10 things to do this Easter in Amsterdam

Easter is the perfect spring holiday and a great time to spend a weekend in Amsterdam. As Easter falls early this year the weather might be changeable but there’s a lot to see, so let's go outside anyway and enjoy the longer days and everything spring has to offer during Easter in 2024 in Amsterdam and its surroundings.

The most special spring getaway is a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens. Start your trip in Amsterdam and hop on one of our tour buses to the Keukenhof. Here you’ll revel in the sight of millions of blooming bulbs – ranging from tulips to hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses and many more.

The Gardens enrich your experience with flower parades, themed gardens and mesmerizing flower shows. The millions of handplanted flowers provide the perfect backdrop for memorable pictures and also makes a day trip to Keukenhof the perfect Easter activity. 

If the sun is shining, you can enjoy springtime in one of the many parks in Amsterdam. Go to the Westerpark with its lush greenery for example, here you can sit beside the water, fold out your picnic blanket and relax after shopping in indie shops and vintage street markets nearby. Or visit the cherry blossoms in the Amsterdamse Bos, just check if they are in bloom first.

Alternatively, you can go to the Oosterpark in the East of Amsterdam. Nearby the pond are many beautiful spots to relax and have a barbecue. For children there is a nature playground and in summer a large paddling pool. Make use of public barbeques, bring some meat, vegetables, and bread and cook up your own meal together with your friends on a sunny day to take a break from sightseeing.

Seeing the Dutch capital from the water should always be on you to do list when you visit Amsterdam. There is just nothing like the view from the canals and discovering the historical city centre from its best angle. Marvel at the wonderfully crooked canal houses that line the banks. The former merchant houses from the Dutch Golden Age give the city its unique charm.

Opt for a semi-open boat to feel the rays of the sun on your face during the cruise. With this boat tour you can enjoy unobstructed views of the city's sights while sailing through its 17th century canal ring. Or, if you want to see the smallest of Amsterdam’s canals, try a small open boat cruise, since the boats are specifically designed to ensure that you can discover the beauty of the ‘Venice of the North'.

During Easter, you can go to a classical composition of the St. Matthew Passion by Bach in multiple concert venues and churches in Amsterdam. This composition is always a favourite around Easter, especially on Easter Sunday. Go to the Concertgebouw for a grand performance conducted by Pieter Jan Leusink or visit a church such as the Dominiscuskerk or the New Church where there will also be performances.

Since Easter is undoubtedly connected to animals from bunnies to baby chicks, a visit to ARTIS Royal Zoo is a wonderful choice. Fun for young and old, the Amsterdam zoo is filled with animals from all over the world and is even the oldest zoo in the country! It was founded in 1838 and features thousands of animals.

The mesmerizing zoo hosts more than 550 different animal species and over 700 trees and plant types. Visit the Savanna, where zebras live side by side with the giraffes and kudus. Or spend your day in the company of sea lions, elephants, jaguars, or chimps and learn more about their natural habitats.

ARTIS is further home to an impressive butterfly pavilion and Insectarium, which is climate-controlled to replicate their natural environment. And in 2023, a brand new lion enclosure was opened where the lions feel much more at home. So get ready for a fantastic day at the zoo during the Easter weekend!

If you want to do something different then go visit a castle this Easter. Near Amsterdam, you can find Castle Muiderslot. It is over 700 years old, making it one of the oldest and best preserved castles in the Netherlands, surrounded by water and castle gardens.

The castle was built in 1285 and is now a lively place that many visitors enjoy. On both Easter days you can join a nature scavenger hunt, workshop and a guided garden tour. The entire castle is also decorated with tulips in vases from original Delfts blue ceramic. A really great day out for young and old.

If you favour some shopping during Easter you can go to one of the many markets in Amsterdam that are also open during this holiday. Go look for some Easter Monday deals at the Noordermarkt in front of the church. Here you will find everything from the perfect souvenir to unique accessories, vintage, fashion, jewellery and more.

Escape the busy city and opt for a tranquil adventure to Giethoorn. Giethoorn is a small town without any roads and cars. Instead, the houses are connected by picturesque canals, hence people get around by using a boat! This fairytale-like village is perfect for an Easter visit.

It is easy to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam. The tour leaves from Amsterdam Central Station and a comfortable bus will bring you to the town, where you can cruise the canals of the ‘Little Venice’ by boat, marvel at this fairytale-like village and take the best pictures.

Food and Easter go together perfectly and especially brunch is a favourite during this holiday in the Netherlands, also known as paasbrunch. Many cafés and restaurants in Amsterdam have special Easter brunch menus. Go to the Jordaan or the Negen Straatjes, for example, and munch on coloured Easter eggs, sweet treats made from chocolate such as eggs and bunnies as well as Paasstol met Amandelspijs, a tasty bread with almond filling and raisins coated with powdered sugar.

Do you want to leave the city but not drive to the other side of the country? Take a trip through the Dutch countryside during this Easter break instead and visit the iconic Dutch windmills. Start your tour in the Dutch capital and let an experienced guide lead you to all the must-visit places around Amsterdam. During this day trip you will discover a world unlike any other, an experience that is sure to be cherished by adults and kids alike.

The Dutch Countryside and Windmills Tour will take you from Amsterdam to the villages of Zaanse Schans, Volendam and to the former island of Marken. Discover historical windmills, explore authentic Dutch fishing villages, try local cheese and take a boat cruise across the IJsselmeer.

The spring weather will make everything look even more beautiful, so make your Amsterdam Easter weekend in 2024 extra special and don’t forget your camera! Would you like to learn more about Dutch Easter traditions? Keep on reading here to learn all about how the Dutch celebrate Easter.