{"id":7600,"date":"2026-04-21T18:47:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/?p=7600"},"modified":"2026-04-21T18:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:48:08","slug":"your-april-and-may-itinerary-in-the-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/2026\/04\/21\/your-april-and-may-itinerary-in-the-netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"Your April and May Itinerary in the Netherlands"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s 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. \u00a0Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n

Admire the Tulip Season<\/h2>\n

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Tulip season<\/strong> 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<\/a>. Each spring, different colourful fields bloom across the country, attracting visitors from across the world.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/em>: tulips are related to garlic, onion and asparagus!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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What are the best places to see the tulips? Well, the most famous location is Keukenhof<\/a><\/strong>. It is one of the largest and most beautiful lower gardens in Europe, which has over 7 million tulip bulbs.\u00a0 It is one of the country\u2019s 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<\/a> 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<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Enjoy Festive Celebrations<\/h2>\n

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The Netherlands has a few of its national holidays and big celebrations in these months. The biggest one is the King’s Day<\/strong> taking place on the 27th<\/sup> of April. Koningsdag or King\u2019s Day is a national holiday<\/a> in honour of King Willem-Alexander\u2019s 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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Another celebration is the 5th<\/sup> of May, also known as Liberation Day<\/strong>. Liberation Day is a tribute to the end of Nazi occupation in the Netherlands during World War II in 1945. It\u2019s 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<\/strong> 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!<\/p>\n

Check out the Lakes<\/h2>\n

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Now that we are witnessing more sunny, clear and warmer days, it is the perfect time to check out the country\u2019s nature<\/strong>. \u00a0The Netherlands has different beautiful lakes spread across the country. It\u2019s 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. \u00a0Here are some of the lake locations<\/a> you can visit:<\/p>\n