Keukenhof is the world famous flower garden park – one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, attracting 1 million visitors during springtime.
Netherlands is well-known as a leading flower producer and Keukenhof helps showcase this reputation.
If you are in Amsterdam during the spring then you should consider making a day excursion out to the Keukenhof park.
• Keukenhof is the largest bulb flower garden park in the world, set in 32 hectares and originally opened in 1949. It is located in the small town of Lisse about 25km south-west of Amsterdam.
The gardens are beautifully landscaped and contain some 7 million flowers – all hand planted – including many rare varieties of tulips and a fine collection of orchids.
• The park is only open for 2 months during the springtime. The Keukenhof 2015 season runs from March 20th to May 17th 2015 and the theme will be “van Gogh”.
• You can easily spend the whole day exploring the park and its 15km of walking paths. There are large indoor exhibition pavilions named after the Dutch royals, a traditional 19th century Dutch windmill, a lake with stepping stones and an electric boat ride (45 minutes) past the adjacent bulb fields. The park also contains many outdoor artwork sculptures.
• There are café/restaurant facilities at each pavilion with outdoor terrace seating. There are many benches placed throughout the park where you can sit down and take a break. Free WiFi is available.
• There is a small children’s farm and playground.
• A free daily guided tour at 1400 starts at the Bulb Information centre. Group tours can also be arranged at extra cost.
• It is possible to purchase flower bulbs which can be shipped worldwide.
Keukenhof Essential Info
Opening Times: Open daily during March-May season from 0800-1930, last admission 1800.
Admission Prices (2015): €16 for adults, €8 for children 4-11. It is possible to buy e-tickets online so that you don’t need to queue up. Car parking costs €6. The boat rides cost €8 for adults, €4 for children 4-11.
Getting There: Buses run from both Schiphol airport and Leiden central station to the Keukenhof park entrance. From Schiphol airport take the Keukenhof Express bus 858 (operated by Arriva) which runs from outside arrivals hall 4 at Schiphol Plaza. The journey takes just over 30 minutes and the buses run regularly. A combi-ticket which includes the return bus ride and entrance to Keukenhof costs €28.50 (children 4-11 pay €12.50). See info here for travel between Schiphol and Amsterdam.
From Leiden Central take Arriva bus 854 which takes about 25 minutes. Combi-tickets cost €23.50 (children 4-11 pay €12.50).
Alternatively you could take an organised coach tour from Amsterdam to the park – these are more expensive than travelling independently.
Keukenhof, Stationsweg 166A, Lisse, Netherlands
T: +31(0)252 465 555
http://www.amsterdamtips.com/tips/keukenhof.php