The Netherlands comes into full bloom in the spring and there’s no better place to enjoy it than at Keukenhof. This world-famous flower garden where 7 million bulbs are planted over its 79 acres, is full of hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, and the country’s signature flower, tulips. The garden is open from March 20 through May 11 and will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors during that time. If you are among that number, here are a few tips for visiting Keukenhof, and the surrounding tulip fields.
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Best Time To Visit Keukenhof
The garden’s 7 million bulbs are planted so that they are not all in bloom at once but instead bloom at various intervals. What this means for you is that whenever you visit, there will be a variety of flowers to enjoy. However, for the largest variety of tulips in a multitude of colors, mid to late April is the best time to go.
The opening of the park is in mid-March, and while that usually coincides with the start of spring, please know at that early date, it will likely still feel like winter, so bundle up. And in reality, I’ve been at Keukenhof in its final days in May and still needed a jacket.
Visitors may also want to take into consideration the time of day and day of the week when planning their trip to Keukenhof. Avoid weekends and holidays, if possible, and I would even add mid-mornings as that is a popular time for school trips. Very early or very late are the ideal times both in terms of lighting and fewer crowds if you’re hoping to get pictures that have more flowers than people.
I have been countless times over the years, with visitors, on school trips with the Lovely Ladies, on group outings, and alone, and from my experience, the optimal time to visit is mid to late April, during the week, and late in the day. It was with this combination that I saw the most flowers overall, but an especially large variety and colors of tulips both in the park and along the bollenstreek, and when Keukenhof was the least crowded.
Fun For The Entire Family
Keukenhof is a great outing for the entire family. The garden boasts a petting zoo, scavenger hunts, a maze, a playground, and the prominent presence of Miffy. The beloved bunny, created by the late Dick Bruna, is on display throughout Keukenhof, including several statues from the Miffy Art Parade, and even has her own tulip, Tulipa Nijntje (her Dutch moniker), which was introduced in 2016 for her 60th birthday. Other children’s characters with their own tulips at Keukenhof include Pinocchio, Sesame Street, and Little Red Riding Hood.
More Than Tulips
While the tulip garden is the main attraction for most, there are several other gardens at Keukenhof, including an English landscape garden, a Japanese garden, a natural garden, and seven inspirational gardens that change every year. Keukenhof also has fountains, and open spaces, and boasts The Netherlands’ largest sculpture park and statuary can be found throughout the garden.
In addition to the gardens, Keukenhof has 3 pavilions where flower and plant shows are held: the Willem-Alexander Pavilion displays thousands of tulips and during the last 2 weeks of the season, hosts the world’s largest lily show. The Orange Nassau Pavilion houses colorful floral displays. In the Beatrix Pavilion, you will find a variety of orchids and anthuriums.
Each year Keukenhof is dedicated to a theme, and the garden showcases a flower mosaic representative of that theme. In the past, the themes have been Dutch Design, The Golden Age, and the United Kingdom. The theme for 2022 is ‘Flower Classics’, which will highlight flowers as classic symbols used in art, architecture, and design, and what they represent.
The garden’s Windmill Square is home to a windmill that dates from 1892. There is a daily lecture by a miller explaining how the windmill works and when there is enough wind the mill is run. While you’re at Windmill Square be sure to visit the wooden shoemaker and have your picture taken standing inside the giant wooden shoes.
Bikes, Bollenstreek, and Beyond
Bikes are available to rent just outside of Keukenhof, allowing you to tour the surrounding areas, which depending on when you visit, are blanketed with daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips.
Cycling through the tulip fields offers a unique way to experience the beauty of these vibrant flowers up close. As you pedal along the winding paths, you’ll be surrounded by row upon row of tulips in every shade imaginable – from brilliant reds and yellows to soft pinks and purples. The sight and scent of the flowers in full bloom create a sensory experience like no other.
One of the best routes for a tulip field bike tour is through the famous flower-growing region known as the “Bollenstreek”, located between Haarlem and Leiden. This area is home to some of the largest and most picturesque tulip fields in the country, with endless rows of flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. As you pedal through this scenic landscape, you’ll have ample opportunities to stop and take photographs, or simply pause to admire the beauty of your surroundings. You can read more about bike tours through the tulip fields here.
For those who would like a deeper look into the history of the flower bulb culture, don’t miss The Museum De Zwarte Tulp (Black Tulip Museum) in Lisse. The museum is dedicated to the history and development of the Dutch flower bulb industry, particularly the tulip, which has been a symbol of the Netherlands for centuries. The museum showcases the cultural and economic significance of tulips in the Netherlands through various exhibits, including historical artifacts, art pieces, and interactive displays. Visitors can learn about the cultivation, trade, and cultural impact of tulips, as well as the famous Dutch tulip mania of the 17th century. The museum, which also hosts temporary exhibitions and events related to horticulture and floral art, provides an immersive experience that celebrates the cultural heritage and economic importance of tulips in the Netherlands, making it a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in horticulture and Dutch history.
If you still haven’t had your fill of flowers by this point, there’s the Bloemencorso (flower parade) with its beautiful flower floats in late April.
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, sometimes referred to as the Keukenhof Flower Parade because it passes in front of the main entrance of the Keukenhof, is the most famous parade in Holland. More than one million people from all over the world enjoy this fanciful parade, with its colorful flower floats made of spring flowers like Hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips giving the ultimate feeling of spring of the Netherlands.
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, also known as the Keukenhof Flower Parade due to its route passing by the main entrance of the Keukenhof, is the most famous parade in Holland. Drawing over a million spectators from across the globe, this vibrant parade showcases elaborate floats adorned with spring flowers such as Hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips, evoking the quintessential essence of Dutch springtime.
Ticket Purchase
Nearly 1.5 million visitors purchased Keukenhof tickets in 2024. Keukenhof tickets are dated and have a specified timeslot to better manage this influx of visitors and ensure a smoother and more enjoyable visit. Thus, it is strongly recommended that visitors purchase tickets online in advance.
Tickets for Keukenhof, including the option for an entrance ticket, combination entrance, transportation, combination entrance, spring cruise, or guided bike ride through Keukenhof with an English-speaking guide can all be purchased via Tiqets or Viator.
How to Get to Keukenhof/Lisse
Keukenhof is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Amsterdam in Lisse. To plan a trip from Amsterdam to Keukenhof using either the bus or train or even a bike, you have a few options. Here’s how you can get there:
By Train
- From Amsterdam Central Station: Take a direct train to Schiphol Airport. Trains run frequently, approximately every 10-15 minutes. Journey time: Around 15-20 minutes.
By Bus:
- From Amsterdam: Take bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) from Amsterdam Elandsgracht, Leidseplein, or Museumplein to Schiphol Airport. Journey time: Around 35-45 minutes. Alternatively, you can take bus 341 from Amsterdam Zuid station to Schiphol Airport.
- From Schiphol Airport: Take the Keukenhof Express (bus 858) from Schiphol Plaza. Journey time: About 25-30 minutes.
Tickets: For public transportation, you can buy tickets at the stations or use contactless payment methods.
By Bike:
- Renting a Bike: Amsterdam has numerous bike rental shops where you can rent a bike for the day. Plan your route using cycling maps or GPS navigation. The journey is approximately 40 km/25 miles one way and takes around 2 hours.
Follow signs for bicycle routes towards Lisse, where Keukenhof is located.
- Cycling Route:
– From Amsterdam, follow the signs towards Haarlem.
– From Haarlem, follow the signs towards Hillegom.
– From Hillegom, continue towards Lisse.
– Keukenhof is well-signposted once you’re in the vicinity.
Bike Safety: Follow traffic rules if biking and ensure your bike is equipped with lights and reflectors if you plan to return after dark.
Further Information
For information on open dates and times, visit the Keukenhof website.
For information on when the bollensteek is in bloom, walking and cycling maps, and other activities happening in the region, visit the bollenstreek website.
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