Tulip fields in full bloom

Springtime in the Netherlands means fields of blooming flowers like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Rows and rows of lots of different colours. You can take a guided bike- or walking tour to see them. These are the best locations to see the flowering tulips.

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Dutch farmers grow their tulips in long fields in open air. They use large, open fields next to each other. One field mostly has one species of tulip, in one colour. This means you can find fields of different colours next to each other, but also just in yellow or red. Those are the most common colour of tulips in Holland.

There are many ways to visit them. I prefer to walk or ride my bicycle past the fields. It’s great to go and find them on your own accord, on foot or by bike. You can easily make a stop on the fields for photos.

But be aware, don't go into the fields. The delicate flowers are easily tread on, which means they can not be sold anymore. The tulip farmer will obviously not be happy. 

This area in the north-western part has the largest continuous flower bulb field in the world. If you cycle or walk between Petten, Den Helder, Nieuwe Niedorp and Wieringerwerf, you will see endless tulip fields. The fields are strategically located between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer.

Not many people know that most tulip farms are in the Noordoostpolder, in the province of Flevoland. East of Lelystad you can find large, colourful tulip fields.

There is a Flevoland Tulip Route. You can choose a route for walking, cycling or a route for the car along the tulip fields.

More information: Tulpenroute

More well known are the tulip farms along the coast near The Hague and Leiden, up towards Alkmaar.  Good places to visit there are Lisse, Noordwijk, Sassenheim and Limmen. You can visit  the local tourist office to ask for the best routes and locations.

The Keukenhof tulip park is world famous. From mid-March to the end of May, the tulips transform large parts of the Netherlands into a colourful patchwork quilt. The best time is April, when the fields are at their most colourful. It can get very busy so try to avoid the weekends.

The annual Bloemencorso of the Bollenstreek (Flower Parade) is famous and very rewarding. It is also the largest flower event in the Bollenstreek. Dozens of floats full of flowers drive from Noordwijk to Haarlem. You can stand along the route and see all the cars pass by. Most of the cars have a theme from current events or from the region. You can also see the wagons after the parade on the Grote Markt in Haarlem.

More information: Flower Parade

The Tulip Experience Amsterdam opened in March 2021. It is both a museum about the tulips and a massively colourful flower garden. Where you can see over 500 different types of tulpen in a variety of colours. Ideal for photos, videos, and selfies. But mostly to learn about the story of the tulp, the history, and more.

More information:  Tulip Experience Amsterdam  

At various places in the Netherlands you can take a helicopter into the air to see the tulips in bloom. The trips usually only last a few minutes, although you can also book longer helicopter flights. The pilots have permission from the local farmers to fly very low over the fields. So that you get a special look at the colours.

More information: Tulips Helicopter Tour

On several locations you can take a balloon flight above the tulip fields. Which is a new way to experience them. You can now book various balloon rides, where you float over the fields. I think this is the best way to experience this natural spectacle. And I would love to do it one day.

More information: Tulip Ballooning

From mid-March to late May large parts of the Netherlands are transformed into colourful patchwork quilts. The best time to see them is April, when the fields are in full bloom and brightest. The beginning of May is also perfect for a visit.