Amsterdam is a great place to celebrate spring; locals spill out from inside the smoky cafes and onto canal-side terraces to soak up those first welcome rays of sunlight and the city literally blooms with the colourful flowers that Amsterdam is so famous for. Spring is the time to hop on your bike in the Dutch capital and make the most of the mild weather, cycling along the canal paths, shopping in outdoor markets and picnicking in the parks. Spring is also when some of Holland’s most important national holidays are celebrated, so be aware of when they are in case you want to join in the festivities or avoid them and pay less for your accommodation in Amsterdam and your flights to and from the city. Queen’s day or “Koninginnedag” is on the 30th of April and is a huge event, with the streets decorated in orange and street parties and concerts everywhere. Another big public event in spring to be aware of is Liberation Day or “Bevrijdingsdag” which takes place on the 5th of May; many local businesses may have limited opening hours on this day.
As with many other Northern European cities, spring weather can be very changeable in Amsterdam. You are just as likely to get a gloriously sunny weekend as you are a rainy or even chilly one. Come prepared with layers and an umbrella as the locals do. If horticulture is your thing, you shouldn’t miss the Keukenhof Gardens which only open in spring (from mid-March till mid-May) in the nearby town of Lisse to show off its incredible floral displays.
If you do get rain during your trip to Amsterdam though, do not despair! Head to the World Press Photo Exhibit at the old church, “Oude Kerk” to check out some incredible photography. Alternatively you could time your visit with the Art Amsterdam festival designed for fans of contemporary art and held in mid-May throughout 100 galleries and at the KunstRAI convention centre.
Spring has already sprung in Amsterdam this year, but there are still plenty of cheap deals out there for a last minute getaway so, go on, be spontaneous!
