Tulips, several, red and white colored
Netherlands,  Tulips

Keukenhof: The Most Beautiful Gardens in the World

Last Updated: 1st of March 2024.

Keukenhof is a world famous landmark of the Netherlands, not to be missed when visiting the country during spring. Admire the 7 million Keukenhof tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, lilies and other bulbs. On 32 hectares (79 acres) in Lisse, in the province of Zuid-Holland each year 1.5 million visitors come to see the Keukenhof gardens. When visiting this landmark, don’t skip the Delta Works another landmark of the Netherlands, both perfect to include on road trips. Another perfect route to see tulips is on the tulip route Goeree-Overflakkee.

A pond at Keukenhof
A pond at Keukenhof

Keukenhof history

Before exploring what there is to see and do at Keukenhof Netherlands, some background on how it came to be.

In the 15th Century all the yields from the Keukenduin (Kitchendune) were for Slot Teylingen, think about fruit, vegetables and game. In 1641 a castle, called Keukenhof, was built in the Keukenduin. It was rebuilt several times until it became the castle that’s still there today.

In 1857 the landscaper Zocher and his son redesigned the garden around the castle, into a English landscape style. These gardens form the basis for the present flower show.

The Keukenhof Mill
The Keukenhof Mill

In 1949 the first flower show was held on part of the estate. The initiative came from the local mayor, bulb-growers and bulb exporters. W. van der Lee, a landscape architect, took the lead in the design. In 1950 the park officially opened and was a success straight away with 236000 visitors. In 1957 the Keukenhof Mill got it’s place on the terrain.

What to see

Keukenhof is famous worldwide for its tulip gardens and other beautiful flowers on display. 100 Bulb-growers supply the show with flowers each year. They deliver 7 million (!) spring flowers each year. In between the flower décor, sculptures and art objects are on display.

A beautiful purple daisy (echinops)
A beautiful purple daisy (echinops)

The park is divided in 7 area’s: Wilhelmina, Juliana, Beatrix, Irene, Willem-Alexander, Oranje Nassau and Mill. Each area has it’s own flower shows.

A pink and white tulip
A pink and white tulip

There are 5 different pavilions in which flower shows and demonstrations of flower arranging are being held.

A yellow aster
A yellow aster

We loved strolling around all the beautiful flowers in bloom. They’ve gone out of their way to make the displays as stunning as possible and not repeatable. Although famous for the tulips, I loved the orchids the most.

A purple orchid
A purple orchid

Gardens

There are 7 inspiring gardens on the estate:

A tranquil garden at Keukenhof
A tranquil garden
  1. Reconnection garden: Made with sustainable materials and with the idea of reconnecting with nature.
  2. Tropical Beach garden: An Ibiza lifestyle garden for relaxation.
  3. Culture garden: Theme of the garden is that flowers and colors belong to parties and rituals in each culture all over the world.
  4. Green Tea garden: A tea garden with all sorts of herbs in a glasshouse. You can enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) here.
  5. Cottage garden: A forest garden with indigenous plants and flowers.
  6. Mystical garden: A garden revolving around mindfulness.
  7. Red Romance garden: This garden has its focus on romance.
One of the gardens at Keukenhof
One of the gardens at Keukenhof

How to explore

You can simply walk from garden to garden and admire them yourself, or take a guided tour. We explored the park on our own back in May 2007.

A white rose
A white rose

There’s also the possibility to take a tour with an electrical whisper boat. The tour duration is 45 minutes and it is guided.

Explore the surroundings of the Keukenhof, there are many more flower fields nearby. You can rent a bike at the park and set out to explore.

Yellow tulips
Yellow tulips

There’s also plenty to do for kids. They can undertake a scavenger hunt, explore the maze, visit the petting zoo or play at the Nijntje (Miffy) playground.

A white lily
A white lily

Unfortunately the park was closed for two years in a row, but you can take a Keukenhof virtual tour from the comfort of your home, it’s been open again since 2022.

Practical info

Tickets for Keukenhof are €19.50 for adults, €9.00 for 4 till 17 years old. Below 4 are free to enter. Normally the park is open from March till May. In 2024 this will be March 21 till May 12th, from 8am till 7.30pm.

Cosette in a large wooden shoe
Cosette in a large wooden shoe

For a tour with a whispering boat adults pay €9.00, kids aged 4 till 11 pay €4.50 and below 4 are for free.

There are 2 shops on the terrain where you can buy your own bulbs to plant at your home.

Klompenmaker (wooden shoe producer)
Klompenmaker (wooden shoe producer)

There’s ample parking space. Parking will set you back €8.00. The parking lot closes at 7.30 pm. There are charging points for electrical vehicles. You can park your bike or scooter for free.

You can get a combination ticket (Combiticket) for public transport and entrance to the park, valid for one day.

How to get there

The address: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse.

You can reach the park by means of public transport, by car or bike. There are 4 departure locations for the Keukenhof Express bus: Haarlem station, Europaplein (RAI), Schiphol Airport and Leiden Central Station.

Cosette with tulips
Cosette with tulips

From Amsterdam it’s 40 minutes by car, from Rotterdam 50 minutes and from The Hague it will take 45 minutes.

Where to stay

If you want to stay more than one day,  NH Hotel Schiphol Airport, is a good idea. Other options in Lisse itself are Boutique Suites Lisse-Schiphol, Hotel Restaurant de Engel and Bed & Breakfast De Vier Seizoenen.

Where to eat

There are several restaurants In the park where you can eat. Like poffertjes, a Dutch traditional food, which are available near the Miffy playground. Other options nearby for dinner are Hotel Restaurant Lowietje, Hofboerderij, Brasserie Hemels, Eetcafé Lef or Het Tussenstation Lisse.

Go and Visit the Beautiful Keukenhof

The tulips and other flowers are beautiful. It’s a joy to stroll around the gardens.

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