21 de February de 2024

5 places where you can see tulip fields in the Netherlands

The Netherlands , known for its windmills, charming canals and delicious cheeses, is also home to one of the most impressive and picturesque natural spectacles: the tulip fields in spring .

These vibrant and colorful flowers have transformed what was once called Holland into an iconic destination, and for lovers of photography and romantic travel , exploring these fields is an unmissable experience.

When to go? While it depends on weather conditions from year to year, tulips typically bloom from the last week of March to the first week of May. If you want to be sure you'll witness this work of nature, the best time is mid-April .

Amsterdam is a sure bet for seeing tulips. The capital of the Netherlands receives the most tourists and transforms into a floral paradise every spring, with streets and green spaces adorned with tulips in full bloom. Some of the most outstanding places with tulip fields are Vondelpark , the Dutch Central Park, and the Bloemenmarkt flower market.

However, besides what many consider the best city in the world, there are five other places where you can see tulip fields in the Netherlands .

Bollenstreek, the home of Keukenhof

Duin en Bollenstreek , also known as the bulb region, is home to the famous Keukenhof Garden with 7 million tulips , but the experience is not limited to this single place.

Towns like Sassenheim, Hillegom, Noordwijkerhout, and Lisse are dedicated to bulb cultivation, creating a carpet of flowers that stretches along the roads. In Lisse, you can also immerse yourself in floral culture at the Zwarte Tulp Museum . In Rijnsburg , a flower parade in August fills the streets with scents and colors, following the coast northward.

Leiden, more than the tulip fields of Bollenstreek

Leiden , in the Bollenstreek region, is home to a unique treasure: its Hortus Botanicus Botanical Garden . Located at Leiden University , this garden planted the first tulip seed in 1594, marking a milestone in the floral history of the Netherlands.

Another attraction is the Thisianna Library, the oldest in the entire country, which houses handmade color lithographs of rare tulips throughout the ages.

Kop van Noord-Holland, the infinite field

The rural region of Kop van Noord-Holland represents the most iconic landscape of the Netherlands, with its fields of flowers and windmills. It is the largest continuous area of flower bulb cultivation in the world, stretching between the North Sea and the IJssel River.

The Flowering Zijpe Foundation organizes activities in the fields during April, from photography workshops to walking or cycling routes , offering an unforgettable experience.

Tulpenroute, the famous route through tulip fields

The province of Flevoland is home to the immense Noordoostpolder , a marshy area where tulips are grown and is recognized as the most visited place to enjoy these fields in the Netherlands.

This area is home to the Tulpenroute, or Tulip Route , stretching over 100 km and encompassing 1,000 hectares of fields—a must-see itinerary. Visitors can enjoy the fields of blooming tulips by car or bicycle, or immerse themselves in springtime farming activities.

Aerial view of fields in Noordoostpolder.

Bloemencorso, the festival that goes from Noordwijk to Haarlem

Bloemencorso is one of the most important flower festivals in the Netherlands. It features parades with incredible figures made from tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils .

The 42-kilometer route crosses the aforementioned Bollenstreek region, from Noordwijk to Haarlem , a city that was a prominent center of the flower trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, currently attracting tens of thousands of people along the route.