10 Things to Do in Amsterdam in April

There is always something to do or see in Amsterdam. It's no secret that this European capital lacks neither the energy nor the culture to make for an unforgettable trip. In April, however, it's arguably even better. Why? Because spring is already here with its mild temperatures.

You may have heard that Amsterdam is the city of canals, tulips or the colour orange. Well, during April you can see all these emblems in their full splendour. If that sounds good enough, wait until you see what else Amsterdam has in store for you in April.

Do you know what Koningsdag is? Well, if you're travelling to Amsterdam in April, on the 27th, it won't take you long to find out. This day is King's Day (formerly Queen's Day) and the streets of the city are filled with orange (the colour of the Dutch monarchy), music and events to celebrate their monarchy. Most of the activities are outdoors and free, such as street markets and concerts, so be prepared to have a good time.

Why 27 April? The date depends on the King's birthday at the time, although in recent years it has always been in April as the previous Queen also celebrated her day in this spring-like month.

My advice is don't forget to pack some orange clothes in your suitcase, you don't want to look out of place! Of course, there's plenty to do, so get your diary out and start planning.

Party on the canals

As a World Heritage Site, Amsterdam's canals clearly take centre stage on King's Day. Why? Because thousands of decorated boats take to the canals, play music and the water becomes one big party. If you're lucky you can get on one of them, but if not you can also dance from the shore and the bridges.

You probably already know that Amsterdam's (and Holland's) most typical flower is the tulip. The good thing about travelling in April is that you'll be able to see them like never before, as it's the middle of the season. In the middle of the month is when the whole country fills up with a huge blanket of tulips in a wide variety of colours.

Although you can always see them at the Amsterdam flower market, one of my favourite places to see them in bloom is Keukenhof Gardens, the largest tulip park in the world. Millions of bulbs open here, creating a beautiful landscape that can be reached by an organised tour from Amsterdam in just half an hour. If you don't want to go that far, you can always take a bike tour to the outskirts of Amsterdam, where you can see tulips.

Music comes to Amsterdam in April at the Awakenings Easter Music Festival. This electronic music festival is usually held in the Gashouder, an industrial building that serves as the perfect stage for internationally famous bands and DJs. Tickets can be purchased from the event's website, but be warned, they tend to sell out (around 200,000 people attend each year).

There is now a camping area to make the festival experience even better, but you can always stay in the city and attend the concerts each day, as the site is close to the centre (about half an hour) and it's easy to get around Amsterdam.

If you're really interested in this kind of music, I also recommend the electronic music museum Our House, where you can immerse yourself in an immersive experience where you can even create electronic beats yourself.

Can you imagine a 42-kilometre parade where all you can see are flowers? Your eyes won't be able to see the many cars decorated with tulips, daffodils or jasmines that travel along the road for kilometres. This is what happens at the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, an event you can enjoy if you come to Amsterdam in April.

It is now so well known for its beauty that it attracts thousands of people every year, visitors and locals alike. The route starts in Noordwijk, the flower region, and ends in Haarlem. However, it takes in many other places, including the Keukenhof garden, which is only half an hour's drive from Amsterdam. As it is free, you have no excuse to book a tour from Amsterdam to several of these villages and enjoy the flowers and the spring.

My advice is that wherever you are, don't miss the opportunity to see this parade live. If it's already magical in photos, being there, with the sweet, natural smell it gives off, is spectacular. Not to mention the sculptures; true works of art made from flowers.

If you like beer, you'll be thankful you're in Amsterdam at the end of April, because that's when the Meibockfestival takes place. This is the spring beer event. Every year, a number of craft brewers gather in the canal area. The entrance fee is around €7 and although it includes an official glass, you will have to pay for each beer separately (from €1.5 each).

The great thing about this festival is that all the stalls are in the city centre, in the Posthoornkerk, so it's easy to sample all the varieties. My advice is to try a bit of everything, from the more traditional to the more experimental, fruity or intense flavours.

Although Dutch beer is the main focus, craft brewers from other parts of the world also come here. What they all have in common is that they are spring beers, which have a special tone and do not use herbs. And if you want more, you can always go to the Heineken Experience, where you can visit the museum and learn about the history of this important brand, as well as enjoy a cruise along the canals and the brand's beers.

Fancy visiting Amsterdam's best museums at a reduced price? If you're travelling there in April I have good news for you: that's when National Museum Week takes place. What does that mean? It means that for seven days there will be special events and discounts (or even free). It's your chance to see collections from well-known museums, but also some that are not so well known but still worth seeing.

To make sure you don't miss anything, it's best to buy your ticket in advance because, as you might expect, there's usually a lot of demand and crowds. If you want to know what my recommendations are, let me tell you about them.

Anne Frank House Museum

I'm not going to lie to you, it's a tough visit, as this house is where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Nazi invasion. Walking through each of the rooms you will be able to read fragments of her famous diary. In any case, I think it's essential to understand what happened there, as in so many other places.

Of course, there are usually long queues to get in, so get your tickets for the Anne Frank House Museum before you go so you can plan your excursion well.

Van Gogh Museum

Another of the classics you can't miss if you're going to Amsterdam, especially if it's April and you can get in at a discount during Museum Week. Here you can see more than 200 of the painter's works, including The Sunflowers and his famous self-portrait, as well as drawings, sketches and letters. The tour is an artistic journey through the life of Vincent Van Gogh.

The truth is that, although it is usually very crowded, it is quite impressive to be able to see practically all of his creations. That's why I recommend that you get your tickets to the Van Gogh Museum in good time.

Nemo Science Museum

I didn't want to forget to mention the Amsterdam Science Museum, especially if you are travelling with your family. All its rooms are very entertaining and interactive, making you have a great time, no matter how old you are, and you will leave having learnt many new things. On the other hand, I can't leave out its architecture; the building is very modern and has the shape of a boat, which fascinates the little ones and provides a beautiful perspective of the city.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is a world reference for its large collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. This includes paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer or Hals. If you like art, you have to visit the Rijksmuseum, it is the most renowned in the country for a reason!

Of course, it is quite big, so I recommend you to go with a guide or with an organised tour; you will enjoy much more understanding all the art you are seeing.

With the good weather in April, everyone wants to be on the streets of Amsterdam, or rather, on its canals. A World Heritage Site, the city's ring of canals is not only a famous tourist attraction, but also home to more than 2,000 houseboats. You might not want to stay on one of them, but you should take a river cruise through Amsterdam to get to know this part of the city.

It's about 75 kilometres in total, and even if you don't get to see them all, a boat trip will give you the chance to admire the city of Amsterdam from the water, including the luxurious mansions. The good thing about April is that the days are longer and the light that falls at sunset makes everything look even more beautiful.

The best thing about this activity is that you usually have a guide (or, failing that, an audio guide) so that you can listen to explanations about the history of the canals and the city as you sail along.

What are Easter holidays in Amsterdam like? In some respects they are similar to any other city (chocolate, Easter eggs, days off work...) but there are other events and celebrations that are unique. Which ones? Mainly in the decorations and the food.

Easter in Amsterdam is generally a family celebration, although there are a few activities that take place around the city.

Easter tree

Decorations are very important elements during Easter in Amsterdam. You might be surprised to see what look like Christmas trees on the street (or even for sale in supermarkets). They are not actually fir trees, but willow branches from which hang painted eggshells and figures of rabbits, butterflies and babies.

Typical Easter foods

As is typical all over the world, chocolate is the king food during the Easter holidays. However, if you are in Amsterdam on Easter Sunday, you can go to a patisserie or restaurant and enjoy breakfast(Paasontbijt) or brunch(Paasbrunch).

What is special about them is that they will include Paasbrood, a sweet bread filled with sultanas, almond cream, cinnamon and, unlike Kerstbrood (Christmas bread), covered with orange peel.

If you're travelling to Amsterdam with children, there are always things to do with the little ones, but in April in particular you can attend the Bredeweg Festival, a free event full of activities for the whole family, from arts and crafts to concerts and plays. Sounds good, doesn't it? The whole celebration takes place in the street, at the end of April, so the weather is usually very nice.

Although this festival lasts several days and has a wide range of cultural events, the highlight comes on the night of the street opera. Don't think your children will be bored, as children's stories such as Cinderella are usually performed - music and dancing make for a great night out!

Have you heard of the World Press Photo? I'm sure you have, as it is a travelling exhibition that showcases the best photojournalism of the year. Although it does indeed travel to various cities throughout the year, it opens every April in Amsterdam. It does so in De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), a perfect setting to discover which photos have best captured the events of the last twelve months. Be careful, getting tickets is not always easy.

Beyond being an exhibition, the World Press Photo is also a competition, as a professional and international jury chooses the winning photo (and other finalists). Which one would you have chosen? You can be one of the people to give your opinion after seeing and reading the stories behind each image.

April is the month of spring in Amsterdam, and that means mild temperatures (between approximately 7ºC and 17ºC) and sunshine almost every day, with a very low chance of rain (around 25%). If you've ever been to Amsterdam in winter, you'll understand that being able to visit with clear skies and without a coat or mackintosh is a luxury.

As temperatures rise and rainy days are reduced, I recommend you enjoy the outdoors, just as everyone else does. There will also be about 15 hours of daylight a day, so evenings will be longer and you won't get cold.

The spring months attract many tourists to Amsterdam, especially on days when there are special celebrations. Keep this in mind if you're travelling in April, especially when booking flights and accommodation - don't leave it to the last minute!

Although the weather is even better in the summer months in Amsterdam, with so many major events taking place in April, such as King's Day, Easter and the opening of the tulips, this month is considered high season. Although this can be a disadvantage, it is also a reason to join in the festivities and experience something unique.

Are you already prepared for your trip to Amsterdam in April? You're sure to have a great time with all the plans to immerse yourself in Amsterdam's traditions.