The Dutch countryside is world-famous for its breathtaking flowers — from endless tulip fields to vibrant summer blooms. Whether you’re visiting in spring or summer, there’s always something in bloom just outside Amsterdam.
Blooming in Spring & Summer
The flower season in Holland unfolds in two vibrant stages:
- Spring (March to May): This is the season of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils, celebrated during the annual Tulip Festival. It’s the best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens, see the iconic tulip fields, and experience traditional flower parades.
- Summer (August to October): After the tulips, Holland blooms again with dahlias, gladiolus, sunflowers, and more. Many farms reopen with colorful new displays, and the Dahlia Festival offers a second chance to enjoy the countryside in full bloom.
From March to October, flowers shape the Dutch landscape — each season with its own charm.
Where to Experience Flowers in Holland
Each season offers a different floral experience — and there are many ways to enjoy the beauty of blooming flowers across the Dutch countryside.
Below you’ll find five key highlights that bring the flower season to life. From world–famous gardens to local flower farms and colorful parades, these are the best places to see and experience flowers near Amsterdam.
Keukenhof Gardens – The World’s Most Beautiful Spring Garden
Located in Lisse, just 40 minutes from Amsterdam, Keukenhof Gardens is the ultimate spring destination. Open from March to May, this world-renowned park features over 7 million flower bulbs in bloom, with impressive floral displays, themed gardens and art installations.
Flower Farms – Authentic and Interactive Tulip Experiences
For a more personal and immersive experience, visit one of the flower farms near Amsterdam. These family-run farms offer insights into the tulip-growing process, as well as photo opportunities and interactive activities like bulb planting and picking.
Popular flower farms include:
| Flower farms near Amsterdam | Opening season |
|---|---|
| De Tulperij | Spring & Summer |
| Tulip Experience Amsterdam | Spring only |
| The Tulip Barn | Spring only |
These farms are typically open from late March through early May and are ideal for families, photographers, and flower lovers.
Tulip Fields – Holland’s Iconic Landscapes in Bloom
One of the most photographed sights in the Netherlands is the endless tulip fields stretching across the Bollenstreek (Flower Region). The best time to see them is from mid-April to early May. While the fields are private farmland, you can walk or cycle along special flower routes.
- 🚲 Explore the Tulip Fields near Keukenhof
- 📷 Tips: Always stay on the paths and respect the growers’ property.
Flower Parades – Celebrate Spring in Dutch Style
Spring in the Netherlands is not complete without a vibrant Flower Parade. The most famous is the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, a colorful procession of floats made entirely of flowers that winds its way from Noordwijk to Haarlem each April.
But flower parades don’t stop after spring.
In summer, several regions host spectacular parades celebrating dahlias and other summer blooms, including:
- Varend Corso Westland – a floating flower parade through canals and villages
- Bloemencorso Zundert – the world’s largest dahlia parade, with towering flower-covered structures
- Bloemencorso Rijnsburg (Flower Parade at Sea) – connecting the coastal towns Katwijk & Noordwijk with floral creativity
- Bloemencorso Lichtenvoorde – another impressive dahlia parade in the east of the country
- Bloemencorso Winkel – a charming local parade with unique floral floats
Each parade has its own style and charm, but all showcase the Dutch love for flowers and creativity on a grand scale.
Summer Flowers – A Colorful Bonus After Tulip Season
Even after the tulips are gone, the Dutch countryside continues to bloom. From August through October, the landscape is filled with vibrant dahlias, gladiolus, sunflowers, and zinnias.
Many flower farms reopen for summer visitors, and new events like the Dahlia Festival offer unique photo opportunities and floral displays. It’s the perfect second chance to experience Holland in full color — with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere.
The flower region is also perfectly located near the broad sandy beaches of the Dutch coast and the peaceful Amsterdam Lakes (Kagerplassen). This makes it easy to combine a visit to a flower farm or dahlia field with a relaxing day at the beach or a boat tour through the lakes and windmill landscapes.
Dutch Countryside map
Populair articles on Dutch Countryside
- See the windmills in Zaanse Schans
- Admire the tulips at Keukenhof Tulip Park
- Plan your visit with the Dutch Countryside map
- Travel inexpensively on public transport with the Dutch Countryside Card