Keukenhof

Situated in Amsterdam, the Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the entire world that showcases the blooming of over 7 million flowers every year during the spring season in the Tulip Festival. Also known as the Garden of Europe, it is the leading exporter of flowers in the world. People are drawn to this attraction to witness the blooming of 800 tulip flowers in the spring season. Besides tulips, you can also find carnations, daffodils, hyacinths, irises, lilies, and roses here. Keukenhof even hosts different kinds of flower shows, parades, musical events, and much more. With the Best Europe Packages, the landscaped flower beds, sculptures, exhibitions, and installations are also worth witnessing on your trip to Keukenhof.

After witnessing the different blossoming flowers, visitors can step into the indoor pavilions to see more than 500 growers presenting their prize blooms for the best flower arrangers to be used in their unique Indoor Flower Shows. The Keukenhof Castle is another highlight of the Keukenhof that narrates historic stories of the interesting rooms of the castle. You will be astonished to know about the other gardens in the Keukenhof, such as Reconnection Garden, Green Tea Garden, Tropical Beach Garden, Red Romance Garden, Cottage Garden, and Delft Blue Garden.

• Witness the blooming of over 7 million species of flowers, including 800 tulip flowers in the Keukenhof Gardens.
• Take a stroll along the Tulips Garden during the spring season when all the flowers are blooming and spreading their colors.
• See the exhibitions, installations, sculptures, and landscaped flower beds around the Keukenhof Garden.
• Watch the colors and the contrasts of the special designs created by the designers of the garden.
• Get into the indoor pavilions that are brimming with cut flowers, flowering bulbs, and pot plants presented by more than 500 growers.
• Spot some other flowers, like carnations, daffodils, hyacinths, irises, lilies, and roses in the Keukenhof Gardens.
• Explore the Keukenhof Castle and learn about the fascinating tales about the different rooms in the castle.
• Indulge in the Whisper boat ride through the canals to adore the spectacular beauty of the gardens, or rent a bike to explore the surroundings of Keukenhof.

Keukenhof garden is open to the public only during the spring or tulip season in Amsterdam. The garden caters to the delight of the viewers over a limited period of eight weeks from mid-March to mid-May. Viewing season comprises two halves - early springtime and a peak springtime.

Mid-April to Mid-May: This is the peak time of the season and the prime time to visit the Keukenhof garden. The bright sunny days are perfect for blooming the subsequent layers of the bulb. These days are also perfect for capturing fantastic photographs. However, it is the most crowded time as international tourists visit the garden during this time.

Mid-March to Early April: The early season visit will spare you from the huge influx of tourists which means better memories to carry home. However the showstopper of the park, the tulips would only have started to bloom. Viewers can enjoy the kaleidoscopic beauty of daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths in early spring.

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History of Keukenhof

Keukenhof park was the kitchen garden of the 13th century-built Slot Teylingen, the Dutch castle. The garden was used to serve as a place for playing games and growing fruits and vegetables for the inhabitants of the castle. In 1857, the park and the area around the castle were restructured by the famous landscape architect Jan David Zocher along with his son Louis Paul Zocher.

It was done under the command of Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt, who were the owners at that time. The park was redesigned in the English style and still serves as the foundation for the garden. Keukenhof garden, which is known today as the world’s largest garden was established by a group of flower exporters and bulb growers in the year 1949 and it first opened to the public in 1950.

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Places to Visit near Keukenhof

1. LAM Museum

This place is recommended to experience paintings, photos, videos and digital art for visitors of all age groups. Tourist will receive a personal tour on the smartphone or tablet over the Wi-Fi upon arrival to this place

2. Castle Keukenhof

Keukenhof garden is a part of Castle Keukenhof, which remains open throughout the year. The castle opens daily from 9 AM and tourists can take guided tours to explore the place till 5 PM.

3. The Black Tulip Museum

Located a short distance from the Keukenhof garden, this museum remains open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The place offers a vivid story on flower bulb culture over the five centuries, various art objects related to bulb growing, collection of over 400 flower glasses and many more.

4. Huys Dever

A small castle built around 1375 by Reinier Dever, Huys Dever now houses an archaeological museum. It is open for exploring from Wednesday to Sunday from 2 PM to 5 PM.

Types of Flowers & Landscapes in Keukenhof

Tulips are the main attraction of the garden. There are 800 different breeds of Dutch tulips and some of them are - Couleren, Rosen, Violetten and more. Apart from the tulips, visitors can also find flowers like hyacinths, azaleas, daffodils, rhododendrons, carnations, lilies, roses, orchids, irises.

1. Hedge Maze:

Surrounded by thick bushes and sculptures, it offers a zoo with cows and horses. Hedge Maze is highly recommended for kids.

2. The Windmill:

The old windmill of the garden offers a panoramic view of the garden if you climb up there. You can also take a look at the nursery where the tulips were planted before they were moved to the gardens.

3. Japanese Garden:

Apart from the tulip gardens, there is a Japanese garden, where you can walk on the fake lily pads under the water. This is an artists paradise where scene and landscape would make you pick up a canvas.

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Places to Dine in Keukenhof

1. Restaurant Keukenhof

Located at a distance of 300 metres from the Keukenhof park, this restaurant is a nice place to eat delicious Dutch, European and international foods after a long tiring day in outdoor seating

2. Het Oude Dykhuys

This restaurant can be reached in just eight minutes by a car from the Keukenhof park. Elegant backdrop, contemporary food and quality wine would greet you in this place.

3. Tante Kee

Surrounded by water, Tante Kee can be reached via ferry, which is available for 24/7. Tourists can taste authentic French cuisine served with local organic products.

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Places to Shop in Keukenhof

1. Maandagmarkt:

The Maandagmarkt is the nearest place to fill your bags with the authentic cheese of Holland. This place is a conglomeration of individual shops located just a mile away from the Keukenhof garden.

2. Free Tulip Flower Market:

This place is as astounding as Keukenhof itself. It’s sprawling tulip fields along the province of Flevoland would let you purchase huge varieties of bulbs that can be exotic, to say the least.

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Tips for Visiting Keukenhof

For the tourists, who are planning to visit the Keukenhof garden for the first time, the following tips will be helpful.

1. Stack your luggage at lockers either at the Schiphol Airport Railway Station or use the lockers of Keukenhof Tulip Gardens.

2. Do not schedule your flights on the day of Amsterdam Flower Parade, as the roads are overcrowded.

3. Try to visit the garden before 10.30 AM in the morning on weekdays like Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

4. Visitors can bring their food to the park as it has an arrangement for picnics.

5. Visitors can buy souvenirs from the farmers in the tulip bulb stalls that carry a quarantine certificate, mandatory for shipments to the USA, Australia and Canada.

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By Bus:

At the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, you can find the Bus No. 858 or Keukenhof Express, which will take you to the Keukenhof. The ticket costs €10 for a round trip. However, in the tulip season, the queue is found very long.

By Train:

Unfortunately, there is no railway station at Keukenhof. However, you can take a train to reach Schiphol Railway Station and then take the bus from there.

By Road:

You can reach Keukenhof via road in about 35 mins from Amsterdam Airport or from Central Amsterdam. A44 (exit 3 Lisse) and A4 (exit Nieuw - Vennep) are the two widely used motorways that pass through Lisse. You can easily reach the destination using the navigation for the address: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse and avail the parking facility at the park that costs €6 for a day.

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