Visiting Keukenhof in the Netherlands: what can you expect?

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Latest update: 17 March 2024

In April and May, traffic jams to Keukenhof are a regular fixture in the Dutch news. Heavy traffic jams to see a few flowers? Well, a few… Seven million flower bulbs. I repeat: SEVEN million flower bulbs. So get ready for an almost stress-free Keukenhof visit.

A somewhat self-respecting Dutchie has been to Keukenhof at least once in their life. Right? Since the 2015 edition, I can finally say that I am finally one of the approximately one million visitors per year. And now I have even been a second time. So consider me a Keukenhof veteran.

Where is Keukenhof located?

The Keukenhof is located in the Netherlands, in Lisse, near Halfweg and Hillegom. Larger cities nearby are, for example, Leiden and Hoofddorp. The Keukenhof is next to provincial roads and is difficult to reach at busy times: so much traffic! On the way to Keukenhof, you will already be treated to beautifully colored bulb fields. That is why it is also very nice to take a bike ride in this area. Or even to go to Keukenhof by bike.

All tourists meet here!

One million visitors in just eight weeks. That’s A LOT. Only 25% of the visitors are Dutch, although the numbers have changed a bit due to the pandemic. Keukenhof is truly a household name, perhaps even more so abroad than in my county. But, while visiting, I almost imagine myself abroad; I hear English, Spanish, German, Japanese, and many more languages. According to the Lonely Planet of the Netherlands, Keukenhof is the number four on the list of top events (number one is King’s Day, followed by New Year’s Eve and Carnival ).

Because the Keukenhof is only open for a limited time (two months in spring), there are significant traffic jams, and it is pretty busy. The cameras with large zoom lenses are difficult to avoid as you zigzag your way through the selfie sticks. Yet you can see everything well, and I think the international crowd is also fun to experience. Apart from the beautiful flowers, watching people in the Keukenhof is also a great pastime. There are about 15 kilometers of footpaths, so there is enough space for everyone to admire the Keukenhof.

A little Keukenhof history

While my friends and I walk around, we realize that the name Keukenhof is a bit strange. Keuken means kitchen, and hof means court. Why are there no ‘flowers’ or ‘tulips’ in the name? Where does that name come from? It turns out to be quite simple: the current Keukenhof is located on the estate of Keukenhof Castle, which was built in 1641. This castle owes its name to its location in the Keukenduin. A piece of dune area where, in the fifteenth century, game, cattle, vegetables, and fruit were brought for the kitchen of the castle Teylingen.

In 1857, the designers of the Vondelpark set up the garden around this castle, and that garden is still the basis of the Keukenhof. If you want to read more about Keukenhof, the book Keukenhof: from kitchen garden to spring garden (in Dutch) might be something for you.

A beautiful sea of ​​flowers

I don’t know anything about flowers at all. I don’t even know if you should say flower types or flower varieties. Maybe it’s the same? But I do know that the sea of ​​flowers is quite impressive. Unique color combinations, beautifully laid out flower beds, indoor exhibitions, and a great variety of flowers. You’ll definitely end up with dozens of pictures. About a hundred growers deliver their flower bulbs to Keukenhof in the fall. The Keukenhof garden designer determines the design of the various flower beds, albeit in consultation with the grower. These are beautiful ‘showrooms’ of flowers for the growers. Each year, Keukenhof is different. The designers of this beautiful flower park always make it a unique experience.

Semi-organized chaos in Keukenhof

Despite all the well-intentioned signs that you are not allowed to walk on the grass, everyone merrily strolls along (and almost over) the flowers to pose and take selfies. One time, we see an employee making a valiant attempt to get people off the grass, but within five minutes, there are new visitors again, having a picnic and lounging. Some visitors don’t care about anything or anyone and stand, sit, and lie in the middle of the flower gardens. There’s no way you can keep them from it. There’s no dedicated security staff. That seems a bit of a shortage of Keukenhof. Also, the logistics and catering are not running smoothly. It’s a kind of semi-organized chaos. It’s more entertaining than annoying and pretty logical as the season only runs for two months. The season ends by the time you’re adequately acquainted with your job.

Visit Keukenhof and buy tickets

Every year the Keukenhof opens somewhere between mid-March to mid-May. The exact dates vary from year to year. Check out the Keukenhof website for this year’s dates.

Make sure you go early in the morning to avoid the worst traffic jams or determine your shortcut in advance. Buy your Keukenhof ticket online in advance, and you can skip the line. I like to buy my tickets at GetYourGuide because I can cancel them there one day in advance. That might cost 50 cents more, but it’s worth it if it helps me avoid visiting on a rainy day. Buy a parking ticket in advance or go by public transport or bicycle. Parking control takes place on a random basis.

Can you picnic in Keukenhof?

Yes! Super cool, you can just bring your own food and drinks to Keukenhof. Enjoy the picnic meadow with your self-brought snacks and drinks in the sun during your visit. You are not allowed to take them into the restaurants, but that seems fair to me. Of course, you can also buy something in the restaurants or at the food trucks and then go for a picnic.

On the Keukenhof website, you will find the answers to many such questions. For example, can I bring a dog? Where can I rent a bike? You’ll find all those details here.

Pick your own tulips

Do not immediately return home or to your hotel after you visit Keukenhof. Instead, you can pick a whole bucket of tulips at a local grower next to the parking lot for only € 7.50! Fun for the kids, but also fun for adults. And you may fill your bucket full, very full. We came back with our bucket (which we thought we had already crammed embarrassingly full) to be sent back into the field because we should have picked more. Recommended!

First published: July 2019. The article has been updated since.