Tulip Garden Keukenhof Tours – Garth is an avid gardener who has been itching for some time to see the seasonal displays of Dutch tulips at one of the most famous and spectacular flower shows in the world – the Keukenhof. So we decided to take a long weekend city break and head over to Amsterdam. In this article we will show you what a Keukenhof day trip has to offer.
Keukenhof is located in the small town of Lisse about 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam and is only open 8 weeks a year from mid-March to mid-May. During this short window more than 1 million people in the Netherlands and around the world travel to see thousands of spring flower bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils, a great attraction for visitors as we know.
Tulip Garden Keukenhof Tours
The hardest part for us was deciding when to go as the season varies every year depending on the weather. Will the tulips lose all their flowers? Will the flowers close? and nearby fields of flowers will be harvested? It is a gamble but the best time to visit is considered to be mid to late April. So we chose the end of April to coincide with the big Dutch national holiday – Queen’s Day (Koningsdag) which is held on April 27 every year.
Private Keukenhof & Zaanse Schans Tour: Explore Tulips, Windmills & Dutch Countryside
Keukenhof means “kitchen garden” in Dutch, and was originally an herb garden for the nearby castle. In 1949 the Mayor of Lisse decided to use the gardens to create an exhibition space for farmers from all over the Netherlands to display and advertise their flowers to increase export sales. Today Keukenhof is still a living shop window with a plaque next to each one telling you the name of the flower and the nursery that produced it. These came in handy when we saw our favorite tulips, and Garth busily wrote down the names so we could consider buying them next year.
If you have green fingers like Garth, then Keukenhof will beat you. The gardens are vast – 79 acres, so just take your time and explore them for a good few hours. You could easily spend the better part of a day here as there is so much to see.
7 million flower bulbs are planted by hand to create stunning displays. We were blown away when we first entered the garden by the huge display of tulips, and excited for what was to come. Oh and there’s also a beautiful lake and over 2,700 trees!
Every type of tulip, hyacinth and daffodil you can imagine is on display, 800 types of tulip to be exact! Keukenhof is famous for its richly colored plantings, and everywhere seems to be covered in every color of the spectrum. From the unusual dark shades of hyacinths to the light fur colors of tulips, there is always a riot of color everywhere you turn.
Is Keukenhof Worth It? Tulips And What Else In Keukenhof Gardens (netherlands)?
The sheer volume of flowers on display is what makes Keukenhof so impressive. The shows are a joy because you can get up close and personal with them, especially when the scent in the air is strong. Even Phil being a non-farmer can’t help but appreciate these amazing displays.
Every year Keukenhof chooses a different theme for some exhibitions. We visited in 2017 – the 68th annual Keukenhof and the theme was Dutch Design. The centerpiece was this block flower work inspired by Piet Mondrian’s famous red, blue and yellow – planted in layers to extend the blooming season.
Other gardens to explore in Keukenhof include a formal garden called the Historical Garden and on the other side of the garden we listened to a lovely barrel organ playing old songs.
Phil thought the people watching was hilarious, with many visitors bending down to smell the flowers or fighting with selfie sticks to get the perfect photo. An American couple even told us how to take a better photo while lying back to back on the grass!
Exploring Keukenhof Gardens & Vondelpark, Amsterdam
There are 5 pavilions to explore with different displays of plants and cut flowers. The smell was great when we first entered the Willem-Alexander Pavilion, we were especially in awe of the various orchids on display and were not jealous of their begonias in hanging baskets, ours looked like a very poor relationship. !
Also look out for fun photo opportunities around the park, and remember to take enough memory cards for your camera if you’re going to be taking pictures like Garth as you will need them!
From the observation deck at the top of the windmill you can look across the canal to the many fields of tulips and hyacinth bulbs. At the windmill station you can take a 45 minute “steamboat” trip to explore the nearby flower gardens on the canal’s water. Alternatively, you can rent a bike for 10 euros outside the Keukenhof entrance and explore the gardens yourself on 4 designated routes.
A few hours later, feeling fully inspired, we left the Keukenhof Gardens to see where these lights come from in the local area.
A Guide To Visiting Keukenhof Gardens In The Netherlands
Around Keukenhof there are dozens of gardeners, and they are as beautiful as Keukenhof gardens. Our friends took us around Lisse where there are many tulip fields. We stopped at different places to take amazing photos! Remember to respect the farmers’ fields and stick to the tip and toenails of the tulips!
Rows of tulips create beautiful tapestry like patterns as they are densely planted. Some of the fields we’ve been to must look amazing from the air (Phil we need a drone!) We love the mixed tulip fields that make beautiful rainbow stripes. Phil thought the fields looked like an abstract painting.
Again timing is important for the best displays as growers deadhead tulips to encourage healthy bulbs. If you want to see them in bloom our advice would be until mid-April as the flower heads will all be cut at the end of April. Another tip – the fields are flat and windy so take a jacket.
If you’re flying into Amsterdam like we are, make sure you grab a window seat because you’ll probably get a great view of the tulip and flower fields when you land at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
Keukenhof Gardens Virtual Tour Of Tulips In Holland
We finished our day with a drink and a walk along the beach in the beautiful coastal town of Noordwijk which is only 15 minutes from Keukenhof, and if you’re lucky you might cross the odd breeze on the way.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Click Accept if you are satisfied with this. Accept Read MoreTulips! Tulips! Tulips! Experience the magic of tulips at the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens near Amsterdam! Spring opens the gates of the flower paradise for only 8 weeks. Make 2024 unforgettable with a visit to Keukenhof, where vibrant flowers stretch as far as the eye can see. Take the family on a magical journey through nature’s wonderland. Join a guided tour to discover the fascinating history of Amsterdam’s beloved tulips and their cultural significance. Don’t miss the Flower Festival, where this year’s theme, Flower Power, is aimed at encouraging peace and harmony. Welcome to the beauty of spring at the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens – an experience you will treasure forever! Keukenhof will be open in 2024 from 21 March to 12 May.
Before you visit the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, here is everything you need to prepare for a great visit.
In 16th century Holland, a farmer could only dream of seeing a rare tulip, as it was very rare! Enthusiasm for these bright and vibrant flowers reached its peak that century, sparking an economic frenzy known as tulip mania. Introduced to Europe during the Dutch Golden Age, tulips were originally brought from the Ottoman Empire in Central Asia. Impressed by their beauty, the Dutch included tulips in everything from paintings to signs. Although interest in the tulip eventually waned, local people embraced cultivation, resulting in the Netherlands now producing 40% of the world’s tulips and other types of flowers.
Opening Keukenhof 2024
Keukenhof is not your ordinary garden with over seven million flowers! Translated as ‘Kitchen Gardens’ in Dutch, 32 hectares of tulip gardens in Amsterdam represent one of the largest flower gardens in the world. Originally launched in 1949 to showcase the Dutch flower industry, the nation has since become the number one flower exporter.
Located in the beautiful town of Lisse in the Bollenstreek region, a quick 40-minute drive from Amsterdam, is the famous Keukenhof Tulip Garden. This fascinating place is exclusively open for a short period of 59 days during the spring season, offering visitors a variety of spectacular displays, richly decorated flower beds, fascinating installations, and beautiful sculptures. . It’s a delightful showcase of Amsterdam’s vibrant tulip season.
Get Keukenhof Garden Tickets 2024 before they sell out. Be warned, they sell out weeks before the park even opens for the season!
Tulip season in Amsterdam is a limited period of about eight weeks during the spring, which is also when the Keukenhof Gardens are open to the public.
When To Visit Keukenhof Tulip Garden In Amsterdam For The Best Blooms
Mid-April to mid-May – This is the best time to visit the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens. It’s the peak of spring and the days are bright and sunny, perfect for the tulips. It’s a visual treat like bright colors
