How To Visit Keukenhof Gardens (The Ultimate Guide)

Planning a trip to The Netherlands for tulip season? If so, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Keukenhof Gardens!

If you’re dreaming of vibrant landscapes brimming with tulips, Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands should be at the top of your travel list. Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited! Whether you’re a flower enthusiast, an avid photographer, or someone simply seeking a serene escape, Keukenhof Gardens promises a visit that is nothing short of magical.

A trip to Keukenhof Gardens offers a chance to experience the world-famous Dutch tulip fields in their full glory. Open only during the spring season, this stunning flower park transforms into a kaleidoscope of color and fragrance, drawing millions of visitors from across the globe.

In this ultimate guide to the Keukenhof Gardens, I’ll cover everything you need to know for an unforgettable visit. This guide has everything from the best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens, to insights on ticket prices, guided tours, and nearby attractions. I’ll also share the best ways to reach Keukenhof, whether you’re traveling from Amsterdam, Lisse, or elsewhere in the Netherlands.

Get ready to be enchanted by the dazzling beauty of Keukenhof Gardens – a springtime wonder you’ll cherish forever! 

FAQs about visiting Keukenhof Gardens

How much time do you need to visit Keukenhof?

Plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours at Keukenhof Gardens to fully enjoy the stunning flower displays, themed gardens, and artistic installations. If you’re an avid photographer or want to leisurely explore every corner, consider setting aside a full day. For those combining Keukenhof with a visit to the nearby tulip fields or other attractions, an early morning start ensures ample time for both.

I think we ended up staying here for almost 6 hours in total. We did wander around and explore nearby attractions as well but this was cut short due to bad weather, and the fact that many fields were already cut. Therefore, if you’re planning on properly exploring the park and nearby area, I would suggest planning around 6-8 hours here. 

How much does it cost to visit Keukenhof?

The entrance prices to Keukenhof Gardens vary from season to season. However, for the 2025 season, entrance for adults will cost €20, and €9 for children between the ages of 4-17 years. You can also buy a combi-ticket that includes the shuttle services. This typically costs around €36.5 per adult. In general, I would recommend buying your tickets online in advance. This is because they are typically 1-2 euros cheaper than at the entrance itself. In addition, they do limit the number of daily visitors, so buying your ticket online ensures you will actually be able to visit during your trip to the Netherlands. 

When is the best month to visit Keukenhof?

The best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens is typically mid-April to early May when the tulips are at their peak bloom. This is also when the trees actually turn green, meaning the garden looks extra beautiful! However, the gardens are open from mid-March to mid-May, with different flowers like daffodils and hyacinths blooming earlier in the season. For optimal color and vibrancy, check the official website or local bloom forecasts before planning your trip.

One thing to note is that local farmers will harvest their tulips at varying times of the season, depending on how the weather has been. We visited in late April which made for the perfect experience at Keukenhof Gardens. However, we were 1-2 weeks too late in terms of the local tulip season, meaning most of the natural fields were already cut. It’s really difficult to predict how the season will go, but I still recommend visiting in mid to late April for the best overall chances. 

This post is all about Keukenhof Gardens. 

When is the best time to visit the Keukenhof Gardens

In 2025, the Keukenhof Gardens will be open from March 20th to May 11th! However, even within this short time frame, there are a lot of things to consider when planning when to visit. This is because the peak season for the tulips is even shorter than this period. Below I have written an overview of the best time to visit the Keukenhof Gardens! This includes both the time of year, but also the time of day, as the gardens get very busy 🙈.

The best month to visit Keukenhof Gardens

Mid-March – Early April (best to avoid the crowds)

From mid-March to early April, Keukenhof Gardens welcomes the start of spring with the first blooms of the season. During this time, early flowers like daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths steal the show, though the tulips may not yet be in full bloom. This period is perfect for those seeking a peaceful visit, as the gardens are less crowded and offer a tranquil atmosphere to explore. However, if you visit during this time, you should expect to see fewer tulips than later in the season. In addition, the trees will not be in bloom yet, meaning it will resemble more of a winter garden than a spring one.

Mid-April – Early May (THE BEST TIME)

The mid-April to early May window marks the peak tulip season when the gardens transform into a vibrant sea of color. Tulips in full bloom dominate the landscape, and the surrounding fields outside Keukenhof are equally stunning. This is the most popular time to visit, with the best weeks typically falling between mid-April and the last week of April, depending on the weather. Keep in mind that this is also the busiest time, so planning ahead is key.

This is the time that I went and I am so happy that I did! All the trees have leaves on them making the whole garden come to life! In addition, the tulips were so vibrant and the garden was definitely at its peak. That being said, the last weekend of April (when I went) most local fields had already been cut. So to be on the safe side and ensure that you see both the stunning Keukenhof Gardens at their best and get to explore the surrounding Lisse region, I would recommend the third week of April.

Early to Mid-May (best for warm weather)

By early to mid-May, as tulips begin to fade, late bloomers like lilies and other flowers take center stage. Although the iconic tulips may be past their peak, this time offers a different kind of beauty, with fewer crowds and a chance to experience a quieter side of the gardens. Those wanting to catch the last of the tulips should aim for a visit during the first half of May.

The best time of day to visit Keukenhof Gardens

Early morning

In the 8 weeks that Keukenhof Gardens is open each year, they get around 1.4 million visitors! This means that the park can get extremely busy during the day! Due to this I highly recommend visiting as soon as they open at 8 AM. Visiting Keukenhof Gardens in the early morning, between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, offers the most serene experience. This is when the gardens are least crowded, and the soft morning light creates ideal conditions for photography. Arriving right when the gates open allows you to explore the stunning flower displays without interruption, making it a favorite time for photographers and early risers alike. 

We came on the first shuttle bus (which got delayed slightly) meaning we were there at around 8:15. The park was incredibly beautiful, and we even managed to get a few photos in the prettiest spots before the masses arrived! However, even that being said, there were still people in the background, and we didn’t manage to get a single second without people in the background, even at around 8:20 in the morning 😅. 

PS. I’ll provide you with the best photo spots a little later in the guide, so make sure you get the photos you want of yourself first thing when you arrive!

Late afternoon

Alternatively, if you’re not an early riser, the late afternoon, from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, provides another quiet window. By this time, many day-trippers have departed, and the gardens begin to empty out. The golden hues of the evening light enhance the colors of the flowers, making it a magical time to explore the park. Late afternoons are perfect for a relaxing stroll and taking in the beauty of Keukenhof without the daytime crowds. The only thing to note is that your time at the gardens may be limited as Keukenhof Gardens closes at 7 PM. In addition, if you are using their shuttle services, you may need to leave earlier. 

If you decide to visit the gardens in the late afternoon, make sure to come to Lisse a few hours before to get a chance to explore the surrounding tulip fields and attractions! 

Pro Tip: To avoid the busiest times, steer clear of weekends and public holidays, as these tend to attract the largest crowds. Weekdays are generally quieter, and checking bloom updates on the official Keukenhof website or social media ensures you time your visit to coincide with the best displays.

How to get to Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof Gardens is located in Lisse, Netherlands, and is easily accessible from major cities like Amsterdam, Haarlem, and The Hague. Whether you’re traveling by car, public transport, or organized tour, getting to this world-famous flower park is pretty straightforward. Here’s a breakdown of the best options:

By Car:

If you want to have full flexibility during your visit and combine a trip here to other nearby attractions, you should consider arriving by car. The gardens are about 35 km from Amsterdam and take approximately 40 minutes by car. Ample parking is available near the entrance for €6 per day, but it can fill up quickly during peak times, so definitely arrive early if you want to come here by car. 

If you’re looking to rent a car during your trip to the Netherlands then I highly recommend booking your rental through Sunny Cars! I have been using their services for years and have always had such a positive experience. Sunny Cars operates in most countries and always has the cheapest rates that I can find. In addition, they include unlimited mileage, cancellations up to 24 hours in advance, and the most comprehensive insurance package I have seen. Best of all, if you end up needing to pay your deposit for the car, Sunny Cars will refund it to you! 

Book your rental with Sunny Cars here!

By public transport:

When it comes to visiting Keukenhof Gardens by public transport, I highly recommend using the shuttle services that are offered by Keukenhof Gardens! When booking your ticket online, you have a choice of buying a combi-ticket that includes transport to and from the gardens. The prices for these tickets are typically 36.5 euros (for adults) which includes the transport and entrance fees to the garden. Below is an overview of their different shuttle services! 

Amsterdam RAI (bus line 852)
Europaplein – at the height of the shop Action
1078 GZ Amsterdam

Schiphol Airport (bus line 858)
Koepelstraat
1118 CB Schiphol

Leiden Central Station (bus line 854)
Stationsplein
2312 AR Leiden

Haarlem Central Station (bus line 850)
Jansweg
2011 KL Haarlem

Click here to book the shuttle service and entrance combi-ticket!

When booking your ticket for the shuttle service, you only have to pick your departure point and time. This means that you can hop on any of the shuttle buses whenever it suits you once you are done with your visit. In addition, you can actually take a bus to any of the stations they offer, even if you come from a different city, which is pretty neat if you want to check out some other cities in the Netherlands. My favorite part of taking this shuttle service was the fact that we could explore Lisse for as long as we wanted after our visit to Keukenhof Gardens. Then, once we were ready to head back to Amsterdam we made our way back to the Keukenhof parking lot and hopped on the next bus. 

Pro tip: I recommend taking the first bus of the day from whichever station you choose! 

By guided tour: 

If you want to make your visit completely hassle-free, then definitely consider booking a guided tour! This will ensure that transportation is taken care of and you won’t need to worry about booking tickets to Keukenhof Gardens. In addition, there are many guided tours that will combine a trip to Keukenhof Gardens with other popular attractions in the Netherlands such as Zaanse Scans. Taking a guided day trip like this is the perfect way to ensure you maximize your visit and see as many beautiful places in the Netherlands as you can! Below you can find some of the best day trips that combine a visit to Keukenhof Gardens with other attractions. 

Where to stay near Keukenhof Gardens

If you are planning to explore the tulip season in Lisse, then you can consider staying in the area for a few nights. However, it is so easy to get to Lisse from Amsterdam that I honestly think it’s worth it to base yourself in the capital. This way you can easily also explore other places in the Netherlands and enjoy the city in the evenings. Below, you can find a few recommendations for places to stay in Amsterdam! 

Things to do at Keukenhof Gardens

1. Windmill

Arguably, the most famous spot at Keukenhof Gardens is the windmill located at the far right side of the garden. The windmill offers the perfect photo spot as it is the ultimate Dutch symbol surrounded by stunning tulips. The windmill at Keukenhof Gardens is the most popular spot in the gardens so I highly recommend coming here first. We were at the windmill around 15 minutes after the park opened and there were already other people here as well 🙈. It only got busier as the day continued, so it really is a spot to explore as early as possible!

2. The Lake

My personal favorite spot at Keukenhof Gardens was the small lake located near the entrance on the left side of the gardens. This lake is very small and is surrounded by trees, making it feel so serene. In addition, the whole lake is lined by incredible tulips! The lake at Keukenhof Gardens has to be the most picturesque spot in the gardens so make sure you don’t miss it! I also recommend walking around the whole lake (it’s quite small) as there are photo spots at every corner. 

Pro Tip: You can find a map of Keukenhof Gardens below where I have pinned all of the interest points in the area! This of course includes the exact locations of the windmill and lake 😇. 

3. Take a Boat Tour

Another amazing activity to do at Keukenhof Gardens is to take a whisper boat tour! The boat tour lasts 45 minutes and during the tour, an electric boat takes you around the Flower Bulb region, offering some stunning landscapes. If this is something that you are interested in experiencing, then I highly recommend booking this experience in advance. There is only a limited number of tours each day, and it is a very popular activity at Keukenhof Gardens.

Tickets for the whisper boats cost around 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children. The departure point is right behind the windmill, and you must have a valid entrance ticket to Keukenhof Gardens in addition to tickets for the boat tour. You can find tickets and availabilities for the whisper boat tours here! 

4. Explore the whole garden

I have covered the two most popular (and iconic) photo spots at Keukenhof Gardens above. However, please make sure to walk around the entire garden and check out every corner. There are SO many stunning tulip displays and photo opportunities that it would be a shame to miss these spots! 

Some of my favorite photo spots can be found in the back side of the garden. Here you can find a small windmill with a clog floating nearby and stunning tulips (of course). In addition, another great photo spot here is the open shed surrounded by incredible tulip flowers. Keukenhof Gardens has seven MILLION tulips in the garden spanning 800 varieties. The sheer amount of effort that has gone into these gardens needs to be fully appreciated so please explore the whole park during your stay! 

Overall, I would recommend spending at least 2-3 hours exploring the Keukenhof Gardens. If you are a photographer or, in general, plan on taking a lot of photos then definitely plan to spend around 4-5 hours at the Keukenhof Gardens. 

PS. You can find a map with all of the interest points covered in this post below! 

Where to eat at Keukenhof Gardens 

There are two places where you can eat at Keukenhof Gardens. The first is Jacoba’s Kitchen, which is the general food hall located in the gardens. They have a variety of dishes here and offer a lot of seating options. That being said, we didn’t eat here and I personally don’t recommend it. They have pretty bad reviews and there is a much better option typically available at Keukenhof Gardens.

Instead, I highly recommend eating at the food trucks located at Keukenhof Gardens. When we visited, we found a couple of food trucks selling dishes such as pasta, fries, and burgers. It appeared to be a new initiative, but it was very popular so I’m sure it’s here to stay! The prices were very fair (around 10 euros per dish) and the food was really delicious. Personally, I also really enjoyed that it was a chill place to grab food and find some shared seating making it easy to take a break whenever we felt like it. 

PS. You are of course welcome to bring your own food with you to Keukenhof Gardens. However, if you are visiting Amsterdam for a few days and want to get to the gardens as soon as they open, don’t worry about it as it’s easy to find some food options here. I even found a vegan pasta dish at the food trucks! 

Top Attractions Near Keukenhof Gardens

Lisse

Lisse is the region in which Keukenhof Gardens are located. In addition, Lisse is one of the most popular tulip regions in the Netherlands in general. This means that there are so many tulip spots to check out while you are in the area! While Keukenhof Gardens was by far my favorite place in Lisse and the Netherlands as a whole, I highly recommend exploring the Lisse area while here.

Rent a Bike

There are several ways to explore the tulip attractions Lisse has to offer. The first is by renting a bike and exploring the region based on pre-made routes. This is what I would recommend anyone to do once finishing exploring Keukenhof Gardens. When renting a bike, you will get a map of 4 different routes between 5 – 25 km that take you through many local tulip fields in the region. 

You can rent a regular bike for either 3 hours, which costs 11 euros, or a whole day which costs 16 euros per person. They also have some other bike options if you have some specific needs. You can check out the opening hours and book a bike here. You can either book a bike in advance which is ideal if you want to ensure you have a bike. However, if you are unsure of what time you would want the bike for, or if they run out online, simply show up at the shop when you want to rent a bike. When we visited the bikes were sold out online but we managed to get two bikes as soon as we showed up. You can find the bike rental shop at the main parking lot at Keukenhof Gardens and it is also pinned on the map above! 

IMPORTANT: While exploring the Lisse area by bike (or any other way) please do not walk onto any tulip fields without permission from the farmers! Every year local farmers have to throw out so many ruined tulips because tourists step on them and ruin their crops. This is of course very detrimental to the farmers and their income so please show some respect and stay off the fields!

Visit other tulip farms

While you can explore a lot of local tulip fields while biking around Lisse, you will need to see the fields from afar as you should never step into the flower field without permission from the farmers. If you want to walk through tulip fields then you need to book a visit at one of the commercialized tulip fields in the area. The tulips in these farms are typically also taller and perfect for photos, so it’s a win-win!

The two main tulip fields in the region that I can recommend you check out are The Tulip Barn and Tulip Experience Amsterdam. These are both fairly cheap farms to enter and they are located just a short bike ride away from Keukenhof Gardens! You can buy an entrance ticket to these spots in advance on their website. Book your tickets in advance as these are both popular spots to visit besides Keukenhof Gardens. One thing to note is that if you visit in the middle of the day you should expect quite a bit of crowds at these spots. Since the tulip fields aren’t that big, it can be quite difficult to get photos without other people. Therefore, I recommend trying to visit in the early morning hours if at all possible. 

If you would like a more private experience, then consider booking a visit at FAM Flower Farm. They only allow 15 people to each 1.5-time slot and offer tea, coffee, and stroopwafels as part of the experience. This way, you get a very special experience. However, it does come with a price tag, as entrance costs 55 USD per person. In addition, they are only open on one weekend during the whole tulip season.

Keukenhof Castle

One spot in Lisse that doesn’t involve any tulips is the Keukenhof Castle! It is located right outside the Keukenhof Gardens on the left side, so you don’t need an entrance ticket to check it out! We unfortunately had to skip visiting the castle as the weather wasn’t on our side. However, if you have the time, I definitely recommend that you check it out. It looks really beautiful and well worth the pit stop! 

That concludes my Keukenhof Gardens travel guide! This really is the most magical place to witness the tulip season, and so I hope you decide to visit. If you have any other questions regarding Keukenhof Gardens then feel free to leave them below. 

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