It’s Tulip Time at Keukenhof

Spring is finally here, and Europe is exploding with color. In the Netherlands, that means it’s tulip time at Keukenhof. Don’t miss the 75th anniversary of this signature floral display. Wander through 79 acres of Dutch parkland for a never-to-forget experience that you’ll be talking about for years.

World’s Most Beautiful Spring Garden

Keukenhof has been called the most beautiful spring garden in the world. I can’t argue with that. Seven million bulbs bring the gardens to life from March 21 to May 12, 2024. It is positively breathtaking.

I try to take all my spring visitors to the gardens to discover the magic. Try to fit it into your travel itinerary, too!

How It Started

The idea for a floral exhibition was spawned by a group of bulb growers and exporters in 1949. They wanted to organize an exhibition to showcase the flower bulb trade. They succeeded, in a big way!

More than 600 growers bring their “best and brightest” to the park this year for a mind-boggling display of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, lilies, anthurium, and orchids. In addition to the 9.3 miles of paths that meander through the park, three indoor pavilions feature colorful and whimsical displays.

Focusing on the Gardens of Tomorrow

In this 75th jubilee year, Keukenhof is focusing on the future with innovation and increased cooperation with the Dutch floricultural industry. You’ll see the magnificent displays and traditionally designed borders that make Keukenhof world renowned, but there will also be new, innovative concepts and designs. 

For example, Rijnbeek Perennials is featuring Climate Gardeners.™ Don’t fret about the effects of climate change on your garden with the climate adaptive solutions they offer.

Inspirational, exclusive perennial/bulb mixes for innovative garden centers, are certain to be a hit this year. Rijnbeek’s 100% peat-free and low-maintenance plants increase green space and biodiversity, restoring nature’s balance to your precious garden. 

JUB Holland, the “royal supplier of color, will showcase The Vibrant Verge, its bulbs/seeds concept. The Dutch family business, founded in 1910, cultivates its bulbs as sustainable and specializes in creative mixtures, aiming for biodiversity and prolonged flowering, while spreading the most beautiful bulb-grown flowers worldwide.

Don’t Miss These!

In addition to the never-ending paths and displays, there are pavilions to explore where you’ll discover flowers that you’ve never seen let alone imagined! The sights and smells can be overwhelming. It’s a sensory bonanza. You’ll also find lots of food and beverage outlets. You can bring your own food, but it may only be eaten in marked picnic areas.

Fun Facts

• Carolus Clusius brought the first tulips to the Netherlands in 1592.
• The original design for the park was created around 1865 by father and son Zocher, landscape architects from Haarlem.
• The windmill, which dates back to 1892, has been at Keukenhof since 1957.
• This year, Keukenhof expects to welcome about 1.5 million visitors , most of whom will originate from abroad.
• The park is 79 acres and the entire estate, including the castle, covers some 593 acres and features 15 listed buildings.
• Seven million bulbs showcasing more than 1,600 varieties are planted annually.
• Annually well over 15,000 pounds of grass seed is sown.
• The paths at Keukenhof measure 9.3 miles in total.
• There are more than 2,500 trees at Keukenhof representing more than 100 species.
• The historic garden features authentic 16th- and 17th-century tulip varieties that illustrate the development of 400 years of bulb growing in the Netherlands.
• All 7 million bulbs are dug up and destroyed at the end of the season. This makes my heart sad. I read that the bulbs are fed to livestock. Ah, if they would just ship a few thousand to my garden, I would have the biggest smile on my face!

Tickets

Tickets are sold for pre-determined time slots in half-hour arrival increments.

• Adults – € 19,50 online (ticket office € 23.00)

• Children – 4-17 years: € 9,00 (0 to 3 years free)

Whisperboat – A 45-whisperboat tour is also available for those visiting Keukenhof. The price is €10,00 for adults, €5,00 for children from 4-11, and free for children 3 and younger

How to Get There

By Car:

Set your GPS to Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse. Parking is €8 per car or motorcycle. Traffic is heavy, so be sure to give yourself LOTS of time to get there and park so you don’t lose your entrance slot.

By Public Transport:

• From Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam RAI and Leiden Central Station

Daily, First bus outbound: 7:30/7:45 a.m.

Last bus back: 7:55 P.m.

• Haarlem Station

Daily, First bus outbound: 10 a.m.

Last bus back: 5:30 p.m.

Helpful Tips

• The best time of day to visit is in the early morning or late in the day. And avoid weekends, if you can. That way you may be able to keep far from the madding crowd.
• Buy a combi-ticket that combines transport and your park entrance fee. It’s the best value. This day ticket is both your entrance ticket for Keukenhof and the ticket for your journey by public transport on that day. Click here for more information.
• Preview the garden at www.keukenhof.nl to get an idea of what you are most interested in seeing.
• Say those good weather prayers. I’ve been to Keukenhof on sunny and rainy days. Trust me, the sunny days are better, but with a good raincoat and an umbrella, you’ll be fine even on rainy days.