Amsterdam in Spring: Itinerary, Things to do & Tips

Wondering about what to do during Spring Break in Amsterdam? Then in this post I am going to talk in detail about that.

After visiting Amsterdam more than 3 times and spending my fair share of time exploring the hidden gems of Amsterdam. I am in a good position to share more details about what you can do during easter in Amsterdam.

Here is the reason why you should consider travelling to Amsterdam during the spring break. You can visit Amsterdam anytime you feel like it, This city of canals is an absolute dream location to fall in love or get high on weed.

But during the spring break visiting Amsterdam could give you some additional activities to enjoy. One of the most important things to do during this time is visiting the Tulip Festival of Amsterdam.

Have you booked your accommodation in Amsterdam? If you have questions like Where to Stay in Amsterdam or which is the best area to Stay in Amsterdam then we have covered everything in our other post, Best Places to Stay in Amsterdam on Budget.

Things to do in Amsterdam in Spring

1. Visit Zaanse Schans

What better time to visit the Dutch countryside than spring break? This cute little village is the perfect picturesque location in Amsterdam.

It is a neighbourhood of Zaandam, near Zaandijk, Netherlands. It is best known for its collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses. From 1961 to 1974 old buildings from all over the Zaanstreek were relocated using lowboy trailers to the area.

Watching the windmills is an absolute delight. It is better to reach here in the morning and enjoy the stroll around the lakeside. Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate for around 3 euros and explore the cute outskirts in the best way possible.

The houses here are so beautiful that you will feel like getting your photo clicked at every other location.

You can also plan a half-day tour and cover other Dutch countryside villages such as Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken Tour.

While walking around your nose may tickle with the smell of cheese, there is a cheese factory here and you may get inside to learn the process of cheese making maybe grab some to get a taste of that.

How to reach Zaanse Schans?

Well, you don’t have to worry about it, you can either book a bus ticket to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam or may take the Hop on Hop off Bus tour to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam.

2. See the Beauty of Amsterdam in Bloom

This is probably the best time to visit the Vondel Park in Amsterdam. This is the largest green space available in Amsterdam.

Vondelpark is the largest city park in Amsterdam and the most famous in the Netherlands. It was opened in 1865 and named after the 17th-century playwright and poet Joost van den Vondel.

Don’t forget your camera to capture the rainbow of flowers in bloom and the start of the Dutch tulip season. During spring holidays in Amsterdam, make the most of mild spring weather and enjoy a refreshing drink on a canalside outdoor terrace near the Bloemenmarkt floating flower market, another spectacle of colour along the Singel Canal. 

If you feel like taking a guided tour then there is a guided tour available Jordaan, Anne Frank, and Vondelpark Tour.

I have talked more about this in our Amsterdam Tulip Festival guide.

3. Take Part in the Kings Day Celebration

Amsterdammers, along with the rest of the country, take to the streets for an all-day party on 27th April to celebrate Koningsdag (King’s Day).

Donning orange clothes, hats and wigs, Amsterdam residents transform the city into an orange sea of partying masses – an unmissable experience on a spring holiday in Amsterdam.

For family-friendly activities, Vondelpark is the place while King’s Night celebrations (on the eve of King’s Day) are particularly lively in the Jordaan district. Join the street parties before resting up in your Amsterdam spring hotel for next day’s festivities.

4. Visit Bulb Fields

Take advantage of Amsterdam’s proximity to Holland’s colourful bulb fields during spring’s tulip season. A riot of colour awaits in the world-renowned 32-hectare Keukenhof Gardens, less than an hour away by train and near the town of Lisse.

The gardens are open for 2 months, from March to May only. Snap pictures of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils in these inspirational gardens. Active visitors can hire a bicycle and cycle past the tulips and flowers of the nearby farmers’ fields. 

There is an entry ticket for these gardens so it is better to get the skip-the-line entry ticket for Keukenhof Gardens well in advance before your visit.

5. National celebration

After the poignant 4 May Remembrance Day events commemorating fallen soldiers, the more joyous Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) on 5 May celebrates the end of occupation during the Second World War.

Head to Museumplein (Museum Square) south-west of the centre, for the Amsterdam Liberation Festival where theatre performances take place in tents above the Museumplein pond. Later you can join the crowds at the live music concert along the Amstel River.

6. Celebrate Easter in the city

Join locals as they celebrate Easter in Amsterdam, particularly on the national holidays on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Eat the mouth-watering cakes and biscuits decorating Amsterdam’s elaborate patisserie windows and tuck into traditional Dutch Easter foods in city markets.

Sumptuous Easter brunches are served in the Art Deco interior of the Eden Amsterdam American Hotel on Leidseplein, while Easter egg hunts attract families to Vondelpark.

7. World photography

In early May, Amsterdam’s Oude Kerk (Old Church) in the city centre hosts the annual World Press Photo exhibition, showcasing award-winning photojournalism.

Housed inside Amsterdam’s oldest church, it is an early opportunity to admire the creative, sometimes shocking photographs taken throughout the year before the exhibition begins its international tour to 100 cities in 45 countries

That was all about things you can do in Amsterdam during Spring Break. If you are looking for other itineraries for the Netherlands then you can check our detail post.