Amsterdam in spring
Spring may be the loveliest time to visit Amsterdam. From mid-March the city fills with tulips, the terraces come alive and the days grow longer fast. It is also the season for a weekend on the water: mild weather, blossom along the canals and long evenings on deck.
From March the temperature climbs from around 3 degrees to about 17 degrees in May. It can still be cool, but the city visibly perks up: blossom in the parks, people on the terraces and boats back on the canals. April and May are the most popular spring months, so it is pleasantly busy.
Spring is full of highlights. Keukenhof, the famous flower garden near Lisse, is open from mid-March to mid-May, with the tulips at their best in April. On 27 April (or 26 April when the 27th falls on a Sunday) all of Amsterdam celebrates King’s Day, with the city dressed in orange and parties on the streets and on the water.
Because spring is so loved, booking early pays off. To really feel the season, choose a houseboat: morning coffee on deck with blossom along the canal. A weekend in May on the water is exactly what Amsterdam in spring is about. Prefer something quieter and better value? The green neighbourhoods outside the centre are a lovely choice.