Imagine a 79-acre park with more than 7 million flower bulbs. Sound too good to be true? It’s not! That park is Keukenhof in the Netherlands and it is one of the world’s largest flower gardens. Every year, the park opens in late March for two months. Visitors flock to see these spectacular flowers. As a tulip lover, a visit to Keukenhof is undoubtedly on my travel bucket list.
About Keukenhof Gardens
Keukenhof is located in Lisse, a small town in southern Holland less than an hour’s drive southwest from Amsterdam. The park grounds served as a site for hunting in the 15th century. A castle, Kasteel Keukenhof, was built on the grounds in the 17th century. Roughly two hundred years later in 1857, the grounds surrounding the castle began to be shaped by a landscape architect. The space took on an English garden design. Finally in 1949, an annual garden to showcase the flower industry was established.
The 7 million bulbs planted for the display represent an astounding 800 different varieties of tulips. The park states that the supply of bulbs is provided by 100 growers.
Naturally, there are more than just tulips on display. Keukenhof is a celebration of spring. The tulips just happen to be one of the highlights. Dutch Design is serving as a theme for this year’s gardens.
Visiting Keukenhof
This year, the 68th annual Keukenhof garden opens on March 23rd. It will remain open to the public until May 21st. Throughout the course of the two months that the park is open, there are a range of events for visitors. Flower shows, activities for children, fashion shows, and flower arranging are just some of the events scheduled. The flower parade, a highlight event, will occur on April 22nd. Approximately a million people will visit this year’s garden.
If you’re a lover of tulips or just eager to welcome spring, a visit to Keukenhof should be on your Must-See List. It’s certainly on mine. The limited window of two months makes a visit a little more difficult to accomplish. If you’re looking to make a stop at the park, word is that it looks its best in April.
Looking for more Must Sees? Explore previously featured locations!
Gorgeous, have never been to Holland and this gives me a reason to make it out there!
these photos are beautiful! I have been to Holland, but I don’t remember it… was very little. Maybe I should go back…. 🙂
This place looks beautiful, I’ve been to the Netherlands, but I must have missed this place!
Wow! 7 million bulbs! I can hardly fathom the sheer beauty. I would love to visit Holland someday and now I know to plan my flight tickets around this time! 🙂
This is a true Bucket List item for me. My biggest fear is that I would plan a visit to see this and Mother Nature would make the timing off. This place looks to be amazing! Thanks for brightening my day with color as I sit here in Iowa looking out at a blanket of white!
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