Keukenhof: A Deep Dive into the World's Most Visited Spring Garden
Keukenhof in Lisse, in the South Holland bulb fields, is the most-visited flower garden in the world. Founded in 1949 by the Dutch bulb industry as a showcase, the 32-hectare garden plants seven million bulbs each autumn that flower in succession from mid-March to mid-May, attracting around 1.5 million visitors in its eight-week season.
From kitchen garden to showcase
The name Keukenhof — kitchen garden — comes from the fifteenth-century role of the estate as kitchen herb garden of Teylingen Castle. It became a private estate in the seventeenth century, then a Dutch bulb industry showcase in 1949.
Annual replanting
Unlike most botanical gardens, Keukenhof is entirely replanted each year. The seven million bulbs are donated by 100 Dutch growers, with each grower choosing which cultivars to display. The bulbs are dug up and discarded (or sold) at the end of each season.
The bulb fields
Outside the formal garden, the surrounding 1,600 hectares of commercial bulb fields are an essential part of the visitor experience. The Dutch produce 90% of the world's commercial flower bulbs.
Themes and pavilions
Each year a theme connects the various displays — recent themes have included Van Gogh, the Romantic Era and Flower Power. The Oranje Nassau pavilion holds tulip-focused displays; Beatrix pavilion shows orchids; Willem-Alexander shows seasonal cut flowers.
Season management
Keukenhof's planting is engineered for a continuous display, with early daffodils and crocus from mid-March, peak tulip from mid-April to early May, and late tulips and alliums to mid-May. The 'best time' depends entirely on what you want to see.
Visiting
Open mid-March to mid-May only. Tickets must be booked online for a timed slot. Free shuttle bus from Schiphol Airport and Leiden Central Station; cycling from Haarlem is the most atmospheric arrival.
Explore on the map
All of the gardens mentioned in this article are pinned on the interactive map. Use it to plan a route, group nearby sites into a single trip, or compare gardens by style and season.