Keukenhof Garden, once an estate from the 1600s, is now a crowning jewel of tourism for the Netherlands. Although it is only open for 8 weeks of the year, it draws in hoards of visitors, domestic and international. I was only one of over 1 million visitors this past Spring!
Amsterdam is gorgeous in its own right with the charming canals, beautiful architecture, and the delicious food, but Keukenhof is simply paradise. It must be experienced to truly wrap your head around the beauty. Luckily for you, an Amsterdam day trip to paradise at the Keukenhof Gardens is easy to achieve!
Keukenhof Gardens
When to visit
As I mentioned, Keukenhof Gardens is only open for approximately 8 weeks out of the year from late March to mid-May. This of course varies depending on the weather so I recommend checking it a few weeks before your visit. I went at the end of April and it was perfect. The hours of the gardens are 8:00am to 7:30pm. Take it from me, it was CRAZY midday during my visit. The FAQ on the Keukenhof Gardens website recommends visiting before 11:00am and after 3:00pm which I imagine is greatly reduced in visitors due to combi ticket schedules. Definitely visit when it is less crowded! And from a photographer’s perspective, the lighting is dreamier and golden the earlier or later you go!
For your visit
Tickets to get into the gardens is 17 euros (~$21.00 when I purchased) which is on the pricier side but so worth it! You can also get combination tickets with the bus companies if you need to hitch a ride out to the gardens from Schiphol Airport. I purchased mine in advance and downloaded it digitally to my phone but you can also purchase it at the box office at the entrance. The tickets are not dated but must be used during the season it was purchased.
How to visit
Perhaps the easiest way to get to Keukenhof is to find a Dutch friend to take you like I did! I met the lovely Aimee on instagram and in a Facebook group Girls Love Travel! She is a fellow traveler who is currently based in Amsterdam and she was a godsend. But I know that not everyone has the luxury of a Dutch friend with a car. The next easiest, and most popular way, is to take the tram to Amsterdam Centraal, take the train to the Schiphol Airport, and find a Keukenhof bus! They are bright green and can’t be missed. They drop you off at the very front of the Gardens! I know it sounds like a lot of steps but once you learn to navigate the public transport, you will see why it is so simple!
Final Tips
- It’s a huge park so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk around and see a TON of gorgeous colors and blossoms!
- Bring a small blanket and a picnic lunch to really soak in the atmosphere! Plus you will save your money for poffertjes, a traditional Dutch sweet that can be topped with whipped cream or chocolate (or whatever you want). To.Die.For!
- The exact address of the Keukenhof is:
Stationsweg 166a
2161 AM Lisse
The Netherlands
xx,
Sami
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A small town, plus-sized Southern girl that loves to travel to cool places, eat unadventurous food, and take pretty pictures.
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Ahh so jealous! Tulips are my favorite flowers and I’m so mat at myself for not timing my trip to the NL to coincide with the bloom. I’ll make it there some day. Also – love how you edit your photos – super crisp and colorful!
Author
Aw thanks! It has taken a long time to get an editing style that represents the places I visit and me so I sincerely appreciate your comments! And when I miss something at a destination, I always think of what my Moma says: “You got to leave some there for you to come back too!” Hope you come back to the Netherlands! I know I have plans to return many times! ❤️
Love the Mom-ism… she’s so right! I’ll definitely stop back over (tulips are my favorite – how could i not?!! lol)
What lovely photos – I always imagined the tulip fields to be crazy crowded during blooming time, but it’s nice to see there are quieter times to visit.
Author
Don’t get me wrong, it was CRAZY crowded in some parts but good timing helps a LOT!
The gardens here are absolutely gorgeous! I just want to wander among these fantastic colors all day. I love your idea of packing a picnic lunch so you can eat amongst all that beauty!
Author
The picnic was one of my favorite parts! I loved being able to hang out by the water and flowers and just forget the crowds!
Wow!! I’ve never seen so many tulips in one place. And you can only visit within 8 weeks – that is quite a small window of opportunity. So thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos!
Author
Right?! So many tulips and it is crazy to think they were all planted by hand since they are annuals! That blew my mind!
Your pictures are sooper gorgeous! Love love them all. I am visiting Amsterdam in the fall, i will miss out of these tulips. But will revisit in the future just for these beautiful flower sights! Thanks for sharing this
Author
Aw thanks so much! I try so hard to get great photos that represent the places I visit and I always appreciate hearing kind comments! You will love Amsterdam. I want to go back and I was just there two months ago!
This is so amazing to see Tulip colours.You are looking beautiful.Your tips are helpful and picnic idea I loved it.Thanks for sharing!!
Author
Thank you so much! Hope you get to visit this Paradise one day!
You have an excellent eye for photography! Great tip to pack a picnic to save money to buy poffertjes (or as I call them, dutch pancakes) because they’re really good. Are they more authentic than the ones you’d get at a typical market in the west?
Viv x
sunsurfandcoconut.blogspot.com
Author
I have only tried them the one time and I cannot imagine them being any better! Thank you so much on the kind comments. I am a photographer when I am not traveling so it always makes me happy when someone likes my photos! ❤️
I have such fond memories from my trip to Keukenhof, it’s a wonderland for all who love flowers! Did you go to the tulip fields right behind the garden premise? PS: Your photos are lovely! 🙂
Author
I wanted to go to the fields but most were blocked off or were already headed for bulbs. I did get to meander in some daffodils and hyacinths in the area! My sweet driver knew some farm owners! And thank you for your kind comments about the photos! I am a photographer when I am not on the road and it makes me feel really happy when someone likes my work!
Your pictures are fabulous and I love your dress! We were just in Amsterdam last month but we missed the Tulips! How wonderful that you were there for them! Gorgeous!
Author
Thank you so much! And it always means you can go back when they are blooming! So worth it!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Netherlands just to see and be among all the beautiful blossoms! I’ve never done a Eurotrip yet. I really want to visit this place!
Author
Europe has a vibrancy and is so lovely! I hope you get to visit one day!