From tulip fields in spring to vibrant summer blooms – discover Holland’s floral highlights just outside the city. Explore flower fields, visit world-famous Keukenhof, walk through colourful flower farms, and don’t miss seasonal events like the spectacular Flower Parades.
The best place to see flowers near Amsterdam is the Bollenstreek, the famous bulb-growing region between Haarlem and Leiden, only 35 kilometres southwest of the city. The next flower season runs from 18 March to 9 May 2027 (the Keukenhof season), with peak tulip bloom usually around mid-April.
When can you see flowers near Amsterdam?
Flower season near Amsterdam starts in March and lasts well into summer. Each period has its own colours:
- Late March – early April: daffodils and fragrant hyacinths colour the fields yellow, pink and purple
- Early – late April: tulips reach full bloom – the most spectacular weeks of the year
- Early May: the last tulip fields are “topped” (the flowers are cut so the bulb gains strength)
- Summer: show gardens and cycling routes such as the Flower Route around Noordwijkerhout keep blooming into the summer months
Exact bloom timing shifts with the weather each year, so plan flexibly and check bloom updates shortly before you travel.
Tulip fields in the Bollenstreek flower region
Millions of tulips bloom in long striped bands across the flat polders of the Bollenstreek – Amsterdam Flower Region. The most colourful fields lie around the villages of Lisse, Hillegom, Voorhout and Noordwijkerhout. The fields are private farmland: admire and photograph them from the roadside, but never walk between the rows. Cycling is the classic way to experience them – read our complete tulip fields guide for routes, maps and tips.
Keukenhof – the world’s largest spring flower garden
Keukenhof in Lisse showcases more than 7 million flower bulbs in bloom and is open from 18 March to 9 May 2027. Tickets are time-slotted and sell out on popular dates, so book online in advance – tickets cannot be bought at the gate. During the season direct shuttle buses run to Keukenhof from Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam.
Visit a flower farm
Want to walk among the tulips instead of admiring them from a distance? Family-run farms such as Tulip Farm De Tulperij in Voorhout and The Tulip Barn in Hillegom open their show gardens to visitors in spring (entrance usually €5–€10), with photo spots, flower picking and cosy cafés. Please note: Tulip Experience Amsterdam in Noordwijkerhout is closed until spring 2027. See our flower farms overview for all options.
Flower Parade – Bloemencorso Bollenstreek 2027
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek is the largest flower parade in the Netherlands. On Saturday 17 April 2027 the 80th edition rides about 40 kilometres from Noordwijk to Haarlem: a procession of floats decorated with millions of fresh tulips, hyacinths and daffodils, passing the bulb fields and Keukenhof. The floats can usually be admired up close in the days around the parade. Read more on our Flower Parades page.
How to get to the flower fields from Amsterdam
The flower region is 30–45 minutes from Amsterdam. During tulip season direct Keukenhof shuttles leave from Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam. By train, travel to Leiden Centraal or Haarlem and continue by bus or rental bike – the first fields start a few kilometres from both stations. The hop on hop off Amsterdam Countryside bus connects Amsterdam with the highlights of the region. Travelling by car? Book Keukenhof parking online together with your entrance ticket.
FAQ – flowers near Amsterdam
Where can I see tulips near Amsterdam?
The closest large tulip fields lie in the Bollenstreek around Lisse, Hillegom, Voorhout and Noordwijkerhout, about 35 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam. With the seasonal shuttle, a tour or the train plus a rental bike you reach them in 30–45 minutes.
Is it free to see the tulip fields?
Yes – viewing and photographing the fields from the roadside is completely free. You only pay for attractions such as Keukenhof or a flower farm visit (farms typically charge €5–€10 entrance).
When is peak bloom in 2027?
Peak tulip bloom is expected around mid-April 2027, depending on the weather. The Keukenhof season runs from 18 March to 9 May 2027. Daffodils and hyacinths bloom earlier, from late March.
Can I see flowers near Amsterdam in summer?
Yes. The famous tulips finish in early May, but show gardens and cycling routes such as the Flower Route around Noordwijkerhout bloom into the summer months, and Keukenhof Castle gardens and the coastal dunes remain worth visiting all year.