As many of you know, here at Team Veganosaurus, a dinosaur who travels with a human, we have a great love for flowers. Whenever there’s an opportunity to immerse ourselves in a floral experience, there’s a high chance we will be there to enjoy the beauty of the flowers (and maybe eat some too). During my recent visit to Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands, I surprisingly didn’t eat a single flower—I think I’ve turned over a new leaf!
Keukenhof Gardens is an incredible destination located just an hour outside of Amsterdam. However, it’s important to note that the gardens are only open for a few short weeks each spring. Spring is my favourite season, and Keukenhof celebrates the revival of spring flowers, such as daffodils, tulips and blossoms, showcasing them in stunning displays throughout the park.
I recently became an affiliate partner with GetYourGuide, a company I have loved and used multiple times during my travels. With my affiliate code, I earn a small commission if you book through one of the links on my page. However, I have decided to try out the tours before I begin recommending them on my blog. My travel style is usually to explore new places at my own pace. I opted for a GetYourGuide trip this time because of the convenience of organised transport, which allowed me to explore Keukenhof at my own pace without being tied to a specific return time for the bus. I am reviewing the tour linked below because it catered to my needs perfectly.
How to get there
All buses to Keukenhof Gardens depart from the This Is Holland building located in Amsterdam-Noord. Getting to the starting point was straightforward; I walked there, but you could also take a taxi or public transport, depending on where you are staying in the city. My hotel was near Centraal Station, and I found my way by walking along the side of a canal. Once I reached the station, I took an underpass to the area behind it, where I boarded a foot ferry. The ferry ride to Amsterdam-Noord was free and smooth, taking only five minutes while providing fantastic views of Amsterdam, even though it was chilly.
My walking route was easier than expected, and I arrived at the This Is Holland building much earlier than planned. Fortunately, the staff allowed me to collect my ticket early and board an earlier bus. The bus was full, but I was lucky to head to my destination 45 minutes ahead of schedule.
The scenery in the Netherlands during spring is stunning. The flat green fields are separated by canals, reflecting the blue sky perfectly. At one point, I could see the airport from the road and felt like we were racing airplanes along the runway. As the bus approached Lisse and Keukenhof Gardens, the fields transformed from green to vibrant stripes of colour, creating a breathtaking view of tulip fields stretching as far as the eye could see, surrounding me with the beauty of the Dutch landscape.
History
Keukenhof Gardens are located within the grounds of Keukenhof Castle, which was built in 1641. However, the history of this area dates back to the 15th century when Keukenduyn (Kitchen Dunes) served as a hunting ground to supply food for Teylingen Castle. The estate grew and changed over the years. The gardens were redesigned in 1857 in an English style, a design that is still evident today.
The park first opened in 1950 to showcase spring-flowering bulbs. It was so successful that it has continued for over 75 years. The park is only open from mid-March to mid-May each year, making it essential to plan your visit to fully enjoy the beautiful flowers.
Exploring Keukenhof Gardens
I underestimated the size of Keukenhof Gardens until I was dropped off in the car park. Fortunately, since I was on a tour bus, the bus stop was near the entrance, so I didn’t have to walk far. The entrance to the park is easy to find because the building is enormous. My trip included an entry ticket, and the staff in the This Is Holland building printed it for me. With my ticket, I skipped the long lines of humans waiting to buy their tickets by using a manned ticket gate. As I entered, I grabbed a map and marvelled at all the areas waiting to be explored.
Scenic walks
There are numerous paths to choose from throughout the park. I wish I had downloaded a map before my visit so that I could have planned a more efficient route. Unfortunately, I ended up circling back on myself several times by accident.
I noticed that the paths closest to the main entrance on the south side of the park were the busiest. These areas are beautiful, as they are home to the majority of the daffodils. However, when I took a path to the right, the crowds disappeared, and I discovered some lovely daffodils that were largely overlooked. Given the vast number of paths in the park, I’m grateful that the staff haven’t imposed a one-way system. Instead, they allow visitors to wander along the paths without a specific destination in mind.
The paths around the gardens are flat and easy to navigate, while some of the smaller trails are gravel or muddy. Nevertheless, all the paths are accessible to people of all fitness levels. Each path features many park benches within easy walking distance, which I appreciated as it allowed me to stop and enjoy the flowers.
The larger paths split into smaller ones, and I, in the words of Robert Frost, took the road less travelled. Some paths led me in circles, while others opened up to previously undiscovered areas. My favourite part of the park was the section with tiny canals and a mini windmill. Strangely enough, this area was empty, but it felt like a charming little replica of the Netherlands, and I found it simply beautiful.
Outdoor Activities and Attractions
Visiting Keukenhof Gardens offers more than just a chance to admire flowers. The park features a small petting zoo, a maze, and a play area for children. My photographer and I thoroughly enjoyed the petting zoo; although it’s intended for kids, we couldn’t resist petting the adorable baby goat (so fluffy!). The animals have a spacious pen to roam in, a building for shelter, and plenty of food. I always appreciate seeing animals well cared for in tourist areas.
My photographer’s favourite spot in Keukenhof Gardens was the Miffy area. Although it’s quite small, it features statues of Miffy alongside a collection of tulips arranged in a pattern that, when blooming, resembles Miffy. There’s also a small shed selling Miffy merchandise, and I may have brought home a new friend—my photographer has no willpower!
Within the gardens, there is a windmill built in 1892. Although it’s no longer operational, I made the challenging climb up the narrow, rickety staircase to enjoy the view over the surrounding flower fields. While the view was indeed beautiful, I don’t recommend making the climb due to the crowd trying to squeeze up the small staircase while taking selfies; it felt quite dangerous. It’s also not accessible for those with mobility aids or anyone who has difficulty with stairs. Instead, I suggest enjoying the windmill from ground level and admiring the tulip fields from the water’s edge.
There is also an opportunity to take a boat trip through the flower fields. Although I didn’t participate due to the long queue, it is an additional cost, and the 45-minute ride promises to be a relaxing experience.
Art installations
The stops we made for photos at the Keukenhof Gardens were delightful and provided a wonderful insight into Dutch culture. Giant clogs of various colours and sizes are scattered throughout the park. Sitting in one of these giant clogs turned out to be an unexpectedly fun experience. My photographer and female human spent quite a bit of time being unapologetically weird, pretending that the giant clogs were racing cars. As a dinosaur, I often feel the need to apologise for the humans I travel with—they are, indeed, somewhat embarrassing (thankfully, I can hide in the Handbag of Doom).
My favourite moment was riding the motorcycle while wrinkly human sat in the sidecar. Although I must admit, driving is challenging with my short blue arms.
I even spotted the legendary tiny clog boat floating in one of the little canals. The canals feature charming bridges and a mini windmill. A small statue titled “Kind met Tulp” by Françoise Carbasius depicts a girl in traditional clothing in this area. I loved this statue because it is so simple yet evokes a sense of childhood innocence and joy in appreciating the little things, like flowers.
Indoor Activities and Attractions
There are three buildings spread across the parks that showcase indoor flower displays. My favourite is the Beatrix Pavilion, which features a stunning orchid and anthurium exhibition. I found it incredibly futuristic and clever how the orchids were integrated into artistic scenes.
The Willem-Alexander Pavilion displays a variety of bulbs, including around 500 different types of tulips. The tulips are planted along a simple walkway, with each variety grouped together. Seeing plants arranged in a bathtub, as well as being used to enhance many of the indoor art pieces, was my favourite part of this pavilion.
The Oranje Nassau Pavilion changes its displays weekly. Unfortunately, during my visit, the exhibits were being updated, so I could only peek inside to see what flowers would be featured in the upcoming display.
Lunch break
The biggest downside of Keukenhof, if you can even call it a downside, is the lack of seating in the dining establishments. This issue can be mitigated by eating earlier in the day. I dined at the restaurant near the Beatrix Pavilion and could only find a pizza slice to satisfy my hunger while meeting my dietary requirements.
I was fortunate to secure an outdoor seat where I could enjoy my lunch and coffee. However, the queue for food and tables tripled shortly after I arrived. Food trucks are present in the gardens, but they have minimal vegetarian options. After eating, I discovered that the restaurant in Oranje Nassau is entirely vegetarian.
There are many picnic tables throughout the gardens. The day I visited had beautiful sunny spring weather, which would have been perfect for an al fresco lunch. If I visit Keukenhof again in the future, I will take a picnic and make full use of the picnic tables surrounded by the stunning spring flowers.
Travel tips
- Wear comfortable shoes – there is a lot of walking, I mean a lot of walking. Most of it is really flat and accessible, but humans with poorer mobility may want to rent a manual wheelchair so they can walk and rest.
- Take an umbrella – in the rain, there is minimal shelter, and there isn’t much shelter from the sun either.
- Take some snacks – restaurants and cafes are few and far between. I struck lucky and managed to get a slice of pizza, a coffee and a table to sit at. But the queue for lunch quickly tripled in size.
- Don’t rush around trying to see everything at once. The park is huge, but if you go early enough, there is time to see everything and stop to enjoy the flowers.
- Don’t eat the tulips (as delicious as they look) – it isn’t allowed, nor is picking the flowers.
If you want a more structured day trip with more than one activity, GetYourGuide has some great options.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, my visit to Keukenhof Gardens was a breathtaking experience that beautifully showcased the wonders of spring. My expectations were exceeded with the vibrant displays of tulips, daffodils and other flowering plants, creating a beautiful display to celebrate the return of spring. The convenience of the organised tour allowed me to explore the gardens at my own pace, making the experience even more enjoyable. But, if I were to visit again, I would have taken an earlier bus to maximise my time in the gardens.
The rich history of Keukenhof, combined with its picturesque paths and lively atmosphere, truly made it a highlight of my travels. As the gardens remain open for only a limited time each spring, I highly recommend planning your visit to ensure you don’t miss out on this floral paradise. Whether you’re a flower enthusiast or just looking to enjoy a day trip from Amsterdam, Keukenhof is a must-see destination that won’t disappoint.
