The sensational Keukenhof tulip gardens explode with life each spring, overwhelming the senses with the earthy-sweet floral scents of fresh tulips in bloom and a visual feast of extraordinary vibrant colours.
For those seeking selfy opportunities you can’t do better — camera-worthy opportunities abound with picturesque windmills, lushly striped tulip fields, impeccably landscaped grounds and numerous pavilions throughout the 80-acre park. I like to visit the Keukenhof each year if I can and have packed this article with my best personal travel tips for visiting this amazing park.
Taking the short trip from the closeby cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague to visit the unforgettable tulip displays at Keukenhof Gardens is a must-see day trip if you are visiting the Netherlands during the early spring.
About the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse
Holland’s world-renowned Keukenhof is situated in the tiny town of Lisse, Netherlands, about a 40-minute drive south of the city of Amsterdam. The town itself is quite small but it’s home to the sensational Keukenhof tulip gardens and the stunning striped flower fields that surround the area that bring an amazing 1.5 million visitors per year during its short 8-week opening season each year.
An iconic tourist destination in Holland since 1949, the park offers various indoor and outdoor gardens featuring an array of every possible variation and colour of tulip and exotic flora as well as exhibitions on the history of the Dutch nation’s fascination with this beautiful flower.
When is the Keukenhof open in 2024?
The park is only open to the general public for approximately 8 weeks each spring In 2024 the opening dates for the Keukenhof Gardens are 21 March to 12 May. However, during the short time it’s open you get to see a truly stunning exhibition featuring millions of tulips in peak bloom and a stunning display of other spring flowers and horticulture.
Must See and Do activities at Keukenhof Gardens
See the many outdoor gardens and pavilions: Exploring the 79-acre Keukenhof Gardens you will find many distinct areas within the park, among them are the main gardens, several specialty gardens featuring outdoor exhibits, and five large indoor pavilions each with its own unique theme and exhibitions. Each year the Keukenhof has specific dates with featured specialty flower exhibits, as well as art and musical events during the 8 weeks it is open.
Rent a bicycle at the front entrance and cycle around the tulip fields. You cannot bike within the park, however, the surrounding fields when in bloom are spectacular and provide amazing photo opportunities from the pathways. You also do not need an entrance ticket to cycle around the fields.
Take a canal tour of Keukenhof. For an additional € 10.00 you can take a 45-minute canal tour around the park and the flower fields in what they call a “whisper boat”, an electric-powered tour boat with a combined audio guide that will give you an up-close look at the fields.
Visit the park’s Windmill or Moelen where you can climb up to the upper terrace level and get an expansive view of the tulip fields.
Exploring the Park’s Pavilions
- Oranje Nassau Pavillion – named after the Dutch Royal family, as well as majestic floral features by local Dutch growers, with exhibitions changing weekly.
- Willem-Alexander Pavilion – named after the reigning King of the Netherlands, the largest and most central of the pavilions features an extensive display of hybrid tulips numbering upwards of 40,000.
- Beatrix Pavilion – named after the former Queen, this pavilion is a climate-controlled tropical enclosure that features over 20,000 exotic Orchids, as well as other exotic and tropical plants.
The park is quite large, you should allow for 3-4 hours to see all of Keukenhof’s exhibits.
5 Fascinating Little-Known Facts About Keukenhof Gardens
- A team of more than 40 Keukenhof gardeners carefully hand-plant over 7 million flower bulbs each year. Starting in October the gardeners begin the preparations for the grand display of flowers each spring.
- The Keukenhof Gardens sit on the original hunting grounds of Teylingen Castle (or Slot Teylingen), an ancient 13th-century castle that has a fascinating heritage. The area was originally the Castle’s Kitchen garden which provided all of the fruits, vegetables and game for the castle’s noble inhabitants.
- In the 1600s the Estate was purchased by the Captain of the Dutch East India Company when he created a modern Country House he called ‘Keukenhof’, which translates to Kitchen Garden or Courtyard. The house still stands today and is called Castle Keukenhof. Although the flower gardens are open only a short time each year, the castle grounds are open all year.
- The park has a fascinating exhibit on “Tulip Mania” which occurred during the 17th-century Dutch golden age. Before its collapse in 1637, a speculative bubble formed in Tulip Bulb trading where a single rare tulip bulb could fetch as much as the price of a luxury canal house in Amsterdam.
- As many as 800 varieties of tulips, including exotic specimens are showcased in the park each season.
When is the best time to visit the Keukenhof Gardens?
The park is only open during a very short window each spring from March to May and depending on when you go you may see the flowers in different stages of bloom. Different Tulip varieties will have slightly different cycles to bloom. Mid-April usually is the ideal time to get the best view of the park and fields.
To skip the massive crowds, the best time of the week to visit is Monday-Wednesday. Get an early start before 10:30 in the morning and you will also have the best light for taking pictures of the flowers. Regardless of when you go the flowers inside the pavilions always seem to look great.
Tickets and Getting to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
Tickets are €19.50 for Adults and €9.00 for Children ages 4-17. Tickets can be easily purchased online in advance on the official Keukenhof site. Times book up very fast so it is best to book well in advance! For more info on combination tickets, rail or bus travel to the park see my guide on how to get to the Keukenhof.
The location of the Keukenhof:
Stationsweg 166A
2161 AM Lisse
Goolgle Maps Link | Keukenhof Official Website
Good-to-know information
- The Keukenhof has Luggage Storage: You can store your luggage at the Keukenhof’s luggage depot while you visit. The luggage depot is located at the entrance of the Keukenhof. The site also offers free lockers for smaller items.
- The park has free WIFI located throughout the park so you can upload those selfies instantly!
- You can only pay with a Debit or Credit Card at the Park.