Flower fields in lisse keukenhof tulip season in the netherlands day trip amsterdam travel blogger selena taylor find us lost

Updated for 2026: Ticket prices, transport options, and bloom timing have been reviewed and refreshed for this season.

We’ve been living in the Netherlands for just under two years, and visiting Keukenhof Gardens and the surrounding flower fields every spring has become one of our favorite rituals. Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world, with over 7 million tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils planted each year. It’s located in the town of Lisse, which is surrounded by stunning rows of flower fields. You can easily visit both on a day trip from Amsterdam. If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, make sure to check out our Complete Amsterdam Travel Guide before you go.

Purple hyacinth inside Keukenhof gardens in Netherlands SpringKeukenhof gardens guide to lisse tulip season in the netherlands holland day trip amsterdam

What to Know Before You Visit Keukenhof

Keukenhof is located in the town of Lisse, which is home to a number of flower fields. Many people only visit Keukenhof gardens itself, but the fields surrounding it are (in my opinion) more picturesque. Some flower fields are only viewable from the road, as they are blocked by canals or gates, but others you can walk up to. You can choose to visit Keukenhof, the flower fields, or both — one day is plenty of time. If you’d like to visit the fields, I recommend renting a bike or a car to get around.

Important note: Due to increased tourism in this region, many local farmers are seeing their flower fields destroyed. Please only walk within the fields if you have explicit permission from the local farmers. (The majority of photos shown in this post were taken in one area after we spoke to the owner, others were taken years ago before this was an issue). I recommend checking out this local, family-owned farm to arrange a visit if you’d like to take photos.

Keukenhof Gardens: Tickets, Tips & What to Expect

Tickets – An adult entrance ticket to Keukenhof Gardens starts at around 20 euros for 2026. We always recommend buying tickets in advance since tour buses arrive first thing in the morning and lines fill up fast. Note that the surrounding flower fields are free to visit, but they are quite far apart so you’ll need either a car to drive to them or a bike. You can rent bikes once you arrive at Keukenhof, which is what we did.

If you’re coming from Amsterdam, I recommend grabbing a combo ticket that includes round-trip shuttle bus transport from the city center, which makes the whole trip seamless.

Keukenhof Entry Ticket + Bus From Amsterdam  |  Lisse (Keukenhof) Bike Rental Ticket

Time of year – Keukenhof opens every year end-March and runs through mid-May, but we’ve found that visiting right away might mean you’ll miss some of the blooms. Check the Keukenhof schedule beforehand and shoot for the middle or end of April so that you can see both the fields and Keukenhof garden at its best. Getting there right when Keukenhof opens (at 8:00am) means you’ll deal with less crowds and lines.

Keukenhof gardens in lisse tulip season in the netherlands europe day trip amsterdam travel blogger selena taylor find us lostKeukenhof gardens guide to lisse tulip season in the netherlands holland day trip amsterdam

 

How to Visit the Tulip Fields in Lisse

The flower fields are never as crowded as Keukenhof, but they’ve become more popular in recent years. I’d recommend arriving before 10:00am to experience them without crowds.

  • Renting a bike – you can rent bikes from the main parking lot at the Keukenhof gardens. They will provide you with a map of the area and there is an option to add a basket or child seat to your bike. This is a great option if the weather is nice and you want the full experience. Plan to spend at least a couple hours biking if you want to visit a few flower fields, as most are spread out.
  • Renting a car – for more flexibility, consider renting a car before you head to Lisse, so you can drive to different flower fields. Once there, you’ll be able to park on the street or in a nearby town to visit the fields.

Here’s a map marked with three flower fields we took photos at in Lisse.

Red tulip fields in Lisse Netherlands with a canal in the foreground during spring bloom Red tulip fields in Lisse Netherlands with a canal and yellow flowers in the foreground during spring bloomTaking Photos in Lisse

What to Bring to the Flower Fields – The fields are incredibly photogenic. The best light is in the morning, though it’s highly dependent on the weather. Here’s what I recommend bringing to capture the blooms:

  • A wide-angle lens for sweeping field shots
  • A zoom lens to capture individual blooms
  • Rain layers (spring in the Netherlands is unpredictable)
  • Comfortable walking shoes

How to get to Lisse & Keukenhof

By train or bus: The easiest way to plan your journey from Amsterdam is through the Keukenhof website. For a hassle-free option, grab a combo ticket that includes round-trip bus transport from Amsterdam’s city center plus garden entry. If you’re only visiting the surrounding fields, take the train from Amsterdam Central to Schiphol Airport (about 15 minutes), then hop on the Keukenhof Express Bus 858 (20 to 30 minutes). The bus drops you right at the garden entrance, where you can rent a bike to explore the fields.

By car: Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to visit multiple flower fields at your own pace. I recommend booking in advance and picking up from Amsterdam Central Station before heading to Lisse. The drive from Amsterdam takes about 40 minutes, and you can usually park on the side of the road near the fields.

Enjoy, and don’t forget your camera! If you’re staying in Amsterdam, don’t miss our Complete Amsterdam Travel Guide.

Keukenhof gardens guide to lisse tulip season in the netherlands holland day trip amsterdam

FAQ

Is Keukenhof worth visiting? Absolutely. Even if you’ve seen tulip fields before, walking through Keukenhof is a completely different experience. The scale of it is hard to describe until you’re standing in the middle of it.

What is the best time to visit Keukenhof in 2026? Keukenhof opens in late March and runs through mid-May. We’ve found that mid to late April is the sweet spot for seeing both the gardens and the surrounding fields at full bloom. Arriving right when the gates open at 8:00am makes a big difference in avoiding crowds.

How long should I spend at Keukenhof? Plan for at least two to three hours inside the gardens. If you’re also visiting the flower fields in Lisse, give yourself a full day.

Can you visit the tulip fields outside of Keukenhof for free? Yes! The flower fields surrounding Keukenhof are free to visit. Keep in mind they are spread out, so you’ll want a bike or car to get between them.

How do you get from Amsterdam to Keukenhof? The easiest option is a combo bus and entry ticket from Amsterdam’s city center. You can also take the train to Schiphol and connect via the Keukenhof Express Bus 858.