8 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 has no shortage of energy or culture to make for an unforgettable trip. However, April is arguably even better. Why? Because spring has arrived with its mild temperatures.

You may have heard that Amsterdam is the city of canals, tulips and orange. Well, during April you can see all these symbols in their full glory. If that sounds good, wait until you see the rest of the activities awaiting you in Amsterdam in April.

Do you know what Koningsdag is? If you travel to Amsterdam in April, specifically on the 27th, you'll soon find out. This day celebrates King's Day (formerly Queen's Day) and the streets of the city are filled with orange (the colour of the Dutch monarchy), as well as music and events to celebrate their monarchy. Most of the activities are outdoors and free, such as markets and concerts, so get ready to have fun.

Why 27th April? The date depends on the birthday of the reigning monarch, although in recent years it has always been in April, as the previous Queen also celebrated her birthday in this spring month.

My advice is to remember to pack some orange clothes in your suitcase, so you don't look out of place! Of course, there's plenty to do, so get out your diary and start planning.

Party on the canals

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

Even before you go, you probably already know that the most typical flower in Amsterdam (and Holland) is the tulip. The great thing about travelling in April is that you'll be able to see them like never before, as it's peak season. In the middle of the month, the whole country is covered with a huge blanket of tulips in a wide variety of colours.

Although you can always see them at Amsterdam's flower market, one of my favourite places to see them in bloom is Keukenhof Gardens, the largest tulip park in the world. Millions of bulbs bloom here, creating a beautiful landscape that you can reach by taking an organised excursion 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 see tulips.

Can you imagine a 42-kilometre parade where all you can see are flowers? You won't be able to take in all the floats decorated with tulips, daffodils and jasmine as they travel along kilometres of road. This is what happens at the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, an event you can enjoy if you visit Amsterdam in April.

It is now so renowned for its beauty that it attracts thousands of people every year, both visitors and locals. The route starts in Noordwijk, the flower region, and ends in the town of Haarlem. However, it passes through many other places, including the Keukenhof Gardens, which are only half an hour from Amsterdam. As it is free, there is no excuse not to book a tour from Amsterdam to several of these towns and enjoy the flowers and springtime.

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

Would you like to visit Amsterdam's best museums at a reduced price? If you're travelling there in April, I have good news: that's when National Museum Week is held. What does this mean? It means that for seven days there will be special events and discounts (or even free admission). This is your chance to see collections from well-known museums, but also from some that are not so well known but are equally worthwhile.

To make sure you don't miss out, it's best to buy your ticket in advance as, as you can imagine, there is usually high demand and large crowds. If you want to know my recommendations, let me tell you about them.

Anne Frank House Museum

I'm not going to lie to you, it's a difficult visit, as this is the house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Nazi invasion. As you walk through each of the rooms, you can read excerpts from her famous diary. In any case, I think it's essential to understand what happened there, as in so many other places.

However, there are usually long queues to get in, so get your tickets for the Anne Frank House Museum before you go to plan your trip well.

Van Gogh Museum

Another classic that you cannot miss if you are going to Amsterdam, especially if it is April and you can get a discount during Museum Week. There you can see more than two hundred works by the painter, including Sunflowers and 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 very crowded, it is quite impressive to be able to see practically all of his creations. That's why I recommend that you buy your tickets to the Van Gogh Museum in advance, which also include a canal cruise.

Nemo Science Museum

I didn't want to forget to mention the Amsterdam Science Museum, especially if you're travelling with your family. All of its rooms are very entertaining and interactive, ensuring that whatever your age, you'll have a good time and leave having learnt lots of new things. On the other hand, I can't overlook its architecture; the building is very modern and shaped like a ship, which fascinates the little ones and provides a beautiful perspective of the city.

Rijksmuseum

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

However, it is quite large, so I recommend going with a guide or on an organised tour; you'll enjoy it much more if you understand all the art you're seeing.

With the good weather in April, everyone wants to be out on the streets of Amsterdam, or rather, on its canals. Declared a World Heritage Site, the 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 in one of them, but you should take a river cruise through Amsterdam to get to know this part of the city.

In total, there are about 75 kilometres, and even if you don't cover them all, a boat trip will give you the opportunity to admire the city of Amsterdam from the water, including its luxurious mansions. The good thing about April is that the days are longer and the light at sunset makes everything look even more beautiful.

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

What are Easter holidays like in Amsterdam? In some ways, they are similar to those in 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 food.

In general, Easter in Amsterdam is a family celebration, although there are some activities that can be seen around the city.

Easter tree

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

Traditional Easter foods

As is typical around the world, chocolate is the food of choice during the Easter holidays. However, if you are in Amsterdam on Easter Sunday, you can visit a bakery or restaurant and enjoy breakfast (Paasontbijt) or brunch (Paasbrunch).

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

Are you travelling to Amsterdam with children? There are always things 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 takes place in the street at the end of April, so the weather is usually very good.

Although this festival lasts several days and offers a wide range of cultural activities, the highlight is the night of street opera. Don't think your children will be bored, because they usually perform children's stories such as Cinderella. Music and dancing to liven up a beautiful night!

Have you heard of World Press Photo? I'm sure you have, as it's a travelling exhibition that showcases the best examples of photojournalism of the year. Although it does indeed travel to several cities throughout the year, its opening takes place every April in Amsterdam. Specifically, it takes place at De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), a perfect setting to discover the photos that best capture everything that has happened in the last twelve months. Be warned, getting tickets isn't always easy.

Beyond being an exhibition, World Press Photo is also a competition, as a professional 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.

April is springtime in Amsterdam, which means mild temperatures (between approximately 7ºC and 17ºC) and sunshine almost every day, with a very low chance of rain (around 25%). If you've ever been to Amsterdam in winter, you'll understand that being able to visit with clear skies and without a coat or rain jacket is a real luxury.

With temperatures rising and fewer rainy days, I recommend enjoying the outdoors, just like everyone else does. In addition, there will be around 15 hours of daylight, allowing you to enjoy longer afternoons without feeling cold.

The spring months attract many tourists to Amsterdam, especially on days when there is a special celebration. Keep this in mind if you are travelling in April, especially when booking flights and accommodation. Don't leave it until the last minute!

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

Are you all set for your trip to Amsterdam in April? You're sure to have a great time with all the plans on offer to immerse yourself in its traditions.