This is an unmissable event if you love flowers and the beauty of the Dutch landscape. The Tulip Festival—or “Flower Parade”—held at the gardens of Keukenhof every spring perfectly captures the spirit of this extraordinary country, made up of dams, canals, and windmills. Located 35 km from the city of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Airport (AMS), Keukenhof is ablaze with thousands of tulips between March and April. If you want to admire them this year, book your trip now for next month: the event will run from April 1st to 30th, with numerous events and opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Netherlands’ symbolic flower.
The town of Lisse and Keukenhof Botanical Gardens
Lisse is a delightful medieval town located in South Netherlands, a short distance from Amsterdam. Little known over the centuries, its name, along with that of the nearby towns of Hillegom and Sassenheim, has become famous thanks to floriculture – an activity that has driven the country’s economy since the 17th century. In Lisse, you can admire an interesting Museum of the Black Tulip — learning about a unique bulb obtained from hybrids, that has been known for 500 years but only gained fame in the 19th century—and the Keukenhof Botanical Gardens.
Keukenhof was founded in 1949 based on the idea of the mayor of Lisse, who organized a seasonal flower show. It was such a success that it has been repeated every year since. Today, Keukenhof is the largest flower park in the world, spanning over 32 hectares and boasting 7 million tulip bulbs of 100 different varieties. In addition to tulips, you can admire daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, 87 species of trees, and fountains. A windmill and several beautiful statues also contribute to the magic atmosphere. The botanical park operates year-round for studies and experiments, but is only open to the public between March and May – because of the festival.
Useful tips for visiting Keukenhof
Although they remain open for about two months, the Keukenhof tulip gardens have an “ideal time” for visits: the best blooms usually occur in the second half of April. Depending on every single year climate, these blooms can be a few weeks earlier or later, which is why the festival lasts a whole month.
You can admire the gardens everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The last ticket is sold at 6:00 p.m.
In order to avoid long lines at the entrances, and therefore the risk of missing out on admission times, book tickets online in advance by contacting the park via the dedicated page on their website (click here ).
More than just tulips…
Beyond the charm of Lisse and its Keukenhof gardens, the surrounding area offers numerous interesting itineraries. After admiring and photographing the park’s tulips, you could drive 40 minutes east and visit Amsterdam with all its attractions (Dam Square, the imposing Basilica of St. Nicholas, the dozens of romantic canals that have earned the city the nickname “Venice of the North”, the 42 fortresses that dot the ancient city walls…). Alternatively, you could head west and in about the same amount of time get to the capital, Hague (must see: the Royal Palace, the buildings of the political power, the Grand Church, Kurhaus beaches). And again: the Lego amusement park, Legoland, is just a half-hour drive from Keukenhof, as are the main coastal dams. Just a few more minutes drive and you shall admire the wonders of Rotterdam while in an hour’s journey you arrive in the heart of medieval Dutch splendor, in Utrecht.
