Tiptoe Through the Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens Near Amsterdam

If you plan to visit Amsterdam during spring, escape the city and retreat to the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens. Here you can tiptoe through those Dutch tulips for which Holland is so very well known. This sprawling botanic garden is filled with every varietal of tulips you could imagine, and so much more.

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History of Holland Tulips

There seems to be confusion among Americans about Holland versus the Netherlands. Before visiting Keukenhof Gardens, I incorrectly thought the Holland and the Netherlands were interchangeable. In fact, Holland is a region within the country of the Netherlands. And that region is renowned for growing tulips. Nearly 90 percent of all tulips are grown in the Netherlands – a whopping 4.3 billion bulbs annually.

Originally cultivated in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey), Holland began importing tulips in the 1500s. In the seventeenth century, tulips were so popular that they created the first economic bubble, known as “Tulip Mania” (Tulipomania). As people bought the bulbs like crazy, tulips became so expensive that they were used as money until the market in them crashed.

Tulips and Beyond at Keukenhof Gardens

The Keuhenhof Gardens are home to seven million bulbs in bloom in the spring. The grounds are dotted with ponds and fountains atop which ducks and swans swim. While tulips are the main draw, expect to see and smell daffodils, hyacinths and other beautiful plants as well. For children, there’s a treasure hunt, petting farm, maze and playground.

The gardens open to the public in late March and host many events like flower shows, parades, and concerts until Keukenhof closes in mid-May. Although you can purchase tulip bulbs in the many souvenir shops, you can’t bring them on board international flights so you’re better off getting something non-perishable. An art show featuring local artists’ work took place when my husband and I visited last spring and we purchased a painting of the tulip fields as a souvenir of our trip to Holland.

Dining at Keukenhof Gardens

After you’ve built up an appetite from tiptoeing through the tulips, choose from seven restaurants on-site. There are also food stalls peddling goodies like stroopwafels, Dutch pastries made from two thin waffles and filled with caramel. Or, you can pack your own food and dine al fresco at the picnic area near the windmill.

Exploring the Gardens and the Bulb Fields

Situated on over 79 acres, Keukenhof is the largest flower garden in the world. Wear comfy shoes and plan to do A LOT of walking during your visit. For a more relaxing option, explore the bulb fields surrounding Keukenhof Gardens via a 45-minute whisper boat tour. You can also explore the fields via a rented bicycle, but bikes are not allowed inside the gardens. Even children’s bicycles and tandems are available. Book a boat or bike near the main entrance of the gardens.

Getting to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam

The gardens are about an hour’s drive from Amsterdam. If you’re renting a car, you can drive there yourself. Keukenhof is located between Amsterdam and the Hague and is easily accessible via motorways A4 (exit Nieuw-Vennep) and A44 (exit 3, Lisse). Look for the Keukenhof signs after the exit.

Most travelers, however, don’t need a car in Amsterdam because it’s a very walkable (and bikeable!) city with excellent public transportation. Instead, do as we did and book a bus tour to Keukenhof, which includes bus transport to the gardens and entrance tickets. Book your Keukenhof bus tour now.

Why Visit Keukhenhof Gardens

Despite my utter lack of a green thumb – or maybe because of it – I am a huge botanical garden enthusiast, making a point to tour gardens in nearly every destination I visit. Keukenhof Gardens made me giddy with its abundant beauty and stands out as one of the most memorable I have ever explored. This easy day trip from Amsterdam gives travelers an opportunity to see the lovely Dutch countryside just outside of the city and recharge with a refreshing dose of nature’s beauty.

My husband and I visited Keukenhof Gardens after our Viking River Cruise. Read about all of the incredible ports we visited during our Viking River Cruise on the Rhine River.

Would you like to tiptoe through the tulips at Keukenhof Gardens in Holland? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: I did not receive any compensation or media discounts related to this post. All opinions are mine, as always.

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