Are you planning your trip to Keukenhof? We’ve visited it twice, and here are our insider tips and the ultimate guide to the world-famous tulip garden.
Is Keukenhof worth it?
Yes! Keukenhof is the best way to visit tulips in the Netherlands. There are many different kinds of tulips for you to enjoy at once inside the garden. Besides, the park is organized and well-designed to showcase their gardening skills.
You can enjoy it even if you are not a big fan of the flowers since it’s a gratifying outdoor experience, take pictures, picnic inside the park, or even take a canal cruise—one of the things you must do while traveling in the Netherlands.
When is the best time to visit Keukenhof?
In 2023, the park opens from 22 March til 14 May. You are welcome in this period.
It is difficult to tell when the flowers will fully bloom since it depends on the weather. Generally, you have a higher chance of seeing full-bloom tulips around mid-April.
However, the park has an indoor tulip garden so that you can see the beautiful smiling tulips.
Where is the garden exactly
It’s in Lisse, a city near Leiden, but public transportation easily accesses it.
Keukenhof welcomes tourists worldwide; they have affordable combination tickets that you can take on the shuttle bus from big cities, like Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, and Leiden, directly to the garden.
How long should you stay
Most people stay inside for around 3 to 4 hours.
We suggest getting to the park early in the morning to utilize your time and avoid the crowd entirely. It’s best to arrive around 08.30 and 09.00; you start to see more people around 10.00.
Tips for buying Keukenhof tickets from Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport
If you choose the combination tickets from Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport, it’s better to take the ones departing before 09.00. It gets more people around 10.00; you probably have to wait in line for the shuttle bus, even if you already booked the time slot.
We don’t like to wait in line for the shuttle bus, so we prefer to take the early ones.
Where to stay in the Netherlands to visit Keukenhof
You don’t need to stay at the accommodation near Leiden or Lisse since it’s easy to access the park by public transportation.
We advise staying in Amsterdam or Schiphol airport since you have more hotel options and get a better price in value.
From Amsterdam
If you are a budget traveler, we highly recommend the hotel in Zaandam since it’s only around EUR 100 per night, which is considered a reasonable price during the tulip season, and you get excellent quality.
We’ve also gathered the best 3-star affordable hotels in Amsterdam during the tulip season.
How to get to the park from Amsterdam
For the Keukenhof shuttle bus, you need to take it from Amsterdam RAI station, which is only very convenient for some.
If you want to take the bus to the park near Amsterdam Central Station, this is a good option for you.
If you live near Amsterdam Noord, you can get on this bus to garden directly; they will take you directly to the park.
From Schiphol
Schiphol is the perfect location to stay for visiting the tulip garden. Besides, the prices are reasonable, and it is easy to visit other Dutch cities.
If you arrive at the airport in the afternoon or evening, most people have Keukenhof as their first stop for the next day. Imagine resting well on the day at your hotel in Schiphol and getting prepared for your next trip to Keukenhof.
Here are the best 3-star hotels near Schiphol airport.
The best walking route in the park
The first time we visited the garden, we didn’t prepare; we just followed the crowd inside the park.
However, it is way more efficient if you plan to visit the best and most beautiful part first.
Here is the best route to take inside the park.
Oranje-Nassau Pavilion
Once you enter the park, visit the Oranje-Nassau Pavilion area since there are a lot of different kinds of flowers! Moreover, you can see the dutch outdoor gardening design skills; it’s the most fantastic flower park we’ve seen.
If you arrive early, now is your best chance to take pictures since there are many people.
The pond
Once you enter the Oranje-Nassau Pavilion, the famous pond is near you.
With the water view in the background, you can take amazing pictures with it.
Mill area
Another famous spot is the windmill in the Mill area, a lovely place to take unforgettable pictures.
It was our last stop when we were there but packed with people. Suggest you visit there early. If you are late, getting a nice photo takes longer.
We like this area a lot; it is very cozy and an excellent place to get an overview of the tulip fields in the Lisse area.
Tulipmania at the Juliana Pavilion
Then, you can visit Tulipmania, where many different kinds of tulips await you.
Tulip is originally from Turkey, but the dutch made it world-famous due to their innovation in developing colorful tulips.
Some tulips are rarely seen in the market; now is your best chance to explore them!
Tips to get the most from your trip
Here are some tips that will help you
Fully utilize the resources at Keukenhof
If you plan your trip early, you can also book a 60-minutes paid guided tour, a 45-minute cruise with Keukenhof around the tulip fields, and rent a bike.
These tours have limited spots, be sure to book them early.
Enjoy the park in the morning, and tulip fields in the afternoon
If possible, it’s great to visit the garden in the morning and rent a bike at Keukenhof (self-tour) to enjoy the tulip fields in Lisse in the afternoon. You can get the most out of your trip!
What if you cannot get the bikes at Keukenhof? Our Solution!
Our top pick is to join this bike tour, so you have a guide taking you to the best tulip fields for pictures in Lisse. Most tourists need help finding one. If you want to take lovely photos at the tulip fields, joining this tour is best.
If you want something more adventurous, drive an electric car to see the bulb fields! The car has an audio guide, so you know where to go for the tulips.
What’s even crazier, you can see the tulip fields inside a helicopter! Unique tulip experience!
Join the once-a-year Flower Parade at the park
The flower parade is on 22 April 2023. It’s a world-famous event in the Netherlands.
Visiting keukenhof tips
Grab the map at the entrance
Grab the map at the entrance to understand the park better and where to go.
Don’t take pictures once you enter the park
Most people take pictures once they enter the park.
Remember: there are more unique places to take pictures, so don’t spend too much time taking place when you enter the park.
Buy the tickets online, so there is no need to wait in line to buy the tickets
To best enjoy your trip, buy your tickets online so that you can secure your spots for the shuttle bus!
You can buy your tickets either on the official website or join some day tours to save all the hustles.
Start your day early, so you can enjoy the park as long as you want to
Arrive at the park early to enjoy the park the most.
In addition, there’s no time limit; you can stay as long as you like.
Dress for the occasion and wear comfortable shoes
Wear comfortable shoes is the most important.
It will be a long day so you will walk a lot. Wearing nice shoes is best for cycling around the tulip area.
Have a picnic inside the park since the drinks and food are expensive
We strongly suggest bringing food inside the park since it is more expensive and takes longer to get it during lunch.
The best place to have a picnic is the Windmill area.
Bring water bottles with you
You will walk a lot, so it is essential to drink on your trip.
In the Netherlands, you can refill your bottle from the tap, and filling it just from the tap is common.
Show your debit/credit card only!
Only paying with a debit or credit card is allowed; cash payment is impossible. Don’t bring so much cash with you!
Small bags and travel light!
After arriving at the airport, if you would like to visit the tulip garden, please store your luggage at the airport first.
What to do after visiting the park
As mentioned, visiting the park in the morning is best since fewer people exist! In the afternoon, you can enjoy the tulip fields in Lisse.
This is the best part of the day! Keukenhof is worth it, but visiting the Lisse tulip field is the best!
Here are some tours that will help you get the best experience.
