If seeing tulips in the Netherlands is on your bucket list, Keukenhof Gardens is a pretty good place to start.
Located near the town of Lisse, Keukenhof is one of the largest and most famous flower gardens in the world. It covers about 79 acres, with millions of flower bulbs planted every year—including more varieties of tulips than I knew existed. If that isn’t enough color for you, the countryside surrounding Keukenhof comes alive with tulip fields every spring.
If seeing the tulips in Holland has ever been on your bucket list, it’s actually easier to do than you might think. You just need a little planning...and perhaps a wee bit of luck.
Timing Is Everything—Sort Of
Keukenhof is generally open from sometime in March until sometime in May, but exactly what you’ll see depends on the growing season.
I’ve visited twice—once during the third week of April and again during the first week of May. Both visits were amazing, but there were definitely more tulip fields still blooming when I went in April. By my May visit, some of the surrounding fields had already been harvested, although there were still plenty of flowers to see. Mother Nature doesn’t care about your vacation schedule.
Some years the flowers bloom early. Other years they’re a little late. Sometimes everything lines up perfectly. There really are no guarantees when you're planning a trip around flowers.
That said, if you visit while Keukenhof is open, you’re going to see flowers. Lots and lots and lots of flowers.
Getting to Keukenhof
Keukenhof is near Lisse, about 21 miles southwest of central Amsterdam. You can’t take a train directly to the gardens, but you still have several options. You can book an organized tour, drive yourself, take a taxi, or take the bus.
Just be warned—a taxi from Amsterdam can get expensive. Personally, I’d rather save that money for something more exciting. Like food. Or wine. Or another trip.
My favorite option is the bus. You can explore Keukenhof at your own pace, there’s no stress about driving in another country, you don’t have to worry about parking, and it’s budget-friendly. All wins in my book.
Both times I visited, I bought a combo ticket that included round-trip bus transportation from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and admission to Keukenhof. Having your entrance ticket ahead of time also means one less line when you arrive—and I’m always in favor of fewer lines.
A Little Advice About the Bus
If you're taking the bus from Schiphol, go early. During Keukenhof season, the buses can get very busy. The ride takes around 35 minutes, and if you're one of the last people on a crowded bus, you may be standing for those 35 minutes. Not exactly disastrous, but I'd rather save my legs for walking through 79 acres of flowers.
Buses run regularly between Schiphol and Keukenhof during the garden's open season, making it easy to head back when you're finished. Just pay attention to when the final bus leaves for the day. Missing that one would definitely put a damper on your lovely day among the tulips.
Once You're Inside
Once you’re through the entrance, grab a map. I don't think there's necessarily a right or wrong direction to go first, but Keukenhof is huge. A map will at least give you some idea of where you are, where you've been, and whether you've somehow walked past the same flower bed three times.
Give yourself plenty of time. If you wander through the different areas, stop for photos, and take a break for a snack or lunch, you can easily spend three to four hours here. You could spend the entire day. Before my first visit, I had a hard time imagining how I could possibly spend that many hours looking at flowers. Then I went. Trust me. Allow at least three to four hours. If you're anything like me and stop every few minutes because "Wait, I need a picture of this one too," you may need even longer.
Don't Just See the Gardens—Bike the Tulip Fields
Keukenhof itself is explored on foot, although wheelchairs and strollers are permitted. If you want to get outside the garden and see those gorgeous tulip fields you've seen in photos, rent a bicycle.
You can rent bikes near Keukenhof and follow different routes through the surrounding countryside. The routes vary in length, so you can choose one based on how ambitious you're feeling that day.
Wind and rain can make things a little more interesting—this is the Netherlands, after all—but the land is wonderfully flat.
Biking through the tulip fields was one of the highlights of both of my visits, and I absolutely recommend doing it.
Just remember that the fields are working farms, not photo props. Enjoy the views and take all the pictures you want from permitted areas, but respect signs and don't enter the fields unless you're specifically allowed to do so.
One Last Tip Before You Go
If you're planning a spring trip to Keukenhof, keep an eye on flower and bloom updates as your trip gets closer. I checked them frequently before both of my visits, and they were really helpful for getting an idea of what was blooming and what I might see. You can plan your dates, buy your tickets, and figure out exactly which bus you're taking—but ultimately, Mother Nature gets the final say. After visiting twice, I'd say she's pretty good at putting on a show.
Been There. Saw a lot of flowers. Loved That.
Want to see more? Of course, I took more photos. See the rest in my Keukenhof photo gallery.