Dutch Tulip Fields The Complete Travel Guide 2024

The Netherlands’ tulip fields: How to arrange your trip to view the Dutch tulips

If you’re looking for a vacation destination, check out the colorful tulip fields in The Netherlands. you’re looking for a nice destination to visit this spring. 

In this blog post, I’ll provide you all the information you need to plan your trip and enjoy the flower fields at their most picturesque.

Netherlands tulip season

Where are tulips grown?

Although The Netherlands is today associated with tulips since it is a significant exporter of bulbous plants, tulips did not originate from that nation.

The Ottoman Empire was the first to bring them to Europe; they were originally from Central Asia. many beautiful tulips

Suleiman the Magnificent, who loved them especially, had them planted throughout the vast gardens of Constantinople (actual Istanbul).

The blossoms quickly became popular throughout Europe after being observed by Western ambassadors at the tribunal and being reported home; in The Netherlands, this phenomenon became known as tulip fever.

Why do the Netherlands have so many tulip fields?

The explanation is straightforward since the soil and climate in the Netherlands are perfect for growing tulips.

Because of the coastal environment and location, winters are frequently mild and summers are rarely oppressively hot. Additionally, tulips require sandy, well-draining soil, which is widespread across the country.

What time of year can you see the Dutch tulip fields?

The Netherlands’ tulip season runs from mid-March to mid-May, but the best time to visit is in the month of April, particularly from the middle of the month through the end of April, when the tulips are in full bloom on the fields.

I’d suggest booking your trip for the third weekend in April or a bit earlier because there won’t be any unusually warm or cold weather for the time of year.

View some past flower forecasts, including this one, here. A week-by-week update of the situation is also provided, albeit it might not be as helpful given that most people book their travel a few weeks in advance.

Farmers grow tulips for their bulbs, therefore the blossoms are plucked after two or three weeks of blooming. As a result, the tulip bulb can get more energy.

instead of the bloom. At the beginning of May, the majority of flower fields that produce are usually in the process of being headed. (i.e., the blossoms have been clipped).

Fields

So, in my opinion, planning your trip a little bit earlier is preferable to planning it later. If the temperature is cooler than normal, fewer fields will be in full flower.

However, if spring is warmer than normal, there is a chance that you won’t see any tulip fields at all because the heading will start earlier than usual.

I went “tulip chasing” on April 18 and 19 as a part of an 8-day trip to The Netherlands. The timing couldn’t have been better; every field I went to in the Lisse region had flowers in full bloom.

But at one field of red tulips, they were heading the bulbs already (spring in 2019 was a little warmer than planned),

which was lucky for us tourists because we were allowed to walk a short distance up to the field. However, further information regarding the rules for using the fields is given further below.

If you do not wish to see the tulip fields, you do not need to be as rigorous with your vacation dates.

 You may basically navigate yourself by paying attention to Keukenhof’s opening phase, which normally lasts from the final week of March through mid-May.

In which Dutch provinces are there tulip fields?

Some of the top tulip fields areas in The Netherlands are listed below for your consideration:

Bollenstreek(Tulpen fields in Lisse)

Some of the most famous and well-known tulip fields in the Netherlands are found in the Bollenstreek district, which is a strip of land between the cities of Leiden and Haarlem.

Some of the most well-known and popular tulip fields in the Netherlands are found in the Bollenstreek area (the stretch between the cities of Leiden and Haarlem).

Knowing that the city of Lisse, which is home to the Keukenhof Gardens, is located right in the centre of Bollenstreek makes the area a great choice if you also wish to pay a visit there. As a result of their dispersed location throughout the park, tulip fields are now easily accessible even without a rental car.

The best things to do in the Bollenstreek area for a day

Keukenhof Gardens is best visited early in the day because it tends to get crowded as the day wears on. 

After that, hire a bike from the area outside the park (you can now even make a reservation online in advance!) choose a tulip route to view the fields where they are grown.

You may also reserve a bike trip with a local expert during which you can discover more about the blooms and the region’s history, select your own tulips, and savour a mouthwatering stroopwafel.

In addition to standard bikes, there are tandem and child bikes available for rent at the bike rental location, which is close to the park’s entrance in the parking lot. 

Additionally, you will receive a flier indicating the locations of the tulip fields near Keukenhof, or you may view them online here (I did routes 1, 2, and a small part of 3).

Renting a Twizy, a two-person tiny electric car, is another fantastic way to explore the vibrant flower fields. 

This small car’s appeal lies in how simple it is to park, as it can be difficult to do so on the winding country roads in the Netherlands without upsetting other drivers.

My experience visiting the Bollenstreek region

It was quite an adventure for me and my partner on the day we visited Keukenhof and the surrounding flower fields, but I found it to be more so.

 We departed from The Hague, where we had our headquarters, as early as we could and took the train to Leiden, 

from whence we boarded a bus to Keukenhof. Early on, the park was quite empty, but as our vacation wore on, things started to truly shift.

After leaving the Keukenhof, we immediately headed to the bike rental shop and rented a tandem bike for the day. You might wonder why a tandem. 

My boyfriend isn’t very good at riding a bike, but one of the guys there assured me that as long as I’m steering the bike, 

everything should be alright. Warning: There will be spoilers below. Things didn’t go as well as I would have liked.

You should be aware that I’m only approximately 160 cm tall and weigh about 45 kg. Due to the tandem nature of the bike, it was heavier than usual, and the seat was too high for me to comfortably put my feet on the ground.

Additionally, even though he only rode gym bikes because he didn’t know how to ride a real bike, my partner had a tendency to squeeze the pedals firmly and wobble excessively. 

from side to side. This made it quite challenging for me to maintain control of the handlebars of the bike, but it was hilarious to anyone who witnessed our problems along the way:)).

Overall, we had a lot of extremely enjoyable times, some scary experiences (like when a motorbike cut in front of me), and we saw a lot of gorgeous tulip fields. Unquestionably, it was an adventure to remember!

Where to stay in Bollenstreek

The flower bulb region is easily accessible from Amsterdam or from neighboring cities like The Hague, Haarlem, or Leiden. Since we also planned to travel to Rotterdam and Delft, we actually used The Hague as a base.

At Yokistay, we slept in a one-bedroom apartment, which we found to be quite cosy, roomy, and clean. 

But be advised that getting to the unit requires climbing a flight of really difficult-to-climb-with-bags stairs.

You can, however, decide to stay right in the thick of the tulip fun. A few choices are as follows:

In the centre of the tulip fields in Hillegom is a charming B&B called De Groene Bollenschuur, housed in a converted barn.

The Fleurdelis is a lovely and cosy property in Lisse, which is about 3.5 kilometres from the Keukenhof Gardens.

A fantastic B&B with views of the tulip fields is located in Lisse, approximately 2.6 kilometres from Keukenhof.

Flevoland

I suggest visiting the Flevoland province’s blossoming tulip fields if you want a more off-the-beaten-path experience. 

This area, which was just recently reclaimed from the sea, is located in the Netherlands’ central region and is famous for its enormous fields of vibrant tulips.

The tulip fields in Flevoland are typically quieter, and you might even have some of the fields all to yourself during your visit, in contrast to the Bollenstreek district, which can turn touristy during peak season.

What to do in the Flevoland region on a day

Explore the many tulip-growing regions by renting a car or a bicycle. Flower fields may be found in Noordoostpolder as well as East and South Flevoland. 

Following the Tulip Route’s network of roads is a fantastic place to begin. Don’t pass up the chance to explore Giethoorn village in the neighboring Overijssel region if you are travelling by automobile.

Where to stay in Flevoland

De Buitenhof: A lovely country estate situated in Marknesse, Noordoostpolder.

Bed and breakfast in Lelystad called Casa Batavia.

The North Dutch Point

De Kop van Noord-Holland is the ideal place to visit if you want to combine your trip with a day at the beach because it is close to the shore and home to flower fields.

It should be simple to locate fields where you are the only tourist present because, like in Flevoland, the tulips of this region are dispersed across a big area.

How to pass a day at De Kop van Noord-Holland

From Amsterdam Sloterdijk, take the train to Schagen (journey time: about 50 minutes). You can rent a bike there and ride around the neighboring flower fields. Renting a car is another option for getting to the fields.

Where to stay in Kop van Noord-Holland

In Dirkshorn, Coast Holiday Apartments offers a charming, contemporary unit with access to a garden and bicycles for rent.

B&B Janssen # Schagen offers cosy lodging in the city of Schagen.

Additional tulip-growing regions

Tulip fields can be found in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, a less well-known district in the Zeeland province.

An island called Goeree-Overflakkee is located about 45 minutes by vehicle from Rotterdam.

Visitor guidelines for the Netherlands’ flower fields

It’s crucial to keep in mind that you are a visitor on private property when visiting one of The Netherlands’ numerous tulip fields. 

This indicates that there are some guidelines and manners you should observe while there. To keep in mind, among other considerations, are the following:

Avoid picking the tulips. Do not harm or otherwise disrupt the plants.

Respect all posted signs at all times. Keep in mind that the farmer has the authority to restrict access

to the fields and to decide whether or not he or she permits others to take pictures. These fields are private property.

Follow the specified walking routes only. If you don’t have the farmer’s permission, just stay at the border of the field.

Avoid leaving behind trash.

If you’re driving, be sure to park in a suitable location and to avoid obstructing the road or the entrance to the fields.

However, during my tour of the fields in the bulb area, I didn’t observe any fields that were set up in a way that allowed. 

People can enter and enjoy the blooms without harming them. I had read about some farmers who left open rows between their tulip fields in order for this to happen.

However, if you do find such a field, count your blessings and make every effort to keep the flowers safe while you take pictures.

How can I capture the tulip fields in great photos?

tulip production fields

Free photography of the production areas is permitted, but please follow all etiquette and rules when doing so. 

The best course of action is to observe any posted notices and to avoid entering the fields unless the farmer has given you permission.

It was logical that many of the fields in the Bollenstreek area surrounding Keukenhof were gated off or prohibited. 

from entry because the area is more popular with tourists and there is a greater chance that people will damage the flower bulbs by walking about them.

Even though there was no sign, I still didn’t enter the ones that didn’t have one because I wasn’t sure whether I was allowed to and I had no one to ask. So, at the edge of the field, I simply became really inventive with my angles.

The farmer was there, though, and he was heading the flowers when I went into the field.

Netherlands tulip farms

At a tulip farm, you may pay to take pictures in the centre of a vibrant field. Additionally, you will receive a variety of props and accessories 

(flowers, bicycles, baskets, clogs, watering cans, etc.) that will give your photographs a little extra flair. One example of such a place is the Fam Flower Farm. The Tulip Barn is yet another.

The opportunity to reserve a tour similar to this one, which visits both the Keukenhof Gardens and the De Tulperij flower farm, is also available.

gardening removal

An inexpensive substitute for a photo shoot at a tulip farm, like the one I mentioned above, is to go garden plucking. 

Instead of visiting these for photos, you go to collect flowers. However, if you additionally ask permission to take photos, they will almost always give you their full blessing.

It was my attempt to make up for the fact that I kind of regret not having purchased a ticket for a trip to the flower farm tulip farm when I had the opportunity, and it ended up being a really smart move.

I visited Annemiekes Pluktuin picking garden near Hillegom where I had the opportunity to select lovely tulips, snap pictures in a field of various colors (with permission, of course), and finish with a refreshing glass of lemonade.

My route to Annemiekes pluktuin was as follows: Since I was staying in The Hague, I decided to take the train to Haarlem in order to explore the city as well. 

From there, I took bus 50, which brought me very close to the garden. The overall travel time was roughly one hour and ten minutes. Leiden is another route you can use (train to Leiden, the same bus 50, but in the other direction).

In addition to having a picking garden, the tulip farm De Tapperij near Lisse (which is adjacent to Bottleneck’s tulip route no. 4) also provides educational trips about the tulip growing industry.

In Flevoland, there is a picking garden called Hannekes Pluktuin, and in Noord-Holland, there are picking gardens called Pluktuin, 

Bakkum, and Floratuin. In addition to having a tulip picking area, Floratuin also provides guided tours.

Go to the Keukenhof Gardens.

The Keukenhof Gardens are your best chance if you want to go somewhere where you can count on seeing tulips blooming. 

More than 7 million flower bulbs, the majority of which are tulips, may be found in this renowned park, which is situated in the city of Lisse, in the province of South Holland.

You can anticipate seeing floral arrangements of all shapes and sizes in the various regions of the gardens. On-site accommodations include a few eateries and gift shops.

Keukenhof is enormous, so be sure to allow enough time for it; an approximate estimate would be 3 hours. Additionally, I advise arriving as early as you can because after 10:30 AM, it tends to get really busy.

Make sure to check their website before making travel arrangements because the park is typically open from the last week of March through mid-May (you can also buy your ticket online from their site).

Directions to the Keukenhof Gardens

Using a vehicle, a mode of public transit, or a tour, you can get to the vibrant Keukenhof park in the flower bulb region.

Car-based Keukenhof excursion

If you plan to drive to Keukenhof Gardens and the adjacent tulip fields, I advise choosing a smaller vehicle (see here for prices from Amsterdam Schipol airport).

This is due to how challenging it is to find a parking space that won’t obstruct traffic on the rural roads that surround the fields. 

In addition, several local farmers forgo even allowing automobiles to park in front of their farms in order to reduce traffic.

How to use public transit to travel to the Keukenhof Gardens

From several Dutch cities, the park is easily reachable by public transportation. Here’s how to get there:

• To go to Keukenhof from Amsterdam, take the metro to Europapein station, then the bus 852 (Amsterdam RAI).
• Bus number 858 runs from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
• Take the train from The Hague to Leiden, and then take bus 854 from there.
• Take bus number 50 or 850 from Harlem (route 850 has more stops).

Best tours to Keukenhof Gardens

If you wish to take a tour to see Keukenhof, you have a lot of possibilities. Here are a few suggestions:

Keukenhof This excursion offers bus transportation from Amsterdam as well as skip-the-line park admission tickets.

Both Keukenhof Gardens and Zaanse Schans are visited during this tour, which departs from Amsterdam. A 5D flight experience or a canal tour are additional options available at the time of booking.

Small-Group Tour to Keukenhof, the Tulip Fields, and Delft: This tour takes you to Keukenhof, a photo stop at the tulip fields in the flower bulb region, and the delightful city of Delft.

Small-group excursion to Delft, the Tulip Fields, and Keukenhof: On this tour, you’ll visit Keukenhof, the charming city of Delft, and a photo stop at the tulip fields in the flower bulb region.

The top floral festivals and parades

Parade of flowers (Bloemencorso Bollenstreek)

In the bulb district, between the cities of Noordwijk and Haarlem, the renowned flower parade (Bloemencorso Bollenstreek) is held. 

The 42-kilometer road to Haarlem, which will pass tulip fields and through villages and towns in the flower strip region, is lined up with floats and vehicles that have been exquisitely decked with vibrant flowers.

Dutch tulip festival

Beautiful flowering tulips will be placed (often in big pots) at various sites throughout the city during the annual tulip festival in Amsterdam.

Anna Paulowna Bloemendagen (Flower Days)

In Anna Paulowna town (Noord-Holland), there is a free festival known as Bloemendagen Anna Paulowna where visitors may see numerous flower mosaics, moving sculptures, and painted streets and bridges.

weekend flower mosaics (Lisse)

The Flower Mosaics Weekend is a different free event that takes place in the town of Lisse, close to the Keukenhof, where guests may view a variety of exquisitely crafted flower mosaics.

You can see additional flower fields in The Netherlands.

Even though the Dutch tulip fields are renowned for their amazing displays of vivid colours in the month of April, 

The Netherlands is home to more than simply tulips. Here is a rough estimate of which flowers to anticipate and when:

• The flowering season is formally started by crocuses. They are visible from the beginning of March through the conclusion of the month.
• Daffodils, hyacinths, and early tulips, which bloom best during the first two weeks of April, follow.
• The dahlia and carnation season follows the end of the tulip season. June through the end of August is when they are in flower.

Don’t purchase tulip bulbs right away.

Don’t go on a tulip bulb buying binge in spring when you visit the fields; instead, buy them during the fall planting season when it is the ideal time to do so.

Even though I know it’s difficult to resist the want to purchase at least a few bulbs (I was aware of this thanks to the Amsterdam Tulip Museum and still purchased 2 packs of bulbs)

at the very least, don’t get your expectations up that you’ll receive many blossoms, if any. For instance, out of the bulbs I bought, I only got a few red tulips.

In the Netherlands, there are tulip fields.

Any traveller should visit the vibrant tulip fields in The Netherlands. These lovely blooms can be found in a number of locations, and each one has its own distinct beauty.

Visit the well-known Keukenhof Gardens as well, but keep in mind to act politely so that everyone can take in this breathtaking sight. I appreciate you reading and wish you a pleasant trip!