Amsterdam in April: Weather, events, & tips by a former resident

As a former resident of Amsterdam, I can confidently write that April in Amsterdam is one of the best times of the year to visit Amsterdam. This blog post with insider tips will include key Dutch holidays in April, the weather in Amsterdam in April, what to wear in Amsterdam in April, tips for avoiding the crowds in Amsterdam, how to see the tulips outside of Amsterdam in April, celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam, and some great events in Amsterdam in April.

• Why visit Amsterdam in April
• The weather in Amsterdam in April
• What to wear in Amsterdam in April
• How to avoid the crowds in Amsterdam in April
• Tips for seeing the tulips outside of Amsterdam
• King’s Day in Amsterdam
• Great events in Amsterdam in April

Why visit Amsterdam in April

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Amsterdam truly blooms in April. Whether it’s the tulips that often decorate the flower boxes along the scenic canals of Amsterdam, the tulips outside of Amsterdam that explode in spectacular colors, or the colorful celebration of the King’s Birthday, I must say that April is a fantastic time to visit Amsterdam for first-time visitors. Keep reading for the best things to do in Amsterdam in April!

Temperature in Amsterdam in April

April in Amsterdam can be rainy and cloudy on average, but you might get lucky with a few days of blue skies. The average temperature in Amsterdam in April is around 55°F / 13°C during the day with 40°F / 4°c low temperatures at night. The wind can be more intense in the Netherlands due to the wind from the North Sea, which can make the temperature feel 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) colder. The average wind in Amsterdam is around 12 miles per hour.

The weather tends to be pretty cloudy with some overcast. On average, the chance of rain in April in Amsterdam is around 25%. Rains don’t usually last long. They’re generally brief showers, but I’d still recommend wearing waterproof shoes.

The days are pretty long in April, around 12ish hours. The sunrise will be somewhere between 6:12am and 7:15am depending on the day while the sunset will be between 8:15 and 9:05pm. This should give you plenty of time to enjoy Amsterdam while finding a great place to watch the sunset!

What to wear in Amsterdam in April

Amsterdam in April is a weird time in terms of dressing. It can become quite warm on some days while others will be fairly chilly due to the wind chill and rain. You’ll want to be sure to bring a warm jacket that is fairly water resistant, so that you can layer up underneath it during the evenings with a warmer sweater. My choice for a jacket in April is a comfortable leather (or fake leather) jacket. It’s still a good idea to bring an umbrella with you!

Otherwise, I recommend wearing a pair of closed shoes (e.g. booties) that have been coated with a water-resistant coating at home with jeans. You don’t need to wear rain boots, but something comfortable is best as the cobblestones can be hard on thin shoes. Jeans are ubiquitous in the Netherlands, so be sure to bring at least a pair of comfortable pants with you.

If you’re intent on wearing a dress, I recommend wearing a warm pair of tights underneath your skirt or dress. Luckily, heels (beyond heeled boots) aren’t too popular, so you can wear your comfortable boots with your dress for maximal comfort.

In terms of bags, I recommend avoiding backpacks. A crossbody bag with a zipper is a great option for keeping your items safe as you can hold it in a crowded around like the Red Light District where pickpockets love to look for targets. Be sure to make sure that your camera (or phone) can fit inside!

The best things to do in Amsterdam in April with annual events during April

This section will discuss some of the best things to do in Amsterdam in April. Of course, you can visit many of Amsterdam’s great museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, and the Rembrandt Museum. (You might want to consider the iAmsterdam card, which includes admission to many museums in Amsterdam, free public transit rides, and a canal cruise.) You can read a general itinerary for Amsterdam here although I’ll be focusing on events that only occur in April.

The tulips outside of Amsterdam in April

Of course, you cannot write about Amsterdam in April without mentioning the nearby tulips. Contrary to popular perception, you cannot find tulip fields within Amsterdam. It’s an easy day trip to the tulip fields of Holland as well as Keukenhof, a beautiful garden filled with tulips.

Depending on the year, you might be able to see tulips (or other flowers) in the fields as of early April, but I tend to recommend mid-April as the best time to see the tulips. You can still see the tulips at the end of April and into early May, but it’s a bit harder. You can click for my self-guided walking tour along the tulip fields.

Easter (April 1-2)

Easter doesn’t always fall in April, it will for April 2019! Be warned that hotel rates might be slightly higher as people travel during this period…. A popular tradition in Amsterdam is to hear Bach’s Matthäus Passion performed at many of the concert halls throughout the city!

King’s Day (April 27th)

The single best day to experience in Amsterdam is King’s Day in Amsterdam. This occurs on April 27th. Amsterdammers, along with Dutchies and tourists, put on orange to dance in the street, sell their goods, and celebrate the King’s Birthday. I recommend bringing lots of cash to pay for toilets, beer, and other oddities found on the streets of Amsterdam. You can read a complete guide to King’s Day in Amsterdam here.

It is very important to note that Queen’s Day is not celebrated anymore. After King Willem-Alexander ascended to the throne, Queen’s Day became King’s Day. Don’t be that tourist that all the locals pity looking around for a good party on April 30th. Celebrate on the 27th instead.

A word of advice: buy your orange as well as your alcohol in the days before King’s Day as many shops will be closed or sold out. Similarly, book your hotel as far in advance as you can. Many hotels increase their rates substantially and/or require multi-night stays during King’s Day weekend…

Meibockfestival

One of my favorite festivals in April in Amsterdam is the Meibockfestival. In case you’re a beer lover, you will definitely want to check out this beer festival in Amsterdam focused around meibocks, a lighter kind of bock beers. The dates have not yet been announced, but it typically takes place in the Posthoornkerk on Haarlemmerdijk in mid-April. Be sure to bring some euros for entry. You can click for a craft beer guide to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Tulip Festival (all of April)

One of the perks of April in Amsterdam are the tulips that spring up around the city. I’m not talking about tulip fields, but rather the flower boxes of tulips spread throughout the city as you walk or bike around Amsterdam. It makes a canal shot even more beautiful and they’re free to enjoy. (Please don’t pluck out the tulips!)

National Museum Week: April 8-14th

If you’re visiting Amsterdam on a budget, you’ll definitely want to see if you can visit Amsterdam during National Museum Week. During this time, you can visit many of Amsterdam’s famous museums for free, so be sure to check the agenda (National Museum Week) to see if your favorite Amsterdam museums have free entry! Pictured above is one of my favorite quirky museums in Amsterdam!

Have you been to Amsterdam in April? Let me know if you have questions!

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