Keukenhof Gardens
Keukenhof is the world's largest flower garden, planted each year with around seven million bulbs — tulips above all, but also daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring bloomers — arranged across landscaped grounds that were originally a 15th-century countess's kitchen garden, hence the name. It's only open for a roughly two-month window each spring, typically mid-March to mid-May, timed to the bulb bloom, which makes it one of the most date-dependent attractions in the country.
Because of that narrow window, it draws large crowds, especially on weekends — arriving early in the day and booking timed tickets in advance meaningfully improves the experience. Outside its open season the gardens are closed entirely, since the bulb displays are the whole point.
Keukenhof Gardens FAQs
No, it's only open for about eight weeks each spring, typically mid-March to mid-May, timed to the tulip and bulb bloom; it's closed the rest of the year.
Strongly recommended, especially for weekends, since the gardens get very crowded during peak bloom and advance tickets often bundle in transport.
Direct buses run from Leiden Centraal (and other nearby stations) to Keukenhof during its open season; the service doesn't run outside those dates.
Half a day, roughly three to four hours, covers the gardens at an unhurried pace, though the grounds are large enough to fill longer if desired.
Mid-April is generally the most reliable peak for tulips specifically, though this varies year to year with weather, and different bulb varieties peak at different points across the season.
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