Day Tripping to the World’s Largest Bulbs Park in Lisse, the Netherlands

Keukenhof near Lisse is the world’s largest flower garden park. It is an easy daytrip from Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, and other cities in Holland to see the tulips and other flowers.

photo credit: JackVersloot

Keukenhof in the Netherlands claims to be the world’s largest flower park. Each year, Keukenhof is open only two months in spring each year to show off the best of Dutch tulips, crocuses, narcissus (daffodils), and other bulb flowers. The park is an easy day-trip destination from Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, and most cities in Holland. It is popular with visitors of all age groups – from families with small children to tour groups of pensioners that tend to recall that the park was better on a most memorable visit x years ago.

50 Years of Keukenhof near Lisse in 2009

In 2009, Keukenhof will celebrate its sixtieth anniversary with a special theme year: USA, New Amsterdam/New York. It is four centuries since Henry Hudson founded New Amsterdam, the city that we now know as New York. Top Dutch horticulturists will use 25,000 flower bulbs to create a Statue of Liberty at Keukenhof 2009.

• In 2009, Keukenhof will be open from March 19 to May 21.

Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands

The variety of flowers and colors at Keukenhof are overwhelming – around 7 million flower bulbs are planted in this famous 32-ha (80-acre) garden every year. The Dutch of course know a thing or two about tulips – using a mix of early, regular, and late flowering bulbs, tulips are usually seen for most of the two-month season. Crocuses, narcissus (daffodils), and hyacinths are more prevalent early in the season when Japanese cherry blossoms can also be seen.

The main attraction of Keukenhof is obviously the flowers but the park is truly a destination for visitors of all ages. Small children will enjoy the various playgrounds while a full-scale windmill, public art and performances, as well as special displays add further entertainment to visitors of all ages.

Restaurants at Keukenhof are mostly self-service but budget conscious travelers may bring along their own picnic.

• Several Bloemencorsos (flower parade festivals) are held in the Netherlands. One of the largest is the Bollenstreek parade at the end of April from Noordwijk through the bulb region and past Keukenhof to Harlem.

Keukenhof Opening Hours

Keukenhof’s flower gardens are only open for two months in spring – end March (around the 20th) to end May. During this period, Keukenhof is open daily from 8 am to 7:30 pm. (Ticket counters close at 6 pm.)

In 2009, Keukenhof will be open from March 19 to May 21 daily from 8 am to 7:30 pm. Standard ticket prices are €13.50.

• The best time to visit Keukenhof depends on the weather but mid-April is usually the most reliable for tulips. Weekends and school vacations are best avoided.

Transportation to Keukenhof in the Netherlands

Getting to Keukenhof is easy by car or public transportation. It is an ideal day-trip destination from Amsterdam of even directly from Schiphol Airport.

• By Car to Keukenhof

The easiest way to Keukenhof is by car – it is near Lisse, a small town situated in the province South Holland between Harlem and Leiden. From highway A4 use exit 4 and from highway A44 use exit 3. The route is well signposted fro Keukenhof once close to Lisse. Ample, reasonably priced parking is available.

• Public Transportation to Keukenhof

Several public transportation options are available for visitors going to Keukenhof:

• From Schiphol Airport: Bus 58 goes directly to Keukenhof during the season
• From Leiden: Bus 54 (Keukenhof Express) goes directly to Keukenhof
• From Harlem: Bus 50 and 51 pass Keukenhof
• From Lisse: Bus 57 runs to Keukenhof
• From Amsterdam: use a train to any of the above towns or enquire about direct day-trip tours by bus.

Combination bus and admission tickets for Keukenhof are generally available – the savings are minimal but do cut out the need for queuing multiple times.

• By Bicycle

Keukenhof can easily be reached on bicycle – it is a beautiful ride as Keukenhof is in the heart of Holland’s largest flower build area. Tulip fields can be seen from Keukenhof but exploring the region by bicycle is particularly pleasant – rental bicycles are available from Keukenhof.

• Bicycles may be parked for free outside Keukenhof but may not be used inside the flower park.

Keukenhof is a very pleasant day-trip (or rushed half-day trip) from Amsterdam. Many transportation routes pass through Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt. Another pleasant day-trip destination from Amsterdam is Zaanse Schans where historical working windmills can be seen year round.

This article is based on Keukenhof Flower Gardens, Holland first published on suite101.com.