Seas of pink, red, white, and orange tulips stretch as far as the eye can see. Row after row is filled with colourful flowers; it’s what has drawn so many tourists to the Netherlands, year after year: the Tulip Season. It’s the highlight of spring; the postcard setting you don’t want to miss. It marks the end of windy, rainy and cloudy days, you wouldn’t want to miss this right? Hence why I have written the ultimate guide to tulip fields in the Netherlands so that you will be prepared for your visit!
*Last update: 23-3-2024*
Table of Contents
The Ultimate Guide to Tulip Fields in the Netherlands:
Best Time to Visit
Tulips generally bloom between the end of March to the start of May. Obviously, we’re talking about nature, meaning that it truly depends on the weather. Sometimes they will bloom a little later, sometimes a little sooner. If you want to be guaranteed to see the blooming tulips I’d advise visiting in mid-April.
Us dutchies actually have little rhymes to describe what the weather will be like each month:
- Maart roert zijn staart (=’March stirs its tail’). You never really know what the weather will do in March. One moment it could be raining cats and dogs, the next you’ll have a sunny afternoon, and a day later it could be snowing. The weather in March can’t be predicted and that is why it’s tricky to visit the tulip fields in March.
- April doet wat hij wil (= ‘April does whatever it wants’). The weather is April is still a little restless. A week of sun can be followed up by a week of rain. We’ve also had snow in April in the past, so it still is a little unpredictable, but not as bad as March. You’ll be far more likely to see blooming tulip fields in April.
- In Mei leggen alle vogels een ei (=’In May all birds will lay eggs’). Okay, this one is more about the brooding season than the weather, but May is known for warmer temperatures, but don’t be deceived. It can still get pretty cold in May. Weather-wise, this would be the best month, but there’s a chance that the harvest has begun before you’ve seen the tulip fields.
Admire the tulips but please don’t enter the fields unless it’s a show garden
Best Tulip Fields in the Netherlands
de Bollenstreek
The Bollenstreek is literally called the ‘bulb region’. It’s the most well-known flower field region that is spread from Hillegom up to Wassenaar. It’s easily accessible from Amsterdam which is why it generally speaking is a lot busier.
The good news is that there is a free bicycle route of 35 kilometres. This route brings you past flower fields, flower attractions, the dunes and the beach. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to enter the flower fields. If you do so, the farmers have to destroy the tulips because you could’ve spread diseases. The bulb fields are also the property of someone else so technically speaking, you’re trespassing and that can get you a fine.
But don’t worry! There still are photo opportunities for you! You’re always allowed to take photos from the edge of the field or visit one of the attractions, those often have a ‘show garden’ which is a garden you are allowed to enter! Here are some of the attractions along the bicycle route:
- Tulip Experience Amsterdam – is located in Noordwijkerhout, and over there, you can learn about tulip growing in the museum section, take photos and videos in the large show garden or pick tulips at the indoor tulip-picking garden. The entrance is €9.50, including a bunch of tulips.
- Bloembollenkwekerij De Tulperij – is an authentic flower attraction located in Voorhout. You can visit their show garden for free, pick a bouquet or you could book an excursion with Daan or Anja for €6,95. They will tell you everything about the growing process of the bulb.
- The Tulip Barn – is also known as the Instagram garden. They have got a show garden that is specifically aimed at taking Instagram photos. Done photo shooting? Grab a coffee before bicycling on. Entrance costs €7,50 and make sure to book your tickets in advance.
- Tulipstore.eu’s Show Garden – is a free-to-visit show garden located in Voorhout. There is a swing and even a car that you can use as a photo prop. The garden is open 24/7. You can buy tulips from the owner across the street.
Here is a map of all the sights along the route.
Getting there
If you’re staying in Amsterdam the fastest way to get there is to take the train to Hillegom Station. This is a 30-minute ride with one transfer. Check the NS app or website for departure times and the platform. At Hillegom station it is possible to rent an OV-fiets, which is a bicycle, for € 4.45. You do need an OV-chipkaart to do so. Check the NS website for more information.
There is a possibility of them running out quickly, so other options to rent a bicycle are: List N Ride and Lemonbike (3km from the station).
Another option is to take public transport (takes about an hour) or go by car (35 minutes) to Keukenhof. You can park there for 6 euros and you can rent a bike at Rent-a-bike van Dam for €16 a day.
Flevoland
Many years ago Flevoland didn’t exist, it was part of the sea, but nowadays it’s a province in the middle of the Netherlands because that is what we do: raise land from the sea when we need it. It is often overlooked but tourists, so if you’d like a less busy Tulip tour, Flevoland is the place to be. 2000 hectares of bulb fields are waiting for you.
So what is the best way to explore them? Tulip Festival Noordoostpolder organises a free car and bicycle route every year. The car route is 99km and the bicycle route is 36 kilometres. The two routes are not identical, but both start near Emmeloord. Unfortunately, the area is hard to reach by public transport, so I’d only recommend this route if you’ve got access to a car. The car brings you past various tulip fields and a show garden called ‘Tulpen belevingsveld’ where you can enter the field.
Another option is the Tulpenroute Flevoland, which offers 3 car routes in Dronten, Lelystad and Zeewolde, which is closer to Amsterdam.
Tickets go for sale at the start of April, once you’ve bought your ticket you can download the Tulpenroute Flevoland app for the routes. Again, this app is not translated into English. So this route is not ideal for those wanting to learn more about tulips and their history. If you, however, just want to see the tulips then the route will be sufficient.
Besides car routes, they also offer three bicycle routes and these are free, unlike the car routes!
Of course, you could hop into your car and explore Flevoland yourself. I’m pretty sure that just driving to Lelystad, Zeewolde or Dronten will bring you past the lovely tulip fields, especially if you ditch the motorways.
Schagen
Another option for those seeking tulip fields off the beaten path is Schagen. This picturesque town and its surrounding areas are absolutely stunning and the great thing is that you will barely see other tourists. Yes, it does take some time to get there, but the Netherlands is small and you’re still in the same province. By car, it takes about an hour to drive there and there is a direct train line to Schagen which also takes about an hour. So that definitely makes it easier to get there than getting to the Noordoostpolder Tulip Festival!
This bicycle route brings you past gorgeous towns, flower fields and the beach and it’s totally free!
Start in Schagen, either rent an OV-fiets or rent a bicycle/ebike/scooter at Fred’s verhuur.
Keukenhof
Keukenhof deserves a special place in this guide because it’s the epitome of a show garden. Keukenhof has multiple themed ‘gardens’ that change every year. This year, there is a Graffiti Garden, a Tropical Beach garden, a pink Tea Garden and more! The bulbs are planted in different patterns creating literal flower art. It’s different to seeing rows and rows of tulips, but that makes it worth the trip!
For kids, there’s a scavenger hunt, a petting zoo, a maze and a playground. It truly is a fun day out for the whole family.
The garden is open from the 23rd of March to the 14th of May. Entrance is €19,00. There is a possibility of adding transport to your ticket if you’re staying in Amsterdam or Haarlem. See this website for more information.
Special Tulip Events
Bloemencorso
If you think viewing the tulip fields is all you can do in spring, think again! From the 19th to the 23rd of April there is a bloemencorso (= flower parade). During this parade floats, cars and sometimes even boats decorated in flowers! It is the most spectacular spring festival in the Netherlands!
It takes place in the Bollenstreek and the highlight of the Bloemencorso is the parade itself, which will be held on Saturday the 22nd of April 2023. The route is 45 kilometers long, starts in Noordwijk, and ends in Haarlem, thus there is plenty of space to watch, but it does get crowded. Check this website for the accurate route.
The main parade is not all there is to do. From the 19th to the 21st you can watch the volunteers decorate the floats in The Klinkenberg tennis hall in Sassenheim. On the evening of Friday the 21st there is an illuminated parade in Noordwijkerhout and on Sunday the 23rd of April you can wave the floats a final goodbye in Haarlem.
National Tulip Day
Not in the Netherlands during the tulip season? No worries, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the start of it. During National Tulip Day, we celebrate the start of the tulip season. Although the tulip fields will still be empty, the Museumplein in Amsterdam will be filled with tulips you can pick for free. This usually happens in January. Next year, National Tulip Day will be celebrated on the 18th of January 2025.
Where to buy Tulip Bulbs
During your visit to any area where tulips are being cultured, you will probably come across some shops selling bulbs. Some will offer you bulbs on the go, and at other places, you’ll have to order them. What you need to keep in mind is this: bulbs are harvested in June, meaning the bulbs that you can buy in April to May are almost a year old. Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not, but it does lessen the chances of them blooming next year.
If you want to be guaranteed to have blooming tulips next year, order them. Then, you’ll receive brand-new flower bulbs. Most farmers in the Bollenstreek will even ship them abroad!
I myself have planted Tulips in my garden and I used old bulbs, most of them bloomed anyway so buying older bulbs does not mean that they won’t work. There simply is a chance that they won’t.
The same applies to the flower market in Amsterdam, these bulbs are from last year. If you do buy them, do check your country’s policy on bringing bulbs into the country to avoid disappointment.
Things you should about the tulips.
Do not enter the flower fields
By now it should be clear, but under no circumstance enter the flower fields. These fields are someone’s work and their income. By entering the fields you might spread diseases, which will kill the plant and its bulb which would be sold off. So only enter the show gardens if it’s permitted, not the actual flower fields.
Tulips are not Dutch
The Dutch might make it seem like it is theirs, but tulips are originally from Kazakhstan. When Kazakhstan was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, tulips were taken to what is now called Turkiye. Nowadays people visit the Netherlands to see the tulips, but back then people went to Istanbul to see the gorgeous gardens.
Sultan Suleyman offered tulips to important persons, amongst whom was Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, the Vienna ambassador of the Ottoman Empire. He gifted the tulips to his Austrian friend Carolus Clusius who became a professor at the University of Leiden and head of the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden and so, in 1593, the first tulip was planted in the Netherlands.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that tulips became very popular. So popular that the price grew and grew up until a tulip bulb cost as much as a canal house. The government had to forbid these prizes which helped a lot. Nowadays they are still popular, but not nearly as expensive!
Tulips play an important part in history
In the winter of 1944-1945, there was a famine, especially in the cities. There was no trade, so farmers offered their tulip bulbs as food. The high starch content makes them nutritious, so you could say the tulips have literally saved people.
All flower routes change every year
Farmers cannot plant in the same place year after year because the soil degrades and can no longer provide the nutrients the flowers need, that is why they change the fields almost every year. So, check in advance where the flower fields are located to avoid disappointment.
So that was The Ultimate Guide to Tulip Fields in the Netherlands, I hope you enjoy your visit to the tulip fields! Our tulip culture definitely makes me proud to be Dutch! Do you have a specific flower period in your home country?
Love,
Sharon
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