A trip to Amsterdam in spring is incomplete without a visit to the tulip heaven Keukenhof Gardens. Located in the city of Lisse, Keukenhof Gardens is a nature extravaganza with rows and rows of flowers as far as the eye can see.
If you are thinking of visiting this floral fairyland, it’s best to have a plan in place to ensure you experience this scenic beauty in its entirety. Here is a complete guide for you covering every aspect of a journey to Keukenhof Gardens.
Best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens
Keukenhof Gardens is open only for a short duration of 7-8 weeks (about 2 months) in spring. If you want to visit the Keukenhof tulip gardens, you will have to plan your trip between the end of March and the beginning of May. Spring is the tulip season in Amsterdam.
However, the weather's unpredictability can affect your visit to the Amsterdam tulip garden. Depending on when you visit, some flowers will be in full bloom while others will not. At the beginning of the season, you will find hyacinths and daffodils. Tulips in Amsterdam usually bloom in April.
Keukenhof Gardens can get crowded during the season. One travel tip is to avoid visiting on the weekends if you don’t like long queues. For similar reasons, on weekdays, you can either visit early at the opening time or late near the closing time for a better experience.
Booking your tickets for Keukenhof Gardens
As Keukenhof Gardens sees a heavy tourist footfall during the season, it is advisable to book tickets from their official website well in advance. For booking tickets, you’ll need to select the day and time slot of the visit and the number of people.
However, keep in mind that the Keukenhof tulip garden’s tickets for the most popular slots will sell out quickly. Hence, if you have a particular time slot in mind, plan your booking well in advance. The best part is that the tickets are refundable up to four days before the day of the visit.
Travelling to Keukenhof Gardens
Amsterdam’s tulip garden is in the city of Lisse and not Amsterdam. However, several major roads will provide you with access to the place.
To travel to Keukenhof Gardens, you can rent a car from Amsterdam and drive there. In case you choose this option, you can also add a parking reservation while booking your tickets. There is sufficient parking space available at Keukenhof Gardens. Parking will cost around 6 Euros and closes at 7.30 pm.
If you don’t want to drive, you can also rent a bicycle or a moped. Both park entrances have bicycle racks. Bikes are also allowed inside the park if you want to roam around after visiting the Gardens.
You can also take advantage of public transport to travel to Keukenhof Gardens. Several buses run to the park from major cities of the Netherlands including Amsterdam, Haarlem and Leiden. However, make sure to book the bus tickets in advance to avoid last-minute hassle.
Things to see at Keukenhof Gardens
1. Explore the pavilions
Now that you’ve reached the park of tulips in Amsterdam, you should get a map for navigation. The park is divided into six pavilions: Willem Alexander, Oranje Nassau, Juliana/Tulpomania, Irene, Wilhelmina and Beatrix. You can explore the large flower shops and flower exhibitions in each pavilion.
Each pavilion also consists of a shop, bar, toilet and a restaurant. You can use these facilities when required.
2. Visit the Inspirational Gardens
You will find five inspirational gardens scattered across the park. Each garden is designed based on a specific theme each year. These gardens are extremely picturesque and will be perfect for taking memorable selfies and photos.
3. Climb the windmill
You can climb the charming windmill located inside the park to get a mesmerising view of the Gardens and the surrounding area, especially the tulip gardens. However, you might have to wait a while in the queue outside the windmill before entering.
4. Take the whisper boat tour
Near the windmill, you will find a small dock that provides a peaceful boat ride around a canal surrounding the tulip fields in the area. However, the boat tickets are not included with the tickets for Keukenhof Gardens and need to be purchased in addition to it.
Food and drink options at Keukenhof Gardens
Inside the Garden, you will find many restaurants and food trucks which provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each pavilion also has a bar. Food offerings include pizza, hot dogs, and ice-cream. However, due to the large number of tourists, you might find the food areas crowded and expensive.
You can also pack your own food and bring it to the park. You can enjoy a nice picnic on the many picnic tables around the park. For convenience, don’t forget to pack plenty of water for the visit.
What to wear and bring to Keukenhof?
Contrary to perception, the Keukenhof Gardens can get cold and windy despite the spring season. Hence, you should consider packing a coat, a light jacket or other suitable apparel for the visit. Also, you will have to walk a lot while exploring the park. Hence, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes while visiting the park.
If you plan on taking selfies and group photos in the park, choose muted colours that will go well with the surrounding dazzling and colorful palette.
Concluding thoughts
Exploring Keukenhof Gardens during tulip season in Amsterdam promises to be a unique, fulfilling experience. Keukenhof Gardens is on the bucket list of travellers around Europe. Hence, you should plan the trip well in advance for a hassle-free and enjoyable visit.
To avoid straining your personal finances, consider the convenience of Tata Capital’s personal loan for travel. With competitive interest rates and flexible repayment plans, Tata Capital’s personal loan is designed to meet all your travel needs smoothly.
27 May 2024
5 mins read
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