Keukenhof

The annual Keukenhof Tulip Festival takes place in Lisse, which is just outside of Amsterdam. Keukenhof Gardens span over 79 acres on the Keukenhof Castle Estate and is home to the largest annual tulip festival in the world which attracts over a million people each spring during its short opening period, from March to May.

The Keukenhof gardeners plant more than 7 million bulbs each year for the famous spring park, which includes over 800 varieties of tulips. They are planted to create a vibrant and colourful display. Keukenhof's meticulously landscaped gardens, picturesque lakes, and artistic floral displays make it a paradise for flower enthusiasts and photographers. The famous garden proudly displays the deep horticultural heritage of The Netherlands and stands as a live shopfront for local and international flower growers to advertise their products in a 'living catalogue' of colour. A great day out for all ages.

‍

Useful Information About Keukenhof

• Keukenhof 2026 Opening Date: Thursday 19 March 2026
• Keukenhof 2026 Closing Date: Sunday 10 May 2026 (open on that day)
• Keukenhof Opening Times: Daily from 08:00 - 19:30, including weekends and holidays during the period.
• Cashless: Keukenhof is cashless, so please remember to bring a payment card if you would like to purchase a souvenir or other items such as snacks or drinks.
• DOGS: Dogs are allowed but they must be kept on leash at all times.

‍

‍

What is the best time to visit Keukenhof?

• This is a question we get asked a lot! If you would prefer to visit when its slightly quieter, first thing in the morning when it opens, or later in the afternoon 16:00 and on, can be slightly quieter, but please remember, given more than 1m people visit Keukenhof each year, its unlikely you will ever have the place to yourself!

Does Keukenhof have a car park?

• Keukenhof does have an onsite car park, yes. We offer car park access during our ticket booking process. Car park costs €10.00 for the day.

How far is Keukenhof from Amsterdam?

• Not far! Lisse, the village where Keukenhof is located is around 30-35 minutes from Amsterdam.

Keukenhof Helicopter Ride

• Did you know you can enjoy a helicopter ride over the Lisse flower fields around the Keukenhof area! Click HERE for details.

Keukenhof Fun Facts

• There are more than 15km of paths to walk around at Keukenhof, so you won't be short of places to explore and see more flowers!
• Keukenhof's first show took place in 1950!
• The incredible windmill at Keukenhof was a gift to the park!
• They plant more than 7 million bulbs each year to create the incredible displays.
• The Keukenhof gardeners start planting the first flower bulbs in October of the year before. This is done to try and ensure there is a constant bloom of flowers and colour during the whole Keukenhof opening period, so the bulbs are planted at staggered times!

Keukenhof Manicured Gardens

• The Keukenhof gardeners don't just plant bulbs according to colour but also size to ensure it gives the public the best possible viewing experience!

‍

‍

Keukenhof's History

Keukenhof dates back as far as the 15th century when Countess Jacqueline van Beieren (known as Jacqueline of Bavaria) used to grow food on the land for Teylingen Castle, so the land was called the 'Keukenduin' which translates to 'Kitchen Garden' and that is where the name 'Keukenhof' comes from!

During the 1630's, the estate was purchased by one of the governors of the East India Company. He expanded the estate over time and ended up with around 500 acres. In 1641 he built Keukenhof Castle (Kasteel Keukenhof).

Later, in the 1800's and under new ownership, father and son team, Jan David Zocher & Louis Paul Zocher, who were landscape architects, were commissioned to redesign the castle grounds. Their design, which was an English landscape style, is still the basis of Keukenhof to this day.

Later, in 1949, a group of the areas flower growers who knew the Keukenhof estate, thought it was the perfect place to display their flower bulbs in a 'Living Catalogue' in order that flower buyers could see the products before they purchased them and this is how Keukenhof Flower Festival started, as a spring garden! The businessmen decided to open it to the public as well as they knew they would enjoy it. The first show was held in 1950 and more than 200,000 people visited that first year! It was a resounding success!

Keukenhof has continued to grow over the years and is now one of the biggest and most popular flower shows in the world, welcoming more than 1 million visitors from all over the world each year.

Keukenhof is managed by the Graaf Carel van Lynden Foundation.

‍

‍

Keukenhof Pavilions

Although tulips are one of the main attractions at Keukenhof, they do still show many other flower and plant varieties around the estate. The Keukenhof Pavilions, which include the 'Oranje Nassau Pavilion', the 'Willem-Alexander Pavilion' and the 'Beatrix Pavilion' all showcase other plants and flowers, such as:

• Hyacinths and tulip show
• Freesia and chrysanthemum show
• ‍Rose Show
• Daffodils and special bulb show
• ‍Alstroemeria and Callashow
• ‍Gerbera, Lisianthus and Callashow
• Carnation and Summer flowers Show

The Famous Keukenhof Windmill

In 1975 Keukenhof was gifted the amazing windmill that still to this day stands proudly in the grounds. The Tower Mill or Keukenhof Windmill is an authentic windmill that was built in 1892, so is over 130 years old. Its balcony is accessible via stairs and offers a wonderful view of the flowers below. Unfortunately the windmill isn't accessible for wheelchairs or visitors with with walking difficulties as there isn't an elevator available.

The Lily Pad Pond

• You can hop, skip and jump across the pond! If you look closely, placed across the pond you will see circles. They are are wooden lily pad stepping stones! You are allowed to walk across them! Have fun (just don't fall in!). They are just on the water level, so anyone looking for the path at the side, it simply looks like you are walking over the water!

The Keukenhof Maze

• Keukenhof has grown a maze which is a great place to have some fun with the kids! If you make it to the centre, there is a platform that offers great views.

Keukenhof Animal Meadow

• If you are an animal lover, find your way to Keukenhof Animal Meadow where you can find some fun farmyard animals to watch and even pet! The animal corner is home to cheeky goats, pigs, peacocks and rabbits. Its only a small section but definitely worth visiting, especially if you are with kids!

Keukenhof Kids Playground

• Keukenhof offers two small playgrounds for children. Miffy is one for the younger kids and another for the slightly older kids with a fun climbing net and other things to do.

Keukenhof Scavenger Hunt

• Don't forget to pick up a fun (free) scavenger hunt if you are visiting Keukenhof with kids! Get them at the main entrance and it will help to keep the kids entertained as you walk around!

Keukenhof Whisper Boat Trip

• Keukenhof offers a relaxing boat trip along the river on the Keukenhof estate. You can sit back and relax on a quiet battery powered boat as you float past some of the flower displays and enjoy them from the water. The trip takes around 45-minutes and tickets can be purchased at entry.