Endless striped tulip fields, the world’s most beautiful flower garden, a 42-km flower parade and a self-guided audio cycling tour — welcome to the most colourful corner of the Netherlands.
Every spring, the Bollenstreek — the bulb-growing region between Leiden and Haarlem — transforms into one of the most spectacular natural displays in the world. Millions of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils bloom across the flat polder landscape in long, striped bands of colour that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The region is home to Keukenhof, the world’s largest spring flower garden, and the annual Bloemencorso — a 42-km flower parade made entirely from fresh spring flowers. But beyond the famous attractions, the Bollenstreek’s cycling routes through the fields themselves are what most visitors remember longest: the silence, the colour, the scent of hyacinths hanging in the cold spring air.
The season runs from 19 March to 10 May 2026. Book Keukenhof tickets well in advance — they sell out weeks before peak bloom.
| Bollenstreek – Flower Region Amsterdam |
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| 📍 Location: Between Leiden and Haarlem — 30–45 min from Amsterdam by shuttle or car |
| 🌷 Season: 19 March – 10 May 2026 (Keukenhof & Tulip Bike Tour) |
| 🚨 Flower Parade: Saturday 18 April 2026 — book grandstand seats now |
| 💶 Keukenhof: Book tickets online — sold out dates cannot be accessed at the gate |
| 🚲 Best way to see the fields: by bicycle — self-guided or guided tour |
| 📸 Peak bloom: mid-April (approx. 12–20 April) — best for photography |
Tulip fields & Keukenhof in Lisse
The Bollenstreek is best known for its magnificent tulip fields in the spring. From the end of March to mid-May, the region will be dominated by the Tulip Festival Amsterdam. Millions of colourful tulips bloom in the tulip fields and at Keukenhof flower park. The flower village Lisse is the centre of the Bollenstreek and has many nice restaurants and shops.
Our tips in Lisse:
- Tulip Park Keukenhof
- Flower Cycle Route
- Sightseeing Tours along the flowers
- Museum the Black Tulip
- Castle gardens of Keukenhof
Tulip Experience & Tulip Fields in Noordwijkerhout
Another beautiful flower village is Noordwijkerhout. The village has a small centre but many flower fields surround the village. There are also several small-scale tulip show gardens to visit and there is a beautiful Flower Route that allows you to enjoy the flowers in the spring and summer months while cycling.
Our tips in Noordwijkerhout:
FAQ Bollenstreek
Mid-April is typically peak bloom — usually around 12–30 April. The exact timing varies each year depending on temperature. Follow the free Flower Alert service from bollenstreek.nl or flowertour.nl for live bloom updates.
Cycling or walking past the fields is completely free. The fields are private farmland, so always stay on the paths and never walk between the flower rows. For a hands-on experience, visit a tulip farm like The Tulip Barn, Tulip Experience or Tulip Farm De Tulperij.
Keukenhof tickets are time-slotted and sell out for popular dates. Book online before you travel. Tickets cannot be purchased at the gate.
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