10 Things to Do in Amsterdam in April

There is always something to do or see in Amsterdam. It's no secret that this European capital lacks neither the energy nor the culture to make for an unforgettable trip. In April, however, it's arguably even better. Why? Because spring has already set in; the mild temperatures, which allow us to leave the coat out of the suitcase, also bring unique events such as King's Day or the Flower Parade.

You may have heard that Amsterdam is the city of canals, tulips or the color orange. Well, during April you will be able to see all these emblems at their best. The city will be dyed orange for the monarch's birthday, but with the tulips many more colors will appear. If this already sounds good, wait until you see the rest of the activities that await you in Amsterdam in April.

Do you know what the Koningsdag is? Well, if you travel to Amsterdam in April, specifically on the 27th, it won't take you long to find out. This day is King's Day (formerly Queen's Day) and the streets of the city are filled with orange (the color of the Dutch monarchy), as well as music and events to celebrate their monarchy. Most of the activities are outdoors and free, such as flea markets and concerts, so be prepared to have a good time.

Why April 27? The date depends on the King's birthday at the time, although in recent years it has always been in April as the previous Queen also celebrated her day in this spring-like month.

Undoubtedly, the mild temperatures encourage you to celebrate in the streets. If you are in Amsterdam you will see that orange, symbol of the Dutch royal family (the Orange-Nassau) floods every corner with color. My advice is not to forget to pack some orange clothes in your suitcase, you don't want to be out of place! Of course, there's plenty to do, so get out the agenda and start planning.

Party on the canals

Declared a World Heritage Site, Amsterdam' s canals clearly take center stage on King's Day. Why? Because thousands of decorated boats take to them, play music and the water becomes one big party. If you're lucky you can get on one of them, but if not you can also dance from the shore and the bridges.

Surely even before you go you already know that the most typical flower of Amsterdam (and Holland) is the tulip. The good thing about traveling in April is that you will be able to see them like never before, since it is the middle of the season. In the middle of the month is when the whole country is filled with a large blanket of tulips in a variety of colors.

Although you can always see them at the flower market in Amsterdam, I recommend taking a trip to the Dutch countryside, where the tulip fields seem endless - it really is a spectacle of nature that you can't miss!

One of my favorite places to see the bloom is Keukenhof Gardens, the largest tulip park in the world. Millions of bulbs open here, creating a beautiful landscape that you can reach by an organized tour from Amsterdam in just half an hour. If you don't want to go that far, you can always take a bike tour to the outskirts of Amsterdam, where you can already see tulips.

Are you traveling with children to Amsterdam? There are always plans to do with the little ones, but in April in particular you can go to the Bredeweg Festival, a free event full of activities for the whole family, from crafts to concerts and plays. Sounds good right? The whole celebration is in the street, at the end of April, so the weather is usually very nice.

Although this festival lasts several days and has a wide range of cultural offerings, the highlight comes on the night of the street opera. Don't think your children will be bored, because usually children's stories such as Cinderella are performed. Music and dance to liven up a beautiful night!

Music comes to Amsterdam in April thanks to Awakenings EasterAwakeningsEaster. This electronic music festival is usually held in the Gashouder, an industrial building that serves as the perfect stage for the most famous international bands and DJs. Tickets can be purchased from the event's website, although I warn you that you have to be quick because they tend to sell out (about two hundred thousand people go every year).

The goal of Awakenings Easter has been to bring together the best of techno for 22 years while welcoming the Easter vacations. In addition, most of the stages are outdoors or semi-covered, so they are prepared for the nice Amsterdam weather in April but also for possible rain.

Currently they have a camping area to make the festival experience even better, but you can always stay in the city and go every day to the concerts, as the venue is close to the center (about half an hour) and it is easy to move around Amsterdam.

Imagine a 42-kilometer parade where all you can see are flowers? Your eyesight won't be able to see the many cars decorated with tulips, daffodils or jasmines that travel along the road for miles. This is what happens at the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, an event you can enjoy if you go to Amsterdam in April.

It is now so well known for its beauty that it attracts thousands of people every year, both visitors and locals. The tour starts in Noordwijk, the flower region, and ends in the town of Haarlem. However, it goes through many other places, including the Keukenhof garden, which is only half an hour away from Amsterdam. Since it is free, you have no excuse to book a tour from Amsterdam to several of these villages and enjoy the flowers and spring.

My advice is that, wherever you are, do not miss the opportunity to see this parade live. If in the photos it is already magical, being there, with the sweet and natural smell it gives off is spectacular. Not to mention the sculptures; true works of art made with flowers.

If you like beer, you will be grateful to be in Amsterdam at the end of April, because that's when the Meibockfestival takes place. This is the spring beer event. Every year, in the canal area, a number of craft brewers come together. The entrance fee is about 7€ and, although it includes an official glass, you will have to pay for each beer separately (from 1.5€ each). I have no doubt that your palate will be grateful after your visit.

Bottled or on tap, beer is the star of the last days of April in Amsterdam. The good thing about this festival is that all the stalls are in the center of the city, in Posthoornkerk, so it will be easy for you to do a tasting of all varieties. What will be your favorite? My advice is to try a little bit of everything, from the most traditional to the most experimental, with fruitier or more intense flavors.

Although Dutch beer is the main one, artisans from other parts of the world also come here. What they all have in common is that it is spring beer, which has a special tone and in which herbs are not used.

What is the Easter vacation like in Amsterdam? In some respects they are similar to any other city (chocolate, Easter eggs, days off work...) but there are other events and celebrations that are unique. Which ones? Mainly in the decorative motifs and the food.

Generally, Easter in Amsterdam is a family celebration, although there are some activities that take place around the city. Do you want to know which ones?

Easter tree

Decorations are very important elements during Easter in Amsterdam. You will be surprised to see on the street (or even for sale in supermarkets) what look like Christmas trees. They are actually Easter trees and are not fir trees, but willow branches from which hang painted eggshells and figures of rabbits, butterflies and babies.

Typical Easter meals

As is typical all over the world, chocolate is the king food during the Easter vacations. However, if you are in Amsterdam on Easter Sunday you can go to a bakery or restaurant and enjoy a breakfast(Paasontbijt) or brunch(Paasbrunch).

What is special about them is that they will include Paasbrood, a sweet bread stuffed with raisins, almond cream, cinnamon and, unlike the Kerstbrood (Christmas bread), covered with orange peel.

Fancy visiting the best museums in Amsterdam at a reduced price? If you're traveling there in April I have good news: that's when National Museum Week is celebrated. What does this mean? That for seven days they will have special events and discounts (or even free). It's your chance to contemplate collections of well-known museums but also some that are not so well known but worthwhile.

To make sure you don't miss anything, it's best to check the program on the official website. Be careful, also take the opportunity to buy your ticket in advance because, as you can imagine, there is usually a lot of demand and crowds. If you want to know what my recommendations are, let me tell you.

Anne Frank House-Museum

I'm not going to lie, it's a tough visit, since this house is where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Nazi invasion. Walking through each of the rooms you will be able to read fragments of her famous diary. In any case, I think it is essential to understand what happened there, as in so many other places.

Of course, there are usually long lines to get in, so get your tickets for the Anne Frank House Museum before you go to plan the tour well.

Van Gogh Museum

Another classic that you can not miss if you go to Amsterdam, especially if it is April and you can access with discount during Museum Week. There you can see more than two hundred works by the painter, including The Sunflowers or his famous self-portrait, as well as drawings, sketches and letters. The tour is an artistic journey through the life of Vincent Van Gogh.

The truth is that, although it is usually crowded, it is quite impressive to see almost all his creations. To avoid running out of tickets for the Van Gogh Museum.

Nemo Science Museum

I didn't want to forget to mention the Amsterdam Science Museum, especially if you are traveling with your family. All its rooms are very entertaining and interactive, making you have a good time no matter how old you are and you will leave having learned many new things. On the other hand, I can not miss its architecture; the building is very modern and is shaped like a boat, which fascinates the little ones and provides a beautiful perspective of the city.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is a world reference for its large collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. This includes paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer or Hals. If you like art, you have to visit the Rijksmuseum, it is the most recognized in the country for a reason!

Of course, it is quite big, so I recommend you to go with a guide or with an organized tour; it is much more enjoyable to understand all the art you are seeing.

Have you heard of the World Press Photo? I'm sure you have, since it is a traveling exhibition that showcases the best photojournalism of the year. Although it actually travels to several cities throughout the year, its inauguration takes place every April in Amsterdam. It does so specifically in De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), a perfect setting to discover which are the photos that have best captured everything that has happened in the last twelve months. Be careful, getting tickets is not always easy.

Beyond being an exhibition, the World Press Photo is also a contest, as a professional and international jury chooses the winning photo (and other finalists). Which one would you have chosen? You can be one of the people to give your opinion after seeing and reading the stories behind each image.

With the good weather in April everyone wants to be in the streets of Amsterdam or, rather, in its canals. Declared a World Heritage Site, this city's ring of canals is not only a famous tourist attraction, but also home to more than two thousand houseboats. You may not want to stay on one of them, but you should take a river cruise through Amsterdam to get to know this area of the city.

It's about 75 kilometers in total, and while you won't cover all of it, a boat ride will give you a chance to admire the city of Amsterdam from its waters, including the luxurious mansions. The good thing about April is that the days are longer and the light that falls at sunset makes everything look even more beautiful.

The best thing about this activity is that it usually has a guide (or audio guide) so that, as you navigate, you can listen to explanations about the history of the canals and the city.

April is the month of spring in Amsterdam, and that means that temperatures are mild (between 7ºC and 17ºC approximately) and the sun shines almost every day, with a very low chance of rain (about 25%). If you have ever been to Amsterdam in winter, you will understand that being able to visit with clear skies and without a coat or raincoat is a luxury.

As temperatures rise and rainy days are reduced, I recommend you enjoy the outdoors, just like everyone else. In addition, there will be about 15 hours of daylight a day, which allows you to extend your evenings and not get cold.

The spring months attract many tourists to Amsterdam, especially on days when there are special celebrations. Keep this in mind if you are traveling in April, especially when booking flights and accommodation, do not leave it to the last minute!

Although the weather is even better in the summer months in Amsterdam, because so many important events coincide in April, such as King's Day, Easter or the opening of the tulips, this month is considered high season. Although this may be a disadvantage, it is also a reason to join the festivities and experience something unique.

Are you already prepared for your trip to Amsterdam in April? You are sure to have a great time with all the plans that are available to introduce you to its traditions.