Where to See the Most Beautiful Tulips in the Netherlands

The Netherlands isn't just the world’s largest tulip exporter; people there also love them! 

The beautiful, fragrant flowers symbolize national pride, history, and friendship, with the blooming season peaking for three weeks between mid-April and early May. This is the ideal time for nature and flower lovers to visit the country, admire the venerated flowers in bloom, and experience the national spectacle first-hand.

If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands to see the stunning tulips in season, you’re in the right place. From curated collections and local festivals to flower parades, bulb picking, and family-friendly outings, this guide has everything you need to plan the perfect tulip trip.

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Start with the Classics at Lisse & Keukenhof

The country’s most popular tulip experience is in the small town of Lisse, located about 15 miles from Amsterdam. Here, you’ll find Keukenhof Gardens—affectionately known as the Garden of Europe—where 7 million tulip bulbs are hand-planted each year.

Besides enjoying the gardens, you can check out flower exhibitions and see the contemporary sculptures around the grounds on “whisper boat” cruises.

Insider Tips

• Since Keukenhof is open for only two months each year, it’s a tourist hotspot, particularly during peak bloom season. So, plan to get there early or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
• While photography is welcome, never walk between the rows to avoid damaging the roots.

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Watch the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek Flower Parade

Next is the flower parade—a fun, upbeat spectacle featuring dozens of bands, floats, and cars decked with colorful tulips. Everything cheerfully marches from the shores of the North Sea in Noordwijk to Haarlem, a prominent suburb of the capital.

The parade is typically held around mid-April in the heart of the Bulb region and is ideal for self-guided tours on bike rentals, which are available in most nearby towns. 

Insider Tips

• Check out the events surrounding parade day—including the night parade—for a smaller, more local experience. 
• Smaller towns like Noordwijkerhout and Hillegom have equally vibrant tulip fields without the enormous crowds.

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Get Your Hands Dirty By Visiting a Tulip Farm

If seeing the flowers bloom from afar isn’t enough to satisfy your cravings, visiting a tulip farm is for you! You’ll get to go into the fields (which isn’t allowed at the larger, touristy places), and you’ll have the chance to get your hands dirty with a close-up experience.

Ideal for romantic or family getaways, there are plenty of farms to choose from, with some of the best tours in Bollenstreek. 

Insider Tips

• Ask about local farm tours and bespoke flower-picking packages for a unique experience.
• For the most Instagrammable photos, head to the Tulip Barn in Hillegom to immerse yourself in the field’s million and a half tulips.

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Visit Hortus Bulborum If You’re a Tulip Aficionado

For aficionados who understand the intricacies of tulip horticulture, you’ll want to head north of Amsterdam to the small town of Limmen. There, you’ll find Hortus Bulborum, a historical bulb garden dating back to 1900.

The Hortus Bulborum gardens feature over 4,500 varieties of tulips, daffodils, and other spring blooms. The site also serves as an institute of learning for anyone who appreciates flowers beyond their fragrance and beauty. 

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