Sea of Tulips

Keukenhof: Spring in the Garden of Europe

Spring is returning to the northern hemisphere. The greyness of winter is gradually replaced by the colors of spring. Across Europe, multicolored flowers wake up after a long winter sleep and reveal their beauty. And one perfect place to admire Mother Nature’s artwork is the Keukenhof Garden.

Located in the Netherlands’ southern province Lisse, Keukenhof is the largest bulb flower garden in the world. The area was once used as the hunting ground and a great source of herbs for the kitchen of Jacqueline, the Countess of Hainaut’s Castle in the 15th century. Thus, it earned the name Keukenhof, which means “Kitchen Garden”.

With over seven million bulb flowers, it is not exaggerated to call Keukenhof the “Garden of Europe”. Operating from middle March to middle May, Keukenhof attracts around 800,000 visitors annually and it is one of the Netherlands’ top attractions. The garden spills across 28 hectares of wooded parkland and is designed to demonstrate the art and skill of Dutch bulb growers.

In this garden, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and narcissi in various sizes and colors are proudly presented to align the walking path that winds around ponds, a windmill, and greenhouse pavilions holding the indoor display. But it isn’t just the bed of blooms that makes the eyes pop, the dense flower fields stretching to the horizon just outside the garden will surely take your breath away.

The world’s largest bulb flower garden.

Keukenhof Garden

Tips for visiting Keukenhof

  • Keukenhof is stone’s throw away from Leiden Centraal Station. There are special buses connecting the garden with the train station and Amsterdam Schipol’s Airport. The bus stop is just outside the station. For the airport, take a look here.
  • A combi ticket is highly recommended because it covers the train, the bus ride and the entrance to Keukenhof. Purchasing the ticket online to avoid the huge queue at the box office.
  • In order to really enjoy the garden, you should start early. The garden opens at 8:00. In the course of the day, it is getting very crowded and the flowers look not so fresh anymore.
  • Consider taking the time to visit the flower fields in Lisse. Tulips can be directly bought from the farmers as well.
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61 thoughts on “Keukenhof: Spring in the Garden of Europe”

  1. Jules & Verne – Hey, we're Jules and Verne (travelling 'alter egos')! After many years travelling for work, we embarked on a for-fun round the world trip in 160 days! julesvernex2.com
    Jules & Verne says:

    These pictures are stunning Len! I’ve lived in the Netherlands for a few months, but never visited the Keukenhof. What a pity! -Verne

  2. LostViivi – Finland – I'm a little lost in this big world. I find my home in unknown streets and forgotten forest paths. As passionate as I am about traveling I'm also about writing, books, and movies. I don't know where this writing blogs thing is going so anything is possible.
    Viivi Severina says:

    These photos are so beautiful! I have always wanted to visit here because it looks so perfectly beautiful place… 🙂

  3. cikitaokt – Just an amateur photographer, a dream digger, book enthusiast, music enjoyer, fashion lovers, monochrome addict, that's me :)
    cikitaokt says:

    The garden is just awesome! 😍

  4. Mel & Suan – Singapore – Mel works his day job for a living, but lives for antiquities, history and geography at all other times. He enjoys writing and thought sharing and obviously traveling. Suan is a homey person, who like girlie stuff such as cross stitching etc. Enjoys shopping & modeling for Mel. What a match!
    Mel & Suan says:

    And if one manages to rent a bike, go outside of the gardens. Just around the corner barely 10 minutes’ ride one will be hit with all the flower fields. In fact, you can see it from the gardens itself. But the best experience is to walk the real fields!

    1. It must be great! I can imagine. Actually, Keukenhof also offers boat trips to the tulip fields. But for some reasons, we didn’t do that 🙂

      1. Mel & Suan – Singapore – Mel works his day job for a living, but lives for antiquities, history and geography at all other times. He enjoys writing and thought sharing and obviously traveling. Suan is a homey person, who like girlie stuff such as cross stitching etc. Enjoys shopping & modeling for Mel. What a match!
        Mel & Suan says:

        Oh. reasons to go back next time. Every year the layout would be different!

    1. Unfortunately, I do not know any field around Amsterdam. But the area around Keukenhof is full of tulip fields. Lisse is what the town is called. Maybe the tourist office there can give you some advice. Keukenhof also offers a boat tour to tulip fields. I think the tour takes around 45 to 60 min.

  5. fkasara – I'm Sara, a Northern Italian with experience in Italy's travel industry and hospitality sector. Other than the classic travel tips, in my blog I mainly share cultural and lifestyle aspects of the Belpaese, that often elude tourists, yet make our country unique. Be inspired, avoid cliches and let Italy spice up your life!
    fkasara says:

    Amazing!! ❤

  6. Nano @ Travels With Nano – Tokyo, Japan – Hi, I'm Nano! Welcome to my site! Travels With Nano is filled with everything I am passionate about: uncovering the world one sight, bite and cultural experience at a time. I'm here to share savvy travel tips and inspire (not influence!) your future travel adventures. Needless to say, I am thrilled to have you here reading!
    Nano @ Travel With Nano B. says:

    OMG Len, you make me want to hop on a plane to Netherlands. Keukenhof is my dream, although I have never seen photos of it as pretty as yours are! FANTASTIC!

    1. Thanks a lot for your compliment, Nano! I guess I had a lucky day. The weather was totally in my favor and there were not so many people that jumped in front of my camera 🙂

      1. Nano @ Travels With Nano – Tokyo, Japan – Hi, I'm Nano! Welcome to my site! Travels With Nano is filled with everything I am passionate about: uncovering the world one sight, bite and cultural experience at a time. I'm here to share savvy travel tips and inspire (not influence!) your future travel adventures. Needless to say, I am thrilled to have you here reading!
        Nano @ Travel With Nano B. says:

        That’s always the biggest problem, people jumping into frame :/

  7. Jolene – Sydney, Australia – Jolene is a banker by trade, a writer at heart, and is a contributor to Thought Catalog. You are welcome to peek into her adventures and reflections on films and life at "SoMuchToTellYou", her ultimate love affair with words.
    Jolene says:

    You are making me very very jealous and very very upset that I will not be able to see it this year 😭 I’ve always loved gardens and greenery…

    1. I think the theme for this year is Dutch Design. Not so sure 🙂 I remember the theme because there were a pavilion that displayed the blue-white porcelain from Delft.

  8. The Snow Melts Somewhere – As I wait for the snow to melt, up here in the far North, I daydream of palm trees and join my kids for adventures in our living room. Come join me! You can call me Snow. thesnowmeltssomewhere.wordpress.com
    The Snow Melts Somewhere says:

    How amazing does that look! I’d love to go there one day

    1. The garden is opening till May. So you still have time to plan a weekend trip 😉 I am sure you can make some wonderful photos of the garden.

  9. ericluskjopson – Vancouver, Canada – I'm here to learn and to share what I've learned. For me, travel is another tool to accumulate and share knowledge. If you liked any of my articles, found them useful, or just want to say Hello, please contact me :)
    ericluskjopson says:

    Wow, I’m so jealous you are already experiencing Spring! Cold and grey on my side of the world 🙁

  10. Moon – Kolkata, India – A travel blogger from Kolkata, India Hi, my name is Moon. I am a content developer by profession and a travel blogger by passion. As a traveler, I want to explore every nook and corner of my beloved country India and beyond and share my travel stories on my blog. I have written for Hipmunk. You can check out more of my Hipmunk Hotels and Destinations posts here: http://footlooseforever.com/category/travel/usa-hotels/
    Moon says:

    Beautiful…looks like the garden of heaven!

  11. This place looks so beautiful! every time I see pictures of Keukenhof, I ask myself why I didn’t go there yet 😀 In real life the garden must be even more amazing))

  12. lacasabloga – Just a little bit about me: 26 year old Salvadorian American just pursuing my passion for blogging about a few of my favorite things-travel, beauty, style, and everything in between! Hope you can check out my site and learn something new from it. Ciao!
    lacasabloga says:

    Wow, that garden looks unreal! I wish Rome had something like that. So beautiful and definitely worth the trip for some insta-worthy photos.
    http://www.lacasabloga.com

  13. vinneve – I believe in this quote "Life is a JOURNEY, travel it well." Wherever we may end up so long as there is LOVE we will be happy!
    vinneve says:

    You have a talent in photography, so full of colours!

    1. Your words made my day. Thanks a lot, Vinneve! 🙂 Spring is coming so we are going to see more colour. I am getting tired of the greyness and whiteness of winter haha.

      1. vinneve – I believe in this quote "Life is a JOURNEY, travel it well." Wherever we may end up so long as there is LOVE we will be happy!
        vinneve says:

        You’re welcome, I am just saying the truth. I like Autumn colours and yes of course Spring!

  14. Robert J Jr. – Savannah, Georgia – Retired Army Veteran, photoblogger, photographer. I love taking a good picture as much as editing pictures in Lightroom and Photoshop.
    Robert says:

    Such a exquisite display of floral beauty! Nature has so much for us to behold and we need to take time before the seasons change again!

  15. Lignum Draco – ... A blog about nothing in particular, because "Candid photography is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get". Photography by "The Wood Dragon" since 2012.
    Lignum Draco says:

    I hadn’t heard of this garden but it is so beautiful. Thanks for the photos.

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