Want to see tulips like you’ve never seen them before?
Keukenhof Gardens, just outside Amsterdam, is one of the most spectacular spring destinations on the planet. It’s tulip artistry at its finest.
Every year, more than a million visitors flock to see its rainbow carpets of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and more—all blooming at once in a short, dazzling season.
And yes, it gets busy. Tulip mania isn’t just a 17th century economic phenomenon. It’s tourist mania.
People plan entire trips to the Netherlands just to see the jaw-dropping tulips, often booking months in advance.
Social media adds fuel. Instagram is flooded with tulip photos each spring, and visitors flock to replicate those shots.
Its floral FOMO meets bucket list pressure. Still worth it?
Absolutely. But, with over 1.5 million annual visitors (over 26,000 each day), going in with a strategy helps make it magical rather than stressful.
In this guide, I share my best firsthand tips: what to see, what to expect, how to beat the crowds, and when to go for that picture perfect tulip moment.
So if it’s your first time visiting Keukenhof, or you just want to make your next visit smoother, keep reading.
A little preparation goes a long way during tulip season!
And just so you know, tulips first arrived in the Netherlands in 1562. Mistaken for a Turkish onion, they were tasted, found underwhelming, and dumped as rubbish.
Then, they were rescued by someone who spotted flowers emerging from the rubbish heap in spring.
In the 17th century, Tulip Mania swept the Netherlands as rare tulip bulbs became luxury items. Prices soared to absurd heights before the market famously crashed in 1637.
Today, tulips are no longer speculative assets. But they remain a proud symbol of Dutch culture, carefully cultivated and celebrated each spring.
Quick Tips & Tours
Here are some some tips, tricks, and hacks for visiting Keukenhof:
- Plan your visit/itinerary in advance.
- Avoid weekends, especially Easter weekend.
- Visit early or late.
- Budget 2-3 hours.
- Skip the touristy whisper boat unless you have all day.
- Pre-book a ticket; tickets will sell out for sure.
- Bring a picnic lunch.
- Peak blooms are usually the last two weeks of April.
You’ll need a timed entry ticket for Keukenhof Gardens, so be sure to book ahead!
Here are some options for you visit:
- Park entrance ticket: This is the best option if you are visiting Keukenhof by car and only need a ticket to the park.
- Entrance ticket + transport: This is the most popular option. It includes park tickets and a round trip bus transfer from Amsterdam.
- Entrance ticket + transport + windmill cruise: In addition to Keukenhof Gardens, this tour includes a boat cruise in the countryside.
- Park entrance + transport + tulip fields: In addition to transfers and Keukenhof Gardens, it includes a visit to a local tulip farm with colorful tulip fields.
And, fear not, despite visitors being deposited by coach loads, Keukenhof is a garden with space for all who arrive.
You’ll definitely be able to get some photos without people in them.
Plus, along with the flowers, you’ll get a dose of all the Dutch icons: a working windmill, carillons, canal boat rides, and warm off-the-griddle waffles and Dutch apple pie.
There are even some massive wooden clogs and flower-bedecked chairs for selfies.
Guide To Keukehof Gardens: What To See
Overview
Seven million tulips are planted at Keukenhof every year.
This includes 800+ varieties of tulips in every color and pattern imaginable. You’ll find traditional single color tulips, fringed, parrot, and double tulips.
The tulips are woven into streams of color under trees and fill flower beds in contrasting and complementary colors.
Beds are designed in artistic patterns, often inspired by Dutch culture or a yearly theme. Van Gogh tulip portrait anyone?
You’ll also see some striking streaked or flame-like patterns on some tulips. The patterns are caused by the tulip virus, also called the mosaic virus.
It infects the pigment cells, causing irregular color patterns. They’re often beautiful, but they weaken the bulb.
In the 17th century, these “broken” tulips were the most prized and expensive flowers during Tulip Mania because the patterns were unpredictable and rare.
There are other spring flowers at Keukenhof as well: hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, irises, allium, etc. Basically, if it’s a spring bulb, you’ll likely find it here.
There’s also a wide range of sculptures and outdoor artworks scattered throughout the park.
It’s not just about flowers. Keukenhof celebrates the intersection of nature and art.
Modern and abstract pieces are made of bronze, stone, and wood. And there are whimsical and figurative sculptures of animals, people, and garden-inspired shapes.
For the kids, there’s a petting zoo, maze, and a scavenger hunt available at the information desk.
Pavilions
Keukenhof Gardens has five main pavilions, each named after a member of the Dutch royal family.
These indoor spaces feature rotating flower shows, art displays, and food areas.
They’re a great way to experience the gardens, especially in bad weather.
Here’s the breakdown:
Beatrix Pavilion
This pavilion is dedicated primarily to orchids and anthuriums.
it’s one of the most colorful and photogenic pavilions. It feels a bit like a tropical conservatory.
Juliana Center
This is where you can learn about the history of the tulip (Tulip Mania), understand how they grow, and see how the Keukenhof gardeners plant the tulips in layers so they bloom all spring.
Willem-Alexander
This is the largest and most impressive pavilion, right in the center of the park. It’s dedicated to the perfection of the tulip and its many surprising varieties.
There are massive displays of tulips. You’ll see beds of blooming tulips in every color and variety imaginable, from classic reds to dramatic doubles, fringed tulips, and parrot tulips
Later in the season, you’ll find a lily show. It’s one of the most spectacular indoor floral events in the world, especially visually and scent-wise.
There’s also a flower bulb shop in front of this pavilion.
Oranje Nassau Pavilion
This pavilion has rotating flower shows, featuring roses, gerbera daisies, or carnations.
There’s a new show every week, usually with contemporary displays like the ones above.
You can even peek behind the scenes and see how Keukenhof builds its beautiful flower show.
This Pavilion is located closer to the entrance. Great to pop into early or late.
Wilhelmina Pavilion
This small pavilion is in the northwest corner of the gardens.
It’s used for food service and seating.
And while it may occasionally host events, it’s not one of the core flower show pavilions like Willem-Alexander or Beatrix.
Whisper Boat
The Whisper Boat at Keukenhof is a silent, electric boat tour that glides through the tulip fields just outside the garden grounds.
It’s called a “whisper” boat because it runs on electric power and is completely quiet. So your reverie isn’t disturbed.
The boat takes you through the scenic tulip fields of the Bollenstreek (Bulb Region) around Keukenhof.
Tickets are sold separately and are around € 10–12. It’s a good way to see private tulip fields you can’t walk through on foot.
Itinerary
Before my visit, I studied the Keukenhof map online to plan the most efficient route through the gardens. You can also grab a printed map at the entrance.
Keukenhof spans 80 acres, with flower-filled pavilions connected by winding garden paths.
I recommend starting by heading straight toward the windmill. If you’re parked in P1, you’ll pass the Japanese Garden and the Reconnection Garden on your way.
From the windmill, make your way to the Beatrix Pavilion, then continue on to the Willem-Alexander Pavilion. Afterward, enjoy a scenic loop around the central pond.
To finish your visit, explore the Wilhelmina Pavilion, followed by the Juliana and Oranje Nassau Pavilions in that order.
Practical Information For Keukenhof
Address:
Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands. Use “Keukenhof” or the full address in Google Maps.
Getting There:
Keukenhof is located on the northern tip of the town of Lisse. You can take the bus, take the train to Leiden and then bus #854 to keukenhof how, or drive.
You can also book a ticket and transportation from Amsterdam. Or take a guided tour from Amsterdam that combines Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans or Keukenhof and the charming town of Delft.
Hours:
Keukenhof is open from March 19 to May 10, 2026. The hours are 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, with the last entry is at 6:00 pm.
Tickets:
Time slot tickets cost € 21 for adults and € 9 for kids. You can buy them on the Keufkehof website. If they’re sold out, try Tiqets or Viator.
Onsite parking is available for a fee (€ 9).
Avoiding Lines:
The park is packed with tour groups daily. For smaller crowds and the best light, go early or late in the day.
Tulip Fields:
From Keukenhof, you can explore the surrounding tulip fields by either renting a bike or taking a canal boat ride.
As you exit the gardens, you’ll see a bike rental hut just across from parking lot P1, next to the bike parking area.
There are four cycling routes available, each circling the nearby flower fields. Just keep in mind—bikes aren’t allowed inside the gardens themselves.
If you prefer the whisper boat, it’s an optional 45 minute ride that glides silently through the bulb fields with an audio guide.
While you’ll only see the fields from the sides, it’s a relaxing way to take in the scenery. You’ll find the ticket office near the windmill at the eastern part of the park.
Where To Eat:
I’m not gonna lie. I wasn’t wild about the food options at Keukenhof.
There are large cafeterias with long lines and food trucks with simple fare like waffles and burgers. I think it’s generally better to bring your own lunch rather than wasting time in line.
Where To Stay Near Keukhof:
There are a couple decent hotels in Lisse.
Hotel de Duif is a 5 minute walk to Keukenhof and has modern and comfortable rooms.
Boutique Suites Lisse is a 10 minute walk to Keukenhof. It’s a stylish, modern boutique hotel. It’s in the heart of Lisse, near restaurants and shops.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Keukenhof Gardens. You may find these other Netherlands travel guides useful:
- Tips for visiting the Netherlands
- One day in Amsterdam itinerary
- 2 days in Amsterdam itinerary
- One day in Rotterdam itinerary
- Best things to do in Delft
- Guide to the Anne Frank House
- Guide to the Rijksmuseum
- Guide to MOCO Amsterdam
- Guide to the Stedelijk Museum
- Guide to Rembrandt House
- Guide to the Van Gogh Museum
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