Keukenhof Gardens
Year after year, when spring begins and the tulip fields in Holland bloom, Keukenhof Gardens opens its doors for thousands of people to enjoy one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Europe. Come with us and discover all about Keukenhof.
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If you plan to travel to Amsterdam in spring, it would be a sin not to visit the Keukenhof gardens, the most beautiful flower park in the Netherlands, which only opens its doors for a few weeks each year. Its beauty makes it one of the most sought-after day trips from Amsterdam.
Keukenhof, the garden of Holland
According to legend, the noble Jacoba of Bavaria, who owned the land, recognized the aroma of the herbs and spices used in her palace’s kitchen during one of her regular walks. This is how the name Keukenhof was born, which literally means “Kitchen Garden” in Dutch.
After Jacoba of Bavaria’s death, merchants and nobles immediately recognized the value and beauty of the place, so they commissioned various painters and landscapers to design what would become the most beautiful garden in Europe and one of the must-see places in Amsterdam.
The Keukenhof gardens cover 32 hectares, practically completely covered by an absurd amount of flowers, especially tulips, lilies, crocuses, hyacinths, and daffodils.
Because the main attraction of the place is the flowers, the park only opens its doors during spring, generally between March and May, although the exact timing of the bloom can vary, so the opening and closing dates usually change from year to year. Below, you can find out the closest opening date for 2025.
What to see in Keukenhof
Beyond the obvious attraction of the idyllic tulip fields of Holland, which alone in Keukenhof refers to about 7 million tulips, you will find other attractions such as the four pavilions: Willem-Alexander, Oranje Nassau, Koningin Beatrix, and Koningin Juliana. You can also see works by various artists exhibiting their works in a beautiful outdoor gallery.
It’s worth highlighting the school farm, the maze, the castle, different play areas for children, some ancient windmills, canals reminiscent of those in Amsterdam, as well as cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy good food (albeit at elevated prices).
The Gardens Inside Keukenhof
This park in Amsterdam is divided into five gardens, each with its own style.
- Reconnection Garden: Dedicated to the relationship between humans and the environment, nature’s balance, and sustainability.
- Tropical Beach Garden: As its name suggests, it is a sandy space with palm trees and hammocks that offers a Caribbean getaway.
- Green Tea Garden: It will awaken pleasant sensations in you as you enjoy various infusions made from mint, chamomile, anise, and many others.
- Cottage Garden: A perfect place for picnics with friends or family, while
- Red Romance Garden: Ideal for those seeking a bit of intimacy and romance.
When to visit Keukenhof
Unlike the village of Volendam, which can be visited at any time of the year, if you want to see and take pictures of the tulips at Keukenhof, you must do so in spring because the park is closed at other times.
Keukenhof gardens usually open their doors from late March to mid-May, but it all depends on when the flowers bloom and wither.
Therefore, sometimes the park remains open for eight weeks, while other years it can only be visited for six weeks. Experience shows that the best time to go is during the first week of May.
Keukenhof 2025 Dates
Keukenhof will open from March 20 to May 11, 2025. Keep in mind that this is one of the most visited attractions in the Netherlands, so we recommend that you visit as early as possible to avoid long lines.
How to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam
The Keukenhof garden is located in Lisse, an area in the Netherlands known for its beautiful tulip fields. You can get from Amsterdam to Keukenhof by public transport or by your own means.
If you go by car, you will need to head towards Lisse and take the N280 road from there. Parking costs €6 and is open until 19:30. The journey takes about 40 minutes.
There are many ways to travel from Amsterdam to Keukenhof by public transport, although the easiest is by bus. The Keukenhof Express offers this service without intermediate stops and will take you directly to the park entrance. The journey lasts approximately 35 minutes, and the price is €15 (adults) and €7.50 (children aged 4-11). These are the stops:
- From Schiphol Airport (bus line 858)
- Europaplein (RAI) bus station (line 852)
If you want to explore Amsterdam on foot, by bike, by boat, and in every possible way, we invite you to check out our tour offerings in Amsterdam, where you can also take a look at some nearby villages that you will surely want to visit.
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