Amsterdam in Spring: Tulips, Weather, & What to Expect

Amsterdam in spring is often marketed as the best time of year to visit. Tulips are blooming, the days feel longer, and the temperatures are milder than winter. However, Amsterdam in spring is also one the busiest times to visit the city. From late March through early May, travelers from around the world arrive to see Amsterdam, and the surrounding countryside, in full bloom.  

Brian and I visited in early May in 2025 and immediately understood the hype. Amsterdam was busy, but it was beautiful. Hotel rooms were expensive and both museum tickets and restaurants required advance booking, given the influx of visitors. Even so, it was well worth it to experience a modern-day tulip mania in the Netherlands.

If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam between March and May, timing and strategy matter. Spring in Amsterdam looks different depending on the month, with peak crowds in mid-April at the height of the tulip blooms, before calming down again by early May. In this blog post, I break down what you can realistically expect (including weather, bloom timing, and crowd levels), so you can decide when a visit to Amsterdam in the spring makes the most sense for you and plan accordingly. 

Table of Contents:

1. What to Expect During Spring in Amsterdam
2. Amsterdam Weather in March, April, & May
3. When is Tulip Season in Amsterdam? 
4. The Best Things to Do in Amsterdam in Spring 
5. Final Thoughts on Visiting Amsterdam in Spring 

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What to Expect During Spring in Amsterdam

Spring in Amsterdam marks a clear shift from the quiet winter months to the start of the busy tourist season. By late March, visitor numbers begin to climb, and my mid-April - at the height of tulip season - the city is operating at full capacity. Hotels fill up quickly, restaurant reservations are a near-necessity for dinner (especially on weekends), and tickets for the best museums in Amsterdam must be booked in advance. 

Crowds & Peak Travel Periods

Tulip season largely dictates the crowds in Amsterdam in spring. As bloom timing shifts from late March into April and early May, crowd levels and pricing rise alongside it. While the flowers themselves may be located outside of the city center, their draw affects the entire region. 

March

March, despite it being spring in Amsterdam, is still shoulder season. You can expect the city to be busier than January or February, but the crowds are manageable. March is the most strategic month for travelers who are looking to experience the beginning of tulip season in Amsterdam, without the crowds that bloom in correlation with the tulips. Early blooms begin appearing toward the end of the month, and hotel rates tend to be noticeably lower than what you will see just a few weeks later in April.

April

April is easily the busiest month for tourism in Amsterdam, aside from the summer months of July and August. The height of the tulip growing season draws hundreds of thousands of tourists specifically to see the blooms, with weekends especially crowded, especially near Keukenhof and the city's historic center. Easter (April 5, 2026) and King's Day (April 27, 2026) further amplify the crowds. Hotel prices reflect the demand, with centrally located properties in Amsterdam often filling up well in advance, especially for weekends, at peak-season rates.

May

By early May, as tulip season begins to wind down, the crowds soften. May in Amsterdam is certainly still busy, but it feels less overwhelming than mid-April. When we visited in early May, the city was active and clearly busy, yet it never felt chaotic. Hotel room rates remain elevated in May in Amsterdam (and will continue to stay elevated through the summer months), though hotels typically have greater availability than during mid-April. 

Weekend Crowds in Amsterdam in Spring

Crowd levels in Amsterdam in spring are not evenly distributed. Weekdays, even in April, can feel busy but still manageable. Weekends during peak tulip season are different. 

On weekends during April, and even into early May, the historic center fills quickly. You can expect the top Amsterdam landmarks to have dense crowds by late morning, tickets to Keukenhof to sell out well in advance, and restaurant reservations to become a necessity rather than a suggestion.

The difference between a Wednesday and a Saturday in Amsterdam in the spring is substantial. If your schedule allows, I would strongly consider a midweek visit.

Visiting Keukenhof in Spring

Keukenhof Gardens, also known as simply Keukenhof, is one of the world's largest flower gardens and is the centerpiece of tulip season in the Netherlands. 

Although the gardens are often associated with Amsterdam, Keukenhof is actually located outside of the city in Lisse, approximately 40 to 60 minutes away depending on traffic. The gardens are most easily reached by car or organized tour, particularly during the peak tulip season when public transportation options are limited. 

Since Keukenhof is only open for approximately seven weeks each year, its seasonal draw concentrates an influx of visitors into a short timeframe. On peak weekends in April, both the gardens and the surrounding roads experience very heavy traffic. Road closures are also common on the day of the Flower Parade (April 18, 2026). 

If you are planning to visit Keukenhof, and you should, advance planning is essential. I outline exactly how to get there, including transportation options and what to expect, in my detailed guide on How to Get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam. 

Longer Daylight Hours

One of my favorite parts about visiting Amsterdam in the spring is the noticeably longer days. By late March, after the clocks change, sunset stretches past 8:00 PM, and by early May, it lingers well beyond 9:00 PM.

Amsterdam feels different in the evening during this time of year. Canal walks after dinner are one of my favorite ways to end the day, and the extra daylight hours makes the city feel more open and unhurried. The extra daylight hours gives you more flexibility with your sightseeing, whether you want to linger in a museum a bit longer or stretch your dinner well into the evening.

Amsterdam Weather in March, April, & May

Spring weather in Amsterdam is transitional. While daylight hours increase quickly, temperatures take longer to warm up. Many visitors wrongly assume that tulip season and spring in Amsterdam means warm afternoons, but March and April can still feel brisk (and occasionally cold), especially along the water.

The weather in Amsterdam can also change quickly. A clear morning can give way to an overcast afternoon, and rain is always a possibility. 

March Weather in Amsterdam

• Average High: 50°F (10°C)
• Average Low: 37°F (3°C)
• Rainy Days: 9-10
• Humidity: 82%

March still feels like winter in Amsterdam. Mornings are cold, evenings cool down quickly, and overcast skies are common. While snowfall is rare, brisk winds along the canals can make it feel several degrees colder than the thermometer reads.

A warm coat, scarf, and waterproof footwear are a necessity if you are visiting Amsterdam in March. 

April Weather in Amsterdam

• Average High: 57°F (14°C)
• Average Low: 41°F (5°C)
• Rainy Days: 7-9
• Humidity: 76%

April brings gradual improvement to the weather in Amsterdam, but unpredictability remains. You may experience sunshine one hour and a rain shower the next. Wind remains a factor, especially along the canals.

Even during peak tulip season, jackets are still necessary, particularly in the morning and evening. It feels like early spring, not summer.

May Weather in Amsterdam

• Average High: 64°F (18°C)
• Average Low: 47°F (8°C)
• Rainy Days: 7-9
• Humidity: 75%

May is when conditions become noticeably more comfortable. Warmer afternoons are more common, and sunny stretches tend to last longer. Even so, rain is still possible, and evenings can cool off quickly once the sun sets.

Compared to March and April, May feels milder. However, layering remains essential, particularly if you plan to spend extended time outdoors.

What to Pack for Spring in Amsterdam

Packing for Amsterdam in the spring is less about fashion and more about flexibility. Temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, wind off the canals can make conditions feel colder than expected, and rain is always a possibility. Layers matter. So does comfort. You will also walk more than you expect. 

What to Pack for a Day Trip to Keukenhof 

For a day trip to Keukenhof from Amsterdam, I found that a small backpack was far more practical than a purse. The gardens are huge, and having space for a refillable water bottle, portable phone charger, and a small umbrella, made the day much more comfortable. 

Outerwear & Layers 

A medium-weight, weather-resistant jacket is essential, particularly in March and April. Sweaters or layers you can easily add and remove throughout the day are equally important. Comfortable walking shoes, ideally ones that are water-resistant, can make a noticeable difference.

An umbrella is useful to pack, though the wind sometimes makes a hooded jacket a more practical option. If you forget to pack an umbrella, from my experience, most hotels in Amsterdam have umbrellas that you can borrow. 

What to Pack for Amsterdam in May

By May, you will experience warmer afternoons, but evenings still cool off quickly. When we visited in early May, a lightweight jacket was sufficient for me during the day, paired with pants or a long skirt and a long-sleeve top. Brian found a vest layered over long sleeves and pants to be the most comfortable option. Even so, we both switched into something warmer at night. Living in Florida, we tend to feel the cold more quickly than most, and the extra layer made a difference.

When Is Tulip Season in Amsterdam? 

Tulip season in Amsterdam (and the Netherlands as a whole) runs from mid-March through early May, with peak blooms most often occurring in mid-April. That being said, the timing of the blooms is not fixed. It depends heavily on winter temperatures and early spring weather conditions. 

A cold March can delay blooms, while a mild winter can push them earlier. Due to this variability, there is no guaranteed "perfect week" to visit Amsterdam each year to see the tulips. 

Keukenhof Opening Dates & What You Can Expect

Keukenhof Gardens, the highlight of tulip season in the Netherlands, operates during a limited annual window. In 2026, Keukenhof will be open from March 19 through May 10. 

While tulips are the headline attraction, they are not the only blooms on display. Depending on the timing of your visit, you may also see daffodils, hyacinths, and later-season varieties such as azaleas. Early in the season, daffodils often dominate. By mid-April, tulips take center stage. In early May, later blooms and flowering trees add additional layers of color.

These dates closely mirror the natural bloom cycle, which is why travel demand is so heavily concentrated during this window.

Tulips in Amsterdam vs. Tulip Fields

It is important to distinguish between tulips within Amsterdam and the large agricultural fields outside of the city. 

Tulips in Amsterdam

Within Amsterdam, tulips are planted in parks, public squares, and along canals. They are decorative and maintained for seasonal displays.

Tulip Fields in the Bollenstreek

Outside of Amsterdam, particularly in the Bollenstreek region, the striped tulip fields you have likely seen photos of are actually working agricultural crops. These tulips are grown for their bulbs, not the flowers themselves. As a result, many growers will cut the blooms before they fully open in order to strengthen the bulb.

This is why bloom timing in the fields is nearly impossible to predict. A field that appears ready to peak one week may be cut shortly after. The window for seeing blooming tulip fields is much narrower than many first-time visitors to Amsterdam in spring expect. 

Responsible Tulip Viewing

It is also important to note that the majority of tulip fields are private property. Walking into the fields without permission for photographs can damage crops and is strongly discouraged. While roadside views are common, entering the rows themselves is not permitted unless explicitly allowed by the grower.

For visitors hoping to walk among the tulips and see the most consistent, well-maintained blooms, regardless of where we are in the growing season, Keukenhof is the best choice. The tulips at Keukenhof are grown specifically for public display and enjoyment, not for bulb production or commercial sale. Due to this, the gardens are designed to showcase flowers at their peak bloom.

The Best Things to Do in Amsterdam in Spring

Spring in Amsterdam is not just about tulips! Beyond the fields and gardens, the season brings longer daylight hours, the reopening of canal-side terraces, and a noticeable return to the outdoors.

Below a handful of experiences that feel particularly worthwhile when visiting Amsterdam in spring. For a broader overview of Amsterdam’s most iconic landmarks, neighborhoods, and museums beyond the spring highlights, you can explore our full Amsterdam Travel Blog.

Take a Day Trip to Keukenhof Gardens

Any trip to Amsterdam in the spring feels incomplete without a a day trip to Keukenhof. While tulips can be found throughout the city, the scale and presentation of the gardens are unmatched.

With millions of blooms planted specifically for public display, Keukenhof offers the most reliable way to experience tulip season in the Netherlands. The grounds are expansive, thoughtfully designed, and beautifully curated to showcase so many different varieties and colors of tulips throughout the season. Plus, the gardens are constantly refreshed as the season progresses, so you can be assured that no matter when you visit, you will be treated to some truly incredible blooms!

Since the gardens are only open for the short seven-week season, timed-entry tickets, especially on weekends, can sell out in advance. If Keukenhof is a part of your spring sightseeing plans, you will want to secure tickets (and transportation) ahead of time. 

When we visited Keukenhof in May 2025, we booked a round-trip tour through our affiliate partner, GetYourGuide, which included both transportation from Amsterdam and entry tickets. Having everything arranged in advance made the day so relaxing and enjoyable! I highly encourage anyone planning a visit to Keukenhof to choose this option.

Enjoy a Canal Cruise 

A canal cruise feels particularly well suited for spring in Amsterdam. Longer daylight hours allow for late-afternoon or early-evening departures, when the light softens and the city is at its most picturesque. Cooler temperatures may require you to bundle up a bit, especially in the evening, but there is no better way to see Amsterdam than from the water!

Below are the canal cruises we recommend booking through our affiliate partner, GetYourGuide. Each offers a slightly different experience.

• Classic Boat Cruise with Optional Cheese & Wine (Flagship Amsterdam): This classic wooden boat cruise feels particularly well suited for spring afternoons. Pairing incredible canal views with wine and Dutch cheese made it one of the most memorable experiences of our last visit.
• Open Boat Cruise with Optional Unlimited Drinks & Bites (Flagship Amsterdam): On warmer spring days, this open-air boat cruise offers an unobstructed view of the canals, with the option to add drinks and bites for a more relaxed, social experience.
• City Centre Canal Cruise (Stromma Netherlands): This straightforward, budget-friendly cruise covers Amsterdam’s primary canals and the major landmarks visible from the water, accompanied by an audio guide for historical context. This is particularly a great option for cold or overcast spring days.
• Rock the City - Heineken Experience & 45-Minute Cruise (Blue Boat Company): For travelers looking to visit the Heineken Experience while in Amsterdam, this combination ticket pairs entry to the original Heineken brewery-turned-museum with a 45-minute sightseeing cruise. It is a convenient way to combine two popular activities without needing to coordinate separate bookings, particularly on weekends when the city is at its busiest. 

Wander the Jordaan & The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes)

If you are looking for the most picturesque corners of Amsterdam, start in the Jordaan and the Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes). These are among the city's prettiest neighborhoods, particularly in spring. 

As spring begins, trees along the canals regain their leaves, flower pots are full of color, and canal-side cafés buzz with renewed activity. The combination of the canals, historic architecture, and greenery makes this part of the city especially photogenic. 

The Jordaan's smaller canals and residential streets offer a quieter contrast to the busier historic center, while the Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) provide a good mix of boutiques and cafés. With longer daylight hours, there is plenty of time to explore! 

Visit Amsterdam's Best Museums 

Spring weather in Amsterdam can shift quickly, which makes museum visits an ideal anchor in your Amsterdam itinerary. A cooler March morning or a rainy April afternoon is well spent indoors, and the city’s top museums justify the time!

Rijksmuseum 

The Rijksmuseum remains Amsterdam’s most comprehensive cultural experience and one of my favorite art museums in the world. From Rembrandt’s The Night Watch to Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, it offers plenty of art and artifacts to enjoy. In the spring, pairing a museum visit with time in nearby Museumplein or the Rijksmuseumtuinen (Rijksmuseum gardens) make for an ideal half-day.

I highly recommend purchasing your tickets to the Rijksmuseum in advance of your visit as tickets do sell-out, especially in spring. Tickets can be purchased directly from the Rijksmuseum website.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum provides a more focused experience, tracing the artist’s life and work chronologically. Spring is a particularly fitting time to visit, given the recurring presence of florals in his paintings. Tickets for the Van Gogh Museum must be purchased online and are not sold on-site. We recommend purchasing your tickets directly from the Van Gogh Museum website.

Anne Frank House

Few experiences in Amsterdam are as impactful as the Anne Frank House. The visit is quiet, reflective, and emotional. Tickets are released in limited batches and sell out quickly, especially during the month of April. If a visit to this museum is important to you, planning ahead is critical. You will want to ensure you book your tickets as soon as they go on sale. Tickets for the Anne Frank House go on sale on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM CET six weeks in advance. To purchase tickets, please visit the Anne Frank House website.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Amsterdam in Spring

Before our trip to Amsterdam in May 2025, we had only previously visited the city in the summer. May marks the end of tulip season, and more than one person warned us that we might be disappointed by the blooms (or lack thereof). We weren't. The flower displays were still incredible and far more expansive than we ever expected. Plus, the city was beautiful, and we were fortunate to have to near-perfect weather throughout our stay in Amsterdam. 

The tulips alone make a spring trip worthwhile. Truthfully, a day trip to Keukenhof is reason enough to plan a visit during the season. The scale of the flower displays is difficult to overstate, and even as the season begins to wind down, the gardens remain incredibly impressive. The color, the variety, and the design are unlike anything we have experienced elsewhere in the world. 

That said, Amsterdam in spring is not the time for budget travelers. Hotel rooms are costly, especially during the month of April. Museum and garden tickets require advance booking, and restaurant reservations (especially if you are traveling in a group of four or more) are an absolute necessity on the weekends. If you are planning a visit to Amsterdam this spring, budget accordingly and secure your accommodations and tickets well ahead of time. 

For us, the cost and planning were well worth it. Seeing Amsterdam in the spring, even after visiting in the summer, felt like experiencing the city anew. 

Questions About Visiting Amsterdam in the Spring?

If you are planning a spring trip to Amsterdam and still deciding on timing or priorities, feel free to leave a comment below. I would be happy to share more about what worked for us!