Tulips are about as iconically Dutch as you can get! There is something so magical about seeing fields of cheerful tulips bringing a rainbow of color to the flatlands. So, it is no surprise that visiting the Dutch tulips is at the top of every Amsterdam bucket list.
If you are visiting Amsterdam in Spring, then you are in luck! You cannot miss out on the chance to see the Dutch tulips. In this blog, you will find all the insider tips and tricks to having the best Dutch Tulip experience in 2024.
Where To Find The Dutch Tulip Fields?
During tulip season (or the Dutch tulip festival), you will see fields of tulips all over Amsterdam and the surrounding countryside. But there are a few iconic places to visit for the best Dutch tulip festival experience.
If you have looked into discovering the Dutch tulips, then you might have come across the Keukenhof. During the spring, over seven million hand-planted bulbs start to bloom. With over 800 different types of tulips, the Keukenhof creates the most beautiful and unique flower show around. What’s more, in 2024, the Keukenhof are celebrating their 75th anniversary. Therefore, you can expect a festival that is more fabulous than ever!
For a different tulip festival experience, look for the tulips growing in the fields. You can find fields of Tulips around the small Dutch town of Lisse and on several farms in the area. Instead of the spectacular displays in the Keukenhof, you will find a sea of color as the tulips are grown to be sold as cut flowers.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Tulips in Amsterdam?
If you don’t want to miss out on visiting the Tulips in Amsterdam, it is essential to time your visit to Amsterdam carefully. Tulip season in the Netherlands starts in late March and ends in mid-May. If you want to visit the Keukenhof Gardens (where the tulips can be found), don’t forget that they are only open to visitors between 21st March and 12th May 2024.
What is the Best Way to Experience the Dutch Tulips?
The Keukenhof Gardens and Lisse tulip fields are located about 40km outside of Amsterdam meaning that you cannot reach them using the city’s public transport. But don’t let this fact stop you from discovering the Dutch tulip festival in 2024. After all, there are many easy and convenient ways to discover the tulips.
Amsterdam Keukenhof Tour
The most convenient and stress-free method to visit the Dutch Tulip Festival 2024 is to book a tulip tour. That way you can sit back, relax, and let someone else take care of the logistics, so you can fully enjoy your day in the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens
The benefit of booking a tulip tour is that you can travel to and from the Keukenhof without worrying about all the hassle. No Google Map confusion, ticket drama, or getting lost. Instead, you will be able to enjoy a relaxing day discovering the beauty of the Dutch tulips.
Not only do you get convenience when booking a tour, but you also get local expertise. Experienced tour guides and operators will help you get the best experience possible. They will share little titbits about Dutch culture, and tell you all the hidden secrets only an insider would know.
One thing I don’t like about booking tours is that you don’t always get enough time at each attraction. So, if like me, you like the idea of everything being arranged for you but don’t want to be rushed through the tulip gardens, then Hop On Hop Off Tours might be suited to you. They offer a range of day tours to visit the Tulip Festival at the Keukenhof Gardens. These tours are easily combined with visits to other locations, such as the windmills at Warmond or the Zaanse Schans.
What is great about Hop On Hop Off tours is that you can choose how much time you spend at the Keukenhof and in the flower region. This means you can spend as long as you want wandering amongst the tulips. You are not tied into a tightly timed itinerary, with only half an hour to explore the gardens. When you are ready to move on, Hop On Hop Off offers regular, easy-to-find, and luxury coaches between each attraction. Just don’t forget to catch the last coach back from the Keukenhof at 18:30.
With our special promocode “Amsterdam10” you’ll get a 10% discount on Hop On Hop Off tours to the Keukenhof and tulip fields.
What Can You Combine with Visiting the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
For travelers on a tight schedule, the Keukenhof Gardens are easy to combine with several other nearby attractions. Rent a car and travel independently or check out the different options available with tour operators such as Hop On Hop Off tours.
When friends and family come to visit, I often like to combine a visit to the Keukenhof with these activities. You can book many of these excursions as part of a visit to the Keukenhof with Hop On Hop Off tours.
Visit Tulip Farm
While the Keukenhof gardens are stunning, it is also interesting to see the tulips growing on the farms, so I love to discover the area near the Keukenhof. When you head down the small roads, both sides are awash with the vivid color of tulips and daffodils growing.
The Hop On Hop Off tour offers the chance to go to the flower farm owned by Daan and Anja, who are third-generation tulip farmers. If you do join this tour, not only do you get to learn all about tulip farming, but you can taste some homemade Dutch apple pie, made by the farmer’s wife. I don’t know about you, but that sells me on the trip, every time!
Discover The Windmills During a Boat Tour
Tulips and windmills are quintessentially Dutch. Noord-Holland has some of the most beautiful windmills. So why not take a cruise through the Kagerplassen waterways and see the beautiful Dutch countryside, traditional windmills, and quaint villages?
Cruises depart regularly from Warmond, only a 20-minute drive from the Keukenhof. A windmill cruise is a great way to relax and take in the picturesque scenery while learning about the history and importance of windmills in Dutch culture. The windmill cruise is a popular stop for tourists, and you can easily combine it with a visit to the Keukenhof.
If you want to combine these experiences, there are many available options with Hop On Hop Off tours.
Visit Zaanse Schans
Other close-by excursions include going to the Zaanse Schans, a beautiful residential village. The Zaanse Schans has tiny canals, bridges, windmills, and museums. It is the best place to see how Dutch clogs, cheese, pewter, and cookies are made. You can even visit the first Albert Heijn (a big Dutch supermarket chain). This is a great place to learn all about traditional Dutch craft and culture.
Discover Lisse By Bike
Lisse, the small Dutch town next to the Keukenhof Gardens, is the starting point for many different cycle paths. These wind through the Dutch countryside, alongside rivers, windmills, and fields filled with tulips. One of the most enjoyable things to do is “go Dutch”, rent a bike and spend the afternoon cycling round the countryside.
This Is Holland
If you want to experience the Netherlands from the sky and the ground then This is Holland combines perfectly with a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens. This Iis Holland gives you a beautiful bird’s-eye view of some of the most famous and spectacular sights of the Netherlands, including the Wadden Sea, the Veluwe, and more.
What makes this so easy to combine with a visit to the tulips is that all Hop On Hop Off tours depart from This is Holland, so while you wait for the luxury bus to transport you to the tulips, you can enjoy the experiences offered by This is Holland.
Can You Visit The Keukenhof Out Of Tulip Season
Not able to visit Amsterdam during the Tulip Festival? Then not to worry, there are still fantastic displays of summer flowers to be found, including the show-stealing dahlias. You can see, smell, and enjoy the wonderful array of summer flowers in the aptly named Bollenstreek (flower region) of Holland.
To find the summer flowers head to the Kasteel Keukenhof grounds. While the famous tulip gardens are not open all year, the wider castle grounds are, and better yet, they are free to visit. So you can easily take a stroll around and take in the scent of hundreds of summer flowers.
If you want to make a day trip out to see the summer flowers, I would recommend the Hop On Hop Off summer flower tour. On this tour, you can get unique insights into the world of flower farming with a visit to Daan and Anja’s flower farm. There you will learn all about growing summer flowers, see the fields exploding in color, and get to enjoy a slice of homemade apple pie. You can combine this with a trip to the Keukenhof Kasteel gardens and a windmill cruise in Warmond, then, when you are tired and ready to go home, you will be dropped back in a luxurious coach.
Top Tips To Enjioy The Dutfch Tulip Festival 2024
The Dutch Tulip Festival is one of the attractions that I really appreciate. It is absolutely worth planning a Spring trip to Amsterdam just to see the tulips. Here are some top tips for enjoying your trip to the tulip gardens:
- Bring a camera – you are going to want pictures of everything.
- Plan plenty of time to relax and just sit back and take in the beauty of your surroundings.
- Don’t forget to take your hay fever pills! The first time I visited the tulips I forgot them, and I sure did regret it!
- Remember not to walk through the tulip fields; you don’t want to damage the tulips. This will only ruin them for others in the future.
- Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Conclusions
Visiting the Dutch tulips in 2024 is a must-do experience in Amsterdam. Whether you choose to explore the Keukenhof Gardens, take a guided tour, or navigate the tulip fields on your own, you’re sure to be enchanted by the vibrant colors and beauty of the tulips. Combine your visit to the tulips with other attractions such as windmills, canal tours, and museums to make the most of your time in Amsterdam. Enjoy your trip and immerse yourself in Dutch culture and natural beauty!
Don’t forget that our readers can get a 10% discount on Hop On Hop Off tours with the promocode Amsterdam10.
