Keukenhof Gardens And Tulip Fields – Garth is an avid gardener and has been looking forward to seeing the seasonal display of Dutch tulips at one of the most famous and spectacular flower shows in the world – Keukenhof. So we decided to spend a long weekend in the city and go to Amsterdam. In this post we will show you what a day trip to Keukenhof has to offer.
Located in the small town of Lisse about 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam, Keukenhof is open only eight weeks a year from mid-March to mid-May. During this short period, over 1 million people travel from the Netherlands and around the world to see thousands of spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. As we found out, this is a big visitor attraction.
Keukenhof Gardens And Tulip Fields
The hardest part for us was deciding when to go as the season varies every year depending on the weather. Will the tulips have lost all their petals? Will the flowers be closed? And are the nearby flower fields harvested? It’s a gamble, but the best time to visit is mid to late April. That’s why we chose the end of April to coincide with the big Dutch national holiday – King’s Day (Koningsdag), which takes place on April 27th every year.
Keukenhof Gardens Boat Tour Through Tulip Fields In Spring In Holland Stock Photo
Keukenhof means “vegetable garden” in Dutch and was originally a herb garden for the nearby castle. In 1949, the mayor of Lisse decided to use the gardens to create a showroom for farmers throughout the Netherlands to display and promote their flowers in order to increase export sales. Today, Keukenhof is still a living shop window, with a plaque next to each display with the name of the flower and the nursery where it was grown. These came in very handy when we saw tulips that we liked. Garth busily wrote down the names so we could think about purchasing them later in the year.
If you have a green thumb like Garth, you will be blown away by Keukenhof. The gardens are huge – 79 acres, so just take your time and explore for a few hours. You can easily spend most of the day here as there is so much to see.
7 million flower bulbs are planted by hand to create fabulous floral arrangements. When we first entered the garden we were overwhelmed by the huge display of tulips, a great foretaste of what was to come. Oh, and there’s also a beautiful lake and over 2,700 trees!
You can see all imaginable types of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils – 800 types of tulips to be exact! Keukenhof is famous for its mass plantings in bold colors and everywhere seems to be laid out with all the colors of the spectrum. From unusual dark hues of hyacinths to light pastel hues of tulips, there’s a riot of color wherever you go.
Keukenhof Tulip Fields: Tips For An Unforgettable Visit
The sheer amount of flowers on display is what makes Keukenhof so spectacular. The exhibitions are a joy because you can experience them up close, especially nice when the scent in the air is really strong. Even Phil, who is not a gardener, couldn’t help but appreciate these wonderful displays.
Every year Keukenhof chooses a different theme for some exhibitions. We were there in 2017 – the 68th season of Keukenhof and the theme was Dutch design. The centerpiece was this block flower work inspired by Piet Mondrian’s famous compositions of red, blue and yellow – planted in layers to extend the blooming period.
Other gardens to explore at Keukenhof include the historic garden, and at the other end of the park we listened to a beautiful barrel organ playing old tunes.
Phil found it funny that people watched as many visitors bent over to smell the flowers or fought with their selfie sticks to get the perfect photo. One American couple even told us how to get a better photo by lying back to back on the grass!
Keukenhof & Lisse Tulip Fields
There are 5 pavilions with various plant and cut flower displays to explore. The smell was great when we first entered the Willem Alexander Pavilion. We were particularly impressed by the various orchids on display and were envious of their begonias in hanging baskets. Ours look like a very poor relative!
Also keep an eye out for fun photo opportunities scattered throughout the gardens, like these giant wooden clogs! And remember to bring enough memory cards for your camera if you’re into photography like Garth, because you’ll need them!
From the viewing platform at the top of the windmill you can look across the canal to the many fields planted with tulips and hyacinth bulbs. At the foot of the windmill, you can take a 45-minute “whisper boat” ride to explore the nearby flower fields from the water on the canals. Alternatively, you can rent a bike right outside the Keukenhof entrance for €10 and explore the fields on your own along four designated routes.
After a few hours, we left the Keukenhof Gardens full of inspiration to see where in the area these bulbs are grown.
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens & Fields Near Amsterdam
Right next to Keukenhof are dozens of farm flower fields that are just as spectacular as the Keukenhof gardens. Our friends drove us through the Lisse area, where there is the largest concentration of tulip fields. We stopped at various places to take wonderful photos! Remember to respect the farmers’ fields, stay on the edge and tiptoe through the tulips!
The dense planting of the rows of tulips creates beautiful fabric-like patterns. Some of the fields we stopped at must look amazing from the air (Phil, we need a drone!). We loved the mixed tulip fields that create beautiful rainbow stripes. Phil thought the fields looked like an abstract painting.
Again, timing is crucial for the best display, as farmers trim the tulips to promote healthier bulbs. If you want to see them in full bloom, we recommend going by mid-April as all flower heads will be cut off by the end of April. Another tip: the fields are flat and windy, so take a jacket with you.
If you’re flying into Amsterdam like we were, make sure you book a window seat as you’ll probably have a good view of tulip and flower fields when you land at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
How To Make Your Visit To Keukenhof Gardens An Amazing Day
We ended our day with a drink and a walk on the beach in the beautiful coastal town of Noordwijk, just 15 minutes from Keukenhof. With a bit of luck you will pass one or two windmills along the way.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Click “Accept” if you agree. Accept Read moreAre you looking for the best place to see tulips in Holland? Look no further than Lisse, a small town in the Netherlands not far from Amsterdam. Lisse is home to the famous Keukenhof Gardens, also known as the “Gardens of Europe”, and here you will find the famous Dutch tulip fields.
The Keukenhof Gardens cover 32 hectares and welcome around 1.5 million visitors annually. Quite an impressive statistic considering these special gardens are only open for 8 weeks each year!
That’s right, if you want to visit Keukenhof and the Lisse tulip fields, you need to plan in advance. With new guidelines and protocols to follow given the current situation, here is updated information about visiting Keukenhof in 2022.
Netherlands Tulip Fields Sightseeing
Given its reputation as the “Garden of Europe” and the droves of people who come to the Netherlands specifically for Keukenhof, it goes without saying that it is beneficial to do due diligence before planning your visit – something I do Unfortunately I didn’t do that before my visit to Keukenhof. In this “Ultimate Guide to Visiting Keukenhof,” I share mistakes I made and my expectations, money-saving and transportation tips, and other relevant information.
Before making a travel reservation, be sure to check the government restrictions currently in effect in the Netherlands. Please note that things can change without notice and that most travel insurance companies do not cover COVID-19 for cancellations or treatment. Travel safely, wear a mask, keep your distance and follow all local regulations.
Spring is a time of new beginnings and new awakening, and experiencing spring tulips in the Netherlands should be on everyone’s bucket list.
To visit Keukenhof, you must visit the Netherlands between March and May to enjoy one of the most beautiful spring events in the world.
The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Amsterdam Tulips’ And Keukenhof Gardens
Hours remain the same as previous years, opening at 8:00 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m.
“[Going out together] conventions that apply to crowded day attractions in the Netherlands. The garden is implementing an appropriate system regarding social distancing. You will receive clear information and hygiene guidelines to protect yourself and other visitors during your visit.
In 2022, Keukenhof will limit the number of visitors per day. To avoid overcrowded times, time slots will also be set up when you presell your ticket. If Keukenhof is no longer allowed to open, cancellations will be taken into account according to the website.
Depending on your personal preferences, there are different ways to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam. Bus, organized tour or car. Alternatively, spend the night in Lisse and walk to the gardens to be there when they open and avoid the crowds. This may be the best option for visiting Keukenhof as it avoids this
