The tulip fields of the Netherlands are a dream come true for any flower lover. The Netherlands is synonymous with tulips, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been dreaming of seeing endless fields of pink, white, and yellow. Every spring, the Dutch countryside transforms into a brilliantly colored tapestry of colors. It’s a spectacular sight to see and totally worth being on any traveler’s bucket list!
If you’re planning a trip to witness the breathtaking spring tulip fields in the Netherlands for yourself, you’re in the right place. When I was researching, I found very little information about how to actually see the huge tulip fields for myself. Where were the vast Dutch flower fields that I saw in travel magazines and on Instagram? How do you see the tulip fields in the Netherlands and does it cost money? What is the best time to see tulips in Amsterdam? Do you need a car?
Fear not, because after doing it myself, I know exactly how to have a postcard-worthy Dutch flower field trip! And I got to experience this dream in the brightest colors, like pure bliss in the springtime. So grab your bike like a true Dutch person and let’s go!
When is the Best Time to See Tulips in Amsterdam?
The best time to see tulips in Amsterdam and the Netherlands is mid-April. This is when the tulips are at peak bloom, full of vivid colors and iconic beauty! While the tulip season runs all the way from mid-March to mid-May, you’ll miss out on the best colors if you come too early or too late.
Make sure to plan your visit to the Dutch flower fields before King’s Day (April 27). Around this time, many farms and fields start to cut their tulips down to prevent them from growing too tall and to prepare the bulbs for export. I recommend coming a week early so you can catch the fields right before the farmers start razing them! One year, I went to see some tulip fields the day after King’s Day and the farmers were literally cutting down the fields as I watched.
Etiquette for Visiting Tulip Fields in the Netherlands
The tulip fields in the Netherlands are a feast for the eyes! But it’s important to respect farmers and their crops so that we can continue to enjoy the Dutch tulip fields for years to come. I noticed a lot of visitors didn’t seem to know the proper etiquette for visiting tulip fields in the Netherlands, so make sure you abide by these key rules!
- Don’t touch the tulips—this can transmit disease. If one tulip gets “sick,” the disease can spread rapidly from tulip to tulip, even destroying the whole field. These tulips are the farmers’ livelihoods, so be mindful!
- Stay out of fields without permission: Most Dutch tulip fields are privately owned. Always ask for permission before entering. Some farmers will let you and some won’t; just be respectful either way.
- Avoid picking flowers: Unless you’re explicitly allowed to (like in a tulip tour where they say you can pick flowers), leave the tulips untouched. This goes back to not touching the tulips, but it also damages the crop, disrupts the farmer’s work, and takes away tulips that others can enjoy.
The rules for visiting tulip fields are pretty simple! Just remember that these fields are private property and you should treat them as such. I know the fields are gorgeous and it can be tempting to run through them or pick a few flowers, but you should always secure permission first. Maintain the beauty of the fields for others!
💐 Love flowers like me? Then you won’t want to miss the famous 55-acre ranunculus blooms at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California!
How to See Tulip Fields in the Netherlands
If you want to see tulip fields in the Netherlands, there are a few options based on flexibility and cost. Here are the three best ways to see tulip fields in the Netherlands!
1. Book a Tulip Tour
For under 100 euros, you can book a multi-hour tour that takes you to several tulip fields in the Netherlands. For most of these tours, you can walk around the fields, take photos, and sometimes also pick the tulips depending on which tour you get. If you’re not willing or able to rent a car but still want to see the sprawling tulip fields that you see in photos, you’ll want to book a tulip tour as they arrange transportation for you.
I recommend Tulip Tours Holland, which offers a curated experience for tulip enthusiasts. You’ll get to visit 3-4 different tulip fields in varying colors, with beautiful structures and photo ops sprinkled throughout. We were even allowed to pick a bouquet of tulips of our choice at the last field!
Here are a couple of other great options:
- FAM Flower Farm: Very popular among influencers because of its Instagrammable photo ops and props.
- Tulip Experience Amsterdam: A huge show garden and indoor picking garden with an educational journey through the tulip bulb trade.
- V.D. Slot Tulips: A free farm that sells fresh tulips and bulbs, with an enormous show field and great prices.
- The Tulip Barn: A well-priced cute field with displays and photo ops. Especially good if you have kids along!
2. The Famous Keukenhof Gardens
No trip to the Netherlands during tulip season is complete without a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens. Located near Amsterdam, Keukenhof is the most famous spot for tulip lovers. This sprawling garden features meticulously landscaped displays of tulips in every color imaginable. I love the gardening work and the wonderfully colorful plots with so many kinds of tulips, plus greenhouses and other gorgeous beds.
Keukenhof is reasonably priced and easily accessible by public transport or car from Amsterdam. If you’re not planning on renting a car, this is definitely the easiest and cheapest way to see tulips in the Netherlands! However, Keukenhof does not have the huge fields that you see in photos or on Instagram. It also gets very crowded during peak season, so I recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the worst crowds. Buy your ticket in advance to avoid waiting in line, too.
Keukenhof is huge, spanning 32 hectares (79 acres) of gardening space, with around 7 million flower bulbs. I would plan to spend at least half a day to explore all the gardens, take photos, and enjoy the beautiful magic! Plus, the further you get from the entrance, the less crowded it gets. Even during peak season, you can find patches of peace and quiet just because the garden is so large.
3. DIY Explore the Bollenstreek
If you’re wondering where to find the best tulip fields in the Netherlands, head to the Bollenstreek, or Dutch Flower Region. This area includes small towns like Lisse, Hillegom, Noordwijk, and the Flevoland province. These locations are home to some of the most picturesque tulip fields in the country! The best part? You’ll likely have any field to yourself, as far as the eye can see.
Of course, the trade-off for flexibility and privacy is that you’ll need to do everything yourself. I recommend exploring the Bollenstreek by renting a car, driving and stopping at various fields along the way. Some travel guides will say you can bike the Bollenstreek, but the region is actually really vast—so I don’t recommend it. (Unless you have leg muscles like the Dutch!)
Remember—these fields are privately owned by farmers. Don’t wander into the fields without obtaining explicit permission and stay on the perimeter to preserve these gorgeous fields of color for years to come!
Bonus! Visit Floralia Brussels
For a super unique tulip experience without crowds, consider a side trip to Floralia Brussels. Located just a few hours from Amsterdam in the capital of Belgium, this huge garden is just as beautiful as Keukenhof but with none of the crowds. Tickets are only €15 and I would even argue that Floralia is better than Keukenhof because you can enjoy all the displays without people in your face. I went to Floralia solo and took all my pictures and videos with a tripod and had no problem. Most of the time I was the only one that I could see!
If you’re willing to venture even further, head to Meerdonk—a charming little town about half an hour from Antwerp. Meerdonk has beautiful tulip fields like Lisse or Hillegom and are even more serene because few people know about them!
Final Tips for Your Dutch Tulip Adventure
Now you’re all set to see the stunning tulip fields in the Netherlands! Remember to check bloom forecasts, pack for the weather, and bring your camera for the ride. Seeing the Dutch flower fields in the spring is truly one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had and I know it will be for you as well.
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