Every March, the fields on the outskirts of Amsterdam transform from sandy patches to carpets of lime green shoots as the first signs of spring emerge. By the time the season is in full swing, the area is covered in red, pink, purple, orange, and yellow blooms, a sight that really looks like something out of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Whether you choose to visit the perfectly planted rows of flowering bulbs in the famous Keukenhof Gardens or browse the fields of nearby bulb growers (or better yet, both), it’s great to understand what to expect before heading out in the must. – make a day trip of the spring season.
Where are the tulip and bulb fields?
There are a few different bulb growing regions in the Netherlands, but the best known area is between the cities of Haarlem in the province of Noord-Holland (North Holland) and Sassenheim, just north of Leiden in the province of Zuid. -Holland (South Holland). This area includes the small town of Lisse, approximately 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam, home to the Keukenhof Gardens.
Depending on the type of transport you choose, the journey takes less than an hour to get there from Amsterdam.
Keukenhof Gardens
Possibly one of the most spectacular planned gardens in the world, this park in Lisse, South Holland, displays seven million flowering bulbs on its grounds and countless other flower displays in many indoor pavilions.
Open only for two months a year, the gardens are a great tourist attraction for Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The park’s opening hours vary, so check with Keukenhof Gardens for the exact times you plan to visit.
The best ways to see the tulip and bulb area
How you choose to explore the tulip fields and / or Keukenhof Gardens depends on how independent you want to be.
If you don’t want to be on someone else’s schedule (other than the public transport system), take the bus to the Keukenhof from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Once there, biking through the farmers’ fields is easy: just rent a bike outside the entrance to the gardens; The rental includes a map of the area.
Those who prefer private transportation can opt for a guided tour, which generally includes a bus ride and prepaid entrance fees. But keep in mind that if you also want time to explore the bulb fields area, you will want a more extensive tour.
Renting a car from Schiphol airport is also feasible.
The best time to see the flowers in bloom
While deciding how to get to the bulb region is entirely up to you, what you will find when you arrive is entirely up to Mother Nature. The safest bet to reach the tulip peak is around mid-April, right in the middle of the Keukenhof’s opening dates.
More timing tips
If you miss your tulip peak time, don’t worry, you will still see blooming flowers.
Before tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are in bloom, and their fragrance is so spicy you’ll smell it from the road as you pass. Late season highlights at the Keukenhof include lilies and dahlias, as well as indoor displays.
The best time of day to visit the Keukenhof is as early as it opens or the last hours before it closes, as the gardens draw large crowds. These hours are also the best for good photos, as the sunlight is not as bright, which blurs the spectacular color of the flowers.
Seeing the flowers is an easy day trip from Amsterdam, but allow at least two hours in Keukenhof Gardens and about two hours for a bike ride or driving through the bulb fields.
Visit the Keukenhof or the Farmers’ Fields, or both?
If you manage to hit the area during peak viewing, try both, but paying attention during the downward journey will ultimately help inform a decision whether a trip to the fields makes sense.
It is important to note that most of the farmers whose fields you will see are not growing for the cut flower industry; They are producing for the bulb industry.
Achieving healthy bulbs means cutting flowers at just the right time, right after the peak of beauty that visitors are looking for. As you make your way into the bulb region, pay attention to whether the fields are still worth a visit.
