Keukenhof Gardens: Helpful Tips for Planning Your Visit

Keukenhof Gardens, nestled in the Dutch countryside is renowned as one of the world’s largest and most prestigious flower gardens. Spanning 32 hectares, it boasts over seven million bulbs including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, beautifully arranged to create a vibrant sea of colours. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to Keukenhof Gardens in 2024, from transportation options to the highlights of the blooming season and practical tips for a memorable spring trip.

My first visit to Keukenhof Gardens was in 2023 and I remember feeling very overwhelmed about planning my visit and what to expect so I am here to help make your visit as stress-free as possible!

There are two things to keep in mind, the first being that you won’t find the famous tulips in Amsterdam. You’ll have to venture outside of the city but, thankfully, it’s not a long trip to Keukenhof! Secondly, you won’t find any tulip fields at Keukenhof. Instead, you’ll find beautifully designed and landscaped gardens that are straight out of a storybook. Meander through pathways of tulips, a sea of hyacinths and enjoy all of the birdsong along the way. I have truly never seen anything like it!

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Where is Keukenhof?

Keukenhof Gardens is situated in Lisse, a town in the South Holland province of the Netherlands. Lisse is located approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam and is easily accessible by various modes of transportation, including car, bus and train. More on transportation soon!

When to go

Keukenhof is renowned for its spectacular display of spring blooms, with the peak season typically spanning from mid-April to early May. During this time, the gardens are adorned with millions of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowers. In 2024, the park is open from 21st March to 12th May, from 8:00am to 7:30pm, including weekends and holidays.

The gardens are a very popular attraction so you can expect crowds, especially on weekends. It is less busy before 10:30am and after 4pm with Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday being the quieter days. In 2023, I went on a Sunday morning, arriving around 9:00am, and the gardens were very enjoyable, with crowds becoming noticeably larger around noon.

Tickets

Buying tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak bloom season, to avoid long queues at the entrance. Tickets can be purchased online through the official Keukenhof website or authorised ticket sellers.

Entrance ticket for adults:
Purchase online: € 19.50
Purchase at the ticket office: € 23.00

If you’ll be travelling via public transport, the best option is to book a ‘combiticket’ which covers both your entry ticket to Keukenhof as well as the Keukenhof Express bus. A timeslot will need to be booked in advance for this. You can find more details below.

How to get there

Nestled in the Dutch countryside, Keukenhof Gardens is easily accessible via public transportation, ensuring a hassle-free journey. The ride from Amsterdam by bus takes roughly 30-35 minutes with many colourful tulips fields to admire as you drive by.

Public Transport

From Amsterdam, you can take a direct bus from several different spots in Amsterdam. Please do keep in mind that tickets often sell out well in advance so do book ahead of time to ensure you get the time slot that you want.

Buy round-trip tickets from Schiphol Airport including entry to Keukenhof
Buy round-trip tickets from Amsterdam Centraal Station including entry to Keukenhof

Additionally, train services are available from major cities like The Hague and Rotterdam with shuttle buses connecting the stations to Keukenhof Gardens.

Parking Facilities

If you prefer to drive, ample parking facilities are available near Keukenhof Gardens. However, it’s advisable to arrive early, especially during peak bloom season, to secure a parking spot. Keep in mind that parking fees may apply, so be prepared accordingly.

Accessibility

Keukenhof Gardens strives to be accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities. Wheelchair-accessible paths, restrooms, and facilities are available throughout the gardens. Visitors with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to contact Keukenhof Gardens in advance for assistance and information tailored to their requirements.

Exploring Keukenhof

Layout and attractions

Keukenhof Gardens is divided into various themed gardens, each offering its own unique charm and floral delights. From the historic Castle Garden to the Flower Mosaic, the areas each offer something a little bit different. Explore the Japanese Garden with its serene ponds and traditional pagodas, or wander through the enchanting Secret Garden, where hidden pathways lead to secluded alcoves amidst a sea of flowers. With over 15 kilometres of footpaths, there’s always something new to discover around every corner.

Activities for all ages

Keukenhof Gardens offers an array of activities and experiences to captivate visitors of all ages. Families can enjoy the Children’s Farm, where little ones can interact with farm animals and learn about agriculture, while older visitors can participate in guided tours or photography workshops to enhance their experience. Take a leisurely boat ride along the canals, rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding tulip fields or simply relax and soak in the beauty.

Guided tours and audio guides

For those seeking a deeper understanding of Keukenhof’s history and horticulture, guided tours and audio guides are available in multiple languages. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours offer insights into the gardens’ design, maintenance and the significance of various flower species. Alternatively, visitors can opt for audio guides, allowing them to explore the gardens at their own pace whilst learning about key points of interest along the way.

Recommended duration of visit

While the size of Keukenhof Gardens may seem daunting, the average visitor can explore the main attractions within approximately three to four hours. To fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the gardens and take advantage of all the activities and experiences available, consider dedicating a full day to your visit. This allows ample time to stroll leisurely through the various themed gardens, enjoy a picnic amidst the blooms, and take part in any in additional activities such as boat rides or guided tours.

Packing essentials

Tips for making the most of your visit

Book tickets in advance

This year, we booked our tickets one month in advance (before the gardens were even open for the season) and some timeslots for the Keukenhof Express bus were already sold out! Remember that booking the combiticket allows you to skip the queue once you arrive at the gate which will save you a lot of time (and a few Euros as well!) You can book bus tickets from Schiphol here. Or if you prefer to leave from Amsterdam Centraal Station, you can book your bus tickets here.

Arrive early

The early bird gets the worm at Keukenhof, especially on the weekends. Expect crowds in some of the popular areas, such as near the windmill, near the food kiosks and toilets. The crowds do thin out the further into the gardens that you go and we had no issue finding a bench to rest our feet from time to time. However, the gardens are large and there is a lot to explore so, in order to make your visit worthwhile, aim to arrive as early as possible.

Skip the long queues for food/water

The restaurants at Keukenhof understandably get busy but, thankfully, visitors are permitted to bring their own food and drinks which I highly recommend. Pack a lunch and enjoy it on a bench or in the picnic area which will end up saving you a lot of time.

Plan your visit

Because of the sheer size of Keukenhof, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss out on certain parts of the gardens if you don’t have a plan of action. Pick up a map at the entrance or, even better, take a screenshot of the map on the website so you’ll always have it on hand to reference.

If you want the quintessential photo of the famous windmill, I recommend heading there first as soon as you arrive as it’s a popular photo spot. After you enter the gardens, start heading in toward the right. Don’t miss the beautiful view over the tulip fields from the windmill (you don’t have to climb to the top to see it).

Some of my favourite spots are behind the Oranje Nassau building and around the large pond with the fountains. There are so many little pathways that lead you along the water, meandering in and out of endless tulip displays. It’s quite the adventure with lots of charming photo ops along the way.

One last thing – be sure not to walk through the flowers! Please be respectful of the delicate bulbs and don’t get too close when looking or taking photos. Take photos from the designated pathways and don’t walk in between the flowers. The areas where the flowers grow are private property of the bulb growers.

With practical tips for navigating the gardens, insights into the best times to visit and recommendations for what to bring, I hope that this guide has equipped you with the tools to make the most of your experience.

Feel free to pin this post on Pinterest to refer back to during your visit or as your trip gets closer. You can find more of my travels and insights over on Instagram @ChelseaDinen!

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