How and The place to See the Well-known Tulips within the Netherlands

Annually, the Netherlands is blanketed by tulips in virtually each coloration, making it a once-in-a-lifetime vacation spot for flower fanatics. “You’d by no means guess there are such a lot of fantastic species, they usually are available in all styles and sizes,” Willeke te Flierhaar, the advertising and communications director on the De Hortus Botanicus gardens, shares. 

Jacu Strauss, inventive director of Lore Group (which owns the Journey + Leisure reader-favorite lodge Pulitzer Amsterdam), will get much more poetic about it: “Tulips—and delightful recent flowers on the whole—are synonymous with the Netherlands, so there may be nothing extra particular than visiting the nation when these are in peak bloom—it’s like Vermont in fall or D.C. throughout cherry blossom season. The climate can also be fantastic throughout tulip season, so extra time will be spent outside exploring, having fun with an al fresco supper or night strolls.”

Seeing these tulips in full bloom does take a bit planning, however we have you coated with skilled ideas. Here is tips on how to plot the right journey to the Netherlands to see the tulips blooming this spring. 

When to See the Tulips

The official Netherlands tourism web site says that the standard tulip season begins in late March and is over by mid-Might, which means the tulips often peak round mid-April. As for this 12 months, Holland.com famous, “Over the previous months, planting situations had been favorable, permitting the bulbs to root properly. The climate forecast for the approaching month appears promising, with reasonably chilly temperatures.” Keukenhof, arguably probably the most well-known locations to see the tulips in Holland, might be open from March 20 to Might 11. There’s additionally an annual flower parade that is slated for April 12 this 12 months; the route is 26 miles lengthy and can finish in Haarlem.

Should you’re planning a visit this spring, Strauss suggests reserving immediately. “I’d at all times advocate reserving as quickly as doable,” he stated. “It’s a busy time for Amsterdam, so to make sure your choose of actions, the earlier, the higher.”

The place to See the Tulips

Keukenhof is the most well-liked spot to see the tulips within the spring. Annually, the backyard’s landscaping execs plant a whopping seven million bulbs, which need to be within the floor earlier than Christmas to make sure they’ve a very good hibernation interval and can bloom for spring. Nonetheless, it is a true year-round effort, because the crew works all through the summer time and fall to work with growers to collect sufficient bulbs and designers to place collectively the gorgeous patterns. The bulbs are additionally planted in layers, which permits for an extended blooming interval. The gardens host occasions all through the season like flower exhibits and the Holland Heritage Days. Tickets begin at about $20 for adults. Keukenhof is situated in Lisse, a few 40-minute drive from Amsterdam, and the simplest solution to get to the backyard is by public transport (a bus), driving there in your individual automobile or taxi, or by reserving a guided tour from Amsterdam. 

Keukenhof is a part of the bigger Flower Strip, also referred to as Bollenstreek, a 12-mile strip of tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths that stretch from Haarlem to Leiden. In response to Holland.com, one of the best ways to expertise it’s by bike, which can take you thru villages together with Sassenheim, Hillegom, Lisse, and Noordwijkerhout. You can additionally hire a two-seater all-electric car from Renzy.

One other solution to see the tulips is by hopping on the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS, the Dutch nationwide railway firm) on its Haarlem-to-Leiden route. As Journey + Leisure beforehand reported, the journey passes by way of the city of Noordwijkerhout, a group well-known for its blooms. The city’s official web site famous, “You’ll be able to scent and see daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips all over the place.”

Vacationers are additionally welcome to go to De Tulperij, about 40 minutes outdoors the town middle, which is among the few working tulip farms that permits excursions. You’ll be able to even choose tulips to carry residence, or when you’re touring in a bunch, you possibly can arrange a guided tour to study every little thing there may be to learn about farming these famed flowers. 

And when you’re in search of the right Instagram spot, head proper to the Tulip Barn, a backyard containing greater than 200 types of tulips and multiple million blooms that’s punctuated by Instagram-worthy props like tractors and a windmill. The barn additionally has a greenhouse and a small cafe, which is ideal for a relaxation after taking all these snaps, together with a playground and kids’s space, making it very best for all the household.

In fact, there are many locations to see the well-known Dutch blooms in Amsterdam, too. “Clearly the surface backyard of Hortus Amsterdam—we have now tulip exhibitions yearly,” te Flierhaar stated when requested the place folks ought to go to see the tulips. “We attempt to have as many particular species as doable, and they’re on present in massive pots across the backyard, and there’s a beautiful little tulip area close to our rock backyard too.” 

There’s additionally Vondelpark, Erasmus Park, and in case of rain, there’s the Amsterdam Tulip Museum, which showcases the nation’s historical past with the flowers.

There’s another solution to see the tulips that is particularly attractive to those that love a thrill: a helicopter journey. Vacationers can ebook a helicopter flight over the flower fields on both Saturday, April 12, or Sunday, April 13, or the next weekend on Saturday, April 19, or Sunday, April 20 for about $175 per individual.

Ideas for Visiting

There are many methods to trace the blooms earlier than and through your journey. “We at all times put up updates concerning the tulips on our web site and social media,” te Flierhaar shared. “So keep tuned for that by way of dehortus.nl/en or observe us on Instagram @hortusamsterdam.” You may also monitor the blooms by way of this 2025 Flower Forecast, which The Tulip Pageant updates all through the season.

Irrespective of the place or once you go, it is important to be respectful of the blooms, standing beside them and by no means on them, to allow them to carry pleasure to different vacationers all through this season and the subsequent. “When you end up standing beside a brilliantly coloured flower area, it may be all too tempting to cost in amongst the flowers. Resist the urge,” the Noordwijk city web site reads. “The flowers and bulbs are fragile, and when you have any plant ailments in your sneakers, you danger taking them in with you. This might be a pity for nature but in addition a serious loss for the growers. So benefit from the view, however please present respect for the flowers and grower: don’t enter the fields with out the grower’s categorical consent.” 

So do not contact the fragile blooms, however do take one million images and recollections with you once you go.