Hillegom is located about 5 miles from Keukenhof. (You can download the map below that shows the route I travelled when photographing tulips close to Keukenhof). Watch out for automobiles and bicycles as the route is somewhat congested.
The nicest fields were roughly a thirty minute walk from Keukenhof, but we located our first one in barely fifteen minutes. We moved slowly since we were having so much fun exploring the fields.
Please don’t pick the tulips because they are private, commercial tulip fields, and the farmers only let visitors on the condition that they are respectful. Take care not to step on any tulips.
How can I observe the tulips in Amsterdam the best?
Visit Keukenhof, the greatest flower garden in the world. The 1949-founded garden is only open from March to May to show off its blossoms. Lisse is easily accessible from Amsterdam by train and vehicle.
When are the tulips in Amsterdam at their most beautiful?
From December to about May, tulips can be found in flower stores throughout Holland. These tulips are being grown in greenhouses rather than on flower fields. Tulip fields are not visible in December, January, or February. A tulip field in bloom in March is also extremely unusual but not impossible. The majority of visitors want to see the open tulip fields. April is the ideal time to view tulips in Holland. Mid-April to early May 2023 offers the best possibility of seeing the most picturesque tulip fields.
Do you have access to tulip fields?
If you happen to be in Holland during tulip season, you must visit the renowned tulip fields near Amsterdam. You can actually feel spring coming on thanks to the lovely colors and scents. You will view the tulips and flower meadows at their peak with these sightseeing tours. Near the Bollenstreek’s Keukenhof Gardens, all tourist trips begin (flower region).
On March 23, 2023, the Tulip Festival will once again begin. Going to Amsterdam before to then? Then look over our advice below.
How do you travel to the Dutch tulip fields?
There is a coastline strip of extremely rich soil renowned for flower growth and sand dunes between the cities of Leiden, The Hague, and Haarlem. Hillegom, Katwijk, Lisse, Noordwijk, Noordwijkerhout, and Teylingen are among the towns that are part of it. The two most well-known of these settlements are Lisse, which was already detailed, and Noordwijkerhout.
The best choice is to bike there or to hire a bike there. The routes near Noordwijk and Noordwijkerhout are incredibly picturesque thanks to the coastline views, rural settings, and, of course, the lengthy tulip fields.
In Amsterdam, how long do tulips last?
To view the tulips at their best, visit The Netherlands in the middle of April. The tulip growing season lasts from the end of March to the middle of May, but the blossoms are often at their peak in the middle of April. At the Keukenhof near Lisse, more than 7 million flower bulbs emerge in the spring. It is among the best locations to find a wide variety of tulips. To see the tulips in all their splendor in rural fields, though, you really just need to board a train or grab a bicycle at this time of year.
Where in Amsterdam can I find free tulips to view?
The privately owned Amsterdam Tulip Museum, which is situated in the city’s incredibly charming Jordaan neighborhood, was established by and supported by a nearby bulb firm. To properly examine the museum’s exhibits and discover more about the tulip industry in Amsterdam, allow between 30 and 60 minutes. You can find information here about the tulip museum’s hours of operation.
Additionally, you should be aware that the I Amsterdam City Card, which offers excellent value if you intend to visit a lot of museums and other attractions in Amsterdam while there, includes admission to the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. For instance, the one-time cost of this card includes access to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and public transportation.
#4 Museum de Zwarte Tulp (Black Tulip Museum) in Lisse
In the village of Lisse, near to the Keukenhof Gardens (about an hour’s drive from the center of Amsterdam), lies the second of the Netherlands’ most well-known tulip museums.
You may discover all about tulip production in the area, as well as the history, methods, and tulip culture that have since come to be so associated with Lisse, at this location, which is right in the center of the old town.
From Schipol Airport, there is a direct train to Lisse; however, there is no direct rail from Amsterdam Centraal. You might think about spending the night in Lisse the day before if you intend to visit both the Museum de Zwarte Tulp and the Keukenhof Gardens. We personally stayed at the Restaurant De Vier Seizoenen, and we were ecstatic with our room’s seasonal decor.
#5 Pick your own flowers in Annemieke’s Picking Garden in Hillegom (U-pick farm)
The Bus 50, which travels between Haarlem and Leiden, stops at Annemieke’s Picking Garden, which is situated on the route between Hillegom and Bennebroek.
You must board a train from Amsterdam Centraal to get to Haarlem or Leiden. The Bethlehemlaan stop is where you can get the #50 bus to get to the Keukenhof Gardens.
The flower garden is open during the spring and is a simple day trip from Amsterdam. Here, you may select your own tulips, stroll through the flowerbeds, and even take some of the lovely blossoms home with you! Despite the fact that dogs are not permitted in the picking field, tulips cost 0.25 per and may be purchased using a debit card (making this a fantastic value).
#6 Keukenhof day trip from Amsterdam
The Keukenhof Gardens, often known as “the Garden of Europe,” is undoubtedly the ideal place to celebrate spring and take in the best tulips in the Netherlands.
The fields are a straightforward day trip from Amsterdam, and you can even buy a Keukenhof combi ticket in advance that includes admittance and transportation (though you should be aware that you can’t just cycle there because the fields are almost an hour away).
Once you get at Keukenhof, it will become clear that the gardens are just that—gardens—contrary to what you may have been led to believe on social media. There are many locations where you may enjoy distinct walled gardens and floral displays that are picture-perfect and themed. Here is where you can buy tickets for the Keukenhof Half-Day Guided Tour with a Free 1-Hour Canal Cruise.
Although it’s important to know that the entrance ticket for Keukenhof does not cover official access to the adjoining fields, there are plenty of the striped hyacinth and tulip fields that you’ve probably seen images of previously nearby in the fields surrounding Lisse.
In contrast to the Volendam/Marken, Zaanse Schans & Keukenhof with Canal Cruise tour, which focuses on the bulb region and several Dutch fishing villages, the Keukenhof, Zaanse Schans & A’dam Lookout Combo Day Tour offers the chance to enjoy a guided tour of the Keukenhof Gardens, visit a clog maker and a cheese farm, see the windmills of Zaanse Schans, and enjoy the view of Amsterdam from the A
#7 Bloemencorso Bollenstreek (Bulb flower Parade)
Every year, a flower procession is held to honor the tulips for one day in April. Highlights of this annual one-day celebration include flower-filled floats that go from Noordwijk to Lisse.
The floats can be seen for free in any of the villages along the road between the two towns, even though you can watch the parade from inside the Keukenhof gardens. You may get more information about the tulip parade here.
#8 Follow the Dutch Tulip Route & Free Tulip Fields in the Netherlands as a day trip from Amsterdam
The Netherlands has a number of significant tulip growing regions, many of which are simple day trips from Amsterdam;
Duin en Bollenstreek (Keukenhof & Lisse) tulip mania
South Holland’s Duin en Bollenstreek region is the most well-known tulip growing region (which is where Keukenhof is located). The name of the region, which refers to spectacular dunes like those in Scheveningen and impressive tulip fields like those that surround Lisse, is literally translated as “dune and bulb.”
In addition to Lisse, the Bulb Region also has the adorable-cute villages of Bennebroek, Heemstede, and Noordwijk, so I’ve been told. Additionally, the annual Flower Parade takes place in the Bulb region in April. The Dutch coastline is best enjoyed when visiting the nearby coastal communities of Katwijk and Noordwijk.
West Friesland tulips
Although there are many possibilities to see tulip fields close to Keukenhof or around Lisse, taking the train to Schagen, which is about an hour north of Amsterdam in the Northern Holland province of West Friesland, is one of the simplest ways to enjoy free tulips in Holland.
You may simply cycle or walk from Schagen to many of the lovely blooms and take in the Dutch tulips without the throngs and visitors of some of the more well-known locations. The town of Breezand, which is situated in this province, hosts an annual flower festival in March.
Flevoland tulips
Alternately, some of the largest tulip fields in the Netherlands can be found along the Tulip Route in the Flevoland province, more specifically in Noordoostpolder, which is the final and twelfth province of the Netherlands. A new Tulip Route is developed each year; further information about it can be obtained on this page. The provinces of Zeeland and Drenthe each have tulip routes.
Flower Strip Tulip Route
Cycling the flower strip, which is the name given to the 35 km road between Haarlem and Leiden, is the final of the greatest tulip mania day adventures from Amsterdam. On the iAmsterdam website, you can find out more information about how to take advantage of the best Dutch tulip blossoms along this path.
#9 Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market on the Singel)
When visiting Amsterdam’s famous flower market for the first time, many tourists become perplexed. They believe they are in the wrong location or that they might not have fully comprehended the floral market.
No, you’re in the proper location… Just that the majority of the flower market’s offerings are bulbs rather than real flowers! Although it no longer resembles how it once did, the largest floating flower market in the world has existed since 1862.
Many of the flower stores have been replaced by souvenir and tourist traps, making the flower market today a little more touristic than some people would like. Although there aren’t many stands left that sell fresh flowers, you can get a bunch of 50 tulips for as little as 10!
#10 See the world’s largest flower auction
Of course, viewing the tulip fields outside is not the only way to take in Amsterdam’s floral displays. Instead, take a train to nearby Aalsmeer, where FloraHolland flower auction, the biggest flower auction in the world, is often held. Aalsmeer is just fifteen minutes from Schipol airport. You can watch actual tulipomania here from a viewing gallery, which is open every day except on public holidays and is free to enter.
#11 Stay in Tulip-themed accommodation in Amsterdam
Of course, if you truly want to take advantage of Amsterdam’s best tulip experiences throughout your trip, you can think about reserving a room in a hotel with a floral theme. For instance, this B&B has flowers in each room and has outstanding reviews on numerous booking websites.
Last but not least, one of the most well-liked seasons to travel to Amsterdam is during the tulip season. As a result, you should reserve your stay far in advance if you want to obtain the best value for your money.
From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by Train
The town of Lisse, where the Keukenhof Gardens are situated, lacks a railroad station. To get to the gardens, you can opt to go to any of the surrounding train stations and then board the Keukenhof Express Bus.
in Haarlem
Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem Station; it takes, on average, 20 minutes and costs $4.50 one way. Take the Regional Bus Line 50 from Haarlem to go to the gardens.
Leiden
Take the train, which typically takes 35 minutes, from Amsterdam Centraal to Leiden Centraal (one-way ticket costs €9,60). The Keukenhof Express Bus Line 854 will transport you to the gardens from Leiden.
From Amsterdam to Keukenhof By Bus
Using a Combi-Ticket, which provides fast track access to the Keukenhof Gardens as well as round-trip transportation in an AC coach, is the ideal method to take a direct bus from Amsterdam to Keukenhof. From Amsterdam Central Station, take the bus.
It is necessary to take a connecting bus to Hoofdorp, Amsterdam RAI, or Schiphol before boarding a Keukenhof Express Bus since there is no direct public transportation from Amsterdam to Lisse.
- From Amsterdam City Center, take bus route 397 (Leidseplein, Rijksmuseum, Museumplein)
- From Amsterdam Zuid Station, take bus route 341
- 300 bus line
- from the bus station in Amstelveen
From Amsterdam to Keukenhof By Car
It takes roughly 40 minutes to get to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam (Amsterdam Central). It is an easy journey and perfect for a quick road trip; you can also utilize the automobile to travel through Bollenstreek’s countryside. The cost to park a car is $6.
- Address for the Keukenhof Gardens is Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM, Lisse.
- The GPS coordinates for the Keukenhof Garden are “52.271256 4.546365.”
When leaving Amsterdam, you must go on the A4 Highway and exit at the Nieuw-Vennep exit for the Leimuiderweg/N207. Approximately 10 kilometers of driving will get you to Loosterweg Noord, which is close to the gardens.
Walking or Biking to Keukenhof
The best way to appreciate Keukenhof, which is situated in the Bollenstreek region and offers lovely rural views, is to take a leisurely stroll or ride a bicycle through it. The fact that you don’t have to worry about missing a bus back to Amsterdam means that you can visit the garden early in the morning or late at night.
A couple hotels in Lisse are within your price range and are the best options for getting to Keukenhof Park on foot.
The nearby regions, which have excellent motels, are ideal for bicycling to Keukenhof.
- 12 km from Keukenhof to Noordwijk seaside village with access to beaches that is idyllic
- Hoofdorp
- Amsterdamse Bos Park is located in a canal-side municipality 15 kilometers from Keukenhof.
- Keukenhof is 15 kilometers away in Haarlem, a city with a historical core, galleries, and tulip fields.
By the Keukenhof Express Bus
The designated bus for taking guests to the Keukenhof Gardens is the Keukenhof Express Bus. There are four lines that will get you to the Keukenhof Gardens immediately.
- From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, take bus route 858 (Aprox. Travel time35 minutes)
- From Amsterdam RAI, bus line 852 (Aprox. Travel time35 minutes)
- From Hoofddorp, take bus route 859 (Aprox. Travel time22 minutes)
- From Leiden, take bus route 854 (Aprox. Travel time25 minutes)
On Buses 858, 859, and 854, a single one-way ticket costs $5; on Buses 852 it costs $7.
You are welcome to bring your small dogs on board with you, and the buses are accessible for wheelchair users.