What is Keukenhof?

Keukenhof is the world's largest flower garden and one of the Netherlands' most spectacular seasonal attractions. Located in Lisse, about 35km southwest of Amsterdam, the 32-hectare park opens for only 8 weeks each spring (typically late March to mid-May) and attracts over 1.5 million visitors during that window.

The numbers are genuinely staggering: 7 million flower bulbs planted annually, over 800 tulip varieties, and displays that include hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, and roses alongside the iconic tulips. The gardens are designed anew each year by professional designers working with bulb growers and the Dutch flower industry.

💡 Opening Season 2026: Keukenhof typically opens late March and closes mid-May. Check keukenhof.com for exact dates each year. The park does not operate outside this window.

When to Go for Peak Blooms

The tulip season has a natural peak that varies by year depending on spring temperatures. As a rough guide:

  • Late March: Early tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. Less crowded. Still beautiful.
  • Early to mid-April: Typically peak tulip season. The most famous scenes of massed colour occur now. Also the busiest period.
  • Late April: Tulips beginning to fade, but late-season varieties still in full bloom. Crowds slightly thinner.
  • Early May: Final weeks. Mixed late-season blooms. Liberation Day (5 May) can be very busy.

For the most up-to-date bloom information, Keukenhof publishes a weekly “bloom meter” on their website showing which flowers are currently at their best.

How to Get There from Amsterdam

By Bus (Easiest)

During the opening season, direct bus connections run from Amsterdam Centraal Station (Bus 858) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (Bus 858 also stops here). The journey takes approximately 35 minutes from Schiphol and 60 minutes from Centraal. Combination bus + entry tickets can be bought online — this is the simplest option.

By Organised Tour

Numerous tour operators run half-day and full-day tours from Amsterdam that often combine Keukenhof with a tulip field visit or a trip to nearby Haarlem. Convenient and good value if you don't want to handle logistics yourself.

By Car

Drive via the N207 (follow signs from the A4 motorway). On-site parking is available but fills up by mid-morning on peak days. Pre-book parking online if travelling by car.

By Bicycle

For the adventurous: hire a bicycle in Amsterdam or Haarlem and cycle through the tulip fields to Keukenhof via signed cycling routes. The Bollenstreek cycling route passes through flowering fields with a backdrop of working tulip farms. Allow a full day.

Practical Information

  • Address: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse
  • Opening hours: 8:00–19:30 daily during season
  • Tickets: Adults €22 | Ages 4–17 €11 | Under-4 free
  • Time needed: 2–4 hours for a thorough visit; allow a full day if cycling around the fields
💡 Buy Online: Keukenhof operates timed entry. Pre-booked tickets are slightly cheaper than door tickets and guarantee your preferred entry slot. Do not queue — book online.

Tips for the Best Visit

  • Arrive early (8:00–10:00): The park opens at 8:00 and the first two hours are dramatically less crowded than midday. The light is also better for photography.
  • Avoid Easter weekend: This is the single busiest period — queues can be very long even with pre-booked tickets.
  • Explore the full park: Many visitors only cover the central formal gardens. The far corners of the park (particularly the woodland areas and the rose garden) are often nearly empty.
  • Bring lunch: The park's cafés are expensive and queue-heavy at peak times. A picnic on the lawns is a wonderful alternative.
  • Visit the surrounding fields: The roads between Lisse, Sassenheim, and Hillegom pass through working tulip fields during peak season. A short drive or cycle reveals scenes that many visitors miss entirely.

← Back to all articles