Visiting Keukenhof’s gorgeous tulip gardens just outside Amsterdam, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I had, of course, heard of the gardens’ beauty in spring. But I wasn’t prepared to be blown away by the expanses of colour, charmed by the landscaping and attention to detail, and to fall so utterly head-over-heels for the simple, stunning tulip. This month on Travel Linkup we’re highlighting the unexpected places that we’ve visited, be they places that didn’t match up or that knocked your socks off. I didn’t expect to love our visit to Keukenhof like I did, but I absolutely adored the time spent frolicking amongst the flowers!
Full disclosure: EVERYONE wants to visit Keukenhof
How to get to Keukenhof
Keukenhof’s gardens are in Lisse, half an hour’s drive from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. If you’re not driving your own car, you can get there from Amsterdam by a special coach that departs from Schipol airport. However, if you have a leisurely brunch like we did, you may well encounter a sizeable line – we were told it would take over an hour to board a bus. So, given the four of us fit perfectly into a taxi, that’s exactly what we did! An Uber cost just €30, which also worked out cheaper than the coach ticket for all of us.
Instantly we saw incredible, huge, tulips
What to do in Keukenhof
Quite simply – explore! The park covers 32 hectares meaning that even with those crowds, you’ll be able to find a secluded spot to drink in the sunshine and scents. But don’t spend too long in one spot – there are so many winding paths to wander and different varieties of tulip and other beautiful flowers to see!
My trusty companions for flower blissing – Deb, Cleo and Juliet
I’m no great gardener, so I really did find it amazing how many colours and varieties there were. But they weren’t just displayed in linear beds, oh no. There were swirls of purple and peach, sculptures of blooms, and rolling hills surrounding a picture-perfect lake. Apparently over 7 million bulbs are planted each year. It was almost more than my eyes could take in!
Like we were ever going to be able to resist this…
All this AND swans?! Stop it, Keukenhof, it’s too good
Stop to smell the giant tulips
Keukenhof isn’t just outdoor displays – at the various pavilions positioned around the grounds, you can step inside and learn more about tulips or other flora. On our visit, the Beatrix pavilion had an incredible display of orchids, wearable and otherwise.
What to Eat and Drink at Keukenhof
We wished we’d thought to bring a picnic as we saw people sprawled out on the green nibbling at delicious snacks. But fear not, there are plenty of stands throughout the gardens with everything from waffles to strawberries to herring. There’s also cafes where you can get more substantial food like chips and burgers, should you be so inclined. We settled on fries (with mayo and curry sauce, because when in the Netherlands), and some mini bottles of wine, and flopped under the bright blue sky and pink blossom to rest our legs.
Obeying the sign… just
The gorgeous expanse of the wider tulip fields, which you can take a boat around
Precise displays near the Oranje Nassau pavilion
Clearly I was never going to resist a fresh waffle – yum!
Beach bar, anyone?
We spent about four hours at Keukenhof and could easily have spent more time wandering the smaller paths – and relaxing in the sunshine. The gardens are incredibly child-friendly too, with playgrounds and even a petting zoo. Needless to say I was quite keen on the giant bunnies myself! The gardens are open for two months each spring – next year it’s from late March to late May. For more information on visiting Keukenhof and having your own tulip rapture, click here!
