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 2 · lowLittle protection needed; sunglasses on bright days.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 7).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 75 min
- Fair skin
- about 90 min
- Light brown skin
- over 2 h
- Olive skin
- over 2 h
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Leiden: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Leiden has about 15 rainy days with 100 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Leiden
How breezy and how cloudy Leiden is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Leiden typically peaks at 28 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 70 % of the sky over Leiden: mostly cloudy, with about 3.8 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Leiden
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
CoolOctober: nights around 10°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in January (2°), the warmest in August (15°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to August. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 9 | 6° | 2° | 2.3 h | 14 | 72 |
| FebruaryFeb | 14 | 7° | 2° | 3.4 h | 12 | 62 |
| MarchMar | 27 | 9° | 4° | 4.9 h | 11 | 53 |
| AprilApr | 53 | 13° | 6° | 6.9 h | 10 | 47 |
| MayMay | 71 | 16° | 10° | 7.8 h | 11 | 61 |
| JuneJun | 81 | 19° | 13° | 7.6 h | 11 | 64 |
| JulyJul | 76 | 21° | 15° | 7.7 h | 13 | 80 |
| AugustAug | 72 | 21° | 15° | 6.9 h | 14 | 91 |
| SeptemberSep | 70 | 18° | 13° | 5.3 h | 12 | 82 |
| OctoberOct | 42 | 15° | 10° | 3.8 h | 15 | 100 |
| NovemberNov | 14 | 10° | 6° | 2.3 h | 16 | 89 |
| DecemberDec | 6 | 7° | 4° | 1.8 h | 15 | 84 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
52.16° N, 4.49° E · 6 m · Europe/Amsterdam
Best time to visit Leiden
The best time to visit Leiden is from May to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to June. Rain is most frequent from July to February; the wettest month is October with 100 mm.
Leiden through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Leiden in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 9–16 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Leiden in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 19–21 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Leiden in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 10–18 °C by day
- 4 h of sun a day
- 44 rainy days in all
Leiden in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 6–7 °C by day
- 3 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Leiden for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Leiden
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
June has the better holiday weather in Leiden: score 81 against 42. In June, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. June has 4 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 4 hours longer a day in June.
| Month | October | June |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 42 | 81better |
| Day high | 15° | 19° |
| Night low | 10° | 13° |
| Sunshine | 3.8 h | 7.6 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 15 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 100 mm | 64 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Jun
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jul – Feb
12 or more rainy days
Leiden month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
9January6° · 2 h
In January, Leiden is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 72 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 30 km/h. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in January14February7° · 3 h
In February, Leiden is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 62 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 30 km/h. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in February27March9° · 5 h
In March, Leiden is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 53 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in March53April13° · 7 h
In April, Leiden is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 47 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in April71May16° · 8 h
In May, Leiden is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 61 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in May81June19° · 8 h
In June, Leiden is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in June76July21° · 8 h
In July, Leiden is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 80 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in July72August21° · 7 h
In August, Leiden is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 91 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in August70September18° · 5 h
In September, Leiden is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 82 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in September42October15° · 4 h
In October, Leiden is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 100 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 28 km/h. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in October14November10° · 2 h
In November, Leiden is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 89 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in November6December7° · 2 h
In December, Leiden is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 84 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 30 km/h. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Leiden.
Leiden in DecemberLeiden compared
Put Leiden side by side with another destination.
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Leiden vs. Noordwijk
In October the holiday weather in Leiden and Noordwijk is about equally good (score 42 vs. 45). During the day it is about as warm in Noordwijk as in Leiden.
| in October | Leiden | Noordwijk |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 42 | 45 |
| Daytime high | 15° | 15° |
| Sea | – | 15° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 15 | 15 |
| Best time | May – Sep | Jul – Aug |
Through the year
Netherlands in October: the best places
In October, Leiden ranks 15 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Breda15°50
- 2Eindhoven15°50
- 3Tilburg15°49
- 4Dordrecht15°48
- 5's-Hertogenbosch15°48
- 6Amersfoort15°47
- 7Arnhem15°47
- 8Nijmegen15°47
- 15LeidenThis page15°42
Planning a trip to Leiden
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Leiden in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Leiden has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 73) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 8).
- 45
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 12 °C by day
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 73
May half-term
May – Jun
GoodBest holidays
- 16 °C by day
- 7.8 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 73
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Good
- 21 °C by day
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 42
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 15 °C by day
- 3.8 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 8
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- 2.1 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- Short trip – train or car is often quicker
- Distance
- 350 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Leiden
When is the best time to visit Leiden?
The best time to visit Leiden is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Leiden?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 21 °C and nights around 15 °C. January is the coolest month at 6 °C.
When does it rain most in Leiden?
Rain is most frequent from July to February; the wettest month is October with 100 mm. The driest month is April with 47 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Leiden get?
Leiden gets around 1,850 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 7.8 hours a day; in December there are 1.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Leiden in?
Leiden uses the time zone Europe/Amsterdam: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
Which school holidays are best for Leiden?
Leiden has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 73) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 8). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 45, May half-term 73, Summer holidays 73, October half-term 42, Christmas holidays 8.
Near Leiden
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Leiden
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Leiden's – good alternatives.