The Keukenhof is perhaps the Netherlands’ most popular tourist attraction in the spring. Literally translated, Keukenhof means ‘kitchen garden’, and is located near the town of Lisse (map), about a half-hour drive southwest of Amsterdam, in the heart of one of the country’s major flower-growing regions. The Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower garden and every year, about 7 million bulbs are planted. While tulips are the major attraction, the Keukenhof is also famous for its azaleas, daffodils, hydrangeas and cherry blossoms, as well as its indoor exhibitions which often feature impressive collections of orchids, lilies and other varieties.
The Keukenhof is a very popular tourist attraction so expect throngs of camera-toting visitors from around the world on any given day. You can also expect almost everything the Dutch are famous for: aside from the millions of tulips, there are the ubiquitous wooden clogs, windmills, traditional folk music, herring, pancakes (pannenkoek), mini-pancakes (poffertjes – I absolutely recommend these!) and gorgeous artwork and sculptures. In case you’re wondering, no, there are no coffee shops here. 😉 What you will find are expansive gardens filled to the brim with flower beds, beautiful landscaping and magnificent floral exhibitions. The best time to visit the Keukenhof (and to avoid the crowds) is in the late-afternoon (around 3-4pm) on a week day. The park closes at 8pm, giving you ample time to explore the gardens and enjoy the stunning colours, towering trees and floral scents at a leisurely pace without being elbowed around.
How to get to the Keukenhof
It’s easy to join a Keukenhof tour from Amsterdam or from nearby Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. You can also take a bus or train to Schiphol Airport and hop on the Keukenhof shuttle bus from there. Check the public transport options.
An afternoon in the Keukenhof – in pictures
Please scroll down to view a photo essay of one of my visits to the Keukenhof.
The Keukenhof is only open in the spring months. If you’re visiting The Netherlands, check here to see if the Keukenhof is open. You can also stay near the Keukenhof. Check the map below for availability:
Booking.com
The tulip fields in the vicinity of the Keukenhof
The flower-growing region in which the Keukenhof is situated is absolutely breathtaking – you’ll find massive rows of tulip fields here; the ones every visitor sees in posters and postcards in any souvenir shop. The best time to visit the tulip fields is around mid- to late-April.
If you have your own car or bicycle, there are various routes you can follow which take you past this sea of flowers, such as the “Bollenroute” (bulb route). There are signs along the roads and bicycle paths which clearly mark the routes. Check with the Dutch Automobile Association (ANWB) or one of the local Tourism Offices (VVV) for more information. Read about a drive around the tulip fields. I recommend hiring a car to explore the tulip region and beaches at your own leisure.
[…] Read about my visit to the Keukenhof. […]
[…] famous tulip fields of South Holland and the Keukenhof Gardens are a short drive from Amsterdam. Situated around the towns of Lisse and Hillegom, southwest of […]
[…] the towns of Hillegom and Lisse. Lisse is especially popular as this is where the world-famous Keukenhof gardens are located. The bright colours of the tulip fields soon appeared on both sides of the road […]
[…] Netherlands, and the most popular region for visitors. This region is also where the world-famous Keukenhof is situated, so you can easily combine a drive around the tulip fields with a visit to the […]
[…] In the spring months (April-May), you could join a tour that takes you to the nearby tulip fields and the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. […]
[…] various areas where you can do this. My favourites are around the town of Lisse (where the famous Keukenhof gardes are located) and the ‘Kop van Noord Holland‘, a gorgeous region north of […]
[…] in Holland. The most famous tulip region is located around the town of Lisse (where the popular Keukenhof gardens are located), southwest of Amsterdam. Another devastatingly beautiful region is north of Amsterdam, […]
[…] about 20km southwest of Amsterdam, is famous around the world for its vast fields of tulips and the Keukenhof. The best time to view these fields is in the second half of April. Hire a bicycle and explore the […]
[…] Read the accompanying post: ‘An Afternoon in the Keukenhof‘. […]
[…] An afternoon in the Keukenhof […]
[…] the accompanying post: ‘An Afternoon in the Keukenhof‘. Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 Europe TAGS: gardens, nature, […]
[…] An afternoon in the Keukenhof […]
lovely pics, its fun visiting it with friends and family. Keukenhof is definitely the one must visit destination in spring. This time we did a cycle tour in the Lisse fields though
Looks magical!! It’s hard to find fine flower garden. 🙂 certainly magical! Good that you get to meet fellow travel tweeps! Hehe
Thanks Vera. Yes, you’ll miss this floral extravaganza but maybe another year. 🙂 Look forward to meeting up with you when you’re in Amsterdam!
Hugs,
Keith
Thanks for introducing this gorgeous place. What wonderful photos of all your friends–I mean the flowers, of course.
I’m afraid I’m visiting at the wrong time of year (mid Sept.) to see this glory, but the photos are like a visit.
Thanks
Haha, you’re absolutely right. 😉
Thanks for your comment Tom!
Cheers,
Keith
Great post and photography, there is a real explosion of colour. Of course no trip to Holland would be complete unless there was at least one picture of a windmill :o)
WOW! Tulips!!! Orchids!!! Daffodils!!! Cherry Blossoms!!! Beautiful!!!
Really really like this post! This is one of the places I’ll be visiting next year! 🙂
Thanks Kenny. Pity you’ll be here in June – the Keunkenhof closes this week. 🙁 It’s very touristy but the park makes for a beautiful stroll. Hope to see you in a few weeks’ time.
Cheers,
Keith
The flowers are beautiful! Would love to visit a garden like this during spring… 🙂