Springtime in the Netherlands means one thing – tulips – and if you want to see them in their thousands, the place to go is Keukenhof. Not far outside of Amsterdam in the town of Lisse, Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower garden. There are over seven million bulbs planted here each year, with daffodils, hyacinths and orchids as well as tulips in every colour imaginable. The gardens stretch over 32 hectares with lakes, sculptures and pavillions in amongst the flowers. Keukenhof was set up by the mayor of Lisse in 1949 as a way for tulip growers to show off their latest hybrid varieties. But now it’s a huge tourist attraction, pulling in almost a million visitors over eight weeks each spring to be wowed its colours and perfumes.
The details
Keukenhof is located in Lisse, 45 minutes outside of Amsterdam. Buses run to the gardens from Leiden or Schipol, and if you’re coming from Amsterdam you can get the 197 bus to Schipol and change there. The gardens are open 8am–7.30pm from 23 March to 21 May 2017. Entrance costs €16 for adults or €8 for children 4–11, or there’s a combi-ticket which also includes bus travel from Amsterdam (€29 for adults and €12,50 for children or €24 from Schiphol, Leiden and Haarlem). You can also book online through Ticketbar to skip the queue – you don’t need a printer and can show the tickets on your mobile.
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33 Comments
janalinesmalman
April 19, 2013 at 11:08 amLovely photos. What an amazing place, and you are very lucky to have been here during spring and see the blooms in their grandeur!!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 3:58 amThanks, I timed my whole trip to Amsterdam with my mum so we could go and see the tulips and it was well worth it!
csinger13
April 19, 2013 at 11:34 amGorgeous!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 4:06 amThanks, I just loved the colours there!
Esmee
April 19, 2013 at 1:55 pmI have never been there, even though I live in The Netherlands.
When did you go?
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 4:02 amIt’s always the things that are near home that you end up leaving til last! I went a couple of years ago in mid April and got a good selection of flowers in bloom, though it varies a bit each year depending on the weather.
KaZ
April 19, 2013 at 2:06 pmThis is so beautiful!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 4:06 amThanks, its well worth a visit if you’re ever in Amsterdam in springtime.
nuresma
April 19, 2013 at 5:39 pmI wanted to go there last year but at the end it was not possible. It must be impressive!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 4:04 amWhat a shame you didn’t make it out there, hope you get the chance on a future trip!
Kosy
April 19, 2013 at 6:14 pmLucy – Unbelievable pictures. It is cold and grey outside today and your pictures have brought some sunshine and beauty into my world. THANKS!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 4:04 amSo glad to hear that! I’m hoping they might spur on spring a bit, it seems to be forever coming this year!
aBitofCulture
April 19, 2013 at 6:34 pmBet it smells good too, but €15 sounds a bit much!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 3:58 amApparently it smelt great, though I had the worst laryngitis so wasn’t in the best position to appreciate it! It’s not the cheapest but the gardens are huge so you can spend a good few hours there.
Ziggy
April 19, 2013 at 7:00 pmIt is by FAR the most amazing park/garden we’ve ever seen. Thanks for taking me back Luce
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 4:07 amGlad to bring back some good memories, it is such a great place!
Darlene
April 20, 2013 at 2:53 amOh how I woudl love to see this. Tulips are my very favourite flower, Fabulous photos.
Lucy Dodsworth
April 20, 2013 at 3:56 amThey’re my favourite flowers too, I just love the diversity of colours and styles. My mum and I bought a huge bunch each from the flower market in Amsterdam and carried them home on the Eurostar, we couldn’t resist them!
Eva Sanz
April 21, 2013 at 9:27 amWhat colourful!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 22, 2013 at 7:48 pmSo many different colours, it was quite a sight to see!
The Travelbunny
April 21, 2013 at 8:49 pmBeautiful shots – looks like you had a lovely day for it too 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
April 22, 2013 at 7:48 pmYou’re always taking a bit of a chance on the weather in Northern Europe in April but we got lucky!
PINKPOSTCARDS
April 24, 2013 at 1:59 pmthis is on my bucket list!
Lucy Dodsworth
April 24, 2013 at 5:26 pmWell worth the trip, though it’s tough to get the timing right, we had quite a few tulips but were a bit early, then this year there aren’t any at all yet!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
May 3, 2013 at 9:28 pmThese photos are gorgeous!!!
Lucy Dodsworth
May 4, 2013 at 12:27 amThanks Andi, it’s such a beautiful place, I could’ve spent days photographing there!
Madhu
May 5, 2013 at 9:13 amWhat a riot of colours Lucy! We visited nearly two decades ago and distinctly remember being overawed by the beauty.
Lucy Dodsworth
May 6, 2013 at 9:10 pmFabulous isn’t it? I’d love to go and see the whole fields full of tulips too where they are all laid out in stripes, such great photo opportunities!
travellingbag
May 9, 2013 at 7:52 amI visited Keukenhof over 30 years ago and it was just as beautiful, it’s nice to see it hasn’t changed 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
May 9, 2013 at 12:30 pmStill looking good! I hear that they are very late this year after the cold weather but it’ll be worth it.
ambitiouswanderer
August 6, 2015 at 6:51 amWow, can you believe that I am Dutch and have never visited Keukenhof? As a poor student traveller, I might put this on my list for next spring!
Lucy
August 6, 2015 at 9:52 amIt’s always the things near home that we leave til last to see! It’s well worth a visit though, such amazing colours.
hollandexpert
March 9, 2016 at 1:32 pmLove your pics!
The Keukenhof is open very year from mid-March to mid-May. Best time to see the flowers in bloom are the last 3 weeks of April.