Keukenhof Gardens, Complete Guide to a Visual and Olfactory Experience

Keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands are the largest flower park in the world, a unique visual and olfactory experience for those who love nature and want to breathe the Netherlands, in the true sense of the word. Keukenhof park covers an area of 32 acres of flowers: daffodils, hyacinths, orchids, tulips and other varieties of flowers. It is only 30 km from Amsterdam, in Lisse and you can easily get to the park, even from the Schiphol airport. This area is well known for its fields of tulips. I planned a travel itinerary to discover the beauty of Amsterdam and Keukenhof gardens is a must-see place! In the Keukenhof gardens park there are 7 million bulbs and 800 varieties of tulips, which are the symbol of the Netherlands. Keukenhof gardens give the visitors the opportunity to walk through 15 miles of trails and to participate in events, exhibitions and floral shows in the halls and gardens of the park, like the Tulponia exhibition in the Juliana Pavilion, all centered on the charm of tulips.

There are 3 covered pavilions (the Beatrix, Willem-Alexander and the Oranje Nassau) with flowers exhibitions. You can enjoy colorful floral displays, which change every week, in the Orange Nassau Pavilion, or admire the world’s largest lily show, during the last ten days of the season, in the Willem-Alexander Pavilion, where there are also thousands of tulips. If you love orchids, anthuriums  and bromeliads visit the Beatrix Pavilion.

NOTE: for instance, 2015 was the 125th anniversary of the death of the great artist Van Gogh and there was a mosaic of 250mq composed of colorful tulips that will play one of the portraits painted by Van Gogh. Check out the website to enjoy a new theme this year!

In the Keukenhof gardens you will also find fountains and magical corners to relax in the sun surrounded by colorful flowers. Walking along the paths of the park, flooded with flowers, is an extraordinary experience.

There is an impressive wooden windmill in the park. There are also themed gardens like Selfie Garden, nice for selfie lovers, which offers a fabulous landscape for a unique Selfie and takes its cue from the Self-portraits of Van Gogh. Do you love DIY or second hand furniture? Visit the Outlet Garden where you can also find lovely accessories from outlets just in the flower garden. Are you romantic? Take a walk at the Romantic Garden whit pastel shades flowers and a path to a fairy summerhouse. There is a themed park for each personality type!
Keukenhof gardens are also a magical place for children. They will enjoy a hedge maze, a zoo, a playground and a Miffy house. You can never get bored at Keukenhof park.

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TIP: I recommend to visit Keukenhof gardens at the end of April because there are more flowers (flowering is complete).

The park is open only from March 23 to May 21, 2017, the right period when you can enjoy a real exploits of colors and scents. It is open every day from 8 to 19.30, but the ticket office closes at 18. Always check out dates, times and prices!

Allow yourself to be guided by the breeze and rent a bike. Follow one of the 4 routes.

You cannot cycle in the park, but you can discover the colorful surroundings area by bicycle and enjoy the landscape in a relaxed atmosphere of peace and silence. It is a perfect mix of colors and scents!The bike rental at Keukenhof is around €10 per day for standard bicycles and you can rent it just before to enter the park from 9.30am to 19.30pm. A back-pedal brake orange Holland fiets is only €8.

TIP: Keukenhof gardens visit is free if you have Holland pass.

If you prefer to enjoy the park from the water why don’t you choose a beautiful boat trip around the park with Whisper boats? They are electrical boats suited for navigating the narrowcanals and they are very silent! The boat trip takes 45 minutes. Adults ticket is €8, children aged 4-11 ticket is €4 and children aged 3 and younger are free to enter. The park admission ticket is excluded. Otherwise you can book a tour

TICKET TIPS

If you are not traveling by car the best solution is to buy a ticket that combines the visit to the park and the transport. Combi ticket includes park admission and transport bus 858.
– Get to the park from Amsterdam: bus line 197 and Keukenhof Express bus line 858.
– Get to the park from Schiphol: Keukenhof Express bus line 858. It departes from Arrivals Hall by Exit 4 (next to Starbucks). The trip takes approximately 35 minutes.

NOTE: You will also skip the line thanks to this ticket!

Keukenhof gardens are more than a park. They are a real experience to live, a dive into a sea of colors and scents that will enchant your eyes, your mind and your heart. 🙂

Did you know about Keukenhof gardens? Have you ever visited a flower park like this?

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