The Netherlands in April: Weather, Festivals and Travel Tips
The Netherlands is a unique country known for many things beyond bicycles and gouda cheese, including its art and historical attractions in cities such as Amsterdam, a charming system of water canals spreading across the whole nation, and iconic traditional windmills.
The Netherlands in April is when temperatures are finally rising after a chilly winter. The Netherland Tours have plenty to offer to all types of visitors this month. Head to Zaanse Schans to see the famous windmills that inspired many artists from all over the world, try the Dutch precursor of gin, jenever, or get lost in the intricate entanglement of canals and crooked houses typical of this country.
- Patricia Hoson
- From Australia
The Netherlands weather in April
April is the beginning of the spring, and the weather tends to be cold with a high chance of precipitation. This may make you want to postpone your trip, but the truth is that the Netherlands rarely experiences great weather conditions and you are likely to experience rain no matter when you visit!
The weather in the Netherlands in April sees temperatures range from 4°C to 12°C all over the country. Amsterdam, the main tourist city in the country, experiences lows of 9°C and highs of 14°C in April, with an average of 12 days of rain throughout the month. The weather in Rotterdam and other tourist cities such as Groeningen, Den Hague, and Eindhoven tends to be very similar to Amsterdam, with high chances of rain and coolish temperatures.
For a better understanding of the Weather in the Netherlands, check out our article on the best time to visit the Netherlands.
Why visit the Netherlands in April
The city of Gouda in the Netherlands is the main attraction for cheese enthusiasts.
Despite the potential for rain, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider a trip to the Netherlands in April.
- King’s Day: What is the Dutch’s most beloved day? King’s Day, of course! This sort of Dutch Saint Patrick’s Day celebrates the birthday of the king of the Netherlands, Williem-Alexander. On this day, people do not work and crowd the streets wearing orange clothes. Parties, free markets, drinking, and street vendors are typical of this lively celebration.
- Spring blooms: The Netherlands are well known for their productions of flowers and, in particular, tulips. Tulips are present in every city and park across the country and bloom in April, adding color to your trip and charm to your pictures. You definitely cannot miss the magnificent flower fields in Flevoland. Located east of Amsterdam, this area has breathtaking landscapes perfect to update your social media photo. You can also treat yourself to a picnic in one of Amsterdam’s beautiful parks, such as the stunning Vondelpark.
- Milder temperatures: Although the country is still relatively chilly, temperatures in the Netherlands in April are finally getting warmer compared to the winter months. This means that you will be able to stroll around without having to find shelter in a café every few minutes to escape the cold.
Where to go and what to do
The pleasant walk around the harbour can be a perfect way to enjoy the city of Rotterdam in April
The most famous city in the country is surely Amsterdam and a trip to Amsterdam should not be missed. If it's sunny, explore the small streets of the city centre and its unique boutiques, and if it's raining, find shelter in one of the many museums, such as the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum. For an authentic cultural experience, try a shot of jenever in the oldest distillery in the city, Wynand Fockink, or watch a movie in one of the many small cinemas located in ancient crooked Dutch houses.
Other popular tourist attractions include the Rotterdam tour, a trip to Eindhoven, and a tour to Den Hague. Alternatively, if you want to escape huge crowds of tourists, you can opt for small charming towns, such as Giethoorn, Heusden, and Bourtange.
You also have plenty of choices to enjoy Dutch nature, which always gives its very best in April. The natural reserve in Schoorl is a fantastic place to visit, with its high dunes, pine forests growing on sand and ocean vistas. Other great options include the Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park and the Nationaal Park De Biesbosch, a popular nature reserve that can be visited both by foot or canoe! These are also the ideal places to spot Dutch wildlife. A slice of heaven on earth for bird watchers, these parks are the natural habitat of many species ranging from European robins to Eurasian coots, and great spotted woodpeckers.
The Netherlands in April offers plenty of activities for every type of traveler. This month, the country is warming up, and even though rain is still present, simply listen to the Dutch saying ‘There is no bad weather but only bad clothing’ and you will surely enjoy your trip! Regardless of what you decide to do, an April trip to the Netherlands will surely fill your heart with joy and wonder.
If you are now overwhelmed by the many things to see and do in this country and don’t know how long you should spend here, don’t forget to check out our guide on how many days to spend in the Netherlands.
Other articles:
The Netherlands in March
The Netherlands in May
