Keukenhof Tulip Gardens – A World class Event
Tippy towing through the masses of tulips!
Today on the Flowerlogue…
Hello Flower Friends, with Spring blooming in the northern hemisphere, it’s time to celebrate. If you’re an existing subscriber and appreciate my posts then please feel free to:
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Now on to flower business. Who doesn’t love a tulip? And with Keukenhof Tulip Gardens now open for 2025, it’s the perfect time to share a little tulip inspiration! Back in 2023, when Hubby G mentioned he had a conference in Rotterdam in May, I immediately went into research mode to see what flower-filled adventures were nearby. To my delight, I discovered that Keukenhof’s tulip season would still be in full swing. I jokingly offered to carry his luggage if he would ever so kindly (tongue in cheek), downgrade his business ticket and we both sit back in economy. Because, let’s be honest, I wasn’t going to miss one of the world’s most breathtaking flower gardens! Please note all photos either taken by me or Hubby G.
A Garden of Dreams
Running this year from March 20 to May 11, Keukenhof (pronounced "coke-en-hof") is a floral paradise nestled in Lisse, just a half-hour drive from Amsterdam. Established in 1949 by a group of 20 Dutch growers, it has blossomed into a world-famous event, showcasing the best of more than 100 flower producers. The name “Keukenhof” translates to “kitchen garden,” a nod to its origins as the potager of nearby Teylingen Castle. Now, 76 years later, the gardens continue to dazzle visitors from all over the world. Even in 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic closed the gates, Keukenhof kept the magic alive with virtual tours. In 2024, the gardens welcomed over 1.4 million visitors from over 100 countries - an astonishing 26,000 people per day!
A Picture-Perfect Visit
Wanting to make the most of our experience, I pre-booked early (half hour time slot) morning tickets online to beat the crowds. We opted to drive and park on-site, but there is also public transport and tour options available, including bicycle rentals and combined flower field tours. I also secured tickets for a guided electric canal boat ride, gliding through the surrounding tulip fields for 45 minutes. Since we visited late in the season, many blooms had already faded, but I’d highly recommend this boat ride earlier in the season for a spectacular, up-close view of the vibrant tulip fields.
Top Tip: Arrive as early as possible! The gardens are best enjoyed in the morning light before the huge crowds roll in. We also snacked throughout the day instead of waiting in long lunch lines - a little trick to maximize time among the blooms.
A Sea of Colour and Scent
With a staggering 7 million bulbs in bloom, Keukenhof is a sensory delight. While the gardens feature a variety of flowers—muscari, crocus, daffodils, hyacinths, and fritillaria—it’s the tulips that steal the show. The breathtaking colour combinations range from monochromatic elegance to wild, rainbow-like displays. The heady fragrance of hyacinths filled the air, and visitors couldn’t help but gasp in awe as they wandered the floral wonderland. Selfie-takers and photography enthusiasts were in their element, angling for the perfect tulip-framed shot. But my personal highlight? Discovering giant tulips as big as both my cupped hands—absolutely mesmerizing!
The gardens are so perfect, you could almost think that are artificial!
Each year, the garden’s design is meticulously planned with bulb growers, ensuring a continuous display of blooms throughout the season. Some 40 gardeners begin planting in October, and a team of 1,000 staff members tend to the gardens, ensuring a seamless, breathtaking experience for visitors. Honestly, you don’t even notice the rows of flowers that have stopped flowering, as the plants are beautifully tended to and even the flowerless plants are stunningly neat.
A Full-Day Floral Festival
We soaked up the sunshine for a full six hours, meandering through both formal and naturalistic gardens, refuelling with strawberries and cream and drinks along the way. Of course, we couldn’t resist taking the obligatory photo in oversized wooden clogs! Adding to the festival atmosphere, Keukenhof featured live music, a giant butterflies on stilts flower parade, and pavilions showcasing rare tulip varieties, floral design demonstrations, gardening exhibits, and a historical tulip display. Sculptures by 25 artists added another layer of beauty to the already spectacular surroundings.
A Little Tulip History
While the Netherlands is the world’s largest tulip producer today, these beloved blooms actually originate from the mountains of Kazakhstan. The name "tulip" comes from the Persian word ‘tulipan,’ meaning “turban,” due to the flower’s distinctive shape. In the 16th century, Turkish Sultans gifted tulip bulbs to the Dutch, sparking a cultivation craze. This led to the famous ‘Tulip Mania’ of the 1630s, where tulip bulbs became more valuable than gold—until the market spectacularly crashed just three years later!
One thing that did blow my mind was learning about the traditional tulip vase. Typically delf in design and colour, the blue and white ceramic vases designed specifically for tulips has a very unexpected design!
Flowers for All
Hubby G was initially skeptical about a day spent surrounded by flowers, but even he was blown away by Keukenhof’s sheer beauty and flawless organization. Proof that you don’t need to be a flower fanatic to appreciate the magic of this place!
If the thought of 7 million blooming bulbs has piqued your interest, Keukenhof is an absolute must-see. A floral fantasyland that truly lives up to its world-class reputation!
Have you been to Keukenhof and what was your experience like?
I’ve always wanted to visit Keukenhof! It might have to climb up my list a bit for next year! Gorgeous photos.
Oh my goodness, I’m putting this on my list of beautiful events to attend. This was glorious!!