Visiting Keukenhof Gardens in 2026

In this complete guide you will find all the information you need about visiting the most beautiful flower gardens in the world – the Keukenhof tulip gardens in the Netherlands. It is also packed with practical advice and I’ll be sharing with you some insider tips, as I have been visiting Keukenhof park each year for the last 16 years.

Keukenhof is open from 19 March to 10 May 2026.

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What is Keukenhof?

Keukenhof is the largest spring flowers garden in the world. Spread over 32 ha, this beautiful park showcases not only tulips, but also daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, lilies-of-the-valley, bluebells, snowdrops, and irises among others.

Located near Amsterdam, this tulip garden attracts 1.5 million tourists per year, actually for a month and a half when it’s open. Each year, in the autumn, there are planted more than 7 million bulbs and 800 different sorts of tulips, so that the next year we can enjoy the magic, called Keukenhof.

Fun fact: In October 2025 Keukenhof rebranded and has a new logo, which Exploring the Netherlands totally loves! You can see the promotional spot here on the YouTube channel of Keukenhof.

When is Keukenhof open?

Keukenhof is NOT open all year round. Keukenhof is a spring garden, as tulips bloom only in the months March-May in the Northern hemisphere. So, if you are visiting the Netherlands between half May and half March Keukenhof will be closed.

The Keukenhof is open between around the 20th March until mid May.

When is Keukenhof open in 2026?

Keukenhof is open now! The tulip gardens are open from 19 March till 10 May in 2026.

When is the best time to visit Keukenhof?

This is the most difficult question of all. In general, at the end of March only the early tulips and bulb flowers will be in bloom, but if it’s been a very cold winter, the early tulips won’t be open in full. On the other hand, if the spring has been extremely warm, there’s a big chance that most of the tulips will be already gone by the beginning of May. So it really depends on the weather.

For example, in mid April all trees will have their blossoms but at the beginning of May the trees will be green and the rhododendrons and other bushes will be in bloom. So you see, it’s hard to say when the best time is to visit Keukenhof. The park just goes through all stages of spring and they are all beautiful in their own way.

If I still need to give an answer to this question, then towards the end of April will be the best time to visit Keukenhof.

How to get to Keukenhof?

Keukenhof is easily accessible by both car and public transportation. If you are going by car, you should consider that traffic can get pretty busy on a warm-ish weekend day, as locals love visiting the park. Quite often, there are traffic jams on the way to and from Keukenhof. Still, this remains a comfortable way to visit the tulip gardens.

Practical info: The address of Keukenhof is Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse.

During tulips season, if you are staying in the nearby cities, there are special tickets that include entry ticket to Keukenhof and a transportation ticket:

There are also day trips to Keukenhof from Belgium:

• Visit Keukenhof from Brussels
• Visit Keukenhof from Antwerp

If you are using public transportation and you are not staying in one of the places near Lisse, the best way is to get first to Schiphol Airport.

Pro tip: Buy your train tickets online with the Dutch Railways (NS) for hassle-free travel. On the website of NS you can also check for any discounts.

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

How to get from Amsterdam to Keukenhof?

That’s pretty easy, although you should be considering the transit time and that you will need to change buses most likely. It takes however more than half an hour to get to Keukenhof. Depending on where you are in Amsterdam, you’ll need to get either to RAI metro station and then take bus line 852 to Keukenhof, or to Hoofddorp Station and then take bus line 859.

Tip: There’s no direct connection from Amsterdam to Keukenhof and you will always need to change at least once or even twice. That’s why I highly recommend that you take a tour, if you are staying in Amsterdam. Thus you can enjoy Keukenhof without any hassle.

As you can see, it can be quite a hassle to reach Keukenhof from Amsterdam. Therefore I can highly recommend the following option. It includes an entry ticket to Keukenhof and a transfer from Amsterdam.

How to get from Schiphol to Keukenhof?

Going first to Schiphol Airport and then to Keukenhof is the best and the easiest way to get to Keukenhof. No matter where you are in the Netherlands, there are pretty good connections to Schiphol Airport.

From Schiphol there is a direct bus to Keukenhof – line 858. There are 8 buses per hour and the trip takes about 30 minutes. If you are staying in the country and will rely on public transit, this is the way to get to Keukenhof. You can also buy a combined ticket with park entry and a transfer from Schiphol.

Are there tours to Keukenhof?

There are quite a lot of tours to Keukenhof offered from Amsterdam. Most of the tours are combining a visit to Keukenhof with a visit to the tulip fields. There are also tours that include other attractions like Zaanse Schans, Kinderdijk, Madurodam or Giethoorn. If you are short of time, this could be a good option to see the as much as possible when visiting the Netherlands.

Tip: A combined tour of Keukenhof and another must-see place in the Netherlands, is the best option if you want to visit as many places as possible during a short stay in the country.

How to buy tickets for Keukenhof?

Since 2023 Keukenhof have changed their ticket policy and now you can buy tickets primarily online. For some time it was possible to buy tickets only online but this has changed now. However if you buy tickets at the counter you’ll pay extra 4 EUR. So, I highly recommend that you buy your tickets online well in advance, as there may be no tickets available at the counter on your chosen day.

The new online tickets aren’t personalized, so someone can go instead of you, if you cannot make it. However, if you want to change the date of your ticket or the the time slot you can do so no later than 24 hrs prior to your visit and if there’s availability for the chosen day and time slot.

How much time to spend in Keukenhof?

Another difficult question. The park spans on 32 ha, so you can’t visit it in an hour. You will need anywhere between 4 to 8 hours to see the whole park, to visit all the pavilions and to make millions of photos. My advice is to spend about 4-5 hours at Keukenhof, if you have the time. Spending less time in Keukenhof is still OK, but you won’t be able to see everything.

If you have only 2 hours, it is still worth visiting the park. These will be just enough to walk around and get a general idea of Keukenhof.

How to skip the crowds in Keukenhof?

The tulip gardens can be a bit crowded. If you can choose, it’s better to avoid visiting the park on weekends, bank holidays, and during the spring break (end of April – beginning of May). Dutch love Keukenhof and it is a favorite day trip for the locals. Early in the morning before 11:00 am and in late afternoon after 16:00 pm the park is almost empty.

Click here to buy your tickets online.

Are there only tulips in Keukenhof?

Although Keukenhof is famous because of the tulips, it is not only about tulips. It’s a showcase of the Dutch bulb growers and there are other bulb flowers featured in the gardens: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, lilies-of-the-valley, bluebells, snowdrops, irises. Beside the park gardens, in the 3 of the 6 pavilions (Beatrix Pavilion, Oranje Nassau Pavilion and Willem-Alexander Pavilion) there are different flower shows – orchids, gerbera daisies, callas, amaryllises, and many more.

Are Keukenhof and the tulip fields the same?

No. The experience is totally different. The tulip fields are actually farms, where the they grow and harvest tulip bulbs. On the other hand, in Keukenhof the tulips and other spring bulb flowers are arranged in meticulously manicured gardens, creating intricate designs and patterns. The park is beautifully landscaped with water features, rocks, trees, and small hills.

Read more: Where to see tulips in the Netherlands

If you want to visit the fields as well, there are combined tours to Keukenhof and the fields. Another option could be to rent a bike at Keukenhof and make the tour yourself, or to take a ‘whisper boat’ tour.

Shall I still visit Keukenhof if it rains?

Well, yes, absolutely! With the introduction of the new system for only online tickets you aren’t that flexible anymore to visit Keukenhof only on a sunny day. If you are already there and you are caught up by a shower, you can quickly go indoors in one of the many pavilions, have a look around or get a drink. The souvenir shops are selling those cute ponchos and umbrellas with tulips prints all over, so they are a great option if you want to walk outside in the rain.

Can I leave my luggage at Keukenhof?

There are lockers at Keukenhof, so you can leave your luggage there. If you are visiting the park during a layover at Schiphol or if you are travelling from Schiphol, I will advise you to leave your luggage at the airport. Thus, you won’t need to carry it around with you, when you are getting on/off the bus. However, you can’t store large pieces of luggage at Keukenhof.

Can I park my car at Keukenhof?

Keukenhof has its own parking terrain. A few years ago, it was all renovated, so now there is enough parking opportunity. You should know that the parking is not free of charge and it costs 9 EUR per car, if you buy a ticket online and 12,50 EUR at place. However this is not a good reason to park alongside the road. Just don’t do it, as you’ll be hindering the traffic and will get a fine for sure. If you travelling by car to Keukenhof, you should know that quite often there are traffic jams to the park, especially at the weekends and on holidays.

Can I buy food and drinks at Keukenhof?

When visiting Keukenhof park, you don’t need to bring snacks with you. There are a few cafes in Keukenhof located at the pavilions, where you can grab some food and refreshments. There are also stands at different places in the park where they sell Dutch stroopwafels, Belgian waffles, Dutch hot-dogs (broodje Junox), or other snacks. You can buy there drinks, as well.

What to do in Keukenhof?

Take pictures

Professional photographer or just an amateur, Keukenhof is perfect for taking great pictures, especially for macro photography. Think of all the colours and shapes, and the bees that love the tulip petals!

Take a ‘whisper’ boat tour

At Keukenhof you can also make a boat tour through the fields with one of the so-called ‘whisper’ boats (fluisterboot). You will see the tulip fields from a different angle – as if you are moving through a forest of tulips. The ‘whisper’ boats depart at the windmill in the park.

Rent a bike

At Keukenhof you can rent a bike and explore the surrounding areas with the tulip fields and even go to the sea and the dunes! You will get also a map with various biking routes – from 1 up to 25 km.

Visit one of the special Keukenhof events

Each year there are organized special events and festival at Keukenhof. Usually, there’s an annual theme and everything revolves around it. Special attention though is always paid to the Dutch heritage.

The special events in Keukenhof for 2026 are:

• Dutch Sounds – 21–22/03 – traditional Dutch music with marching bands
• Holland Heritage Weekend – 27–29/03 – experience authentic Dutch traditions, crafts, and nostalgic atmosphere
• Easter Bunny Weekend – 5–6/04 – the Easter Bunny visits Keukenhof
• Flower Parade – 18/04 – the famous parade with floats decorated with flowers: Bloemencorso of the Bollenstreek (The Bulb Region), passes by Keukenhof
• Fien and Teun in Keukenhof – 27/04–01/05 – Fien and Teun are two popular TV characters – a boy and a girl that live on a farm in the country
• Romance at Keukenhof – 2–3/05 – classical music, romance and period costumes – going back in time to the 18th/19th century
• Lounge Music Live – 4–10/05 – enjoy live music and a relaxed lounge atmosphere

Visit one of the flower shows at the pavilions

The flower shows are amazing. So much inspiration and creativity at one place! When visiting Keukenhof, take the time to visit the pavilions and you won’t be disappointed.

Here are the shows and the respective dates for 2026, which have already been announced:

• Anthurium and Orchid Show – 19/03–10/05 at the Juliana Pavilion
• Various Flowers Shows – 19/03–10/05 a the Willem-Alexander Pavillion

When more shows are added, I will update this list.

Visit the Keukenhof Castle

The Keukenhof castle is just outside of the park and can be visited for free. The tours, however at this moment are on hold due to the ongoing reconstruction works, but the gardens and the castle park are still accessible. It’s better if you visit the castle after the tulip gardens, as the tickets for Keukenhof are single entry.

Visit one of the inspirational gardens

Each year Keukenhof develops special inspirational gardens around a few topics. In 2025 the inspirational gardens in Keukenhof were: Hilltop Heaven, Beach Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Sounds of Spring, and Romantic Garden. The 2026 inspirational gardens haven’t been yet announced.

Admire the Flower Parade

If you want to see something truly amazing, then the Flower Parade should be on you bucket list. In 2021 the flower parades in the Netherlands (the so-called ‘corso’) have be included on the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage! A dozen of floats decorated with the most stunning figures made out of bulb flowers, will parade through the streets in the so-called Bollenstreek (Bulb region) and will pass by Keukenhof.

In 2028 the Flower Parade will be held on 18 April. The 42 km long route starts at Noordwijk and ends in Haarlem.

Climb the windmill of Keukenhof

When you visiting the Keukenhof park, you should climb the windmill of Keukenhof. From the top, there’s an amazing view to the tulip fields and the garden. Also you will learn how the windmills function and what they were used for, as there are nice information boards along the way to the top.

Where to stay near Keukenhof

Should you decide to stay near Keukenhof, you can use the map bellow to search for accommodation close by the tulip gardens:

Final words

The Keukenhof Gardens are a true bucket list item if you are visiting the Netherlands. If you really want to visit Keukenhof, you should plan a trip between around the 20 March and mid May, as the tulip gardens are open only a limited time per year.

• The best time to travel to the Netherlands and see Keukenhof and the tulip fields is the end of April.
• Keukenhof is not in Amsterdam, but can be easily visited from the Dutch capital. I highly recommend taking a tour to optimize your time.
• You can combine a visit to Keukenhof with one of the other attractions in the Netherlands – Zaanse Schans, Kinderdijk or Madurodam.
• You will need anywhere between 2-5 hours to see the park, depending on whether you want to see every little corner of it and spend some time in the cafes