Is Keukenhof, Europe’s Largest Tulip Garden, Worth It?
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There are a few bucket list European experiences that always captured my imagination, even before I ever had a passport.
WALKING THROUGH FIELDS OF SPRING TULIPS IN THE NETHERLANDS WAS ONE OF THOSE EXPERIENCES.
First, there’s the historic link between the tulip and the Dutch economy — like the period of Tulip Mania, when prices for the bulb flower reached speculative highs.
This link persists today, with Holland responsible for around 60% of the global tulip production.
Second, the sight of fields full of tulips is so achingly beautiful with all that color bursting forth from the natural world. 😍
KEUKENHOF, ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST FLOWER GARDENS, IS RENOWNED FOR ITS SPRING DISPLAY OF TULIPS AND DAFFODILS.
The garden is about a forty minute drive outside of Amsterdam, a distance that often gives travelers pause:
Is Keukenhof worth the trip?
Or is it a distraction from the prime sights and experiences of Amsterdam?
PERSONALLY, I’M A HUGE FAN OF FORMALLY PLANNED GARDENS, BUT THE LOGISTICS OF GETTING TO KEUKENHOF WORRIED ME.
I knew that the garden sat miles away from Amsterdam proper, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to go to the trouble of planning how to make the trip on my own.
I wasn’t even sure it would be worth it.
Keep reading for details on these logistical questions and how I handled them for my own trip, and whether or not Keukenhof is worth visiting.
Is Keukenhof, Europe’s Largest Tulip Garden, Worth It?
So, Is Keukenhof Worth It?
Alright, alright, listen.
I’m not going to gatekeep this one.
If you don’t have the time to read this whole post, I’ll get to the good stuff first.
IS KEUKENHOF WORTH IT?
YES!
The mixed flower bed at the entrance of Keukenhof.
And here’s why:
⏰ It’s a limited time opportunity.
KEUKENHOF IS ONLY OPEN FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS EACH SPRING.
If your trip to Amsterdam is during that window, you should absolutely make the trip to Keukenhof.
🚌 They’ve figured out the logistics for you.
I WAS WORRIED THAT GETTING TO KEUKENHOF WOULD BE A PAIN.
In reality, it was a painless process that ran like a well-oiled machine.
🌟 There are no “off” days here.
KEUKENHOF ALWAYS LOOKS PRISTINE AND MANICURED.
Their grounds team keeps each and every tulip bed looking fresh and fascinating.
🌷 It’s a garden lover’s dream.
If you appreciate gardening, floral arranging, or flowers in general, Keukenhof will charm you with its fairy-tale-like layout.
🇳🇱 Keukenhof is uniquely Dutch.
While Europe is full of beautiful gardens, Keukenhof is unique in its focus on the tulip, a flower with a strong cultural and economic significance for the Netherlands.
Top Keukenhof Experiences
Planning your trip to Keukenhof?
Here are my FAVORITE experiences for a memorable visit to Keukenhof.
🌟 Keukenhof + Transport | Keukenhof Admission & Round-Trip Transport from Amsterdam
For those who want to visit Keukenhof with easy transportation from Amsterdam.
🌷 Keukenhof + Tulip Farms | Keukenhof, Tulip Farm & Windmill Cruise from Amsterdam
For those who want to visit tulip farms as well as Keukenhof.
♿ Private Transport | Keukenhof & FlowerFarm Tour From Amsterdam
For those with mobility issues or large groups preferring private transport.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Keukenhof?
KEUKENHOF IS ONLY OPEN FOR AROUND SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS IN THE SPRING, FROM LATE MARCH TO EARLY MAY.
In 2025, it will be open from March 20 to May 11, 2025.
A lot of folks worry about when to visit Keukenhof during this brief window, believing that there will be a time to see peak blooms, and that other times may not be as good.
You don’t need to worry about timing your visit to Keukenhof to see “the best” blooms.
I loved the formal garden aspects at Keukenhof, like these hedge arches…
…and the formal garden paths bordered by topiary trees.
As a public garden, Keukenhof employs a dedicated grounds team and commercial growing methods to ensure that the flower displays are prolific and consistent throughout its brief season.
(If you are planning your trip around a visit to a commercial tulip field in the area, then some weeks will be better than others. You can book a tour that visits both Keukenhof and nearby tulip farms here.)
WE VISITED KEUKENHOF IN THE MIDDLE OF APRIL, AND THOUGH THE WEATHER WAS A LITTLE COLD, THE FLOWERS WERE SENSATIONAL.
When is the Best Time of Day to Visit Keukenhof?
THE MORE IMPORTANT TIMING CONCERN IS WHAT TIME OF DAY TO VISIT KEUKENHOF.
Though the garden is open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM each day of its season, crowds are largest between 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
If you’d like to beat the crowds, visit early in the morning, between 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM, or later in the afternoon between 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
Weekends are of course a lot busier, too, so if you’re able to visit on the quieter days, like Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, this will make your visit more enjoyable.
The trees throughout Keukenhof throw different shadows on the tulips at different times of day.
WE VISITED KEUKENHOF ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND ENTERED THE GARDEN A LITTLE AFTER 2:00 PM.
It was certainly crowded, especially in the pavilions, but the foot paths throughout the garden were manageable with the occasional bottleneck.
Do Tickets to Keukenhof Sell Out?
Keukenhof tickets are sold for specific dates and timeslots.
On the busiest days, like Easter weekend, King’s Day, and the Bollenstreek Flower Parade, Keukenhof tickets are likely to sell out.
Even though we visited on a Friday afternoon, Keukenhof was still busy and full of visitors.
Outside of these dates, tickets are less likely to sell out.
I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO PLAN YOUR VISIT TO KEUKENHOF IN ADVANCE, THOUGH, SO THAT YOU CAN ENSURE AN ENTRY TIME THAT WORKS WITH YOUR OVERALL ITINERARY.
How to Get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam
KEUKENHOF IS LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF AMSTERDAM, IN THE TOWN OF LISSE, AND THERE ARE NO DIRECT PUBLIC TRANSPORT STOPS TO KEUKENHOF.
But for the few weeks that Keukenhof is open in the spring, a temporary transportation network emerges to connect not only Amsterdam, but also Schiphol Airport, and the towns of Haarlem (to the north) and Leiden (to the south), to Keukenhof.
There are so many different types and forms of tulips on display at Keukenhof.
This dedicated fleet of buses brings visitors to Keukenhof and then returns them to their starting point.
On the day of our visit, I was worried that we’d be unable to find the bus out to Keukenhof, but the bus stop was located in a parking lot south of town, with clearly marked signage and on-site staff to answer questions.
The queue to board the bus was long, so we opted to take standing-room-only seats for the trip to Keukenhof.
(The return trip to the city was a different story. We were tired. It’s easy to underestimate how much walking you do while touring through Keukenhof.)
YOU CAN PURCHASE AN ADMISSION TICKET THAT INCLUDES BUS TRANSPORT TO AND FROM KEUKENHOF HERE.
Want to visit one of the nearby tulip farms along with your visit to Keukenhof? This is the best tour that allows you to do both.
And if you’re traveling with a large group or with someone with mobility issues, then this private tour of Keukenhof is your best bet!
How Much Time to Spend at Keukenhof?
THE AVERAGE VISITOR TO KEUKENHOF SPENDS ABOUT THREE HOURS IN THE GARDENS.
Make no mistake, Keukenhof is big — 79 acres (32 hectares) big, to be precise.
Some of the flower beds at Keukenhof are expansive, extending over huge swaths of land.
The size and scale of the garden, coupled with the sheer amount of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils planted into the landscape, was a real shock to me.
In terms of how much time to spend at Keukenhof, I think that 2 hours is a minimum.
WE SPENT A LITTLE OVER 2.5 HOURS AT KEUKENHOF AND FELT THAT IT WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME TO SEE THE SIGHTS AND STROLL THROUGH THE GARDEN.
There is also a large lake in the center of the garden.
Longer visits of between three to five hours are not unreasonable, especially for those travelling with families, as there are a couple playgrounds inside, or those with mobility issues.
If you plan to have lunch in the garden, or stop to buy one of the many bulb packages on sale, then plan to stay for closer to three or four hours.
What to Wear to Keukenhof
DRESSING IN LAYERS IS THE BEST WAY TO PREPARE FOR THE UNPREDICTABLE SPRING WEATHER AT KEUKENHOF.
Again, we visited Keukenhof during the middle of April, and it was a rainy morning when we headed out to the garden.
For the first fifteen minutes after we entered Keukenhof, it started to rain and even hailed for a minute or two. 😳
Luckily, the hail stopped, the rain went away, and the sun came out.
I loved the non-tulips varietals that were mixed into the flower beds, like these muscari, or grape hyacinth.
Comfort was my main goal, so I wore leggings, a sweater, and a jacket, along with cushioned tennis shoes.
If you’re hoping to take photos among the flowers, be aware that it’s often cold while Keukenhof is in-season, so be sure to wear tights with dresses, longer sleeves, and thicket fabrics.
Resist the urge to wear fancy footwear!
COMFORTABLE SHOES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO WEAR TO KEUKENHOF.
Large, stunning tulips like these were arranged in their own flower beds for a striking display.
You’ll get a lot of steps in, so a pair of trainers or sneakers are your best bet.
As for handbags, I wore a small crossbody bag that fit my phone, wallet, and some lip balm.
I noticed a lot of backpacks, too, but I would caution against packing too much of anything.
IT’S A LOT OF WALKING, AND EXTRA STUFF WILL ONLY WEIGH YOU DOWN.
What to Eat and Drink at Keukenhof
KEUKENHOF HAS SEVERAL FOOD STANDS AND RESTAURANTS, BUT WE HAD ALREADY EATEN LUNCH BEFORE OUR ENTRY TO THE GARDEN.
We did stop for a hot tea to warm us up a bit, and while in the food court area I peeped the dishes other guests had purchased.
The play of colors, size, and texture of the different varieties of tulips was always interesting.
Nothing looked especially appetizing, the prices were on the high side, and the lines to wait for food were very long.
If you plan to be in Keukenhof over lunch, you may be better off by packing a small lunch of your own.
Conclusion
So, would I recommend a visit to Keukenhof?
This one is easy: YES!
THROUGHOUT OUR TIME IN THE GARDEN, I WAS STRUCK BY THE FAIRY TALE FEELING OF KEUKENHOF.
The transport from the center of Amsterdam to Keukenhof was also seamlessly organized and easy to navigate.
Plus, a visit to Keukenhof only takes about three hours, leaving plenty of time for other items on your itinerary.
If you appreciate beautiful spaces and taking a nice stroll through nature, you’ll enjoy a visit to Keukenhof.
But if you are a gardener yourself and enjoy growing flowers, you will absolutely love it!
Here are my top picks for the best Keukenhof tours 👇
🌟 Keukenhof + Transport | Keukenhof Admission & Round-Trip Transport from Amsterdam
For those who want to visit Keukenhof with easy transportation from Amsterdam.
🌷 Keukenhof + Tulip Farms | Keukenhof, Tulip Farm & Windmill Cruise from Amsterdam
For those who want to visit tulip farms as well as Keukenhof.
♿ Private Transport | Keukenhof & FlowerFarm Tour From Amsterdam
For those with mobility issues or large groups preferring private transport.
Cheers!
xx,
Angela 🌷