Each day, Holland packs and ships much of the world’s supply of fresh flowers. The industry is a huge part of the Dutch economy. So it’s little wonder that Holland is a flower lover’s paradise. And the gates to paradise are Keukenhof.

Keukenhof is one of the world’s greatest displays of flowers. Each spring, thousands of visitors flock to a nearly 80-acre site near the town of Lisse to see a virtual sea of spectacular tulips and other flowers planted under and around trees and lakes in a setting that almost overwhelms with its beauty.

This year, the flower show opened on March 18 and runs to May 16. Elizabeth and I have always visited in April but no matter when you visit, there’s plenty to see among the 7 million flower bulbs planted each year.

The park was the idea of some Dutch flower growers who wanted a showcase for their bulbs back in the 1940s. The area around Lisse is near the sea and has a soil that’s perfect for growing bulbs. So they chose some land that once belonged to a 15th-century Bavarian nobleman and began to plant bulbs. Since part of the estate once was the herb and kitchen garden for the noble household, they named it Keukenhof which literally means “Kitchen Garden.”

We’ve found the best way to visit is by bus from either Leiden or Amsterdam’s Schipol airport. We usually buy our tickets at the tourist information center at Schipol. It’s a direct train and bus connection, and your tickets include park admission. There’s a huge parking lot for those who drive, but there’s also lots of traffic, and the bus drops you off right at the entrance. And with tickets already in hand we don’t stand in line. This year the package costs 21 Euros with discounts for kids and seniors. You can also buy tickets online.

A huge Dutch band organ playing at the entrance provides a festive atmosphere. Don’t be put off by the crowds; once you’re inside, the crowds thin and there’s plenty of quiet, so you can enjoy those 7 million blooms and thousands of trees. You’ll see the latest Dutch hybrids and flowers—from tulips to lilies to daffodils and more—in carefully arranged displays.

Plan to spend at least a few hours before heading back to the bus. There’s a café and so much to see. For us, it’s a half-day trip at least. Buses run several times an hour. 



Photos by Paul Lasley