Ultimate Guide To Amsterdam in Spring (Things To Do + Tips)

Amsterdam in spring is my favourite season to visit – it’s when the city is at its most alive and vibrant, without feeling overwhelming!

The canals are lined with lush green trees, the soft light makes every street look seriously photogenic, and the locals are out and about on bikes.

Plus, if you time your trip right? You’ll also catch the famous Dutch tulips in full bloom.

During my solo trip, I especially loved taking a relaxed, open canal boat under the bright sunshine and spending a day admiring the world-famous spring blooms at Keukenhof!

And after exploring everything from the most iconic spots in Amsterdam to the quieter hidden gems most visitors miss, I figured out what’s genuinely worth your time in spring – and what isn’t.

So if you’re planning to visit Amsterdam in spring, I’ll share exactly what to do, what the weather’s really like, what to wear, and all of the top tips you need to know!

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When Is Spring in Amsterdam?

Spring in Amsterdam is the months of March to May. But while those three months are all technically the spring season, they all feel very different from each other:

• March is transitional from winter
• April is the best month for spring blooms
• May feels almost like early summer

The time most people imagine when they picture Amsterdam in spring is really April, when the famous Dutch tulips are in full bloom!

March can still feel pretty wintery, with chilly temperatures, often grey skies, and bare trees. But by May, you’ll enjoy longer daylight hours, milder temperatures, and more reliable weather.

Katie’s Top Tip: If seeing the tulips is your priority, book your trip for mid-April. This is usually the safest window for peak bloom, although the exact timing depends on the weather. Also, avoid the King’s Day weekend in April unless you don’t mind big crowds (more on that in a bit!)

Weather in Amsterdam in Spring

The weather in Amsterdam in Spring – like in many places in Europe – is changeable and unpredictable from day to day.

Average temperatures usually range around:

• 3–10°C in March
• 5–14°C in April
• 9–18°C in May

So it’s rarely freezing at this time of year, but also rarely hot.

And the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. The wind-chill off the canals can make the “feels-like” temperature in Amsterdam feel colder than it is.

Plus, spring rain showers are common throughout the season, so having flexibility between indoor and outdoor sightseeing is essential.

Daylight increases quickly, though, and is one of the biggest advantages of visiting Amsterdam in spring:

• In March, you’ll get between 10 hours 52 minutes (1^st) and 12 hours 55 minutes (31^st)
• In April, you’ll get between 13 hours (1^st) and 14 hours 52 minutes (30^th)
• In May, you’ll get between 14 hours 56 minutes (1^st) and 16 hours 26 minutes (31^st)

And both the weather and the daylight hours absolutely impact how you plan your days in Amsterdam in spring.

For example, I filled my sunny days with walks along the canals, picnics in Vondelpark and relaxed, open canal boat tours. But when I had a rainy afternoon, I hopped between cosy cafés and visited the Rijksmuseum.

Katie’s Top Tip: For any spring trip in Europe, I recommend building flexibility into your itinerary wherever possible. That way, you can swap indoor and outdoor activities depending on the forecast rather than locking everything in.

Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting in Spring? Pros & Cons

If you want to experience Amsterdam at its prettiest, with the famous tulips in full bloom across the Netherlands, then absolutely yes – Amsterdam is worth visiting in spring!

Here are some pros of visiting Amsterdam in spring:

• The entire city feels vibrant and alive, with parks like Vondelpark turning lush and green again.
• Tulip season in the Netherlands is truly iconic, with fields and parks bursting with colour – especially if you time your spring trip for April!
• Longer daylight hours by April and May mean you have a lot more time to explore this beautiful city without rushing.
• Canal cruises are genuinely enjoyable again once the sun comes out.
• Spring events in Amsterdam, including King’s Day and the Tulip Festival, add an extra buzz to the city.

But of course, spring in Amsterdam isn’t perfect. So here are some cons to keep in mind:

• The weather is unpredictable, with sunshine one minute and grey skies or rain the next.
• March can still feel quite cold, especially in the evenings.
• You’ll still need warm layers – this is not summer dress season just yet.
• Accommodation prices rise sharply around the Easter weekend and King’s Day – but then again, Amsterdam is never a budget city!

7 Best Things To Do in Amsterdam in Spring

1. See the Tulips at Keukenhof

If you’re visiting Amsterdam in spring, you absolutely must visit the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens!

Keukenhof is open for around 7/8 weeks a year, from mid-March to early-May, and it showcases an incredible 7 million flower bulbs, including hyacinths, daffodils and, of course, the spectacular seas of tulips.

It’s not a wild tulip field (although you can visit those too), but a landscaped garden with curated displays, lakes, exhibitions, walking paths and even its very own windmill!

But isn’t Keukenhof just overrated and touristy now?

Yep, I thought so too. But I was happily proven wrong on my trip!

The displays of flowers are unlike anything I have ever seen, anywhere else in the world – and they are so worth visiting!

Plus, from Amsterdam, Keukenhof is an easy half-day or full-day trip.

I recommend booking a direct shuttle from central Amsterdam to get to Keukenhof.

Or join this guided tour that I took, which also includes a relaxed, 1-hour cruise past some of the Netherlands’ prettiest windmills and countryside scenery!

Keukenhof and its famous tulips are one of the biggest reasons why you should visit Amsterdam in spring. You won’t get this experience at any other time of year!

Katie’s Top Tip: Book your Keukenhof ticket and transport or your guided tour in advance, especially if you’re travelling in April (which is typically peak bloom). The gardens are incredibly popular and do sell out in advance.

2. Rent a Bike

Cycling is a big part of daily life in Amsterdam, thanks to its flat streets, compact layout, and local culture of wellness and caring for the environment.

In fact, the city of Amsterdam even has more bikes than it does residents!

And in the spring especially, as the weather starts to improve after winter, you’ll see locals out cycling everywhere – to commute, to meet friends, or just for fun.

So, to truly embrace your time here, do as the locals do and rent a bike to get around!

Katie’s Top Tip: If you haven’t cycled in a while or feel overwhelmed, start in a quieter area like Vondelpark before heading into the busy city centre. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour in Amsterdam to see the sights with a local!

3. Enjoy a City Walk Along the Canals

Honestly, one of the best (and simplest, and cheapest!) things to do in Amsterdam in spring is just enjoy a relaxing walk through the city and along the canals.

And you don’t need a complicated or fixed route to do this, either.

My favourite thing to do on solo trips is to just wander where my feet take me – and I often end up stumbling across the most picturesque corners along the way!

I especially love the picturesque neighbourhood of Jordaan and, of course, the famous, UNESCO World Heritage Canal Ring: Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Prinsengracht.

Highlights to look out for along the way include:

• Dam Square
• Anne Frank’s house
• The Seven Bridges (where the Keizersgracht meets the Reguliersgracht)
• Magere Brug

Katie’s Top Tip: Walk early in the morning (before 10am) for quieter canals and streets, and better photos. This is when the city feels most peaceful, and I loved getting out and experiencing a quieter side to usually busy Amsterdam!

4. Take a Relaxed, Open Canal Boat Tour

I will always, always recommend taking a canal boat tour on every trip to Amsterdam, as it was, by far, the highlight of my city break.

Seeing this beautiful city from the water gives you a perspective you would never get from street level. Plus, it’s for sure the most relaxing way to sightsee!

And, starting in spring, some companies offer an open boat instead of an enclosed boat.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, but an open boat is by far the better experience – both for taking photos and just enjoying uninterrupted views of the picturesque canals!

This is the canal boat tour I took, lasting 75 minutes, and I 100% recommend it.

There’s even a live guide on board, to share more about the history of Amsterdam, point out can’t-miss photo spots along the way and answer any questions!

On my trip, the late-April sunshine was warm, the historic houses reflected in the water, the streets were lined with lush green trees, and I got to see iconic sights without walking a step.

It’s the perfect, relaxing way to experience the city!

Katie’s Top Tip: If the weather is fine, definitely book a smaller, open boat rather than a larger, enclosed cruise. It’s a much more relaxed, quieter experience – and you’ll get better photos!

5. Relax in Vondelpark

When the weather improves, Vondelpark is like Amsterdam’s communal garden!

Especially on sunny weekends, the park is very popular with locals – enjoying picnics, reading on one of the many benches, or even sunbathing the second the sun appears.

It’s free, central, and one of the best places to slow down and take a break from sightseeing.

Plus, there are beautiful walking paths to explore inside the park, as well as lakes, an open-air theatre, and the famous Vondelkerk Church nearby.

Katie’s Top Tip: Grab a takeaway coffee, pack snacks from a local supermarket, and create your own picnic. It’s budget-friendly and lets you experience the city like a local!

6. Day Trip to Zaanse Schans Windmills

If you want to see classic Dutch windmills without travelling far out of the city, Zaanse Schans is only about 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal Station!

The whole village is beautiful, with 11 preserved windmills, quaint wooden houses, and traditional craft workshops demonstrating cheese making, clog making, and more.

Plus, in spring, there are beautiful cherry blossoms and other spring blooms that make the whole village even more spectacular to walk around!

But even if the weather isn’t as ideal for outdoor sightseeing, you can visit inside certain windmills for a small fee and learn how they were used historically for everything from grinding spices to producing paint.

It’s touristy, yes, but well worth visiting.

Zaanse Schans was a true highlight of my own trip to Amsterdam!

Katie’s Top Tip: If you don’t want to worry about public transport, you can join a guided tour to Zaanse Schans that also includes visits to Edam (home of the world-famous cheese!), Volendam, and the beautiful fishing village Marken. Plus, the tour also includes cheese tasting and entrance to a clog workshop!

7. Visit a Museum

Amsterdam’s weather in spring is definitely not predictable, and rain showers are common (like they are in most of Europe in spring!)

Because of this, I recommend having indoor backup plans for your outdoor sightseeing.

The most visited museum in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, which is a true must-visit during your spring city break.

However, tickets for the museum sell out weeks in advance, so you must book online for a specific time slot, rather than decide based on the weather forecast.

Other amazing museum options, that are more flexible, include:

• Van Gogh Museum, which has the largest collection of Van Gogh’s work in the world
• Rijksmuseum for Dutch art and history
• Stedelijk Museum for contemporary and modern art
• NEMO Science Museum for an interactive look at science

Katie’s Top Tip: Book major museums, like Anne Frank House, at least 2–3 weeks ahead. The museum is small, and tickets are limited, so time slots will sell out in advance. To avoid disappointment, book your ticket as soon as you lock in dates.

Spring Events in Amsterdam

As well as the amazing things to do in Amsterdam in spring, the season is also when the events calendar starts to pick up again.

King’s Day (Koningsdag), held on April 27^th, is the biggest celebration of the year.

This is when the entire city turns out to celebrate the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

Locals wear orange, traditional foods and drinks are sold from stalls, there are lively street parties and performances, and the day finishes with fireworks in the evening!

It’s lively and a uniquely Dutch experience that is so fun to experience, but it is also extremely crowded.

If you prefer quieter travel, you’ll find the entire week surrounding the 27^th overwhelming.

Another event is the Amsterdam Tulip Festival, which takes place in April and sees tulips planted across the city, as well as in gardens like Keukenhof.

The most famous date of the festival is the Dutch Flower Parade, which, this year, is being held on April 18^th 2026.

The parade covers 42km, where spectacular floats covered in spring flowers travel from Noordwijk to Haarlem. There is also live music played along the route.

If you want to visit the Netherlands for this parade, I recommend booking this tour from Amsterdam, as you’re guaranteed grandstand seating to enjoy it!

Katie’s Top Tip: Before booking your trip, check the events calendar. And keep in mind that, with any event, accommodation prices rise, and Amsterdam will be significantly busier.

Sample Amsterdam in Spring Itinerary

3 days is a good length of time for Amsterdam in spring. This gives you enough time to enjoy the highlights of the city and see the world-famous tulips at Keukenhof.

Here’s a rough idea of how you could make the most of your stay:

Day 1: Start with a morning walk through Jordaan and the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring of Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Prinsengracht. Then, visit Anne Frank House (book in advance). And in the afternoon, take the weight off with a relaxing canal boat tour!

Day 2: If you’re visiting between mid-March and mid-May, dedicate this day to Keukenhof. I recommend booking this tour that I took, which combines as much free time as you want in Keukenhof Gardens with a relaxing windmill boat cruise!

Day 3: On day three, you have a choice. If you want to keep things local, stay in Amsterdam and rent a bike. If the weather is nice, you could even cycle to Vondelpark for a relaxed picnic. Alternatively, if you want another adventure, join this day trip to the famous windmill village of Zaanse Schans!

What To Wear in Amsterdam in Spring

Packing smart to visit Amsterdam in spring is all about layering (not packing every bulky coat you own – I made that mistake!)

During my solo trip to Amsterdam in late April, I wore a mix of short and long-sleeve tops with jeans, and then layered a light jacket and/or light coat on top.

Then, as well as dressing in layers, comfortable shoes you can walk in are non-negotiable.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city and easily explored on foot, but I still easily clocked up 10-15k steps in a day – without even realising!

Finally, a small crossbody bag is also essential for both comfort and safety in any city, as it keeps your belongings close to your body and secure.

Katie’s Top Tip: Prioritise comfort over everything else. You’ll do a lot of walking in Amsterdam, and you’ll also need to adapt to the fast-changing spring weather!

Budget Expectations in Spring

Amsterdam is not a budget city in any season. And even though spring is typically seen as shoulder season in Europe, the Netherlands’ popular tulips mean prices are still high.

Flights to Amsterdam in spring can be more affordable than in peak summer – especially if you book well in advance.

Accommodation is your highest cost, especially in April and May when increasing numbers of tourists for the tulip season and spring events drive demand.

Food prices stay consistent year-round, but spring makes it easier to balance costs because you can spend more time outdoors (like with a picnic lunch in Vondelpark!)

And then there are, of course, the attractions.

There are a lot of incredible free things to do in Amsterdam, like walking along the canals, visiting local parks, or city sightseeing.

But most of the top things to do in Amsterdam in spring – like seeing the tulips at Keukenhof, enjoying a relaxing canal boat tour or visiting the Anne Frank Museum – will need to be budgeted for.

Katie’s Top Tip: If budget is your priority, I recommend booking your trip outside of major event dates (like King’s Day on April 27^th) and public holidays (Easter). At these times, demand causes prices to be a lot higher than, say, midweek in April.

Getting Around Amsterdam in Spring

One of the reasons why Amsterdam in spring is so perfect is how easy it is to navigate!

The city is compact, flat, and designed for walking and cycling.

Most top attractions, tour pickup points for day trips to Keukenhof or Zaanse Schans, and public transport hubs are easily within 20–30 minutes of each other on foot.

I recommend walking around the city as much as possible, as it is the best way to stumble across hidden gems and also stop and take photos whenever you wish.

But, if you want to do as the locals do, definitely consider renting a bike and cycling too!

Where to Stay for Spring in Amsterdam

I recommend staying in central Amsterdam so you can easily walk almost everywhere.

Personally, I stayed in the neighbourhood of Jordaan, which is charming and picturesque – for the true bucket-list stay in Amsterdam!

The boutique hotel Mr. Jordaan is a great, central pick in this neighbourhood!

Or, if you want a quieter stay, opt for the more residential Museum Quarter (Oud-Zuid), which is elegant and still close to major museums and Vondelpark.

I recommend the luxurious Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel.

Finally, if you want the most convenience (and don’t mind staying somewhere that definitely won’t be quiet!), the area around Amsterdam Central Station is great.

I recommend WestCord City Centre Hotel Amsterdam as the perfect pick here.

Final Thoughts: Spring in Amsterdam

There’s a reason I always recommend Amsterdam in spring!

It is, in my opinion, the very best season to experience the city – with the famous tulips in full bloom, bikes filling the pavements, longer daylight hours, and (generally) better weather for outdoor sightseeing and walking the famous canals.

So, whether you’re coming for the tulips at Keukenhof, the iconic photo stops along the canals or just a fun city break, this season truly shows you the best of Amsterdam!

FAQs About Amsterdam in Spring

Read More About Travel in The Netherlands:

• Ultimate Guide To Amsterdam in Spring (Things To Do + Tips)
• How to Visit The Keukenhof Tulips From Amsterdam (2026)

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