Keukenhof in the Netherlands – Complete Guide

If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, Keukenhof is a must-see! Known as the largest flower garden in the world, this park is a spectacle of color and beauty, perfect for anyone who wants to be enchanted by the magic of tulips.

Here you’ll find all the essential information you need to plan your visit and make the most of this unique experience!

A Brief History

Keukenhof was inaugurated in 1949 with the aim of promoting Dutch horticulture, especially the famous tulips. Since then, it has become one of the most visited destinations in the Netherlands, welcoming millions of tourists every year.

The park is located in Lisse, about 40 km from Amsterdam, in the heart of the region known as Bollenstreek, famous for its blooming fields.

How to Get to Keukenhof

Getting to Keukenhof is easy! Here are the main options from major Dutch cities:

From Amsterdam:

• Take a train to Schiphol station (15-minute trip).
• From there, board the Keukenhof Express (direct bus) – about 30 minutes to the park.

From The Hague:

• Take a train to Schiphol or Leiden.
• In Leiden, take a local bus to Keukenhof.

From Rotterdam:

• The fastest route is by train to Leiden.
• In Leiden, take the bus to Keukenhof.

The best option is usually the Keukenhof Express, which departs from Schiphol and goes straight to the park.

Read also: How to Get Around in Amsterdam – Complete Guide to Public Transport

What’s the Park Like?

Keukenhof is huge! It spans over 32 hectares of flower-filled gardens. Here are some highlights:

• Themed Gardens – Each area has a different design, inspired by cultures from around the world.
• Indoor Exhibitions – In addition to outdoor gardens, there are pavilions with stunning floral arrangements.
• Boat Tours – You can take a boat ride (for an extra fee) to see the tulip fields surrounding the park.

Tips and Useful Information

• Best Time to Visit

Keukenhof is open only in spring for about 8 weeks.

• 2025 Season: March 20 to May 11
• Opening Hours: Daily from 8am to 7pm

The best time to see tulips at their peak is mid-April. The quietest times are before 10:30am or after 4pm, especially from Monday to Wednesday.

• Fields Around Keukenhof

The tulip fields follow the natural bloom cycle, with the peak usually in April.

• Flower Parade (Bollenstreek Flower Parade)

In 2025, the parade will be held on April 12. It’s one of the park’s busiest days, and some roads close after 12pm. It’s recommended to arrive early or choose another day to avoid crowds.

• Payments

The park is cashless. All purchases must be made with a debit or credit card.

• Food

You’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks, but you can’t consume them in restaurant and terrace areas. There’s a designated picnic area and benches scattered around the gardens.

• Pets

Dogs are allowed, provided they’re leashed (maximum one dog per person). They can’t enter pavilions and restaurants, except for guide dogs.

• Bicycles

Biking is not allowed inside the park. However, you can rent bikes outside to explore the surrounding fields.

• Drones

Unfortunately, drones are not allowed in the park.

Park Map

Read also:
Car Rental in Europe: Everything You Need to Know

How to Buy Tickets for Keukenhof (and Save!)

• Tickets can (and should!) be purchased online through the official website..
• Buying online is cheaper and guarantees the date and time you want.

I recommend buying in advance, especially if you plan to go on a weekend or during holidays.

Prices

• Adults: €20 online / €25 at the ticket office
• Children (4 to 17 years): €9 online / €14 at the ticket office
• Children (0 to 3 years): Free
• Parking: €9 online / €14 at the ticket office

Reference year: 2025

Timed Entry

Your ticket is only valid for the day and time you choose. After you enter, you can stay until the park closes (7pm). The average visit time is 3 hours, but we spent 5.

Extra Tips

Tip 1:Paying for tickets with a global card can help you save on fees. Plus, it’s handy to use inside the park as well.

Dica 2: Tip 2: There are combined tickets that include transport + entry. These are usually more convenient and economical!

The combined ticket types for Keukenhof include:

1. Ticket with Public Transport: Includes park entry and round-trip transport from cities like Amsterdam, Leiden, Haarlem, or Schiphol.
2. Ticket with Parking: Includes park entry and parking.

Check the best option for you on the official website..

Our Experience Visiting Keukenhof in the Netherlands

Keukenhof in the Netherlands was the main highlight of our family trip – my mom’s dream come true!

We bought our tickets 5 months in advance and planned the trip around that date.

Our itinerary: We left Amsterdam at 8:45am and arrived at 9:18am. The park was already busy, but not at its peak.

Before exploring, we stopped to eat. It was hard to ignore the gardens along the way!

Walking around Keukenhof was surreal! Each flowerbed looked like a work of art. The highlight? Seeing my mom moved to tears as she fulfilled her dream of seeing the Dutch tulips!

Food highlight: The sweetest strawberries and whipped cream I’ve ever had!

How Much We Spent at Keukenhof

Ticket	€19.50 per person (2024 price)
Plain croissant	€2,70
Combo (apple pie + drink)	€7,50
Strawberries with whipped cream	€6,35
Cappuccino	€3,95
Regular coffee	€3,55
Total	€43,55

Is Keukenhof Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Keukenhof in the Netherlands is a unique and unforgettable experience. If you’re in the Netherlands between March and May, don’t miss the chance to see the largest and most beautiful flower garden in the world!

Now tell me: have you visited Keukenhof? Or are you planning to go? Share your thoughts in the comments!