Keukenhof, the most beautiful spring garden in the world
From mid-March to mid-May, Keukenhof turns into a sea of colour and draws well over a million visitors from all over the world.
- Millions of flowers: every autumn some seven million bulbs of more than 1,600 varieties are planted, including over 800 kinds of tulip.
- Walking: the park covers 32 hectares and has about 15 kilometres of footpaths past ponds, sculptures and themed gardens.
- Since 1950: bulb growers and exporters founded the park as a showcase for their flowers, and the gates first opened to the public in 1950.
- The windmill: the park is home to a Groningen polder mill from 1892, with a lovely view over the bulb fields.
- Whisper boat: from the windmill, a whisper boat takes you past the bulb fields in about 45 minutes, but do book this trip in advance.
- Beat the crowds: buy your tickets online and arrive at opening time or late in the afternoon, weekdays are quieter than weekends.
Keukenhof Castle and estate
Next to the flower exhibition lies the historic estate of Keukenhof Castle, which you can visit all year round.
- A centuries-old country house: Adriaen Maertensz. Block started building his country house in 1641 on the spot where the kitchen garden, the keukenduin, of Teylingen Castle once lay, hence the name Keukenhof.
- Fairytale castle: between 1861 and 1863 the house was given its present neo-Gothic look with round corner towers.
- Free to roam: the landscaped park with woods, ponds and avenues is freely accessible and perfect for a walk or bike ride, even outside tulip season.
- Art about food: the estate is home to the LAM Museum, with contemporary art on the theme of food.
- Castlefest: every August the estate turns into a medieval world full of music and costumed visitors during the fantasy festival Castlefest.
Bulb fields and Flower Parade
Lisse lies in the middle of the Bulb Region, where in spring the flowering fields paint the landscape in stripes of red, yellow, pink and purple.
- Flowering calendar: crocuses bloom first, followed by daffodils and hyacinths, and in April the tulips are at their best.
- By bike: the best way to see the fields is by bike, on quiet lanes right through the bulb fields.
- Look, don't pick: don't walk into the fields, the bulbs are the growers' livelihood and are easily damaged.
- More events: check the events calendar for what's on.
The village of Lisse
Lisse was first mentioned in 1198 and grew from a farming and peat village into one of the most important bulb villages in the world.
- Cosy centre: in the village centre around the square 't Vierkant you will find shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Museum De Zwarte Tulp: in a former bulb shed on the Heereweg, the Black Tulip Museum tells the story of bulb growing, with a museum garden where bulbs flower in season.
- Medieval tower house: Huys Dever is a tower house from the late 14th century with a small archaeological museum full of finds from the old moat.
- Sint-Agathakerk: the church in the centre is one of the village's landmarks.
