Your April and May Itinerary in the Netherlands
By Samir Mammadov
Spring in the Netherlands has so far been very pleasant. It is blessing us with warmer and sunnier days, inviting us to be more outside. While the exam period is on and students are busy with academic work, it’s a perfect season to explore the country in your free time. The Netherlands has a lot to offer in April and May when it comes to celebrations, festivities and sightseeing. In this blog, I will share some of my favourite activities to do in April and May. Let’s get started!
Admire the Tulip Season
Tulip season is officially on! One of the Netherlands’ main gems is its love for the tulips. The Netherlands is famous for its deep cultural and historical connection to these flowers, as it was brought in the 16th century and quickly became a national symbol. Each spring, different colourful fields bloom across the country, attracting visitors from across the world.
Fun fact: tulips are related to garlic, onion and asparagus!
What are the best places to see the tulips? Well, the most famous location is Keukenhof. It is one of the largest and most beautiful lower gardens in Europe, which has over 7 million tulip bulbs. It is one of the country’s top attractions this season, where you can attend with the entrance fee. If you want to have a more authentic and less touristic look at the tulips, then you should visit the fields in Bollenstreek, which is a bulb region consisting of different cities. You can visit the fields without the entrance fee by car, public transport, or bike. My favourite way to see the tulips is to rent a bike at the nearest station (or bring your own) and cycle around the fields. A day trip when the sun is out to see the colourful tulips is definitely worth the hype.
Enjoy Festive Celebrations
The Netherlands has a few of its national holidays and big celebrations in these months. The biggest one is the King’s Day taking place on the 27th of April. Koningsdag or King’s Day is a national holiday in honour of King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. It is a big national party where everyone dresses in orange, and the streets turn into big open-air celebrations with music, food, and flea markets. The best way to celebrate is to do it in a big city such as Amsterdam or Utrecht. If you celebrate it in a big city, plan it in advance, as it gets very crowded and public transport becomes busy.
Another celebration is the 5th of May, also known as Liberation Day. Liberation Day is a tribute to the end of Nazi occupation in the Netherlands during World War II in 1945. It’s important because it honours freedom and remembrance, with celebrations like festivals and speeches on the importance of liberty and peace. The celebration is special in Wageningen because the occupation ended right here. In Wageningen, Liberation Day is celebrated by checking out massive parades, different festivities and activities organised by people. You should definitely join in the festivities and experience just how lively and energetic it gets!
Check out the Lakes
Now that we are witnessing more sunny, clear and warmer days, it is the perfect time to check out the country’s nature. The Netherlands has different beautiful lakes spread across the country. It’s a perfect season to finally sit outside on the grass near the lake and even test the waters. As the country is blooming in plants and vegetation, spending time around the like will definitely help you relax and connect to nature. Here are some of the lake locations you can visit:
- The Netherlands lake district – includes Loosdrechtse and Vinkeveense Plassen – (Noord- Holland, Utrecht, Zuid- Holland)
- Alkmaarder/ Uitgeestermeer (Noord- Holland)
- Sneekermeer (Friesland)
- Heegermeer (Friesland)
- Lauwersmeer (Friesland/ Groningen)
For me, the best way is to do a day trip to the lake by going there with your bike together with friends! You can find more suggestions and tips here!
Visit the Windmills
Every year, the Netherlands has National Windmill Day. On this day, many historic windmills are open to the public so they can observe how they operate. The purpose of this event, which often takes place in May, is to show how important windmills were in the past for tasks like grinding grain and pumping water. It’s a nice event to view something quite typical of the Netherlands and gain a sense of its past. This year, the event is on the second weekend of May, so mark it in your calendar!
Visit the Day of the Castle
If you are interested in the historical and cultural sites of the Netherlands, then this tip is for you. Castle Day is a yearly event in the Netherlands where lots of castles and old estates open up so people can go inside and explore them. You can walk around the rooms, gardens, and towers, and get a feel for what life was like in the past. Many places also have guided tours and fun activities, so it’s not just walking around but actually learning and experiencing history. This year it will be from 22-25 May, so if you want a free and exciting cultural attraction, keep that weekend in mind.
Enjoy the Spring Season!
These are a few of my personal suggestions on how you can spend your free time in the Netherlands. There are countless more things to explore as we are approaching the end of the spring. So, go out, travel more and enjoy the blooming season while it lasts!
Cheers,
Samir
