Keukenhof Tulip Gardens: When to Go and How to Visit

Every spring, Keukenhof near Amsterdam becomes one of the most beautiful places on earth: around seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in bloom across 32 hectares of gardens, with flower fields stretching away on every side. It is open for only about eight weeks a year, so timing your Europe trip matters. Here is how to plan your visit.

Keukenhof opens each year from about the second half of March to mid-May. The exact dates for 2027 are announced by the gardens in the autumn; recent seasons have run from around 20 March to 10 or 11 May. Several of our spring tours visit Keukenhof on departures until 10 May, and visit a windmill village or Madurodam instead after it closes.

The tulips are usually at their peak from mid to late April. Early in the season you see crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths; in late April the tulips take over; by May the late tulips and the flower fields outside the park are still colourful. The garden replants every year, so there is always something in bloom while it is open.

• Themed gardens planted with new designs each year
• The Willem-Alexander pavilion with tulip shows and hundreds of varieties
• The Orange Nassau pavilion with flower arrangements
• The historic windmill, with views over the bulb fields
• Lakes, fountains and sculptures throughout the park
• Boat tours through the surrounding flower fields (extra cost)

Keukenhof is in Lisse, about 40 km south-west of Amsterdam, between Haarlem and Leiden. Special buses run from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport and Leiden station in season. On our tours, the coach takes you directly to the gardens and the entrance ticket is included.

• Arrive early or late in the day to avoid the busiest hours, especially at weekends and on Easter.
• Allow at least two to three hours.
• Wear comfortable shoes and carry a light jacket; spring in the Netherlands can be cool and windy.
• Bulbs bought at the gardens come with export information; check India's import rules before buying.

• Amsterdam: canals, gabled houses and a canal cruise.
• Zaanse Schans: working windmills, a clog workshop and cheese tasting, just north of Amsterdam.
• Madurodam: a miniature park in The Hague with Dutch landmarks at 1:25 scale.
• Giethoorn: a village of canals, footbridges and thatched farmhouses, often called the Venice of the Netherlands.
• Volendam: a traditional fishing town on the IJsselmeer.

The bulb fields of the Bollenstreek stretch from Haarlem to Leiden. From late March to early May they form stripes of red, yellow and pink. Many visitors stop along the roadside for photos; remember the fields are private farms, so stay on the paths and do not pick the flowers.

Keukenhof is easy with children and seniors: paths are flat and wide, there are playgrounds, a petting farm and plenty of benches, and wheelchairs and strollers can be rented. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.

A typical spring group tour spends three nights in Paris, then drives through Brussels to the Netherlands for Keukenhof and Madurodam, continues through Germany's Heidelberg and the Black Forest, and finishes with three nights in the Swiss Alps. Our Mini Highlights, Beauty of Europe, Mini European Grandeur, European Grandeur and Grand Wonders of Europe tours visit Keukenhof on departures until 10 May.

Entry tickets are sold online for a specific date and arrival time slot, and popular days sell out, especially around Easter and weekends in April. On our tours the ticket is booked for the group and included in the price. Independent visitors should buy tickets together with the bus combi-ticket from Amsterdam or Schiphol. Plan to arrive at opening (8 am) or after 3 pm to avoid the midday tour groups.

Spring in the Netherlands is cool and changeable: around 10–16°C in April with sunshine, showers and wind, and slightly warmer in May. Carry a light waterproof jacket and a sweater, and wear comfortable walking shoes. The colours look best in soft light, so a cloudy day is still good for photos.

A spring Europe tour can combine Keukenhof with Paris, Brussels, the Rhine valley and the Swiss Alps. April and early May are also pleasant in Paris and Switzerland, with fewer crowds than June. Read our guide to the best time to visit Europe and see our Europe tour packages.