A trip to Holland (located in the Netherlands) during tulip season offers a breathtaking experience like no other. From vibrant flower fields to charming towns, the country comes alive with color every spring. Here’s your guide to seeing the iconic tulips in Holland.
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The main tulip region of Holland is the Bollenstreek (Bulb Region). It is located in the province of South Holland. The Bollenstreek bursts into color each spring, attracting thousands of visitors eager to see the iconic Dutch tulip fields in full bloom. Here are some of the best places to view the tulips.
Amsterdam
Spring in Amsterdam transforms the city into a colorful paradise. Amsterdam offers countless tulip-related attractions that will captivate any visitor. Visit the Tulip Museum to learn about the history of tulips in Holland, including the fascinating “Tulip Mania” of the 17th century.
Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam’s unique floating flower market, sells fresh flowers, including tulip bulbs you can take home. Wander through the stalls and immerse yourself in the fragrant world of Dutch blooms.
Glide along Amsterdam’s iconic canals while enjoying tulip-themed decor and learning about the city’s floral heritage from knowledgeable guides. Also check out the shops! From hand-painted tulip ceramics to vibrant tulip-themed artwork, Amsterdam’s shops offer unique souvenirs that capture the beauty of tulip season in Holland.
If you visit on the third Saturday in January, don’t miss National Tulip Day at Dam Square. This annual event marks the start of the tulip season, where visitors can pick their own tulips for free from a temporary garden. Most importantly, check out the nearby towns and tulip fields to really see the country in bloom!
The Tulip Experience Amsterdam
For a fun and interactive tulip immersion, check out The Tulip Experience Amsterdam. You will find massive tulip fields, an indoor picking garden, a museum, a farmer’s market, and so much more. It is kind of like the Disney Land of Tulips! This is a great family friendly experience filled with insta-worthy photo ops. Despite its name, this huge attraction is not located in Amsterdam. You will find it in the city of Noordwijkerhout.
Lisse
Lisse, located southwest of Amsterdam, offers endless rows of tulips in vibrant colors. Rent a bike to explore scenic routes through the countryside. There are several fabulous places to tip-toe through the tulips in Lisse, including the most famous, the Keukenhof Gardens.
Keukenhof
Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is an independent and international showcase of Dutch floriculture. The gardens feature over seven million tulips in bloom. While other flowers grow in Keukenhof, the focus is on spring bulb flowers. As a result, you will experience what feels like endless rows of colorful blossoming tulips!
The garden spans 32 hectares. Its floral sculptures, pavilions, and tranquil ponds make it a top destination for nature lovers. But the real draw are the seemingly endless beds of tulips. The gardens are only open eight weeks a year, but they really show-off in those eight weeks! Plan to be there all day? Be sure to reserve a ride around the fields on the Whisper Boat for a relaxing overview of the gardens and wear sturdy shoes so you can explore!
Faasrobert, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Castle Keukenhof
You will spy a castle just across from the Keukenhof Gardens. The Kasteel Keukenhof was built in 1641 as a country house and over the centuries it grew to the castle of today. The 240-hectare estate is freely accessible and boasts 15 national monuments throughout the gardens.
While Keukenhof Tulip Gardens are only open eight weeks a year, the gardens surrounding the castle estate are open year-round and free of charge. Plus, you can tour the castle for a small fee. This makes Lisse and Keukenhof a fabulous place to visit even after the tulip gardens close for the year.
The Museum de Zwarte Tulp
Don’t miss the Museum Black Tulip while in Lisse. It hosts exhibits on the culture and history of tulip growing through art. They also have bulbs for sale that can be delivered to your home in the USA. You can order online or at the museum. That is much easier than hauling them home in your suitcase and avoids any issues with customs.
Noordoostpolder
Holland’s biggest flower bulb area is in the province of Flevoland, and Noordoostpolder boasts some of the country’s most amazing tulip fields. Each spring, you will discover 2000 hectares of tulips in bloom here. Experience amazing walking and biking paths around the tulip fields. Or maybe a helicopter ride is more your style! You can also pick your own tulips!
Haarlem
The historic city of Harleem, located northwest of Amsterdam, boasts beautiful gardens, charming streets, and an annual flower market. It is famous for its outlying tulip fields that are just a bike ride away. But it is best known as the finale location of the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek Flower Parade.
W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Bloemencorso Bollenstock Flower Parade
Every spring, the world-famous Bloemencorso Bollenstreek Flower Parade bursts into life, transforming the Dutch countryside into a vibrant tapestry of colors and fragrances. This iconic event draws thousands of visitors from around the world to witness an unforgettable spectacle of floral art and creativity.
This is not just any parade—it is a moving masterpiece that showcases the beauty of Dutch flowers, especially the famous tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. Local artisans and volunteers work tirelessly to design and construct elaborate floats covered in thousands of fresh blooms. Each float tells a unique story, often reflecting cultural themes, historical events, or whimsical fantasies.
W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Parade Route
The parade embarks on its 42-kilometer journey in the charming coastal town of Noordwijk. It winds through picturesque villages such as Voorhout, Sassenheim, Lisse, Hillegom, and Heemstede before reaching its grand finale in the historic city of Haarlem. The floats remain on display in Haarlem for an additional day so you can take a closer look at the intricate floral designs. Along the route, spectators gather to admire the floats, marching bands.
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek typically takes place in April, coinciding with the peak of the tulip blooming season. Visitors can find prime viewing spots along the route, with Lisse and Haarlem being particularly popular. Early arrival is recommended to secure a good spot.
How to Experience the Tulips
Take a scenic self-guided bike tour through the tulip fields or cycle with a local guide. Join a guided tour for expert insights into the tulip industry, including farm visits and behind-the-scenes experiences. For an awe-inspiring view, take a helicopter tour to see the fields from above. Visit tulip farms for workshops and events on flower arranging and photography tips to capture the perfect shot. And don’t forget the various shows, parades and festivals honoring Hollands most famous flower.
Time your trip for the annual Tulip Festival! This family friendly event is a magical way to celebrate the spring and its blossoming colors.
Tips for Tulip Season
Tulip season runs from mid-March to mid-May, with peak bloom usually in mid-April. The fields transform into a sea of color, creating a surreal landscape. Visit in early April for the first blooms or late April for the most vibrant fields. Weather conditions may affect the timing, so check local bloom updates before your trip.
- Book accommodations early, as tulip season attracts many visitors from around the world.
- Consider taking a Tulip Time River Cruise of Holland and Belgium!
- Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and softer lighting for photos.
- Pack comfortable shoes for walking through gardens and fields, and bring layers for unpredictable spring weather.
- Rent a bike for a quintessential Dutch experience, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
- Bring a portable battery pack for your camera/phone. You are going to take a lot of pictures!
How to Take the Best Tulip Photo
I am a Texan. And as a Texan I have taken my fair share of photos in fields of bluebonnets. We just clomp our way into whatever field we choose and sit among the flowers without a thought. But taking photos of the tulips requires a little more care. They are as incredibly fragile as they are beautiful. So, you need to have skills in order to take pics without entering the actual fields and touching the flowers.
Never fear, you can take beautiful photos even from a distance! Here are some tips:
- Don’t point the camera into the light!
- Focus on the subject but don’t center the subject in the frame.
- Zoom-out to create depth in your photo (particularly on a selfie as this avoids showing every line and wrinkle).
- Try out the various modes on your camera to find the best settings.
- Don’t rush! It’s a process!
How to Get to the Tulip Fields!
It is clear that no matter where you want to experience the tulips, you will first fly in to Amsterdam. There are loads of tulips on display in Amsterdam, but you will need to leave the city to experience the endless fields of color.
If you plan to spend multiple days biking between tulip fields and festivities, then consider the area between Lisse and Haarlem. You can actually bike between the two cities in about an hour. Throw in the fact that the Tulip Experience Amsterdam is in the general area between the two cities and you can see a perfect triangle of tantalizing tulips! But since most people just take day trips from the city, here is how to get to each area from Centraal Station Amsterdam.
The Tulip Sites of Lisse
Lisse is located just over 20 miles from Amsterdam and you can get there by car or taxi in 30 minutes. It takes about an hour and 10 minutes to get there via train and bus, depending upon your timing. From Amsterdam, Centraal Station, , take the 52 to Station Zuid and then transfer to the Sprinter heading towards Leiden Centraal and disembark at Sassenheim Leiden. Transfer to the #50 bus heading toward Lisse and disembark at Lisse, Centrum. From here you can take a taxi or Uber to your destination(s) or rent a bike to explore on your own.
Kuekenhof
If you goal is primarily to explore Keukenhof during tulip season, you can simply hop on the Keukenhof Tulip Festival Shuttle Bus from Amsterdam Central Station. This luxury shuttle service is really the way to go if Keukenhof is your primary goal. There are several packages to choose from and they are all quite affordable.
The Tulip Experience Amsterdam
Despite its name, this huge attraction is not located in Amsterdam. You will find it in the city of Noordwijkerhout. This is between Lisse and Haarlem, about 45 minutes outside the city via car or taxi. It takes under two hours to get there via public transportation. Take the Intercity train line from Centraal Station toward Vlissingen. Disembark in Keiden and transfer to Bus 22 toward Nieuw-Vennep. From there it is a 10 minute walk to the Tulip Experience.
Haarlem
Just 30 minutes from Amsterdam by car and half that via public transportation, Haarlem is a great day trip! Just take the NS train from Centraal Station directly to Haarlem and rent a bike or walk to the various fields!
Noordoostpolder
Noordoostpolder is located about 90 minutes Northeast from Amsterdam by car or public transportation. This is a totally different direction from the other tulip sites. Take the Intercity line from Centraal Station toward Almere Centrum. From there, transfer to the Intercity line toward Hoogeveen. Disembark at Lelystad Centrum and then take Bus 214 toward Steemwijik via Emmeloord. Disembark at the Emmeloord Bus Station and rent a bike to get you around while you enjoy the tulip fields.
Buying Tulips
You can buy flowers or bulbs in Holland and bring them back to the U.S., but only if they have a sticker that reads, “Plant Protection Service of the United States and Canada,” the name of the flower, and the date of issuance. Please note that you must declare the flowers/bulbs at customs when you get back to the U.S. That said, any bulbs you purchase will be “lat years” bulbs by the time they are ready to be planted. Consider ordering your bulbs from a reputable source like Keukenhof. They will deliver them just in time for planting!
Where in Holland Do You Want to Visit in Tulip Season?
No matter where you elect to experience the tulips, take a scenic walking or bike tour through the fields. Join a guided tour for expert insights into the tulip industry, including farm visits and behind-the-scenes experiences. Visit tulip farms for workshops on flower arranging and photography tips to capture the perfect insta-worthyt shot.
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