Keukenhof Gardens 2026: Here’s How To Plan Your Visit

If there’s one spring travel experience that sparks the imagination, it’s exploring the tulip fields in the Netherlands. Amidst this colorful patchwork is Keukenhof Gardens, the iconic Amsterdam tulip garden that draws over 1.5 million visitors every spring. A visit to the Garden of Europe, as Keukenhof Gardens is often referred to, makes for an excellent day trip from Amsterdam.

Visiting the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens is a flower park experience like no other. However, in order to enjoy the iconic Dutch flower fields to the fullest, you need to plan ahead. That’s where this guide comes in. Learn all about the best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens, where to score skip-the-line Keukenhof tickets, how to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam, and how to visit Keukenhof in 2026.

Plus, find out how to combine your visit to the Amsterdam tulip garden with other interesting must-sees such as the cheese market in Gouda, the tulip fields in the wider area or the windmills at Zaanse Schans.

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Planning your visit to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens 2026

The word Keukenhof means Kitchen Garden. That’s exactly what it was in the 15th century, the vast vegetable garden of the nearby castle. In the 19th century, a father and son landscape architect duo redesigned the garden. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the bulb farmers saw the Keukenhof’s potential to become their exhibition ground. To this day, the flower fields of Keukenhof are among the most popular places to visit in The Netherlands during the Amsterdam tulip season.

When to visit Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof Gardens will be open from Thursday, 19 March to Sunday, 10 May 2026.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that you can get to see the tulip fields in all their glory during this entire period, though. The Keukenhof dates span the blooming period for all bulb flowers on display, not just the tulips. If the tulips are the focus of your visit, then take into account that the Amsterdam tulip season reaches its peak in the second half of April. Unsurprisingly, the second half of April is also the busiest period.

The exact timing of the Dutch flower season depends on the weather conditions. We find this flower forecast to be a convenient tool.

Keukenhof opens at 8 am and closes at 7 pm. It’s recommended to arrive before 10 am or after 4 pm.

The crowds can make or break your Keukenhof Gardens experience. Therefore, we would also strongly advise against visiting Keukenhof on these days:

• The Easter weekend of 4, 5, and 6 April 2026.
• Flower Parade on 18 April 2026.
• King’s Day on 27 April 2026.
• All weekends, but especially those in the second half of April.

Other flowers in the Keukenhof Gardens

Luckily, the Amsterdam flower garden is about more than just tulips. These may be the hero of the season, but their entourage of other bulb flowers is just as fragrant and bright. This is also why we prefer to visit Keukenhof in early April, a bit before the Amsterdam tulip season’s peak.

Here’s an estimation of which bulb flowers to expect around which time in Keukenhof:

• Crocuses from mid-March to the end of March.
• Daffodils from the end of March to mid-April.
• Fragrant hyacinths in the first half of April.
• Tulips from mid-April until the beginning of May.
• Dahlias from June to October.

Check out the flower forecast for a more accurate result based on the most current weather data.

Keukenhof tickets excluding transportation

Keukenhof tickets cost €21 per adult and €10 per child over 4 years of age. These single Keukenhof tickets are perfect if you plan on driving to Keukenhof.

You can purchase your Keukenhof tickets:

• online e-ticket via the Keukenhof website
• online e-ticket via this trusted Dutch activity ticketing agency or via GetYourGuide

The online Keukenhof tickets specify a day and time slot.

The one thing that’s not included in the Keukenhof entrance fee is the whisper boat tour: Tickets for this tour boat can only be purchased at the windmill inside the park. These cost €11 per adult and €5,50 per child over 4 years of age.

Since we live just a few hours away, we always drive to the Keukenhof flower fields. The route is signposted, and there’s a parking lot in front of the park. Take exit 4 from Highway A4 and exit 3 from Highway A44. On busy days, you may want to take traffic into account. Traffic jams can occur even well before you reach your highway exit.

The Keukenhof address is Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse.

Keukenhof tickets including transportation

You could also visit Keukenhof on a combo ticket. It includes transportation on the Keukenhof Express and the entrance ticket. Buses operate regularly. Expect queues at the bus stop, most certainly during the weekends.

A specific date and time slot applies to all Keukenhof skip-the-line tickets, and the same goes for the bus. The time slot is only required for the drive to Keukenhof. For the return drive, no time slot needs to be booked.

Inside Keukenhof Gardens

You know that feeling of inner joy when spring has arrived, and nature finally revives? That’s essentially the atmosphere in the Keukenhof flower park. And if you’re lucky, a bright shining sun may make the colorful gardens and flower fields look even more spectacular.

What’s it like to visit Keukenhof Gardens

The Keukenhof Tulip Gardens cover an area of no less than 79 acres (32 hectares). A meandering pathway will take you around the gorgeous, manicured flower gardens with flowers arranged in picture-perfect formations. Plenty of wooden benches dot the park. Find the map here.

Even on busy days, some areas in the Keukenhof park are usually not too crowded. Other areas, like the windmill or the stepping stones at the lake, are often overly crowded.

Depending on the crowds, a visit to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens takes about half a day. If you have the time, don’t just rush through it. With more than 7 million flower bulbs, of which more than 800 different tulips, dotting an area of 32 hectares (79 acres), there’s plenty of reason to take it slowly. And the longer you stay, the fewer the number of visitors in the park. This is the perfect time to take pictures.

Do note that the first weeks of spring can be quite chilly in Holland, especially towards the evening.

Keukenhof Gardens whisper boat

The whisper boat is a 60-minute silent boat tour around the flower fields that border the park. Boat tickets are not included in your Keukenhof entrance ticket. You can purchase your ticket at the windmill inside Keukenhof Park, where boarding takes place as well. These cost €9 per adult and €4,50 per child over 4 years of age.

Glass pavilions and art installations

Apart from the uniquely designed flower beds that adorn Keukenhof, there are 6 pavilions dotting the park. Each hosts its flower show or exhibition.

The Keukenhof Tulip Garden also displays several artworks in cooperation with the iconic Kröller-Müller Museum.

Visit Keukenhof with kids

Kids love Keukenhof, and I don’t believe it’s just a girl thing. Yes, there are the flowers, but there’s so much more for them to enjoy: There’s a petting zoo, a playground, and even a maze to keep them involved.

Plus, they’ll love the typical Dutch accents that dot the park, such as the cow and the windmill. Keukenhof with kids is a match made in heaven. Those little legs will have walked miles before they even realize it.

Note that kids’ scooters and skates are not allowed into the park. And do inform your kids not to walk on the grass and not to pick the flowers, no matter how tempting they look.

Remember, the more than 7 million flower bulbs that dot the Keukenhof grounds? It reminds us of our favorite family travel quote by Walt Streightiff: “There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.” Who knows, maybe this gentleman was actually talking about the Amsterdam Tulip Gardens?

Picnic at Keukenhof Gardens

Various eateries dot the Keukenhof grounds. We love the fresh strawberry stand near the entrance (not sure if it’s there every day, though) and the poffertjes concession at the petting zoo.

Especially on busy days, we’d recommend bringing your own lunch and blanket to enjoy a picnic at the designated picnic area near the Mill. The other grass lawns are off-limits.

Outside Keukenhof Gardens

As beautiful as Keukenhof is, a visit can be pretty exhausting, especially on a busy day. But that’s okay since there are plenty of options to escape the crowds without compromising on flowery fun. Here’s a selection of places to visit outside of Keukenhof that are just as easy on the eyes.

Keukenhof Castle

A little-frequented gem just past the Keukenhof Gardens’ entrance is the Keukenhof Castle and its public park. It’s the perfect place to escape the crowds before heading back to your hotel. And if you happen to visit Keukenhof on a Wednesday or during the weekend, you can even indulge in a treat at the farmhouse restaurant Hofboerderij (open until 5 p.m.).

Amsterdam tulip fields nearby

Keukenhof Gardens is located in the heart of the so-called Flower Strip between the cities of Leiden and Haarlem, home to the world-famous tulip fields in Holland. So actually, you don’t even need to access the park to get your dose of fragrant flowers. There are several active ways to explore the Dutch tulip fields:

• You could rent a bike at the Keukenhof entrance (children’s bikes, tandems, and trailers are available too). Have a look at the different cycling routes that lead you along some of the most gorgeous flower fields in the Netherlands. Booking in advance is recommended.
• Several walking trails meander through the colorful landscape. Find them here.
• A new and fun way to explore the tulip fields in the region is by GPS Audio Tour in a cute Renault Twizy cart (2 persons per vehicle). Check out this carefree tour and buy your tickets here.

Flower Parade

The highlight of festivities, for the locals, for one, is the Flower Parade or Bloemencorso Bollenstreek. This 25-mile (42-km) long festive parade runs from Noordwijk to Haarlem. Literally dozens of floats, all uniquely decorated with tulips and other bulb flowers, paint the local streets to welcome spring.

The Keukenhof Flower Parade 2026 will be held on 18 April and pass by Keukenhof at 2.45 pm. Click here to find out more.

Insider tip: Instead of attending this ever-busy parade, you could watch the floats being decorated in the town of Sassenheim near Lisse. Find out more about this behind-the-scenes experience here.

Black Tulip Museum

Did you know that The Netherlands attributes its tulip success to Turkey? And that, during the Golden Age, a Dutch tulip was worth more than gold and more than a house? Also, what happens to the tulips after they are harvested? Learn all about the history of tulips and their cultivation in the Black Tulip Museum. Plus, admire their impressive collection of flower-adorned glasses.

This museum is located in Lisse, near the Keukenhof Tulip Garden. There’s another one in Amsterdam, which is called the Amsterdam Tulip Museum.

Picking your own flowers near Keukenhof Gardens

The wider region around Keukenhof is dotted with actual tulip-picking farms. Apart from the picking aspect, these farms offer the perfect opportunity to take pictures of you and your loved ones amidst a field of Dutch tulips. Pluktuin Noordwijkerhout is the picking garden closest to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens. Other picking gardens nearby are The Tulip Barn, De Tulperij, Annemieke’s Picking Garden, and Tulip Store Show Garden.

Amsterdam Tulip Festival

Even Amsterdam joins in on the flower fun: The mission of the Amsterdam Tulip Festival is to reintroduce the Dutch tulip in the Amsterdam cityscape. Throughout April, tulips are on display at dozens of locations around the city. You’ll see them at public spaces, hotels, and museum gardens, but might also spot this iconic flower at private properties since residents are also encouraged to participate. Check all locations for this festival here.

Where to stay near the Keukenhof Tulip Garden

Why rush if you could linger in this gorgeous Dutch bulb region? Surprisingly, there aren’t that many hotels in and near Lisse, along the so-called Flower Strip. But don’t despair because there are plenty of amazing alternatives.

This is by far our favorite one: De Groene Bollenschuur, a lovingly restored barn amidst the bulb fields and just a 30-minute walk from Keukenhof.

Another option is to stay in Noordwijk, a lovely seaside town very close to the flower fields and Keukenhof Gardens. Two amazing options there are the Vesper Hotel and this gorgeous B&B. There are two ways to go from these accommodations to Lisse:

• By bike: both the hotel and the B&B offer bike rental.
• By bus: line 90 stops at Pickeplein and drops you off at Keukenhof.

How to combine your visit to Keukenhof Gardens

Chances are you won’t be traveling to Holland for Keukenhof alone, no matter how spectacular the tulips look. Here is some inspiration to combine your visit:

• The classic experience includes 2 days in Amsterdam, a day trip to Keukenhof, a day trip to the Gouda cheese market (which takes place from 14 April onwards) and a day trip to the Zaanse Schans windmills.
• Other noteworthy itinerary suggestions are a jaunt to The Hague and a day trip to Haarlem. Fun fact: The decorated flower floats can actually be admired in Haarlem after the Flower Parade. You can take pictures with the floats there until 5 p.m. Find out more here.

That’s it for this practical guide on visiting Keukenhof Gardens in Holland. We can’t wait to learn about your Amsterdam tulip garden plans or your personal Keukenhof experience. The comment box is all yours.

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Affiliate links are sprinkled throughout the site content. Clicking on such a hyperlink and booking on the accommodation platform it refers to, may result in a commission for CosmopoliClan at no additional cost to you. As Amazon Associates, we also earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit the Disclaimer page.
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