The top places in the Netherlands to see tulips

The Dutch landscape comes to life every spring in a kaleidoscopic blaze of flowers. Tulips are synonymous with the Netherlands, and from March to May many farms in the provinces of South Holland, North Holland, and Flevoland are covered in spectacular blooms. Celebrate the change of seasons with this list of the best places to see tulips in the Netherlands.

Any flower fan knows the name “Keukenhof” – but only true connoisseurs know the best way to experience the tulip fields is by bike. The town of Noordwijk and the small village of Noordwijkerhout are among the top places to see tulips in the Netherlands.

If you have a day to spare, consider cycling through the flower fields of Noordwijk and toward the seaside town of Katwijk. It’s the perfect activity for a sunny day as well as a sustainable way to support local tulip growers. Many farms—like De Tulperij—provide paid tulip excursions.

Stay between the sea and the flower fields at Alexander Hotel in Noordwijk aan Zee.

Not far from Noordwijk is the usually sleepy town of Lisse. However, springtime brings throngs of tourists to Lisse’s Keukenhof gardens. If you’d prefer to avoid tourist hotspots and see tulips in their “natural habitat,” head to the tulip fields surrounding Lisse. Paved bike lanes are the best paths for exploring the bollenstreek (or bulb belt) of the Netherlands. As with every tulip field that’s open to the public, respect for the flowers is a high priority and visitors should refrain from touching them.

Keukenhof is home to 80 acres of beautiful flowerbeds, with seven million bulbs in bloom and over 800 varieties of tulips on display. It’s open from mid-March to mid-May every year, and the gardens also feature numerous pavilions where visitors can learn about the history of tulips, bulb cultivation, and floral design.

Guided tours of the tulip fields are available daily. To take advantage of your time and visit other local attractions, consider booking the Tulip Fields and Delft Tour to see the gardens before heading out to explore the beautiful medieval town of Delft.

For easy access to the gardens, stay at Boutique Suites Lisse - Schiphol, located just a half mile from Keukenhof.

Amsterdam was at the heart of the tulip mania that swept across the nation in the 17th century. Between 1634 and 1637, the country was gripped by a tulip trade frenzy, which caused the economy to bubble and eventually crash. Though tulips are still considered very desirable, flower fever has since eased in Amsterdam. However, the annual Tulip Festival Amsterdam aims to revive tulip mania – without the economic meltdown.

Every April, this celebration of the national flower adorns the city's buildings and popular districts with fresh blooms. All displays in public areas are free to enjoy except for museum gardens, where regular ticket prices apply. Amsterdam serves as a great hub, offering numerous tours that explore the picturesque tulip fields in the surrounding countryside. Among them, the Tulip Field and Dutch Windmill Tour offers the quintessential Dutch experience, taking in cultural highlights and historical sights along the way. Stay at the Hotel Weber, which is right by the centrally located Leidseplein.

If tulip beds don't quite cut it for you, you may be in need of a flower parade. During Bloemencorso (“flower parade”), a fleet of floats travels from Noordwijk to Haarlem. Starting in the morning, it follows a 26-mile route that ends in Haarlem at nightfall, when marching bands usher the parade into town. It’s lively, colorful, and lots of fun.

After the day’s festivities, you’ll be grateful for a comfy bed within a short walk of the parade. Head to the Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem or Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals. Both score high for comfort and cleanliness, ensuring a good night’s rest.

For those flying into Amsterdam, Flevoland may seem a world away on the map. However, the Noordoostpolder tulip route makes for a great day trip, best experienced by car. Making the trip up north is very rewarding, since this province gets far fewer tourists than the other flower hot spots.

The countryside is full of fresh air, stunning colors, and wonderful photo opportunities. Along this 62-mile route, you’ll pass vivid fields as well as galleries and small towns with their own flower-based artworks. One such town is Kraggenburg, a quaint village typical of the Flevoland province. Book a few nights at the Speldehof apartment, situated right along the Noordoostpolder tulip trail.