Tips for Your Visit to Keukenhof Gardens—A Must-See for Tulip Lovers 🌷

Known as the "Garden of Europe," Keukenhof is one of the largest and most famous flower gardens in the world. Located in Lisse, the heart of the Dutch flower-growing region, the garden sprawls across 79 acres and showcases over 7 million flowers each year, including tulips, lilies, hyacinths, and orchids.

Here’s the kicker: Keukenhof is only open for about two months each year. Yep, just two months. With such a limited window, the gardens get crowded daily, so planning is key. And trust me, if you’re a flower lover, Keukenhof should definitely be on your "must-see” list!

When to Visit: Different Flowers, Different Blooms

Keukenhof Gardens will be open from March 20 until May 11, 2025. If you're lucky enough to visit during those dates, you’ll be surrounded by a sea of spring flowers in full bloom. But, like any popular destination, the earlier you plan, the better!

Keukenhof’s flowers don’t all peak at the same time, so the experience can really vary depending on when you go. While some tulips start popping up as early as March, the garden really hits its stride in April. That’s when most of the tulips are at their best, and the whole place bursts into color. You’ll find rows and rows of tulips in every shade imaginable—from deep purples to bright oranges—looking their freshest.

We went in early May, and while there were still lots of tulips around, it was clear the peak had passed. Some of the flowers were already starting to wilt, especially the earlier-blooming ones. If you want to see the tulips at their absolute prime, aim for mid to late April.

Keep in mind that other flowers like lilies, hyacinths, and orchids have different blooming periods, and you’ll see those at their best later in the season. If you’re interested in a more diverse display, visiting in May is still worthwhile, but to experience the full range of colors and scents that Keukenhof is known for, April is definitely the optimal month.

Book Your Tickets in Advance

One of the first things we did was book our tickets in advance, and I highly recommend you do the same. We booked 5 weeks ahead of time to ensure we could get into the gardens at our preferred entry time. The earlier time slots tend to sell out quickly, especially as the peak tulip season approaches, so don’t wait too long. Keukenhof now operates on timed entry slots, so securing your spot early is key to avoiding long waits.

Booking was simple through the Keukenhof website, and you can even add a parking pass if you’re planning to drive, which was perfect for us. If you’re taking public transportation, you can easily buy both your garden tickets and transport tickets together. And the best part? No need to print anything—your tickets are sent straight to your phone, ready to be scanned at the gate.

Getting to Keukenhof

To make sure we arrived early, we rented a car for the trip from Lisse to Keukenhof. We did consider taking the train from Amsterdam, but after some research, we decided renting a car was the better choice. I really wanted to get there when the gates opened and be ahead of the crowds, and having a car gave us that flexibility. It also made our day a lot easier—no need to rely on train schedules or worry about transfers. If you're looking to get the most out of your visit, driving is definitely a great option!

We arrived right when the gates opened at 8:00 AM, and by 9:00 AM, the crowds started to swell. By 9:45 AM, the park was packed with visitors. While we visited on a Friday, which was less busy than the weekend, I’d strongly recommend coming on a weekday to avoid the peak crowds. Keukenhof is an incredibly popular destination, and it fills up fast, especially on weekends.

TIP: If you’re visiting during a public holiday, be aware that the crowds can be just as busy (if not busier) than weekends! We arrived in the Netherlands on Labor Day (May 1st) and were told by friends that we were fortunate not to have gone to Keukenhof that day. Apparently, the crowds were massive! I would also recommend avoiding Easter weekend and King’s Day (April 27), two major Dutch holidays when the park is especially packed. During the height of the tulip bloom, especially in the last two weeks of April, the gardens can see between 30,000 to 35,000 visitors per day.

Wear Comfortable Shoes and Keep It Light

Keukenhof is massive, so comfortable shoes are an absolute must. My kids and I were on our feet all day exploring the gardens, and by the end, we were so glad we’d opted for comfortable sneakers. You’ll be walking a lot, so don’t burden yourself with heavy bags—lighten your load and enjoy the day without discomfort.

As for the weather, it’s unpredictable. We had some rain, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. I recommend dressing in layers and packing an umbrella or raincoat just in case. If you go on the whisper boat tour, a light jacket is really a must.

Keukenhof's Gardens vs. The Tulip Fields

While Keukenhof is the quintessential garden experience, with manicured beds and beautiful flower displays, it’s not the sprawling fields of tulips you may picture. The park itself is a stunningly designed garden with carefully arranged flower beds, but if you want the sweeping views of tulip fields, you’ll need to venture a bit farther.

That’s where the whisper boat tour comes in. The boat allows you to glide through the nearby tulip fields, giving you that iconic view of rows upon rows of vibrant blooms. However, these boat tours fill up fast, so book in advance to secure your spot. While we were on the road to Keukenhof, we passed several tulip fields where tourists were walking through the flowers without permission. Please, don’t do this! The fields are private property, and wandering through them damages the delicate tulips. Respect the land and enjoy the beauty from the designated viewing areas.

Grab a Map Upon Entry

I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but we didn't grab a map when we first walked in. We were so excited to be inside of the gardens that we passed them by initially, which was a mistake! Keukenhof is expansive, and it’s easy to get lost in all the beauty. Be sure to grab a map as soon as you enter—it’s a lifesaver! The park is divided into several sections, and without a map, you might miss out on some of its best spots. You’ll want to explore everything, from the stunning flower displays to the fun family activities. Trust me, the map will help you make the most of your visit, so you don't miss any hidden gems or exciting attractions like the animal pasture or the maze.

Food and Festivities

Exploring Keukenhof can work up quite an appetite, but luckily, there’s no shortage of tasty food options. The park has a variety of food trucks serving everything from Dutch poffertjes (mini pancakes) to freshly made French fries. My kids especially loved the fries, and taking a break to enjoy them was the perfect way to recharge.

We also packed some snacks and water, as we were there for several hours. If you have food allergies, I’d recommend bringing your own food just to be safe.

On the day we were there, we were lucky enough to enjoy a live band performance by the food trucks. The music really added to the festive vibe and made for a nice little pause between flower-gazing and exploring. Keukenhof is full of family-friendly entertainment, too. We saw kids playing on the Miffy playground, and there was an animal pasture and even a scavenger hunt. Plus, there’s a maze, which was a fun way to wrap up our visit after spending hours wandering the gardens.

We spent about four hours at Keukenhof, and honestly, time flew by! Between the boat tour through the tulip fields, lunch at the food trucks, and wandering through the pavilions, we barely had a moment to catch our breath. There’s so much to see and do, I’m pretty sure I could have spent the whole day taking photos and still missed a bunch of hidden gems. It’s one of those places where you think, “I’ll just check this one more spot,” and suddenly it’s time to leave.

TIP: Plan to spend at least 3 hours in the park to make the most of your visit. The gardens close at 7:00 PM, so make sure to arrive early to enjoy everything.

Overall, our visit to Keukenhof was an unforgettable experience. With a little preparation, you can make the most of your time in this floral wonderland. From booking your tickets in advance to arriving early to avoid the crowds, every step you take will enhance the magic of the day. I hope these tips help make your trip to Keukenhof as amazing as ours—and maybe even better!