Visiting Amsterdam in the spring – top 10 things to do

The Netherlands is known for its tulips but in Spring, it’s not only the flower fields of Holland that come to bloom at their best. Visiting Amsterdam in the spring is a magical experience as the city comes to life after a long (and normally wet!) winter. There’s a buzz on the streets but the city is not packed with tourists like it is during the summer. With the beautiful bridges adorned with flowers, the canals glistening in the springtime sunshine, and the warm sun-soaked terraces bustling with locals enjoying life, Amsterdam is the place to be for a rousing springtime city break.

The key to visiting Amsterdam in the spring is to get out and about as much as possible and really blow away the cobwebs of the winter months. Here are the top 10 things to do in Amsterdam during the spring months in Amsterdam:

1. Cycle ride

There’s no finer way to take in the spring air and see the city through the eyes of locals than by jumping on a bike and pedaling off around the city. You can rent a bike easily in the city and get exploring! If you’re not totally confident on a bike, or it’s been a long cycling-free winter, head over to one of the beautiful parks to get into the swing of it!

2. Parks

The parks are at their best during the spring months, as the flowers bloom and the weather warms up. Check out the various flowered gardens and parks across the city by foot or bike! Some of the best parks to visit in Amsterdam are Vondelpark, Oosterpark, and Westerpark. There are often little cafés and bars in the parks where you can sit back, get a drink, and enjoy a spot of people watching.

3. Private boat tour

Getting out on the water is one of the joys of spring – we definitely advise doing a private boat tour in Amsterdam. This way you can sit back in the summer sunshine and drink as much as you want whilst cruising along the city’s stunning canals is a great way to get the warmer months off to the best start possible!

4. Tulip fields

Tulips may have originated from Iran but the Netherlands is without a doubt their cultural home. These pretty flowers are synonymous with the Dutch countryside, and the Netherlands is the world’s largest producer. If you want to get a good dose of flower power, head to the Keukenhof (the world’s largest and arguably most beautiful flower garden) or head into the countryside and enjoy the spectacular sight of tulips spreading across fields to the horizon.

5. Open air markets

Shopping for some souvenirs or trying some local delicacies in a market is a great thing to do if you like exploring a city’s culture. Although you could certainly be forgiven for jumping into the nearest café, restaurant or shop during the rainier months, for a real Amsterdam experience, take a stroll through one of the city’s many open-air markets during the spring. Popular markets with great surrounding areas are the Dappermarkt or the Albert Cuyp market. You can find pretty much anything you could imagine!

6. Hortus Botanicus

For plant lovers, the Hortus Botanicus is a wonderful oasis in the heart of the city. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, and one of Amsterdam’s much loved but lesser-known tourist attractions, this is the spot to enjoy all things green in the spring.

7. King’s Day

King’s Day is the biggest day of the year here – a national holiday celebrating the King of the Netherlands’ birthday and all things Dutch! You’ll see over a million partygoers letting their hair down, draped from head to toe in bright orange, and knocking back plenty of the country’s famous beer! It falls on the 27th of April each year and is an incredible springtime spectacle!

8. Liberation Day

Just after King’s Day, comes another day of national celebration! Following on from the somber day of remembrance (4^th May), Liberation Day falls on the 5^th May each year and is a day of joyous celebration across the country. The day commemorates the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi Germany at the end of WW2. Het Vrije Westen is one of the many festivals and parties taking place but without a doubt the biggest and best! This free festival is held in Westerpark and is well worth checking out if you’re in Amsterdam that weekend.

9. Easter food

If you’re in Amsterdam around Easter, and want to try something a little different from the international easter egg, why not try some Paasbrood? This fruit bread, stuffed with raisins and filled with almond paste is a tasty festive treat that can be found easily at bakeries and markets across the city.

10. Picnic with Dutch snacks and drinks

If it’s a nice day and you’d prefer to eat ‘al-fresco’, why not join the locals picnicking in the park? Pick up some of the arrays of Dutch picnic-friendly snacks from the supermarket, grab a bottle of wine and head to the park for a lazy lunch in the sun!

Whatever of these things to do in Amsterdam during Spring that you choose to get stuck into, enjoy the fresh spring air and spend as much time out as possible! Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful places in the world during the spring so, as the saying goes, be sure to take the time to smell the flowers (and you’ll find plenty of them here!).