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

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

Jacu Strauss, artistic director of Lore Group (which owns the Journey + Leisure reader-favorite resort Pulitzer Amsterdam), will get much more poetic about it: “Tulips—and delightful recent flowers basically—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 great 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 slightly planning, however we have you lined with skilled suggestions. This is the way to plot the proper 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 everyday tulip season begins in late March and is over by mid-Might, that means the tulips often peak round mid-April. As for this yr, Holland.com famous, “Over the previous months, planting circumstances have been favorable, permitting the bulbs to root effectively. The climate forecast for the approaching month seems to be promising, with reasonably chilly temperatures.” Keukenhof, arguably one of the crucial 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 yr; the route is 26 miles lengthy and can finish in Haarlem.

In case you’re planning a visit this spring, Strauss suggests reserving immediately. “I’d all the time suggest reserving as quickly as potential,” he stated. “It’s a busy time for Amsterdam, so to make sure your decide of actions, the earlier, the higher.”

The place to See the Tulips

Keukenhof is the preferred 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 hibernation interval and can bloom for spring. Nonetheless, it is a true year-round effort, because the group 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 reveals and the Holland Heritage Days. Tickets begin at about $20 for adults. Keukenhof is positioned in Lisse, a few 40-minute drive from Amsterdam, and the simplest method to get to the backyard is by public transport (a bus), driving there in your individual automotive or taxi, or by reserving a guided tour from Amsterdam. 

Keukenhof is a part of the bigger Flower Strip, often known as Bollenstreek, a 12-mile strip of tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths that stretch from Haarlem to Leiden. In accordance with Holland.com, the easiest way to expertise it’s by bike, which is able to take you thru villages together with Sassenheim, Hillegom, Lisse, and Noordwijkerhout. You might additionally hire a two-seater all-electric automobile from Renzy.

One other method 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 the city of Noordwijkerhout, a group well-known for its blooms. The city’s official web site famous, “You’ll be able to odor 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 without doubt one of the few working tulip farms that permits excursions. You’ll be able to even decide tulips to deliver residence, or for those who’re touring in a bunch, you may arrange a guided tour to be taught all the things there may be to find out about farming these famed flowers. 

And for those who’re searching for the proper Instagram spot, head proper to the Tulip Barn, a backyard containing greater than 200 styles 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 supreme for your complete household.

In fact, there are many locations to see the well-known Dutch blooms in Amsterdam, too. “Clearly the skin backyard of Hortus Amsterdam—we now have tulip exhibitions yearly,” te Flierhaar stated when requested the place individuals ought to go to see the tulips. “We attempt to have as many particular species as potential, and they’re on present in large pots across the backyard, and there’s a beautiful little tulip subject 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 method to see the tulips that is particularly engaging to those that love a thrill: a helicopter experience. Vacationers can e-book 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 particular person.

Ideas for Visiting

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

Irrespective of the place or whenever you go, it is important to be respectful of the blooms, standing beside them and by no means on them, to allow them to deliver pleasure to different vacationers all through this season and the following. “When you end up standing beside a brilliantly coloured flower subject, 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 if in case you have any plant ailments in your footwear, you danger taking them in with you. This may be a pity for nature but additionally a significant 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 specific consent.” 

So do not contact the fragile blooms, however do take 1,000,000 images and reminiscences with you whenever you go.