Tips · Netherlands
Amsterdam Tulip Trip: What Should You Prepare Now?
The tourist board names mid-March to early May as tulip season. March-May weather, what to wear, a 3-day plan and what to book early.
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The short answer
The tourist board names mid-March to early May (especially late April to early May) as tulip season. The exact timing changes every year, so check the official bloom and festival information before you book and again before you go.
It is the spring high season, so book accommodation and transport early. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House all use timed entry, so sort those out ahead of time too.
Tulips: when and where
The tourist board names mid-March to early May (especially late April to early May) as tulip season. Check the official bloom and festival information for places to see them before you go.
The exact timing changes every year. Check where and when to see them in the official bloom and festival information before you book accommodation and transport, and once more just before you leave.
Another spring sight is the windmill village of Zaanse Schans outside the city. Most windmills are open to visitors from April to October.
March-May weather and what to wear
These are 1991–2020 normals from KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute), Schiphol station (240): average high / average low / monthly rainfall.
March is still chilly, with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. April brings highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C, and May about 18°C by day and 9°C in the morning. Monthly rainfall is 52mm in March, 40mm in April and 54mm in May; of these three months, April has the least.
Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that the weather changes often within a day, so bring a jacket in any season. Mornings are cool in tulip season, so pack a layer that is easy to take on and off.
- March: 10°C / 3°C / 52mm
- April: 14°C / 5°C / 40mm
- May: 18°C / 9°C / 54mm
A 3-day spring plan
The guide suggests 2 to 3 nights in Amsterdam. Below is the guide's 3-day plan. If the official bloom and festival information helps you pick a place to see tulips, stay 3 nights and give that plan a day of its own.
Zaanse Schans on day 3 suits a spring trip, as most windmills open their interiors from April to October. The Ticket Zaanse Schans, covering museums and two windmills among others, costs EUR 29.50 for adults.
- Day 1: Train from Schiphol to Centraal (~17 min) → Dam Square and the Royal Palace (check opening days) → Begijnhof (open during the day only) → a canal-belt walk or canal cruise around sunset
- Day 2: Rijksmuseum in the morning (book a start time) → a break in Vondelpark → Van Gogh Museum in the afternoon (timed ticket) → dinner in De Pijp (the Albert Cuypmarkt is closed on Sundays)
- Day 3: Morning train to the Zaanse Schans windmills → back in the city in the afternoon for a walk along the Jordaan canals → your pre-booked Anne Frank House visit → head to the airport
What to book early
Tulip season is what the tourist board calls the spring high season, so book accommodation and transport early. Hotels also fill up fast around King's Day, so check official information to see whether your dates overlap. Hotel prices vary a lot by date, so compare them on booking sites.
Use the guide to choose an area. Around Centraal and Dam Square is the transport hub where trams, ferries and airport trains leave; in the Museum Quarter, airport bus 397 stops at Museumplein. The Jordaan is for canal walks and markets, and De Pijp has markets and restaurants.
Book sights ahead as well. The Anne Frank House admits visitors with online timed tickets only, and tickets for six weeks later are released every Tuesday at 10 a.m. The Van Gogh Museum sells tickets online only and warns of fraudulent tickets, so buy only from its official site or official resellers. The Rijksmuseum requires booking a start time, and the Royal Palace opens only on set days, so check its official calendar.
From the airport and getting around
The NS train from Schiphol to Centraal takes about 17 minutes, and according to NS, eight Sprinter trains run each hour. For a taxi, use the airport's official taxi rank.
On trams, buses, metro and trains, tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet (OVpay) when you board and again when you get off. According to the tourist board, public transport does not take cash. According to the tourist board (updated June 2026), if you use only GVB with OVpay you pay at most EUR 10.50 a day, and the IJ ferries behind Centraal are free.
To include the airport train, look at the NS Amsterdam Travel Ticket (EUR 18 for 1 day, EUR 24 for 2 days, EUR 30 for 3 days); for nearby places such as Zaanse Schans, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (2026: EUR 23 for 1 day). Check official information before travel for entry requirements (visas, ETIAS and so on).
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FAQ
When do tulips bloom in Amsterdam?
The tourist board names mid-March to early May (especially late April to early May) as tulip season. The exact timing changes every year, so check the official bloom and festival information before you book and before you go.
Where can I see the tulips?
Pick your tulip spot before you go. Check the official bloom and festival information for where and when.
What is the weather like in Amsterdam in April?
Based on 1991–2020 normals from KNMI, Schiphol station, April averages a high of 14°C, a low of 5°C and 40mm of rain. The weather changes often within a day, so bring a jacket.
What should I book first?
It is the spring high season, so book accommodation and transport early. Anne Frank House tickets are released every Tuesday at 10 a.m. for six weeks later, so book as soon as your dates are set.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Koko-en Garden · Drivephotographer / CC0
- Týn Church, Old Town Square · Diego Delso, delso.photo / CC BY-SA 4.0