- Dates: April 26-27, 2026
- Best time: Start by late morning on Apr 27; go out after dinner on Apr 26 for King's Night
- Booking: Hotels and dinner reservations should be locked in 2-4 months ahead
- Crowd level: High to very high
- Amsterdam goes all-in with vrijmarkten, DJ stages, canal parties, and orange outfits across the city.
- Special events: King's Night, King's Day, and Kingsland Festival
- Insider tip: Wear orange, carry only what you need, and rely on walking because central trams get crowded and routes can change.
Amsterdam in April: Weather, crowds, Tulips and Kings Day
Amsterdam in spring: How April compares
| Category | March | April | May |
|---|---|---|---|
Weather | 2-9°C, chilly, early spring, more grey days | 4-13°C, cooler mornings, brighter afternoons, lower rainfall | 8-17°C, milder, longer terrace days |
Crowds | Medium, tulip season starts late in the month | High, especially Easter, tulip weekends, and King's Day | High, but more spread out across the month |
Atmosphere | Waking up after winter, quieter museums | Lively, orange build-up, canals and parks feel active again | Relaxed spring city break mood, more outdoor dining |
Key events | Keukenhof opens, Amsterdam Tulip Festival begins | DGTL, Easter, Amsterdam Coffee Festival, Bloemencorso, KunstRAI, World Press Photo, King's Night, King's Day | Liberation Day, terrace season, rolling food festivals |
Public holidays | None of note for most visitors | Good Friday Apr 3, Easter Sun/Mon Apr 5-6, King's Day Apr 27 | Remembrance Day May 4, Liberation Day May 5, Ascension Day May 14, Whit Sun/Mon May 24-25 |
Budget | Better hotel deals, fewer peak surcharges | Mid-month moderate; late April expensive | Still busy, but without the King's Day spike |
Best for | Lower-pressure museum trips, first tulips | Tulips + city energy + headline events | Warmer weather, park days, longer outdoor evenings |
Book early? | Keukenhof and weekend hotels | Yes, especially Apr 5-6 and Apr 25-27 | Yes for long weekends and popular museums |
Transport tips | Smooth, easy to move around | Expect packed trams and rerouted central traffic around Apr 26-27 | Busy but more predictable than King's Day week |
Top things to do in Amsterdam in April
Offbeat experiences in Apil
Planning your April visit
| Lead time | What to book | Why & when | Seasonal price change |
|---|---|---|---|
2-4 months ahead | Central hotels for Apr 25-27, King's Day restaurants | Apr 26-27 are the pressure dates; central rooms disappear first | Apr 25-27: often +30-60% vs early-April weekdays |
4-8 weeks ahead | Tulip transport, Keukenhof plans, countryside tours | Book by mid-March for best weekend choice during tulip peak | Tulip weekends: often +10-25% vs non-event weekdays |
2-3 weeks ahead | Rijksmuseum Entry Tickets | Easter weekend and late-April museum demand climb quickly | Easter weekend slots: often +5-15% on timed extras; standard entry may sell out instead of rising |
1-2 weeks ahead | Heineken Experience Tickets with 2 Drinks | Weekend afternoon slots go first once forecasts look sunny | Sunny weekends and late-afternoon cruises: often +10-20% vs weekday mornings |
5-10 days ahead | ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo Entry Ticket | Flexible fillers are easier to leave later unless school holidays overlap | Usually stable; small weekend bumps only |
2-5 days ahead | Casual dinners, brunches, and terrace tables in Jordaan or De Pijp | Warm-weather forecasts push locals outside fast | Fri-Sun dinner tables: sometimes +5-10% via minimum spends or limited menus |
April highlights: Must-do experiences for different travellers
Amsterdam in April: Your perfect 3-day itinerary
Best day trips from Amsterdam in April
Go shopping in Amsterdam in April
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