The ideal time to visit Amsterdam is still in the spring, despite the fact that many visitors choose to go there in the summer. Good weather, flowers, delicious cuisine, and cultural activities are all in season now. Amsterdam comes alive with flowers in the parks, sunshine in the skies, and cruises along the canals after a gloomy winter. Here are the 10 best things to do in Amsterdam you shouldn’t miss this spring of 2023.
1. Tour the Lisse tulip fields
There are numerous locations in Amsterdam where you may discover tulips, from flower markets to beautiful city gardens. In the spring, more than a million visitors travel to Amsterdam with the goal of viewing and admiring the tulip fields.
Choosing a bicycle tour of Amsterdam and pedaling along the numerous marked trails that will take you through large seas of flowers is the finest way to explore the tulip fields of Lisse.
2. Travel to view several windmills for the day
Taking a train or bus to the well-known windmill town of Zaanse Schans is another option to see the tulip fields and springtime vibe while taking in one of the city’s most popular communities. One of the most admired Dutch landscapes is shown here.
There are numerous routes leading from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, including guided tours. One of Amsterdam’s greatest tourist cards, the Amsterdam City Card, includes free admission to the Zaanse Schans.
But don’t worry if you’re pressed for time or don’t want to leave Amsterdam for a day. Eight windmills may be found in Amsterdam, some of which are fairly accessible, like the one at Brouwerij ‘t IJ.
3. Walk around Keukenhof
One of the biggest gardens in the world, Keukenhof, is the principal springtime attraction in Amsterdam. If you value nature, you’ve certainly seen images of its flower beds or other distinctive landscapes online.
You can choose to travel there by taking a tour of the Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam, as these excursions are highly popular in the spring. The gardens are only accessible from mid-March to mid-May, so keep that in mind while making travel plans. I advise you to consult the official Keukenhof website for more details on entrance costs and hours of operation.
You should get tickets well in advance since this is one of the most popular springtime attractions to ensure you can go on the day you wish. In general, if you want a less congested experience, avoid going in the afternoons.
4. When the crowds aren’t too bad, pedal!
While riding in Amsterdam is an activity that can be done at any time of the year, spring is undoubtedly the best season. This is due to the fact that there are fewer tourists than in the summer, but it is also a more dependable time of year for riding than the winter when cycling in Amsterdam is unsafe due to the icy roads and chilly temperatures.
5. The King’s Day festivities
On April 27, the entire Netherlands, including the residents of Amsterdam, celebrates Koningsdag (King’s Day). If you plan to visit Amsterdam in April or during the spring season, you should not miss seeing the city transformed into a sea of orange by its inhabitants in their orange costumes, hats, and wigs.
Vondelpark is the ideal location for family outings. Although the King’s Night celebrations, which take place in the Jordaan neighborhood on the eve of King’s Day, are for you if you’re searching for a little nightlife. You’ll see that the entire neighborhood is crowded with nighttime street events featuring music and dancing.
6. Easter is observed in Amsterdam
Come spend Easter with the natives in Amsterdam, especially on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Enjoy traditional Dutch Easter dishes at the city’s markets and sample delectable cakes and biscuits from Amsterdam’s bakeries.
While Easter’s exact date changes from year to year, some of it always falls in the spring, so take advantage of the occasion to visit some of the city’s top chocolate stores. The nicest and tastiest Easter eggs may be found at Van Soest on Utrechtsestraat, one of the top stores for the occasion.
The lavish brunch, a combination of breakfast and lunch that is served at many restaurants and eateries throughout the city, is the centerpiece of the Easter celebration in Holland.
- Do you know Easter In The Netherlands: What’s So Special?
7. Review the World Press Photo Festival and Exhibition
One of the most popular exhibitions of the year begins in the spring, often from April through June, and is held in the Nieuwe Kerk, one of Amsterdam’s oldest churches. The World Press Picture Show displays breathtaking photographs of Amsterdam that document some of the most significant occasions of the year. It’s a fantastic approach to gaining knowledge of what took place through the medium of photography.
In April, Amsterdam will have the good fortune to host the associated International Press Photo Festival. Here, there are many renowned micro-events and a more social environment. Whether you enjoy taking pictures or are interested in local happenings, you should not miss either.
8. Feeding the young animals at a city farm in Amsterdam
The feeding of infant animals is one of the most common springtime activities in Amsterdam; it is a long-standing custom that has gained popularity among visitors. Animal babies typically arrive in the world in the spring.
And you don’t even have to leave the city to see this charming show. Simply visit one of the many zoos or petting farms in Amsterdam to be surrounded by young goats, lambs, bunnies, piglets, and other animals.
Whether you have kids or not, visiting infant farm animals in the spring is a lovely activity and a terrific way to spend a few hours away from the city. The Westerpark and Amstelpark pet farms as well as the goat farm in Amsterdamse Bos. Even a small urban farm exists in De Pijp.
9. Visit Amsterdam on Remembrance and Liberation Day
If you’re going to Amsterdam in May, get the date May 5 tattooed there. Amsterdam and the Netherlands take a day off to commemorate the liberation of their nation from Nazi forces.
The city comes alive with a variety of festivals, concerts, and special events to commemorate the nation’s social freedoms, including open gatherings known as Freedom Festivals and a sizable floating concert on the Amstel River, which was attended by the King and Queen.
10. Check out a flea market
In the spring, there are merchants offering fresh flowers, a variety of foods, and little trinkets at every street market in Amsterdam. It is worthwhile to visit a few of the unique street markets that are available at this time of year.
The Westerstraat and Albert Cuyp markets have the most interesting atmosphere, but the Bloemenmarkt is a must-see in the spring. The Kinkerstraat, Noordermarkt, and Lindengracht Saturday markets are the finest places to go if you’re searching for diversity. This historic flower market is the ideal spot to buy tulip bulbs in Amsterdam or gifts with garden themes.
Although Albert Cuyp’s daily market is the best, it can get very busy in the spring and shouldn’t be your main focus.
