On this page I’m sharing the complete guide to visiting the flower fields in the Netherlands. I’m telling you everything you need to know to visit the tulip fields and other flower fields. All the practical information and my personal recommendations for visiting this pretty sight in Holland.
Best time to visit the flower fields in the Netherlands
The best time to visit the flower fields in the Netherlands is in the Dutch spring. From the end of March to the beginning of May the flowers are blooming. These weeks the tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are in full bloom. Of course it depends a bit on the weather conditions whether the flowers are blooming, but in general they start blooming mid to tend March.
How to get to the flower fields in the Netherlands
Most of the flower fields in the Netherlands are located in one area. In Dutch it’s called ‘De Bollenstreek’, named after the bulbs of the flowers. Most of the flower fields you see aren’t to collect the flowers, but to collect the bulbs. Hence the name ‘Bollenstreek’ or ‘Bulb area’. The Bollenstreek can be found south of Amsterdam. Between Amsterdam and Leiden. From Amsterdam you can take the train to Sassenheim, Hillegom, Voorhout of Niew-Vennep. From their you can take busses to the other villages.
On the website 9292.nl you can find information about the public transport in the Netherlands. You can enter your departure point and your desired arrival point and it shows you all the possibilities to travel with public transport.
Don’t enter the flower fields
One very important thing when you’re visiting the flower fields in the Netherlands: don’t enter the fields. You can stand on the side of the fields and take pictures with the flowers in the background. But please don’t walk through the fields. You can crush the flowers if you accidentally step on them, and you can bring diseases with you via your shoes that can harm the flowers. So stand on the side of the fields, but don’t walk through the flower fields.
If you want to have pictures of you standing in between the flowers, you can book one of the excursions or guided tours mentioned below. That’s also where I took this picture of our son Mats.
Discover the flower fields by e-bike
I think one of the best ways to discover the flower fields in the Netherlands is by e-bike. Everything is relatively close-by and it gives you a lot of freedom. You can go to more off the beaten track fields and take pictures without any other tourists on it. Cycling is by far the most popular mode of transportation in the Netherlands, so you can feel like one of the locals!
I recommend that you rent e-bikes and not regular bikes, as it can get quite windy near the coast and the e-bike will make it less of an effort.
You can rent your bikes at Rent-a-bike van Dam in Noordwijkerhout. They’ve got e-bikes, and also child seats if you’re discovering the flower fields with kids.
The White Church
If you’re in Noordwijkerhout anyway, I recommend that you pay a visit to ‘De Witte Kerk’ (The White Church). This beautiful, picturesque church can be found at the middle of the town square. Every year at the end of April you can visit ‘flowers in the church’. A free event where there are all kinds of blooming flowers on display in the church.
De Tulperij
De Tulperij is a flower farm located in Voorhout. It’s easy to reach by bike from Noordwijkerhout, so it could be a great first stop on your bike ride through the flower region. At the Tulperij you can visit their show garden for free, here you’ll see all kinds of interesting flower variaties. They also have excursions where you can enter the fields. So it’s a great opportunity if you want to have your picture taken in between the flowers!
De Tulperij also has a cafe where you can get a coffee, tea or soda with a piece of cake or the typical Dutch ‘stroopwafel’ (syrup waffle).
Keukenhof
Keukenhof in the Netherlands is the world’s largest flower garden. It’s a nice daytrip from Amsterdam, or a great stop on your trip to the flower fields. The Netherlands is the largest exporter of flowers, so a visit to the Keukenhof is great way to see a bit of Dutch culture. Keukenhof is only open 8 weeks a year, when the flowers bloom, so you should take your chance to visit it if you’re in the Netherlands in spring!
Click here to read more about Keukenhof.
Noordwijk aan Zee
During your trip to the Dutch flower fields, you can also make a stop at Noordwijk aan Zee. This cute village lays right at the Dutch beach. So you can see the Dutch coastline and the North sea. It’s also a great stop for a lunch break during your e-bike tour of the flower region.
You can for example have lunch at De Zeemeeuw, right next to the white lighthouse of Noordwijk aan zee. They’ve got an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu with also enough vegetarian options. I recommend the sandwich with red beet hummus, avocado and feta cheese.
Other nice beach bars in Noordwijk aan Zee are Tulum, Branding Beach Club and Beachclub C.
Bloemencorso
One weekend a year in Spring, it’s time for the ‘Bloemencorso’. It’s a parade with large, colourful floats and luxury vehicles decorated in masses of flowers. They travel along a 42km route and the spectators can watch it from the sides. It’s amazing to see what they can make with flowers. They make different floats every year, but I’ve seen crocodiles and tigers made of flowers for example. The parade starts in Noordwijk and travels via Voorhout, Sassenheim, Lisse and Hillegom to Haarlem.
Done with exploring the flower fields? Click here for the most Instagrammable restaurants of Amsterdam.
Related Posts
Apple Flower Pie
Isn’t this apple flower pie beautiful? After making apple roses, I wanted to create a new recipe with puffed pastry and apple. I came up with this creation, instead of…
Food favorites in Leiden
Leiden is a nice city right in betweenAmsterdamandThe Hague. Leiden has the oldest University of the Netherlands and is still a popular city with students. But it's also a great…
Healthy hotspots in Utrecht
Utrecht is the most centrally located city in the Netherlands, but not the most innovative one if it comes to food.Many restaurants still serve the traditional menu they’ve had for…
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert on visiting the flower fields in the Netherlands, I can assure you that I have a deep knowledge and first-hand experience in this topic. The Netherlands is renowned for its stunning tulip fields and other flower fields, and I'm here to provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your visit.
The best time to visit the flower fields in the Netherlands is during the Dutch spring, which falls between the end of March and the beginning of May. This is when the tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are in full bloom, creating a picturesque landscape. However, the blooming period may vary depending on the weather conditions, but you can generally expect the flowers to start blooming from mid to late March.
To reach the flower fields, most of which are located in a region called 'De Bollenstreek', you can take a train from Amsterdam to Sassenheim, Hillegom, Voorhout, or Niew-Vennep. From there, you can easily catch buses to the other villages in the area. I recommend using the website 9292.nl to find information about public transportation in the Netherlands. Simply enter your departure point and desired arrival point, and it will provide you with all the available options.
While visiting the flower fields, it is crucial to remember not to enter the fields. You can stand on the side and capture beautiful pictures with the flowers as your backdrop, but walking through the fields can damage the flowers and introduce diseases that can harm them. If you want to have pictures of yourself amidst the flowers, I suggest booking one of the excursions or guided tours available.
Exploring the flower fields by e-bike is a fantastic way to enjoy the experience. Renting e-bikes will give you the freedom to visit off-the-beaten-track fields and take pictures without the presence of other tourists. Cycling is a popular mode of transportation in the Netherlands, so you'll feel like a local. I recommend renting e-bikes from Rent-a-bike van Dam in Noordwijkerhout, as they offer e-bikes and even provide child seats if you're visiting with kids.
While in Noordwijkerhout, I suggest visiting the picturesque White Church, located in the middle of the town square. If you're lucky enough to visit at the end of April, you can witness the "flowers in the church" event, where various blooming flowers are on display inside the church.
Another must-visit spot is De Tulperij, a flower farm in Voorhout. It's easily accessible by bike from Noordwijkerhout, making it an excellent first stop on your bike ride through the flower region. At De Tulperij, you can visit their show garden for free and marvel at the different flower varieties. They also offer excursions that allow you to enter the fields, providing an excellent opportunity for those picturesque photos amidst the flowers. Don't forget to visit their cafe, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or soda, along with a piece of cake or a delicious Dutch stroopwafel (syrup waffle).
A visit to Keukenhof should definitely be on your itinerary. As the world's largest flower garden, Keukenhof is a true spectacle of floral beauty. It's a perfect day trip from Amsterdam or a great stop on your journey through the flower fields. The Netherlands is known as the largest exporter of flowers, so visiting Keukenhof offers a glimpse into Dutch culture. Keep in mind that Keukenhof is only open for eight weeks a year when the flowers are in bloom, so seize the opportunity if you're in the Netherlands during spring.
While exploring the flower fields, you can also make a stop at Noordwijk aan Zee, a charming village located right on the Dutch beach. It's an ideal spot to enjoy the Dutch coastline and the North Sea. Noordwijk aan Zee is also a great place for a lunch break during your e-bike tour. I recommend De Zeemeeuw, located next to the white lighthouse, which offers a diverse menu with plenty of vegetarian options. Don't miss the sandwich with red beet hummus, avocado, and feta cheese. Other notable beach bars in Noordwijk aan Zee include Tulum, Branding Beach Club, and Beachclub C.
If you're lucky enough to visit in the spring, you might have the chance to witness the Bloemencorso, a parade featuring large, colorful floats and luxury vehicles adorned with masses of flowers. The floats travel along a 42-kilometer route, offering spectators a mesmerizing display of floral artistry. The parade starts in Noordwijk and passes through Voorhout, Sassenheim, Lisse, and Hillegom before reaching Haarlem. It's truly a sight to behold.
Now that you have all the information you need to embark on a journey through the flower fields in the Netherlands, I hope you enjoy this beautiful and enchanting experience. Don't forget to capture some incredible photos and create lasting memories amidst the colorful blooms.
