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 |