Amsterdam’s tulip season 2027 is pretty short, so you’ll want to time your trip right if you don’t want to miss the blooms. In the Netherlands, tulips bloom for just a few weeks each year, generally from mid-March to mid-May, with April being the best time to visit. If you get the timing wrong, you could easily arrive after the fields have already been cut. And if you’re picturing tulip fields in Amsterdam itself, here’s a little reality check: they’re actually 30–40 minutes outside the city, near Lisse. I’ve done the trip myself, so I’ll show you when to go and how to get there.
I visited in the third week of April, and the timing turned out to be perfect. In fact, when I first planned my trip, I ended up postponing it until the following year. The reason was that King’s Day and Easter fell just a few days apart, right in the middle of the best tulip-viewing window (but more on that later). It was worth the wait, though, as the fields stretched out in endless stripes of colour all the way to the horizon – better than any photo I had seen.
Best time to visit Amsterdam for tulips
The tulip season in the Netherlands usually runs from mid-March to mid-May, but the best time to see the fields in full bloom is typically around mid-April. Keep in mind that the exact timing can change by a week or two each year depending on the weather. A mild winter can mean an earlier bloom, while a colder March or April can push everything back.
Your safest bet is to plan your trip for the week starting April 20. In a typical season, this is when the largest number of tulip fields are usually in bloom. Even if the flowering season starts a little earlier or later than expected, this period still gives you a great chance of seeing plenty of colourful fields. I visited during this week myself, and the timing was absolutely perfect.
💖 My favourite hotel in Amsterdam: Ambassade Hotel
Location: right on the Herengracht canal, walkable to everything
What I loved: quiet boutique rooms, great wine bar with canal views
Check details & availability: Booking.com | Expedia
There is one more thing to keep in mind, though. Before booking your flights, always check when Easter falls, as it often coincides with the tulip season. Not only do the crowds become much larger during this period, but hotel prices (which are already higher because of the tulip season) can almost double. The same goes for King’s Day (Koningsdag) on April 27. On this day, Amsterdam turns into one massive street party, and hotel prices usually go through the roof.
If you’ve already planned your vacation for late March or early April, before peak tulip bloom, it’s still worth the trip. In late March, you probably won’t see many tulips yet, but you can enjoy fields filled with crocuses and daffodils. By early April, hyacinths are usually in bloom as well. Keukenhof Gardens will also be open during this time, so you’ll still have plenty of beautiful flowers to enjoy.
Amsterdam Tulip Season 2027 Dates
| 1 – 14 April | Early tulips – fields opening, colours still patchy |
| 15 – 25 April | Peak bloom – fields at their best |
| 26 April – 5 May | Late tulips – blooms fading, fields being cut |
Note: These dates are only a rough guide based on previous years. Exact bloom timing shifts each year depending on the weather, so I’d recommend checking Keukenhof’s official flower report closer to your trip for the most current bloom status.
Amsterdam Tulip Festival 2027
The Amsterdam Tulip Festival takes place every year in April. In 2027, it will run from 1 April to 30 April. During this time, thousands of tulips appear in flower beds, gardens, and pots all around the city, including along the canals. The best thing is that you can enjoy the colourful displays while exploring the city’s top sights. You can find all tulip locations on the official Tulip Festival website.
I’ve come across so many photos on other travel blogs, showing huge tulip fields in front of the Rijksmuseum, the Royal Palace, or along the Damrak waterfront. There were so many of them that, coming from real travel bloggers, I never even questioned whether they were real.
But when I visited Amsterdam during the peak tulip season, I couldn’t find anything like that. At first, I thought I must have missed something or maybe the city just wasn’t as decorated that year. After a bit of digging, I discovered the truth – all of these photos were AI-generated.
So don’t make the same mistake I did. During the Amsterdam Tulip Festival, don’t expect to see tulip fields in the middle of the city. In reality, you’ll find beautiful flower displays, pots, and smaller tulip arrangements around Amsterdam, but not endless fields of tulips in front of famous landmarks.
That being said, the Tulip Festival is not a replacement for visiting the famous tulip fields in the countryside. If you want to see those endless rows of colourful tulips you often see in photos, you’ll need to head outside Amsterdam to areas like the Bollenstreek region.
Where to stay in Amsterdam (My top picks)
Most booked by our readers – NH Collection Flower Market
8.7 | 5,330+ reviews – right on the Canal Ring, within walking distance of the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum
Best mid-range stay – Hotel Estheréa
9.1 | 3,650+ reviews – boutique canal-view rooms in a 17th-century townhouse, just steps from Dam Square
Best luxury stay – Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
9.0 | 6,080+ reviews – grand 19th-century hotel right on Dam Square, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and rooms with canal views
Best budget-friendly stay – Boutique Hotel des Arts
8.6 | 1,940+ reviews – great-value canal-view rooms just steps from Kalverstraat, the city’s main shopping street
For more information, including where to stay during tulip season, check out my guide to the best hotels in Amsterdam.
Where to see tulip fields near Amsterdam
The first time I visited, I assumed the famous tulip fields were somewhere just outside Amsterdam. It wasn’t until I started planning that I realised they’re actually near Lisse.
The Bollenstreek, or Bulb Region, is the most famous place in the Netherlands to see endless tulip fields. Located between Amsterdam, Haarlem, and Leiden, this flower-growing region is home to millions of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths that bloom every spring. This is the place you’ve probably seen in all those dreamy photos of colourful flower fields stretching to the horizon. The Bollenstreek is also home to the world’s most famous tulip attraction, Keukenhof.
One very important thing to know: these tulip fields aren’t tourist attractions – they’re working farms and private property. You can’t simply walk into the fields to get that perfect photo. Instead, admire them from the roadside or from the designated paths. Walking among the flowers can damage the bulbs beneath the soil, which are the farmers’ actual crop. So make sure to stick to the dedicated paths and enjoy the incredible views while respecting the fields.
To get those perfect postcard photos standing among endless rows of tulips, you’ll need to visit a special tulip farm or photo garden. There are several places like this in the Bollenstreek, with the Tulip Experience Amsterdam and The Tulip Barn being two of the most popular.
The area’s most famous tulip attraction, Keukenhof, doesn’t actually have tulip fields inside the park, although it is surrounded by them. Instead, Keukenhof is a beautifully designed flower garden with incredible displays of tulips and other spring flowers (but more on that later).
Another region worth mentioning is Noordoostpolder in Flevoland. This is actually the largest tulip-growing area in the Netherlands. The fields are much bigger than those around Lisse, but attract fewer tourists. The main reason is the location.
Noordoostpolder is more than 2 hours from Amsterdam, compared to the Bollenstreek, which is only about 50 minutes away. You’ll also need a car to explore the area properly. Because of this, most first-time visitors to the Netherlands usually don’t make it here. But if you’re looking for huge tulip fields without the crowds, it’s definitely worth considering.
Best Amsterdam Tours & Experiences
Heineken Experience – explore the original Heineken brewery (+ 2 free beer tastings) and learn all about the brewing process
Saloon Boat Cruise with Cheese & Wine – canal cruise on a 19th-century saloon boat with a local skipper-guide and unlimited cheese and wine
Anne Frank Walking Tour – if you can’t get tickets to the Anne Frank House, this tour is a great alternative, bringing Anne’s story to life as you explore the Jewish Quarter
Best tulip gardens and farms near Amsterdam
Keukenhof
Located in Lisse, in the heart of the Bollenstreek tulip region, Keukenhof is the most famous flower garden in the Netherlands. It’s also one of the largest flower gardens in the world and a must-see if you’re visiting during tulip season!
The garden covers around 32 hectares and is planted with around 7 million flower bulbs every year, including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring flowers. Every season has a different design, as gardeners create new displays and themes each year.
Keukenhof has a long history too. The name means Kitchen Garden in Dutch and comes from the original estate that belonged to Teylingen Castle. In the 15th century, herbs and vegetables were grown here for the castle’s kitchen. The modern flower park opened in 1950 when a group of Dutch flower growers wanted to create a showcase for their spring bulbs.
Today, Keukenhof is only open for eight weeks each spring, from late March to mid-May. In 2027, the park will be open from March 18 to May 9. If you’re visiting for the first time, I recommend setting aside at least 3–4 hours to explore. The garden is much larger than it looks, with plenty to see beyond the flower fields, including pavilions with flower exhibitions and themed gardens. I spent more than three hours there and still didn’t manage to see everything.
🎟️ Book in advance: timed-entry tickets often sell out, so secure yours now
Best combi ticket: Keukenhof, windmill cruise and tulip farm visit (free cancellation)
Standard entry ticket: Keukenhof + shuttle (official website – non-refundable tickets)
For the ultimate tulip experience, I’d go for the Keukenhof, windmill cruise, and tulip farm combo ticket by This is Holland. The biggest advantage is that it lets you combine two must-do experiences in one day. Visiting both Keukenhof and a tulip farm on your own in one day is challenging without a rental car. So you’ll end up spending two days on what could easily be done in one organised trip.
Of course, if you only want to visit Keukenhof, I recommend buying your entry tickets directly from the official website for the lowest price. However, keep in mind that these tickets are non-refundable and usually need to be booked weeks in advance. So if the weather turns bad, you’ll be stuck with your original date. There is an option to reschedule, but this is subject to availability (something that is almost impossible to find during peak season). Imagine exploring the tulip fields in pouring rain!
Another thing to consider is the transport. The official Keukenhof buses are regular public transport buses, so seating is limited, and they can get extremely crowded. If having a guaranteed seat is important to you, I’d recommend booking with This is Holland instead, as they use coach buses with comfortable seating.
Another advantage is the departure point. This is Holland buses leave from directly across Amsterdam Centraal train station, while the official Keukenhof buses depart from Amsterdam RAI, which requires a few stops by metro from the city centre.
Some of the highlights for me were the beautiful orchid exhibition and the historic windmill, dating back to 1892. You can even climb up the mill for a beautiful view over the surrounding flower fields. My best tip is to head straight there after entering the park, as the line gets longer and longer throughout the day. I arrived just before 8:30 AM, and there was already a queue to go inside the mill.
Another tip: avoid weekends at all costs if you can. The crowds can be overwhelming, making it difficult to walk around and truly enjoy the park. Try to visit on a weekday and arrive right after opening. I went at this time, and there were already plenty of people, with tourist buses arriving one after another. By around 10 AM, just two hours after opening, the park was completely packed.
Keukenhof is surrounded by tulip fields, but you can’t simply walk from the gardens to the fields. Don’t be fooled by Google Maps, showing that they are only a 15-minute walk away. I made the same mistake, thinking I could easily reach one for a photo. In reality, there are no walking paths or designated routes that take you directly to the fields.
The only way to explore the surrounding tulip fields is by renting a bike from Keukenhof itself. I highly recommend booking one as soon as you get your tickets, as the bike rentals can sell out weeks in advance. If there are no spots available online, don’t worry – they keep some bikes for same-day rentals. However, make sure to arrive early to get one. You’ll also receive a map with the suggested cycling routes, so you can easily explore the fields.
How to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam
During tulip season, there is a special Keukenhof shuttle bus (the 852 line) that runs directly to the gardens. It departs from several places, including Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, and Hoofddorp.
In Amsterdam, the departure point is RAI Europaplein, a large convention and exhibition centre just outside the city centre. It’s easy to reach by Metro 52, only a few stops from central Amsterdam. The bus takes you directly to Keukenhof’s entrance.
When booking your ticket on the official Keukenhof website, simply choose the option that includes the shuttle bus. Bus 852 runs very frequently during the season, with up to 12 departures per hour, and the journey takes around 40–50 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Tulip Experience Amsterdam
Tulip Experience Amsterdam is one of the most popular tulip farms where you can actually walk among the tulips and see the fields up close. Despite its name, it’s not in Amsterdam – it’s located near Hillegom, just a short drive from Keukenhof. The farm is run by a real tulip-growing family with more than 70 years of experience.
The experience starts with a small tulip museum. Here, you’ll discover how tulips travelled from Central Asia to become one of the Netherlands’ most famous symbols. You’ll also learn how tulip bulbs are grown, harvested, and prepared for the next season.
The highlight is the tulip garden, where you can walk among millions of tulips in hundreds of different varieties. There are plenty of photo spots too, including a windmill, tractor, cargo bike, and colourful frames. To finish your visit, you can pick your own tulip bouquet in the indoor picking area and take it home as a souvenir (included with the ticket)!
Tickets are timed, so I highly recommend booking your Tulip Experience in advance.
How to get to Tulip Experience Amsterdam
The easiest way to get to the tulip farm is by car. If you’re coming from Amsterdam by public transport, you’ll need to take a train and change once before reaching Hillegom train station. From there, take bus 22 to the Ruigenhoek stop.
If you’re visiting after Keukenhof, I’d recommend renting bikes (make sure to book them in advance) and cycling there. You can pick them up at Keukenhof, enjoy the ride through the tulip fields, and return them once you’re back.
I wouldn’t rely on Uber or taxis in this area. I’ve read many comments from visitors who had to wait almost an hour or had their rides cancelled at the last minute. Still, if you’d rather take a taxi, it’s best to book one in advance with a local company like Taxi Brouwer, Taxi de Bob, Taxi de Tulp, or Taxi Bollenstreek.
The Tulip Barn
Another popular tulip farm where you can actually walk among the flowers is The Tulip Barn. This family-run farm is located in Hillegom, just a short distance from Keukenhof. You’ll find millions of tulips, photo spots with swings and bicycles, and wide paths where you can stroll around and take beautiful photos.
Entry is by timed slots, so it’s best to reserve your Tulip Barn tickets in advance.
The Tulip Barn is perfect if you’re looking for those classic tulip field photos. But for a more complete experience, including the story behind Dutch tulips, I’d choose Tulip Experience Amsterdam.
How to get to The Tulip Barn
Again, I’d recommend coming by car. Getting here is almost as tricky as reaching Tulip Experience Amsterdam. The only difference is that after arriving at Hillegom train station, you can walk to the tulip farm in about 25 minutes, so there’s no need to take a bus.
If you’re coming from Keukenhof, renting bikes is still the easiest option.
What to do in Amsterdam during tulip season
Tulip Boat Canal Tour
If you’re looking for beautiful tulip photos without leaving Amsterdam, this Tulip Boat Canal Tour is a fantastic choice. The entire boat is decorated with colourful tulips, creating the perfect Amsterdam postcard photo. During the cruise, you’ll pass the Amstel River, the elegant Golden Bend, and even the Anne Frank House. It’s especially popular with photographers and couples, so it’s worth booking in advance.
You can find more cruise options in my guide to the best canal tours in Amsterdam.
Flower Parade in the Netherlands
If you’re visiting in mid-April, make sure to check out Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, the Netherlands’ famous Flower Parade. Every year, dozens of enormous floats covered with thousands of flowers travel 42 kilometres (26 miles) from Noordwijk to Haarlem. The route passes straight through the heart of the tulip-growing region, Bollenstreek.
Surprisingly, tulips aren’t actually the main flowers used on the floats. Most of them are decorated with hyacinths because they are stronger and easier to use for the detailed designs. Tulips and daffodils are added too, but it’s the hyacinths that give the parade its amazing scent.
In 2027, the parade will take place on Saturday, 17th April. You can watch it for free from the roadside, but grandstand seats sell out quickly. If you miss the parade, the floats will be on display in Haarlem the following Sunday.
| Amsterdam Tulip Season | Mid-April 2027 for peak tulip blooms |
| Amsterdam Tulip Festival | April 2027 – tulip displays across the city |
| Best tulip fields | Bollenstreek region (Lisse, Hillegom, Noordwijk) |
| Best tulip garden | Keukenhof Gardens |
| Flower parade | 17 April 2027 |
FAQs about Amsterdam tulip season
The best time to see tulips near Amsterdam is usually the second half of April. Keep in mind that tulip season depends on the weather, so the exact timing can change slightly every year.
No, tulip season is already over by June. The fields usually bloom from late March to mid-May, with April being the best time to see them.
No, by May, most tulip fields have finished blooming and the season is over. You may still spot tulips in gardens, flower shops, or city displays, but you won’t see the famous colourful fields from April.
The most famous tulip fields are in the Bollenstreek region, between Leiden and Haarlem. The best-known areas are around Lisse, Hillegom, Noordwijkerhout, and Voorhout, where you’ll find the colourful rows of tulips the Netherlands is famous for.
Not really. You’ll find some tulip displays in the city, but the famous tulip fields are outside Amsterdam, in the countryside around Bollenstreek and Lisse.
The best place to see tulip fields near Amsterdam is the Bollenstreek region, especially around Lisse, Hillegom, and Noordwijk. For the famous flower fields, head to the countryside around Keukenhof.
The festival takes place every April. In 2027, it will run from 1st to 30th April, with tulip displays across the city.
The festival takes place all around the city. You’ll find tulip displays set up in parks, streets, squares, and around popular attractions like the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, and the Canal Belt.
Yes, but the rules depend on where you’re travelling. Within the EU, you can usually bring tulip bulbs home without problems. If you’re flying outside the EU, make sure they have the required paperwork and are approved for import.
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