Since the first tulip was planted in Holland in the 1500s, the Netherlands has been known for its gorgeous fields of colorful flowers in the spring, which bloom from March to May. It will only inspire you to plant your own flowers or trees and make the world a better place. And while you're there, check out Amsterdam. It's one of the most eco friendly cities on Earth.
If you are visiting Amsterdam in spring, visiting the bulb fields is highly recommended. The colorful tulip fields are a visual treat. There are the blooming tulips that movies brought on screen and had us dream of walking amongst the tulips holding hands with our beau some day and the inimitable heart in the art of Van Gogh; and art galleries for the seeking soul. Dutch tulips bloom at its best from mid-April to the first week in May.
Netherlands is arguably the flattest country on earth. The highest point in the whole country is only 322 meters above sea level and that’s where the Netherlands borders with Belgium and Germany. This is the only part of the country that’s slightly hilly, the rest of the country is just plain flat. Roads are straight, everything is in squares. The windmills are in a straight line with an equal distance from each other.
You can attend the many festivals and flower related events held during the spring season in the Netherlands.1. Noordwijk
If you wish to witness the official start of tulip season, Noordwijk is a beautiful town on the coast of the Netherlands known for its lovely beaches and its easy access to Schiphol Airport and many of the country’s flower-related events. The hotels, minutes from Noordwijk Beach, is one of the preferred accommodation options in this area and there are a lot of family friendly hotels in Netherlands to choose from..
Otherwise, if you wish to stay in Amsterdam, we suggest staying at the hotel at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport where in just 30 minutes you can reach Amsterdam city center or, if you prefer to visit other locations in the country, the hotel is located near Highway A4 or the Rijksweg 4, one of the main motorways in the Netherlands, running from Amsterdam southwards through some of the countries principal cities.
2. Dam Square
While in Amsterdam, don’t forget to visit Amsterdam’s Dam Square on National Tulip Day. The season begins officially with an event organized by Dutch tulip growers who create a special tulip picking garden in Dam Square.
Originally cultivated in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey), tulips were imported into the Netherlands in the sixteenth century. A century later, during the Dutch Golden Age, this colorful flower became so popular that it became the subject of many paintings and the central character of many festivals in the Netherlands.
Due to its popularity during the Dutch Golden Age, tulip prices increased significantly at first to later dramatically plummet during this period. This phenomenon, known as Tulip Mania, resulted in the Netherlands’ first economic bubble.
3. Aalsmeer
One of the greatest experiences during spring in the Netherlands is visiting a real tulip farm. The famous tulip fields or farms in the Netherlands bloom mainly during spring. So if you want to see the bright colors of the tulip fields you will have to plan your trip to one of the many farm locations nearest to you. Places like Aalsmeer, a small town near Amsterdam, houses the world's biggest flower auction, truly worth checking out.
4. IJsselmeer
To this day, you can also find many large fields throughout the countryside where tulip bulbs and other flowers are cultivated. The Kop van Noord-Holland, an area in the North of the Netherlands near IJsselmeer, boasts the world's biggest single flower bulb fields where you will find millions of tulips, hyacinths and other flowers.
5. Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
Only 30 minutes by bus or boat from Amsterdam is the Keukenhof gardens, where up to 7 million flowers bloom every season. In the heart of the tulip region, Keukenhof is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places you can ever see during your trip to the Netherlands. Keukenhof, in the vicinity of Haarlem, a city 20 km west of the capital, Amsterdam, is one of the most popular places to see in Netherlands.
Do not go there in any other season than spring, and never after mid-May. In this way you will guarantee the most wonderful experience. It will be a time when your eyes will not be able to see so much color, and you will undoubtedly have one of the best memories of your trip. Those who are photographers or fans of photography, you will go crazy with happiness.
Beloved events like the Tulip Festival in Noordoostpolder and the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens are held every year at the start of the season. During these events, millions of spring flowers, like tulips, show their brilliant colors to visitors from all over the world.
The Keukenhof Tulip Gardens are located close to Amsterdam, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and other Dutch cities like The Hague, Rotterdam and Delft. If you are thinking of traveling during the spring or summer, especially on dates close to the Queen's Day (April 30), or when the Keukenhof Gardens is open (between March and May), be sure to book in advance to get a better price.
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens is a flower park of approximately 32 hectares, 7 million flower bulbs are cultivated and approximately 800 different types of tulips bloom throughout the spring season. Every year, this flower park chooses a specific theme to adorn all its gardens, events and artworks according to. This year, the park will celebrate its 71st anniversary and its theme will be World of Colors.
As the blooming of the flower can vary depending on the weather, a variety of flower bulbs are planted in different layers in the park and different types of flowers can be spotted throughout the fields almost every day during blooming season. What is more, during your walk, you can attend unique, weekly changing flower shows, beautiful ponds and various pavilions with various restaurants and terraces.
From the 10 miles (15 km) hiking trails of Keukenhof, you will have a spectacular view of the flower gardens. Beautiful, wonderful, wonderful, sublime, it is difficult to find an adjective at the height of this place. Imagine then, being in a huge garden of 32 hectares and 7 million flowers of incredible colors. In spring, very sure that you will believe you are in the midst of any of the most beautiful works of master painters.
It is practically impossible to find the words that describe and match the sublime beauty of Keukenhof. It's almost better if you do not hesitate to go there yourself to experience this sensation. It is an extension of so vast terrain that the best thing is that you travel it by bicycle.