April weather: cool, changeable and ever brighter
| Average at Schiphol (1991-2020) | April |
|---|---|
| Average high | about 14°C (13°C in early April to 16°C by the end) |
| Average low | about 5°C |
| Average temperature | about 10°C |
Source: KNMI, 1991-2020 normals for the Schiphol station in ten-day periods, averaged by us; at De Bilt, the KNMI records about 42 mm of rain on average in April. A Dutch saying has it that April does what it likes: sun, showers, hail and wind can all arrive in a single day. The sun sets around 20:00 at the start of the month and around 21:00 at the end, after the clocks go forward on 28 March 2027. To compare with other months, see the best time to visit Amsterdam.
Crowds and prices in April
April is spring high season: the Keukenhof, the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum fill up, especially at weekends and during the Dutch May school holidays, which usually start towards the end of the month (check the official dates). Book tickets ahead (booking tickets in Amsterdam) and your accommodation too, especially for the night of 26 to 27 April, when prices climb. To choose a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Amsterdam.
April 2027 events
Tulp Festival: 1 to 30 April
The 13th Tulp Festival, announced by I amsterdam for 1 to 30 April 2027, places hundreds of thousands of tulips in streets, squares and parks. Everything on display in public space is free. Our guide to seeing tulips in Amsterdam details the route, the Keukenhof and the bulb-region fields.
Bollenstreek flower parade: Saturday 17 April
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, a parade of floats covered in flowers, travels from Noordwijk to Haarlem. Watching along the route is free, but it is the busiest day of the year in the region: for the Keukenhof, go very early or pick another day. The Keukenhof stays open until 9 May 2027.
Koningsnacht and King's Day: 26 and 27 April
In 2027, King's Day falls on Tuesday 27 April (King Willem-Alexander turns 60) and Koningsnacht, King's Night, takes place the evening before. Locals sell their belongings in the street (vrijmarkt), the canals fill with boats and everyone wears orange. Public transport is packed and the centre is very dense: read the King's Day in Amsterdam page before planning the day. Some museums change their hours; the Tulip Museum is closed that day.
Easter
In 2027, Easter Sunday is 28 March and the public holiday of Easter Monday is 29 March, so the Easter weekends are over by the time April begins.
What to wear in April
- Layers: a jumper and a windproof jacket, plus something light for the rare mild afternoon.
- A raincoat: umbrellas get damaged quickly in the wind, especially on bridges.
- Comfortable shoes: you walk a lot, on cobbles that can be wet.
- Sunglasses: the low sun glares off the canals.
The best things to do in April
- Parks: the Vondelpark and the Hortus Botanicus are lovely when the first trees blossom; see also Amsterdam's parks and gardens.
- Tulips in the city: the flower market and the Tulp Festival are best done on foot or by bike, see cycling in Amsterdam.
- A day trip: Haarlem and the other towns reachable by train are ideal in spring.
- Museums: the big collections fill a rainy day well, see what to do in Amsterdam when it rains.
- A cruise: a canal cruise is pleasant in the warmest hours.
April 2027 at a glance
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 30 April | Tulp Festival (13th edition) | Free, across the city |
| Saturday 17 April | Bloemencorso Bollenstreek | Free along the route, paid grandstands |
| Until 9 May | Keukenhof | Dated ticket, see the tulip guide |
| Monday 26 April, evening | Koningsnacht | Neighbourhood parties |
| Tuesday 27 April | King's Day (vrijmarkt) | Public holiday, very busy transport |
| All month | About 14°C in the afternoon | Pack a raincoat |
Going further
April follows what to do in Amsterdam in March and precedes what to do in Amsterdam in May. For the whole season, read Amsterdam in spring, and for the rest of the year Amsterdam in winter and Amsterdam in summer.
