TulipFields
3
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Three days in the Dutch tulip fields and Keukenhof reveal the most extraordinary flower landscape on earth, available only for eight weeks each spring. The 7 million bulbs of Keukenhof, the striped tulip fields of the Bollenstreek stretching to the horizon, the world's largest flower auction at Aalsmeer processing 20 million flowers daily and the original tulip beds at Leiden's botanical garden where the first Dutch tulips were planted in 1590 are all within easy cycling distance. This route covers the complete tulip season experience from the world's greatest garden at Keukenhof through the extraordinary Bollenstreek bulb fields to the Haarlem flower market, the Aalsmeer auction and the North Sea coastal fields at Noordwijk. Three extraordinary days in the finest flower landscape in the world.
Best Time To Visit
Third week of April for peak tulip colour
Getting There
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), 30 min to Leiden
Getting Around
Bicycle essential, car useful, bus to Keukenhof
Budget Per Day
Approx 105 to 255 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat cycling
DAY 1
KEUKENHOF
MORNING
KEUKENHOF GARDENS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FLOWER GARDEN IN THE WORLD
Keukenhof near Lisse is the most extraordinary flower garden in the world, its extraordinary 32 hectares containing 7 million flower bulbs planted annually in extraordinary themed gardens with over 800 varieties of tulip, daffodil, hyacinth and narcissus. Open only 8 weeks per year from late March to mid-May. The Wilhelmina Pavilion and the extraordinary windmill above the garden give the finest views. Entry approx 22 euros. Book online — sells out on peak spring weekends. Train/Travel: 30 min bus from Leiden
MIDDAY
THE BOLLENSTREEK TULIP FIELDS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FLOWER LANDSCAPE IN EUROPE
The Bollenstreek bulb growing region between Haarlem and Leiden is the most extraordinary flower landscape in Europe, its extraordinary striped fields of red, yellow, pink and purple tulips stretching to the horizon in every direction in April, the remarkable cycling routes through the fields on dedicated flower paths and the extraordinary roadside flower stalls selling the finest fresh tulips in the Netherlands. The fields are free to view from the road and cycle paths. Train/Travel: Cycle or drive
AFTERNOON
LISSE AND THE MUSEUM DE ZWARTE TULP
The Museum de Zwarte Tulp in Lisse is the most extraordinary tulip heritage museum in the Netherlands, its extraordinary account of Dutch tulip cultivation from the Ottoman Empire origins through Tulipomania in 1637 when a single Semper Augustus bulb sold for the price of a canal house, to the modern global bulb industry. The temporary exhibitions on flower varieties are remarkable. Entry approx 7.50 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Robbenoordbos forest walk near Anna Paulowna in North Holland passes through the extraordinary spring bulb fields of the Anna Paulowna polder, where wild-growing naturalised bulbs create the finest free tulip landscape in the Netherlands away from the tourist routes. Best last week of April. Entirely free by bicycle from
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Anna, Lisse Outstanding flower country breakfast at the finest cafe near Keukenhof. Local Dutch bread and fresh-cut flowers on every table. | Lunch: Keukenhof Oranje Nassau Pavilion Outstanding garden lunch inside the extraordinary flower exhibition hall. Book the restaurant table for the finest setting. | Dinner: De Nachtegaal, Lisse Outstanding South Holland dinner at the finest restaurant in the bulb growing capital. Local seasonal ingredients.
DAY 2
HAARLEM AND AALSMEER
MORNING
THE HAARLEM FLOWER MARKET AND THE GROTE KERK
The Haarlem Saturday flower market on the Grote Markt is the finest flower market in the Netherlands outside Amsterdam, its extraordinary stalls of cut flowers, potted tulips and spring bulbs in the shadow of the remarkable St Bavo church, the finest Gothic church in North Holland. The Frans Hals Museum holding the greatest collection of Dutch Golden Age group portraits outside the Rijksmuseum is extraordinary. Grote Kerk approx 4 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min train
MIDDAY
THE AALSMEER FLOWER AUCTION, THE LARGEST FLOWER MARKET IN THE WORLD
FloraHolland Aalsmeer is the most extraordinary commercial operation in the Netherlands, the largest flower auction in the world by floor space at 518,000 square metres — larger than 70 football pitches — where 20 million cut flowers are sold daily by Dutch auction clock. The public gallery above the auction floor is the finest industrial spectacle in the Netherlands. Entry approx 10 euros. Auction runs Monday to Friday, starting at 6am. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE FLOWER PARADE ROUTE AND THE BOLLENSTREEK VILLAGES
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade route between Noordwijk and Haarlem is the finest flower parade in the Netherlands, 40km of the finest coastal bulb field cycling passing the extraordinary villages of Sassenheim, Voorhout and Hillegom in the heart of the flower growing region. The parade itself runs on the last Saturday of April. The route is spectacular for cycling throughout tulip season. Entry to route free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Cruquius steam pumping station museum near Heemstede is the finest industrial heritage site in North Holland, the largest steam-powered water pump ever built, its extraordinary Victorian engine house preserving the original beam engine that helped drain the Haarlemmermeer polder where Schiphol Airport now stands. Entry approx 7 euros. Entirely
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Jopenkerk, Haarlem Outstanding craft brewery cafe breakfast in a converted church, the finest breakfast setting in Haarlem. | Lunch: Aalsmeer harbour cafe Outstanding Dutch lunch at the market town harbour after the flower auction. Local stroopwafels and coffee. | Dinner: Aan de Poel, Amstelveen The finest restaurant near the flower region. Outstanding two Michelin star tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
NOORDWIJK AND LEIDEN
MORNING
THE KEUKENHOF CYCLE ROUTE AND THE FINEST TULIP FIELD CYCLING IN EUROPE
The official Keukenhof cycle route through the Bollenstreek bulb fields is the most extraordinary flower cycling experience in Europe, its extraordinary 30km circuit passing the finest concentration of striped tulip fields, the remarkable Kasteel Keukenhof grounds and the extraordinary windmill at Lisse giving the finest single day of flower cycling in the Netherlands. Bicycle hire from Lisse or Leiden from approx 12 euros per day. Train/Travel: Cycle
MIDDAY
NOORDWIJK AAN ZEE AND THE FINEST COASTAL FLOWER RESORT
Noordwijk aan Zee on the North Sea coast is the most extraordinary coastal resort in the South Holland flower region, its extraordinary wide beach backed by dune fields and the remarkable bulb growing fields beginning immediately behind the dunes creating a unique combination of North Sea and tulip landscape. The Noordwijk Space Centre is the finest aerospace museum in the Benelux. Beach entry free. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE LEIDEN BOTANICAL GARDEN AND THE ORIGINAL TULIP BEDS
The Hortus Botanicus Leiden planted the first tulip bulbs brought to the Netherlands in 1590 by Carolus Clusius, making it the origin of the entire Dutch tulip industry. The extraordinary heritage garden still contains the direct descendants of those first tulips, the remarkable Clusius garden and the extraordinary Victorian greenhouses giving the finest botanical heritage in the Netherlands. Entry approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Anna's Hoeve farm near Hillegom opens its tulip fields to visitors in April, allowing visitors to walk directly between the flower rows for free. The farm also sells freshly cut tulip bunches direct from the field for 2 euros. One of the finest and most accessible open farm fields
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Villa Breakers, Noordwijk Outstanding North Sea beach breakfast at the finest hotel restaurant on the Noordwijk coast. | Lunch: Beachclub Vroeger, Noordwijk Outstanding Dutch beach lunch on the finest North Sea terrace in the flower region. | Dinner: De Beukenhof, Oegstgeest The finest country house restaurant near Leiden. Outstanding seasonal Dutch cuisine. Book ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Lisse or Noordwijk, All 3 Nights Hotel Duinoord or Van der Valk Lisse. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night. Leiden option Hotel Nieuw Minerva or De Doelen. Approx 100 to 180 euros per night. Budget Stayokay Haarlem or Leiden hostels. Approx 30 to 70 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Keukenhof tickets: book online at keukenhof.nl. Weekday mornings are quietest. Arrive before 10am.
2. Tulip field peak: last week of April is the finest for tulips. Hyacinths peak 2 weeks earlier in mid-April.
3. Aalsmeer auction: arrive at 6am for the finest action. The auction slows significantly after 9am.
4. Bollenstreek cycling: download the Routeyou app for the official Keukenhof cycle routes.
5. Anna's Hoeve farm, Hillegom: free entry to walk between the rows. The finest free tulip field experience.
6. Flower decapitation: fields are decapitated after bloom to strengthen the bulb. Visit before end of April.
Total Budget
105 to 250 EUR/day