Spring in the Netherlands brings many questions about tulip fields, tulip gardens, and Keukenhof. This guide clarifies the differences and helps you plan your visit with confidence.

If you are visiting Amsterdam during tulip season, you have likely seen images of colorful fields and curated gardens. Understanding where to go and what each location offers can be confusing. In this guide, I focus on the Bollenstreek region near Lisse, the most accessible tulip area from Amsterdam. I will explain what to see, how each setting differs, and how to visit responsibly.

This image was taken at Keukenhof in Lisse, one of the most well-known tulip gardens in the Netherlands.

When Is the Best Time to See Tulips?

Tulips are a seasonal flower. In the Netherlands, they usually begin blooming in late March, with peak color typically from early to mid-April. Bloom timing depends on weather conditions each year, so exact dates can vary.

In agricultural fields, flowers are often cut before the end of the season to protect the strength of the bulb. Tulip gardens, however, are designed to extend bloom time and often remain colorful into early May.

If you prefer to stay within Amsterdam, the city also celebrates tulip season through initiatives such as “One Tulip per Amsterdammer,” where flower pots are placed throughout the city in spring. While these are smaller in scale than the Bollenstreek gardens, they offer a seasonal atmosphere within the city itself.

This image was taken at The Tulip Barn in Hillegom, a visitor tulip garden in the Bollenstreek region.

How to Get to the Tulip Region from Amsterdam

The most well-known tulip area is the Bollenstreek in the province of South Holland. Although Amsterdam is located in North Holland, the tulip region is just 40 to 60 minutes away by car or public transport. The short distance makes it one of the most accessible spring destinations from the city.

There are several ways to reach the tulip region, including public transport, organized buses, cycling routes, or car. For many visitors, Keukenhof serves as the most straightforward entry point, as it is clearly signposted and well-connected during the season.

For a detailed breakdown of departure points and transport options, you can read my complete guide on how to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam.

This image was taken at Keukenhof in Lisse during spring bloom.

Keukenhof

Keukenhof is a curated spring garden and one of the largest flower gardens in Europe. Although many visitors associate it with tulips, it is designed as a flower park featuring millions of bulbs arranged in landscaped displays. Unlike agricultural fields, you will not find production tulip rows here. The layout is carefully planned for walking paths, water features, and layered planting.

Keukenhof is well connected during the tulip season by public transport and seasonal buses from Amsterdam and surrounding cities. For a detailed breakdown of routes and departure points, you can read my complete transport guide here.

This image was taken at The Tulip Barn in Hillegom, a visitor tulip garden located in the Bollenstreek.

Visiting Tulip Gardens Beyond Keukenhof

Another way to experience the tulip region is by traveling directly to towns such as Hillegom or Lisse and exploring the smaller visitor gardens located there. These gardens are often more intimate than Keukenhof and allow you to walk between rows designed specifically for public access.

From these towns, cycling is a popular way to move between gardens and enjoy the surrounding countryside. This option offers more flexibility and a quieter atmosphere compared to the main park.

If you would like to compare the differences between tulip gardens, tulip fields, and Keukenhof in more detail, you can read my full comparison guide here.

This image was taken at The Tulip Barn in Hillegom, a popular visitor tulip garden in the region.

Which Tulip Gardens Can You Visit in the Bollenstreek?

Several tulip gardens in the Bollenstreek open to visitors during the spring season. Each offers a slightly different experience, from curated display gardens to smaller family-run spaces where you can walk between rows or pick tulips.

• Annemieke’s Pluktuin – Hillegom: A picking garden where visitors can walk among tulips and select flowers to take home.
• The Tulip Barn – Hillegom: A visitor tulip garden designed for walking between colorful rows in a structured setting.
• Tulip Experience Amsterdam – Noordwijkerhout: A large visitor garden featuring millions of tulips and a small museum about tulip cultivation and the bulb industry.
• Keukenhof – Lisse: The most extensive curated flower garden in the region, known for landscaped designs and seasonal variety.
• Tulip Store Showgarden – Voorhout: A smaller showcase garden displaying a wide range of tulip varieties, often appreciated for its carefully selected blooms.
• De Tulperij – Voorhout: A family-run tulip garden that combines agricultural heritage with a visitor-friendly experience.

Opening days and access policies vary each year depending on bloom conditions and agricultural planning. Always check official announcements before visiting, and ensure you are entering only locations that publicly welcome visitors.

To understand the difference between tulip gardens and production fields, read my full guide here.

This image was taken at the Tulip Store Showgarden in Voorhout, known for its carefully selected tulip varieties.

This image was taken at Keukenhof in Lisse during peak spring bloom.

Choosing between tulip fields, tulip gardens, and Keukenhof depends on the kind of experience you are looking for: wide countryside views, curated landscapes, or intimate garden settings.

If you would like help selecting the best location for your dates, you can explore my Tulip Experience Photography page here.

In some cases, growers open specific tulip fields to visitors for a limited number of days during peak bloom. Access is always controlled and must be booked directly through the official organizers.

This image was taken at a tulip field opened to visitors in Noordwijkerhout during the spring season.

Because tulip fields are working agricultural land, availability changes each year depending on bloom timing and farming schedules. Visiting is only possible when explicitly announced by the grower.

What Is the Difference Between a Tulip Garden and a Tulip Field?

Tulip fields are private agricultural land. They are part of the bulb-growing industry, and access is not permitted unless the grower has officially opened the field to visitors.

Seeing a field from the road is different from entering it. Stepping into unauthorized fields can damage crops and affect the farmer’s livelihood.

Tulip fields must be protected because they are part of a highly specialized agricultural system. Shoes can carry soil contamination, and even small physical damage to stems or bulbs can impact the final harvest. What may seem like a simple photo opportunity can have lasting consequences for production.

This image was taken in a tulip field that was officially opened to visitors during the season.

Some growers create designated visitor areas within their fields and clearly mark where access is permitted. Others protect their land with fences and signage. Respecting these boundaries is essential. Entering unauthorized fields can cause damage to crops and undermine the agricultural work behind the tulip industry.

Tulip gardens exist precisely to prevent these issues. They are designed to allow visitors to walk among flowers, take photographs, and experience the season without harming commercial production. Supporting visitor gardens helps preserve both the beauty of the region and the livelihood of its growers. Whenever possible, choose officially opened gardens over unauthorized field access.

Understanding the differences between tulip fields, tulip gardens, and Keukenhof allows you to plan your visit thoughtfully and responsibly.

The tulip season in the Netherlands is brief and shaped by both nature and agriculture. Choosing the right location, and respecting local boundaries, ensures that this landscape can continue to thrive year after year.

If you would like guidance in selecting the best tulip experience for your travel dates, you can explore my Tulip Experience Photography page here.

Joanna

Tulip & Amsterdam Photographer