The Complete Travel Guide To Dutch Tulip Fields [2023]

Plan your trip to the Netherlands’ tulip fields in advance to enjoy the best weather possible.

The vibrant tulip fields in The Netherlands are the perfect vacation spot if you’re looking for somewhere wonderful to go. This spring. 

I’ll provide you with all the details you require in this blog article so you can organize your vacation. Take in the flower fields at their most beautiful.

the Netherlands’ tulips

What is the origin of tulips?

Tulips are not originally from The Netherlands, despite the fact that the country is now thought of when you mention it. Because it is a major exporter of bulbs.

They originated in Central Asia and were first introduced to Europe by the Ottoman Empire. Many lovely tulips were planted in the expansive gardens of Constantinople because Suleiman the Magnificent especially adored them (actual Istanbul).

The flowers rapidly spread across Europe as a fad known in The Netherlands as “tulip mania,” thanks to Western ambassadors. Who visited the court and sent back news of them.

The Netherlands has a lot of tulip fields; why?

The Netherlands’ soil and temperature are ideal for growing tulips, therefore the answer is uncomplicated.

Winters here are often generally moderate, and summers are not too hot either because to the sea climate and position. Additionally, tulips need sandy, well-draining soil, which is abundant in many areas of the nation.

When are the Dutch tulip fields open for viewing?

Although the tulip season in The Netherlands lasts from mid-March to mid-May, the ideal time to see them is in. The month of April, 

particularly from the middle of the month until the end of April, when the tulips are in full bloom. The fields.

Given that there won’t be any unusual weather for the time of year, I’d advise scheduling your vacation for the. Third weekend in April or a little sooner. 

Check out some previous flower predictions, like this one here. They also provide a week-by-week update of the situation, though it might not be as useful given that most people. Make travel plans a few weeks in advance.

The blooms are removed after two or three weeks of flowering because farmers raise tulips for their bulbs. This allows more energy to be directed toward the tulip bulb rather than the bloom. 

Most producing flower fields are typically in the process of being headed at the beginning of May. (meaning the flowers are cut)

My Opinion

Therefore, in my opinion, it is preferable to arrange your trip somewhat earlier rather than later. You won’t see many fields in full bloom if the weather is cooler than usual, 

but you run the risk of not seeing any tulip fields at all if the spring is warmer than usual. Because the heading will begin earlier than usual.

On April 18 and 19, 2019, as part of an 8-day trip in The Netherlands, I went “tulip chasing.” The timing was ideal; I visited every field in the Lisse region just as the flowers were in full bloom.

However, at one red tulip field, they had already begun heading towards the tulips (spring in 2019 was a little warmer than planned), which was fortunate for us visitors as 

We were permitted to approach the field for a short distance. But more about the guidelines for accessing the fields is provided lower down.

You don’t need to be as rigid with your travel dates if you don’t want to view the tulip fields. Following Keukenhof’s opening phase, which typically lasts from the final week of March to mid-May, you can roughly direct yourself.

In which Dutch provinces are there tulip fields?

Here are some of the top places to visit in The Netherlands for tulip fields:

Bollenstreek (Tulpen fields in Lisse)

Some of the most well-known and popular tulip fields in the Netherlands are located in the Bollenstreek area, which is a strip between the cities of Leiden and Haarlem.

There are countless acres of vibrant tulips in this region, which is also known as the flower strip or the flower bulb region, which is only 40 kilometers from Amsterdam.

Knowing that the city of Lisse, which is home to the Keukenhof Gardens, is located right in the center 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!) and choose a tulip route to view the fields where they are grown.

You may even arrange for a local guide to accompany you on a bike trip while you choose your own tulips, learn more about the region’s history, and have a mouthwatering stroopwafel from the Netherlands.

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.

The region of Bollenstreek that I’ve visited

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.

We immediately headed to the bike rental facility after leaving Keukenhof to borrow a tandem bike for the day. You might wonder why a tandem. My lover, however, is incapable of riding a bicycle.

bike and one of the people there reassured me that as long as I’m steering the bike, everything should go just fine. 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!

Locations for lodging 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 cozy, 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 center of the tulip fields in Hillegom is a charming B&B called De Groene Bollenschuur, housed in a converted barn.

A lovely and cozy property in Lisse, the Fleurdelis is about 3.5 kilometers from the Keukenhof Gardens.

Just 2.6 kilometers separate B&B Blossom from Keukenhof in Lisse and it offers stunning views of the tulip fields.

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 to yourself during your stay, 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 traveling by automobile.

Accommodations in Flevoland

In the Noordoostpolder district of Marknesse is a lovely rural property called De Buitenhof.

Lovely B&B in Lelystad: Casa Batavia Bed & Breakfast.

The North Dutch Point

Due to its proximity to the sea, De Kop van Noord-Holland is the ideal place to visit if you want to combine it with a day at the beach. 

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.

A day’s worth of activities at De Kop van Noord-Holland

Too get to Schagen, take the train from Amsterdam Sloterdijk (journey time: about 50 minutes). To explore the adjacent flower fields, you can rent a bike there. To get to the fields, you might alternatively rent a car.

Accommodation options 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 cozy lodging in the city of Schagen.

Other tulip fields regions

Tulip fields can be seen in the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen area, which is a less well-known area in the province of Zeeland.

Goeree-Overflakkee is an island that can be reached from Rotterdam in approximately 45 minutes by automobile.

Guidelines for visiting the Dutch 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:

Leave the tulips alone. Likewise, avoid any form of plant harm or disturbance.

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 to 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.

But if you do find yourself in such a field, count your blessings and do your best to keep the flowers safe while you snap pictures.

How can I capture stunning images of tulip fields?

fields that produce tulips

You are welcome to photograph the production areas for free, but please follow all applicable laws and protocols. 

The best course of action is to follow any posted signs and ask the farmer’s permission before entering the fields to shoot pictures.

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.

I did, however, walk into a field where the farmer was working, heading the flowers.

Netherlands tulip farms

In the middle of a vibrant field at a tulip farm, you may pay to take pictures. In order to give your photos a little extra flair, you will also receive a variety of props and accessories

(flowers, bicycles, baskets, clogs, watering cans, etc.). An illustration of one of these places is the Fam Flower Farm. The Tulip Barn is an addition.

The opportunity to reserve a tour similar to this one, which visits both the Keukenhof Gardens and the De Tapperij 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 plan to make up for the fact that I kind of wished I had 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’s 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 plugin 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.

A picking garden called Hannekes Pluktuin is situated in Flevoland, and Pluktuin Bakkum and Floratuin are situated in Noord-Holland. Along with having a tulip-picking area, Floratuin also offers guided tours.

Go to the Keukenhof Gardens.

The vibrant Keukenhof park in the area of flower bulbs can be reached by automobile, public transportation, or tour.

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.

Train to Leiden from The Hague, 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 is additional options available at the time of booking.

A visit to Keukenhof, a photo stop at the tulip fields in the flower bulb region, and a trip to lovely Delft are all included in the small-group tour Keukenhof, Tulip Fields, and Delft.

You will see the park and the enchanted village of Giethoorn on the Holland Spectacle (Keukenhof Tulips Garden & Giethoorn) tour.

The top floral festivals and parades

Colorful Parade (Bollenstreek, Commencements)

In the bulb district, between the cities of Noordwijk and Haarlem, the renowned flower parade (Commencements 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.

a tulip festival in Amsterdam

Beautiful flowering tulips will be placed at various spots across the city of Amsterdam during the annual tulip festival (often in enormous pots).

Anna Paulowna Bloemendagen (Flowers 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.

a weekend of floral 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.

In The Netherlands, there are also other flower fields.

Even though the Dutch tulip fields are renowned for their amazing displays of vivid colors 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.

The early tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils that bloom during the first two weeks of April follow.

The dahlia and carnation seasons succeed the tulip season. From June to the end of August, they are in bloom.

Don’t purchase tulip bulbs right away.

Don’t go on a tulip bulb buying binge in spring when you visit the fields; the best time to purchase tulip bulbs is during the fall when it is also planting season.

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.

The Netherlands’ tulip fields

Any traveler 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 your reading and wish you a pleasant trip!