Keukenhof & Lisse Tulip Fields | Best Things to Do & Where to Stay

Are you looking for an unforgettable experience for your kids this spring? Look no further than the enchanting tulip fields of Keukenhof in the Netherlands. From its vibrant gardens to its playful activities, Keukenhof is the perfect place to explore with your family.

Here are all the practical tips you need for a memorable trip to Keukenhof and the tulip fields of Lisse, such as when to visit, what to do with kids, and where to stay.

Reel

Here is a very short reel to get an idea of what it’s like.

Keukenhof: the Garden of Europe

Keukenhof is a stunning flower garden in Lisse, the Netherlands. Due to its tulips, daffodils, and other flowers, it is known as “the Garden of Europe.” Every spring, this garden transforms into an explosion of color and beauty that draws visitors from all over the world.

The gardens of Keukenhof were created in the 15th century as a hunting area for Slot Teylingen. In 1950, the garden was opened to the public, and it has since become a popular tourist destination. The garden covers an area of 32 hectares and features more than 7 million bulbs of 800 different varieties of flowers. Every year, more than 1.5 million visitors come to experience the beauty and fragrance of this unique garden.

What To Expect When Visiting Keukenhof

When you visit Keukenhof, you can expect a magical experience full of colors and fragrances. The tulip gardens are filled with beautiful tulips, trees, and plants that will take you back in time. The flower shows in Beatrix, Willem-Alexander, and Oranje Nassau are a must-see.

You can also explore the area around the lake, which features a variety of fountains and contemporary sculptures. Finally, the Reconnection Garden with sustainable materials and the Red Romance Garden with romantic theme are worth a visit.

Keukenhof also offers plenty of activities for the kids. There is a playground and kids farm, where they can get close to the animals and learn about the local culture. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or snack.

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When Is the Best Time To Visit?

The best time to visit Keukenhof is approximately between mid-April and mid-May. During this time, the tulips are in full bloom and the gardens are full of vibrant colors. It is also the most popular time to visit, so be sure to book your tickets in advance.

If you are unable to visit between mid-April and mid-May, Keukenhof is open from March to May. During this time, you can still see a stunning display of flowers, but the tulips may not be in full bloom in March and early April.

How to Get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam

The easiest way to get from Amsterdam to Keukenhof is direct transportation. The private bus leaves every half an hour from opposite of the Central Station in Amsterdam and it takes about 55 minutes to reach Keukenhof. This combo ticket covers direct transportation and entry fee to Keukenhof.

Alternatively, you can reach Keukenhof from Amsterdam by public transport taking a train and then a bus and 15 minutes walk. You will need to take the train from the Central Station in Amsterdam to Schiphol airport and from there take the bus to Lisse, Meer en Duin, then walk 15 minutes from the bus stop to Keukenhof. The journey takes about 1 hour 10 minutes and tickets can be purchased at any train station.

If you want to explore the area on your own, you can rent a bike from one of the many bike rental shops in Amsterdam. The journey will take about two hours, but you will get to experience the stunning Dutch countryside.

Where To Stay To Visit Keukenhof

If you are looking for a place to stay near Keukenhof, there are plenty of hotels and inns to choose from.

Hotels Near the Beach

If staying near the beach and enjoying a relaxed holiday sounds like a good idea, here are some recommendations for families with kids

€€€ Center Parcs Zandvoort is one of the best options for families. It is very close to the Zandvoort beach and it has an indoor tropical water park, as most Center Parcs. It also features an indoor playground, a kids farm, and entertainment. It’s about 20 minutes from Keukenhof by car.

€€ Europarcs Parc du Soleil offers beach houses close to the dunes of Noordwijks’ beach. With an indoor pool with a play area for kids, a large outdoor playground and an indoor play area, this is a great choice for families that want to stay near the beach. It’s about 10 minutes drive from Keukenhof.

Hotels in Amsterdam

If you are looking for something a bit more luxurious, there are plenty of hotels and resorts in Amsterdam. You can also find plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options in the nearby towns of Leiden and Haarlem.

€€€ art’otel amsterdam is located in the heart of Amsterdam with most attractions just a few minutes away on feet. This luxurious hotel offers an indoor pool, a gym and a sauna and the rooms are spacious for families. This is about half an hour by car from Keukenhof.

€€ WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam features an indoor pool, a gym and a sauna. It is located close to Vondelpark with the fun playground and it is 25 minutes from Keukenhof by car and 10 minutes from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Best Budget-Friendly Hotel

€ NH Noordwijk has an indoor swimming pool and a small play area for kids. It’s just 10 minutes away from Keukenhof by car and it offers free parking.

Bonus – Cabin with a Hot Tub

€€€ The Unbound offers cabins in nature with a hot tub and sauna – the perfect way to relax! It offers free parking and is about 25 minutes by car from Keukenhof and the same from Amsterdam.

What To See

There are tons of flowers, as expected

We spent a lot of time at the stepping stones. Our kids thought it’s the best part of Keukenhof.

There is also a windmill. You can also go upstairs and enjoy the view of the bloomed tulip fields

There are many beautiful spots all around Keukenhof

There are also tulips which are ironically made of other flowers

Fun for Kids

Playgrounds

There are two small playgrounds, one for toddlers and one for older kids. These are not impressive by any means, but they are perfect for a break with little ones that get easily bored.

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Plus there is a café right next to the playground, so it makes for a nice little break for parents as well 😉

Farm

There are also a few farm animals next to the playground

Scavenger Hunt

You can pick a scavenger hunt at the entrance, great way for kids to enjoy the park. You can download it also here. Bring a pen with you!

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Boat Tours

You can have a tour around Keukenhof with a whisper boat. These are called whisper boats because they are electrically powered, thus mostly silent.

The boat tour takes about 45 minutes and you can have an audio guide. You need to be there on time, as you book for a specific slot and you will not be refunded if you miss it. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the boats from the entrance and you can pick the boat tickets from next to the windmill 15 minutes before your boat tour.

You cannot take the stroller with you on the boat, you can leave it on the jetty by the boats.

Cycling

You can also rent a bike at Keukenhof (you cannot cycle in the park, you can only cycle in the area around it). The renting place is at the parking and the staff can provide you with different cycling routes around Keukenhof depending on your needs.

On top of the usual bikes, there are tandem bikes and cargo bikes for hauling your kids

Rent-a-Bike van Dam – Keukenhof
Stationsweg 166A, Parking main entrance, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands
https://goo.gl/maps/jbEj77KYCrYKYAHE8

Restaurants

There are several restaurants and canteens in the park.

Tip
You cannot pay in cash in the restaurants!

Practical Stuff

*Open: end of March to mid-May every year between 08.00-19.30
*Cost: approximately EUR 20 per adult and EUR 10 per kid (4-17 years old)
*You can buy your tickets here
*You can pick a scavenger hunt at the entrance, great way for kids to enjoy the park. You can download it also here. Bring a pen with you!
*If you want to enjoy tulips in full bloom, aim to visit Keukenhof around the last week of April or the first week of May. See more under When to Visit Keukenhof
*Lockers are available at the main entrance
*Stroller friendly, wheelchair friendly
*Dogs are allowed on a leash
*Parking: there is private parking at Keukenhof

Map of Keukenhof

Here is the map of Keukenhof

Address

About half an hour drive from Amsterdam (or 50 minutes by public transport, see here for details). About 2 hours 20 minutes from Brussels by car (or the same by public transport)

Keukenhof
https://keukenhof.nl/en/
Keukenhofdreef, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands
https://goo.gl/maps/i2xXPNsjDXev1YUa9

Tulip fields

There are lots of tulip fields around Keukenhof. In general you are not allowed to enter the fields, but you can stop and admire the fields without entering them

Tulip Barn

At Tulip Barn you can enter the fields and there are activities for kids during the weekend and school holidays, like face painting, creating a flower crown or bulb planting. There is also a slide, a swing and a mini tractor.

You can find more details and book your visit here

FAM Flower Farm

Looking for gorgeous tulip fields where you can enjoy a coffee and a waffle? FAM Flower Farm is the answer! You can find more details here

Tip
You need to book in advance to visit!

Kasteel Keukenhof

Kasteel Keukenhof is a kids friendly farm, where kids can pet the animals, pretend they are riding a tractor and the rest can enjoy themselves at the restaurant of the domain. There is also a gnome walk and a scavenger hunt. This is right next to Keukenhof
Keukenhof 7, 2161 AN Lisse, Netherlands
https://goo.gl/maps/WigaiQ1BFsptfBhj6

Flower Parade

The largest spring festival in the Netherlands with luxury vehicles decorated with lots of flowers. The parade is the highlight of the festival and it travels from Noordwijk to Haarlem.

There are grandstand seats that you can book to watch the parade. You will need to book very early for this option, as they get sold out pretty quickly.

You need to arrive about two hours earlier than that time indicated at the spot you choose, as they close the roads to all traffic an hour before the parade passes.

It is possible to find a spot that’s not too crowded, but most probably that won’t be the center of each town. You can just see the route and plan to go somewhere along the route just a bit further from the center of each town.

See more details on the Flower Parade here

Nearby

Amsterdam Tulip Festival

Amsterdam has its own tulip festival with locations around the city decorated with tulips. See more details here

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is just half an hour drive away and you can easily spend the day with kids at Nemo Science Museum, a fun and interactive science center, perfect for kids of all ages – adults too! A boat tour is always a good idea to see the city from a different perspective. There are several playgrounds at the parks, for example at Vondelpark.

Check on the map for lots more kids-friendly recommendations around Amsterdam!

NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam

Linnaeushof

Linnaeushof is the biggest playground in Europe and is certainly worth a visit! There are both indoor and outdoor play areas, and a water play area for warm days. This is just 15 minutes drive from Keukenhof

Duinrell

Duinrell is an amusement park with indoor and outdoor attractions, a water park and a variety of accomodation. It is 25 minutes drive from Keukenhof

The Hague

The Hague is a great place to visit with kids! Walk at Scheveningen, the beach of The Hague. Visit the Lego Discovery Center and Sea Life there. Madurodam is an interactive outdoor museum with miniatures (think like Mini Europe but with miniature buildings of the Netherlands). About 40 minutes drive from Keukenhof

Lego Discovery Center Scheveningen

Corpus

Corpus is a unique museum where you can visit the human body. Only kids 6+ years old are allowed in the first part of the museum. This is about 15 minutes drive from Keukenhof

Kinderdijk

The first time we went to Keukenhof from Brussels with friends, we stopped at Kinderdijk, a village famous for its 18th-century windmills. You can walk around or cycle (you are in the Netherlands after all!). You can also visit the museum mills and sail along the iconic windmills.

Kinderdijk is about 1.5 hour drive from Brussels and then Keukenhof is one more hour away. Brussels – Kinderdijk – Keukenhof is 2 hours 50 minutes by car (Brussels – Keyukenhof is 2 hours 20 minutes without Kinderdijk)

Kinderdijk Windmills, Netherlands | How to Visit | Where to Stay