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Whether you’re a flower lover or looking to add colorful inspiration to your yard, Holland is the go-to place to visit. Generally speaking, April is the best time to visit the flower fields. And there’s much more to Holland than the beautiful tulip flower. They also produce tonnes of sunny daffodils that indicate the arrival of spring and wonderfully fragrant hyacinths that fill the air with their scent for miles.
There are two flower-growing regions in Holland where you’ll find most of the flower fields. The flower-growing district in the northwest area of Holland is known as the Bollenstreek, which translates to bulb region. This area spans from Haarlem to Leiden along the west coast. The other region is Noordoostpolder, which is an hour’s drive northeast of Amsterdam.
So, if you’re lucky enough to visit one of my favorite European cities, you can’t miss these flower fields. Here is my complete guide to visiting the flower fields in Holland. Along the way, I offer many tips and tricks to make your visit even more enjoyable. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to flower fields, but here are my top 11 can’t-miss flower fields to visit in Holland.
Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse
Let’s kick my list off with one of the most visited and most stunning sites in Holland, the Keukenhof Gardens. This is the famous flower garden of the Netherlands, so technically, it’s not a flower field. But this is the place to visit if you want to see some impressive, colorful garden sculpting and flower arrangements spreading over 32 hectares of land. It is a half-hour drive southwest of Amsterdam in Lisse, part of the Bollenstreek.
Keukenhof Garden is the largest flower garden in the world, and over seven million flowers are planted there every year. As well as tulips, you are welcomed by other flowers, including daffodils, roses, irises, hyacinths, orchids, carnations, and roses. The garden is only open for around eight weeks in April and May, but you’ll see plenty of colorful blooming flowers no matter what week you visit.
With tall blossom trees and traditional windmills surrounded by winding paths and trickling waterfalls, every inch of this garden is remarkable. And being not too far from the coast, you’re also sure to see some equally vibrant sunsets. There are several pavilions offering traditional snacks like mini pancakes and stroopwafels. The Wilhelmina Pavilion next to the pond is the most charming and looks just like a French Chateau.
The short opening time means it can get pretty busy, with visitors flocking from all over the world. A limited number of tickets are on sale, so you need to get in there quickly to guarantee your visit. Although some tickets are available on the day, I recommend pre-booking this attraction to avoid disappointment.
For an easy flower experience, consider purchasing the Tulip Festival Card, which allows you unlimited access to transport throughout the region and a skip-the-line ticket to Keukenhof Gardens on a day of your choice. You also receive two digital guide apps showing you the best routes for cycling and discounts on other tours.
Surrounding Area of Lisse
Lisse is one of the main flower towns in the Bollenstreek. But there is much more to this town than the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. Not only is it home to many surrounding flower fields, but it is also home to the Museum De Zwarte Tulp. It is a museum dedicated to tulips and flower bulb cultivation and features lots of art and photos spanning over 500 years. If you want to know more about the importance of flowers in Holland, this is the place to visit.
There are so many flower fields to explore, either with a tour guide or on your own. You can wander around the town and view the fields as you pass them. But please remember these are private fields, and you should never walk through the fields as it can damage the flowers. The Tulip Barn is a dedicated place to visit and see over 175 tulip varieties and other flowers in the fields, complete with typical Dutch photo props like tractors or windmills.
Remember that Lisse is the most popular destination for flower lovers thanks to the famous Keukenhof Gardens and excellent transport links from Amsterdam. So be sure to plan your day, get there early, and expect many tourists. The best and easiest way to explore Lisse like a true Dutchie is on a bicycle, and there are plenty of opportunities to hire them in the town.
Nearby Noordwijkerhout
Aside from Lisse, it is one of the most popular destinations for flower lovers and sits in the heart of the bulb-growing region. Noordwijkerhout is a welcoming and authentic Dutch town with plenty on offer. Here, you can enjoy the explosion of springtime colors and fragrance thanks to the seemingly endless flower fields. Hire a bike and explore the local fields to your heart’s content.
One of the most popular dedicated flower attractions is the Tulip Experience Amsterdam, which is in the heart of Noordwijkerhout. You can easily spend the whole day here, and it has art exhibitions, a cinema, a coffee corner, a selfie garden, and a pick-your-own tent. And if you’re hoping for colorful photos, this is one of the best places to go.
The Illuminated Flower Parade also takes place in this town, and it is a popular and anticipated event for locals as well as tourists. The parade runs through the village streets and marks the start of the Flower Parade. The motorized floats are decorated with flowers and lights, and it is great fun for all the family. Noordwijkerhout also has 12 national monuments to explore, such as the Hogeveense Windmill and the White Church.
The Town of Sassenheim
Sassenheim is one of the best places to see daffodils in bloom, which bloom in early March. It’s also a fantastic town to see and smell the hyacinths. If you’re seeking the scent of hyacinths, there’s no better place than Sassenheim. It is the starting point of many self-guided flower tours as it is at the very bottom of the Bollenstreek. Sassenheim is where the north of Holland meets the south on the main route of the A44.
Please respect the signs not to enter the flower fields. Not only are they privately owned by the farmers, but walking through the fields damages the flowers and puts them at risk of disease. Instead, stop off on the many paths for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the beautiful shades.
In addition to the flower fields, Sassenheim is a great place to be during the annual Flower Parade. They have a covered grandstand where you can watch the parade go by. Tickets sell well in advance, so be sure to reserve a seat. Plus, this is where the floats stop for their lunch break, allowing spectators to view the stationary floats filled with flowers.
De Groene Bollenschuur, Hillegom
If you’re looking for a more exclusive flower field retreat, why not book yourself into De Groene Bollenschuur? It translates to the green bulb shed, and it is a century-old bulb shed converted into an exclusive bed and breakfast with five rooms. Hillegom lies between Sassenheim and Haarlem, and the accommodation sits in the middle of the flower fields. Offering you an almost private flower field experience you’ll never forget.
What better way to experience the magic of the flowers than to wake up to them? Open your curtains, sit on the patio, and enjoy breakfast and coffee while enjoying the breathtaking views and fragrance. The best thing is that you don’t have to compete with the hundreds of tourists. This place is one of the best ways to experience the blooms without any flower frustrations.
However, you don’t have to stay here to appreciate the fields. You can cycle by and stop to enjoy the incredibly vibrant shades. The farmers have arranged this field so that there are almost always flowers in bloom. From dainty daffodils in March and terrific tulips in April to amazing aliums in June, this field is a flower feast for all the senses.
Amsterdamse Bos, Amstelveen
The Amsterdamse Bos is a polder forest home to a diverse landscape that sits on a rare clay soil type. This means it is home to a wide range of animal species, flora, and fauna, many not found anywhere else in Holland. The park is just under a half-hour cycle ride southwest of the center of Amsterdam. There are five main areas, one of which is the Kersenbloesempark, which translates to the Cherry Blossom Park.
Here, you can celebrate Hanami Matsuri. This Cherry Blossom Festival occurs every spring, usually around late March to early April, when the first buds appear. The tradition involves friends and family getting together and picnic under the pink blossoms, welcoming the warmer months.
There are over 400 blossom trees, all of which were donated by the Japan Woman’s Club in 2000. Each tree has a name, either a traditional Japanese or Dutch name. So, instead of visiting a field and looking down at the flowers, you can enjoy blooms here looking up towards the sky. I have visited this park, and it is one of the most beautifully relaxing places in Amsterdam during the spring.
Sallandse Heuvelrug
For a relaxing visit, head to Sallandse Heuvelrug, which is in west Holland. This national park is away from the hustle and bustle of the Bollenstreek, and it isn’t in the tourist books. Instead, it is a local spot for nature lovers, bird watchers, and flower seekers. The best time to visit Sallandse Heuvelrug is in late August when the park transforms into a sea of purple heather.
It is also home to rare flora such as polygonatum, false lily of the valley, and lingonberries. There is a huge rhododendron presence that blooms in vibrant colors during the springtime, too. But no matter what time of year you visit, there is always something to do and appreciate. Inside the park, you can explore endlessly, either on foot or by bicycle. There are play areas for the children, refreshment spots, and traditional windmills dotted along the Regge River.
I Love Dahlia Farm, Hillegom
For something a little different from the tulip craze, consider visiting the dahlia farm in Hillegom, I Love Dahlia. For a super small fee of two euros, you can walk through the dahlia fields and enjoy the huge variety of heights, shapes, and colors. This is a great spot to take photos of yourself wandering through the vibrant colors without as many tourists as Keukenhof Gardens.
The dahlia season runs from summer to early fall, which is great for travelers who miss the usual springtime bloom. There is also a café here where you can enjoy local produce and sample food containing these edible blooms. Their shop is a great place to buy gifts and bulbs so that you can take some of the dahlia magic back home with you.
Tulpenbelevingsveld, Creil
Criel is in the Noordoostpolder district, which is around an hour’s drive northeast of Amsterdam or a two-hour train journey. Noordoostpolder is the largest tulip area in the Netherlands, boasting over 2,000 hectares of tulips. It is also where the Dutch host their famous Tulip Festival, which lasts for around two weeks and can be enjoyed on foot, by car, by bike, or even via a helicopter tour.
Tulpenbelevingsveld is one of the best flower fields in this region and is called the “selfie field” by the locals. Here, you can walk around the designated area created specifically for flower-seeking visitors. With walkways meandering through the tulips and raised platforms to enjoy the various shades from up above, it’s a beautiful experience.
There are hundreds of tulip species in different colors, shapes, and heights. This tulip experience field is open from 10 am to 4 pm during the tulip festival and is free to enter. Take advantage of the coffee houses on-site and fully immerse yourself in the colorful atmosphere. There are fairground rides for the children to enjoy, too, making it a great family outing.
De Tulpenpluktuin, Marknesse
Marknesse is also in the Noordoostpolder district, a 20-minute drive east of Creil. This field offers a unique flower experience, which only a few farms in the Netherlands offer. In Tulpenpluktuin, you can pick your own tulips. There are over 50 varieties to choose from in half a hectare of land.
You can hand-pick a set number of tulips for a set amount of money. Prices start from 10 euros. All you need to do is walk around the field and choose the tulips that appeal most to you. You can mix and match and create a unique tulip bouquet. What a fantastic way to complete your flower-field experience in Holland than by creating your own vase masterpiece.
There are also tonnes to do in the surrounding coastal area, and it boasts over 90 thousand hectares of water to sail on, whether by boat, paddle board, or canoe. This area also hosts many events throughout the year and is home to various museums and attractions, such as an adventure park. Plus, there are also many beaches where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy some early spring sun. So, if you or your family are all flowered out, be sure to check out things to do in Flevoland.
Van Haaster Canna, De Zilk
If you’ve had your tulip fix and hope to see something else, or perhaps you’ve missed the tulip season, fear not! At Van Haaster Canna, you are greeted with something a little more exotic. This nursery specializes mainly in cannas, which are tropical plants, as well as other perennials. Cannas are huge and can grow up to two meters tall and boast beautiful red, yellow, orange, and similar shades.
Unlike the tulip fields, these flower fields are open from mid-July to mid-October. You can book a guided tour that informs visitors about the history of this rare flower in Holland, the reclaimed land, and why it is so beneficial for the plants. This nursery also goes by the name Kwekerij de Greneweg, which sits between Leiden and Haarlem.
Key Takeaways
There’s no doubt about it – if you love flowers, you will love Holland. Whether you’re looking for traditional tulips along the world-famous Bollenstreek or something a little less busy in the northern Nordoostpolder region, Holland has got it all. There are also a few special places outside these popular flower regions waiting to be explored.
When booking a trip to visit the flower fields, timing is crucial. Most flowers bloom during the springtime. So, if you want to see them in the fields, you’ve only got a limited window to see them. Thankfully, a few places also produce summer-blooming flowers, extending the vibrant color into the fall. However, changing weather conditions and unpredictable mother nature might cause the flowers to bloom earlier or later.
As you might imagine, there are so many flower fields to visit in Holland, too many to list. But towns such as Noordwijk, the floral seaside resort of Europe, is another great place to visit. Especially if you’re seeking sandy toes and a salty breeze. But no matter where or when you visit, remember to, as the flower farmers proclaim, “enjoy the flowers and respect our pride.”