Last Updated on 2023-09-16
Located in the heart of Holland, Keukenhof Gardens is one of the largest and most beautiful flower gardens in the world. It is also the world’s largest tulip exhibition and takes place annually in early spring.
In 2023 the Keukenhof will be open from March 23 to May 14, between 8:00 am and 7:30 pm.
It extends over an area of about 32 hectares and shows visitors millions of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other bulbs, making it a paradise for nature lovers and garden enthusiasts.
A visit to Keukenhof was high on the priority list of places to visit in Amsterdam. We had been told about the marvels of this park.
They told us that the beds were very well taken care of, that the amount of tulips on display was unbelievable and that there would probably come a time when we would get saturated with seeing tulips.
So many tulips are tiring, we were told. Well, as you know, we value the opinion of our friends who advise us on places to visit but I must say that this time they didn’t get all the predictions right.
Stay with us until the end of the article to learn more about this region.
The History of Keukenhof Gardens
The Keukenhof Gardens were created in 1949 on the former hunting grounds of Keukenhof Castle.
The castle’s landscaper and experienced bulb grower, L.J. Pieterse, was inspired by the traditional English landscape garden when designing Keukenhof.
Thus, the gardens were to serve as a showcase for the Dutch bulb industry and function as a platform for international flower growers to showcase their new varieties.
Since then, the Keukenhof Gardens have grown to become one of the most visited attractions in the Netherlands (Holland). By the way, in 2019, more than 1.5 million visitors from all over the world came to see the flower gardens.
Location of Keukenhof Gardens
Keukenhof Gardens is located in the city of Lisse, in the province of South Holland, about 30 kilometers from Amsterdam.
It is easily accessible by car (check out car rental prices on Discovercars) or public transport, with regular buses and trains leaving from Amsterdam and other nearby cities.
Another very practical way to get to the tulip gardens is through a tour, many of which include free cancellation 24 hours in advance.
Tours and excursions to visit the tulip gardens
If you don’t want to look for public transport, you can buy a tour ticket and go with a group to Lisse, which is where the tulip gardens are located.
In other words, take the transport in Amsterdam, leave in front of the Keukenhof and visit the gardens at your own pace. At the end, and at the agreed time, you will get on the bus to return to Amsterdam.
As you can see, it is quite convenient to visit the Keukenhof this way, so see if you find any of the following interesting:
- From Amsterdão: keukenhof Gardens Tour with Transfer: the most affordable tour option, it includes the entrance ticket to the gardens, as well as the transfer by bus from Amsterdam.
- Amsterdam: Keukenhof Gardens Day Tour with Windmill Cruise: Stroll through the Tulip Gardens and take a cruise on the Kaag Lakes.
- From Amsterdam: Keukenhof, Tulip Fields and Delft Tour: On this eight-hour tour, in addition to the tulip gardens, you can visit and take a workshop at the Delft Blue Pottery Factory (porcelain factory).
How big are Keukenhof Gardens?
Keukenhof Gardens is huge, in fact, it has over 7 million flower bulbs planted every year!
The gardens feature a series of interconnected themed gardens, each with its own design and personality.
Visitors can explore the landscaped English garden, the Japanese garden, the historic garden and much more, in short, there is so much to explore there!
However, the highlight of Keukenhof Gardens is the spectacular flower displays, which change every year. Keep in mind that the gardens are only open eight weeks a year, to coincide with the peak of flowering bulbs, which in 2023 will run from March 23 to May 14.
What flowers are on display at the Keukenhof?
Although the gardens are known as the tulip gardens, the truth is that it’s not just tulips that you’ll find at the Keukenhof. See what I’m talking about below.
The tulips
Tulips are the stars of Keukenhof Gardens.
With over 800 varieties on display, visitors can marvel at the endless fields of red, yellow, pink, purple and every other color in between.
Tulips are arranged in a variety of patterns, from simple blocks of color to intricate mosaics, all to make the garden even more beautiful.
The daffodils
Daffodils are another popular flower at Keukenhof Gardens.
Its bright yellow and white flowers create a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere.
Thus, visitors can enjoy a walk through the fields of daffodils, with their delicate flowers and appreciate the harmony that results from this palette of colors.
The hyacinths
Hyacinths are an essential element in Dutch gardens, so you’ll find them in Keukenhof Gardens too.
The truth is that the rich and vibrant colors, as well as its heady scent, create an unforgettable sensory experience.
So, don’t forget to pass by the hyacinth fields and enjoy the sea of colors.
Projects and exhibitions
The flower displays at Keukenhof Gardens are arranged in a variety of designs and patterns, each more impressive than the last.
One of the highlights of the gardens is the Flower Bulb Mosaic, i.e. a massive design made up of over 50,000 bulbs that changes every year. This mosaic extends over an area of 250 square meters and a team of gardeners takes several weeks to plant these flowers.
My experience at Keukenhof
So what should you expect from the world’s largest tulip exhibition? Tulips, of course! In the mountains and in all colors. In flower beds, in vases, without giant punches, as apparently all places are suitable for tulips to grow.
Many tulips were in bloom as you can see in the pictures, but others were still tiny, it’s really a mass production!
Certain species, perhaps because they were more fragile, were planted in greenhouses, others in open-air fields. There was a lot of hustle and bustle and gardeners could be seen carrying wheelbarrows with tools and soil.
Unfortunately we weren’t very lucky with the weather, as mid-morning it started to get foggy. It even rained, but it was for a short time and we managed to take shelter.
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