Blossoms, tulips, terraces, markets and an early canal cruise: These are the places where March really begins in Amsterdam. Amsterdam NOW tips sunny spots in the city where spring fever is flying around your ears. Are you coming to play outside?
1) Hanami in the Blossom Park (Amsterdam Forest)
Nieuwe Meerlaan 1, Amstelveen (Amsterdamse Bos)
Blossom Park is home to some 400 Japanese cherry trees that usually bloom around mid-March to mid-April. When it hits, it really does feel for a moment there as if everyone got the same spring memo. During the week it is simply more pleasant: less crowded and you have more space to walk around.
2) Terrace top 3 for first sunshine
Caravan Quakers Square 2, West
Karavaan, a spot on Kwakersplein in Oud-West since 2020, has a strikingly large terrace known for its maximum sunlight hours. The café with international menu combines a multifunctional layout with an interior inspired by natural landscapes, making it a versatile meeting place.
Hangar North - Anvil Street 36, North
Hangar North is a bar-restaurant in an old warehouse next to Hotel de Goudfazant, with a huge terrace (and even a sort of city beach) right on the IJ. Inside, it is industrial but surprisingly chic - you sit there for lunch or dinner, but really mostly for that "North by the water" setting.
Cafe the Years Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22, Center
When the sun is still low, you win especially with terraces that grab it and don't immediately fall into the shade. Karavaan is one of those classic "this is the place to be" spots in West. Hangar Oost, on the other hand, is more raw and spacious on Zeeburgereiland. And De Jaren remains the reliable option on the waterfront in the center once there is light.
3) Tulip-hopping during the Tulip Festival (free scavenger hunt through the city)
Gelderlandplein 1, Amsterdam-Zuid (example start)
From the end of March to the end of April, there will be tulip stands in dozens of places throughout the city - enough to make a little scavenger hunt of it, just walking or biking. Handy: you choose a city district and build your own mini-route.
4) The 'secret' Court Garden of Dignita
Dignita - Nieuwe Herengracht 18A, Amsterdam-Centrum
Tucked away in the greenery near the H'ART area, this place immediately feels like a mini spring garden in March. Inside you have the glass pavilion, outside you sit among the first greenery and spring blooms. This is one of those addresses that you often discover just too late - and then remember.
5) Spring walk in North: NDSM → Pllek → Chateau Amsterdam
TT Neveritaweg 59, Amsterdam-Noord (Pllek)
Johan van Hasseltweg 51a, Amsterdam-Noord (Chateau Amsterdam)
In Noord, the "water + walk + plop down somewhere" combination already works surprisingly well in March. At Pllek you sit on the IJ with space and air, and Chateau Amsterdam is a nice finish for something local in the glass.
6) Flea market-strolling at the IJ-Hallen (March 7 & 8, 2026)
Flea Market - NDSM-Plein 1, Amsterdam North
Walking around the yard outside, coffee in your hand, and meanwhile looking among hundreds of stalls to see if you can find something weirdly good: this always feels like the real "the season has started again" moment. This edition is on March 7 and 8, 2026.
7) Magnolia route along Lijnbaansgracht towards Spiegelgracht
Noordermarkt, Amsterdam-Centrum (Jordaan)
Spiegelgracht 2C, Amsterdam-Centrum
Before the cherry blossoms really break loose, the magnolias often have their turn before then. This walk works nice and simple: start at the Jordaan and walk toward Spiegelgracht - along the way, you'll encounter plenty of stretches of canal where it suddenly turns bright pink in March.
8) Lamb watching at goat farm Ridammerhoeve
Ridammerhoeve - Nieuwe Meerlaan 4, Amstelveen (Amsterdamse Bos)
March is the month when there are young animals again. Ridammerhoeve is the fixed address in the Forest for this: get out for a moment, just simple, and your head automatically goes into a quieter state.
9) Skyline toasts at Floor17
Floor17 - Staalmeesterslaan 410, Amsterdam-West
Floor17 sits atop the Leonardo Hotel near Rembrandt Park, which is exactly why it works in March: you're high up, so you grab light and views at the same time. If there are rooftop moments at all, this is usually one of the first places you feel them.
10) (Wild) picking vibe at Fruit Garden of West
Tom Schreursweg 48, Amsterdam New West
In March, you can see the orchard slowly waking up here. You don't go there for "big spectacle," but rather for that quiet, circular farm feeling on the edge of town - and to take something seasonal from the store.
11) The early bird tour by electric sloop
Sloepdelen - Mauritskade 3, Amsterdam-Oost
March is perfect for boating by yourself: it's still quiet on the water, and the city looks just a bit fresher. Sloepdelen has boarding spots around the city; this is a fine way to get your own "spring start" without the immediate summer crowds.