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Spring is the most beautiful time for flowers. When hundreds of petals bloom, signaling the arrival of spring, hearts flutter with excitement. If Asia is famous for cherry blossoms, then Tulips represent spring in Europe. And when we talk about tulips, how can we not think of the Keukenhof Flower Garden in the Netherlands. Keukenhof Flower Garden is also known as the largest tulip garden in the world. This place not only boasts hundreds of different tulip colors but also stands as a special symbol of the Netherlands.
Introduction to Keukenhof Flower Garden in Detail
It's no coincidence that the Keukenhof Flower Garden is awarded the title of the “Most Beautiful Tulip Garden in the World”. This garden is not only the soul of the Netherlands but also holds great significance in terms of European culture and lifestyle. Below are some detailed insights into this exceptional flower garden.
The Formation History of Keukenhof Flower Garden
In Dutch, Keukenhof Flower Garden also translates to “European Flower Garden”. This moniker is well-deserved as since its inception, it has attracted numerous European tourists every early spring.
Let's turn back the wheels of time to the 15th century. Keukenhof Flower Garden used to be the provider of rare herbs for Countess Jacoba de Bavaria. After her passing, the garden went through several affluent owners of that era. Nevertheless, the garden remained unchanged.
The precursor of Keukenhof Flower Garden was the herb garden of Countess Jacoba de Bavaria (Image Source: Collected)
It wasn't until 1641 that Admiral Adriaen Maertensz Block of the Dutch East India Company began constructing Keukenhof Castle. From there, he also developed over 20 hectares of vacant land into a flower garden. After 200 years, the father-son architects from the Zocher family restored the entire garden of the castle. They also constructed the renowned Vondel Park in 1857.
By 1949, a group specializing in flower cultivation and export envisioned developing the Keukenhof area into a flower exhibition venue. This not only brought tremendous economic benefits to the flower industry but also contributed to the development of Dutch tourism.
In 1950, Keukenhof Park officially opened its doors to the public. Immediately, this destination successfully attracted 236,000 visitors in its first year alone.
Over the past century, Keukenhof Flower Garden has become the most famous tourist attraction. Every year, it has attracted millions of tourists to admire the national flower of the Netherlands.
The Significance of Keukenhof Tulip Garden
Keukenhof Flower Garden is one of the world's three largest flower gardens spanning 32 hectares. This is the stage for over 7 million tulips in various shapes, sizes, and colors.
The garden brings enormous economic benefits to the Netherlands from tourism demand and flower production (Image Source: Collected)
It's not just about enjoying flowers. Keukenhof Flower Garden is also a gathering place for more than 20 flower exhibitions by 500 artists and 100 flower companies. This provides excellent opportunities for flower businesses to network and grow.
Where is Keukenhof Flower Garden Located?
Detailed information about Keukenhof Flower Garden:
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Specific address: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands.
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Entrance ticket price: €19/adult (equivalent to 495,000 VND/ticket), €9/child (equivalent to 234,000 VND/ticket).
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Opening hours: 8:00 - 19:30 (only open from late March to late May).
Best Time to Visit Keukenhof Flower Garden?
According to regulations, the world's largest tulip garden only opens its doors to visitors for 8 weeks. The opening period extends from late March to late May. Therefore, visitors can only explore during this time frame.
Among these, the best time for a journey to Keukenhof Flower Garden is mid-April. This is when tulips bloom most abundantly throughout the year. Visiting the garden during this time, you'll feel like stepping into a fairytale land. The entire garden will be adorned with fresh spring colors.
Moreover, when visiting the garden during this time, visitors can also enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Keukenhof Spring Flower Festival. This is the largest flower festival of the year in the Netherlands, usually held in April with various themes and exciting activities.
How to Get to Keukenhof Flower Garden
Keukenhof Flower Garden is located in the suburban area, far from the city center. However, it is adjacent to many neighboring cities such as Den Haag, Rotterdam. Therefore, visitors do not need to worry about finding entertainment venues.
To have a convenient visit to Keukenhof Flower Garden, visitors should travel by car or some public transportation options:
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Bus: With a well-developed public transportation network, bus routes to Keukenhof from Amsterdam are available with multiple departure points. Therefore, visitors don't need to worry too much about transportation. Bus ticket prices range from €23 to €35/person (equivalent to 598,000 VND - 900,000 VND).
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Train: Firstly, visitors can catch a train from Amsterdam to Leiden Centraal station. Next, take bus number 854 to the flower garden. All-inclusive train tickets cost around €50/person (equivalent to 1,300,000 VND).
From the train window frame, travelers can enjoy the romantic beauty of the Netherlands (Image Source: Collected)
Additionally, travelers can rent bicycles to admire the breathtaking beauty of endless tulip fields stretching to the horizon. Bicycles are also the most popular means of transportation in the Netherlands.
Key Attractions in Keukenhof Flower Garden
With a total area of up to 32 hectares, visitors may need several days to explore all the attractions in the flower garden. For a schedule to explore the world's largest flower garden, you can stroll, bike, or simply spend the whole day immersed in the Dutch tulip paradise. Below are some key attractions in Keukenhof flower garden that you can consider.
Keukenhof Castle
While not possessing the grandeur and magnificence of castles in England or France, Keukenhof Castle impresses with its classical, romantic beauty adorned with hundreds of colorful flowers. Keukenhof Castle began construction in 1642. To this day, the castle has stood for over 400 years in the land of tulips.
The castle exudes a nostalgic, romantic beauty akin to a poem (Image Source: Collected)
Gian Willem-Alexander
Dutch locals affectionately call Gian Willem-Alexander the 'heart of Keukenhof Flower Garden.' This area is located in the eastern part of the garden, covering an area of approximately 6000m2. Surrounding the garden are hundreds of vibrant tulips in full bloom, displaying a full spectrum of colors.
Gian Beatrix
Gian Beatrix is situated in the northwest part of Keukenhof Flower Garden, named after Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. This garden spans around 2500m2 and features the most beautiful varieties of European orchids. Within Gian Beatrix, about 1000m2 is allocated for planting the finest orchids. Most notably, this area also boasts picturesque nature trails leading to nearby regions.
Gian Wilhelmina
Situated between the end of the park and near the lake of Keukenhof Flower Garden is Gian Wilhelmina. Unlike the previous two areas, this is the only section that does not showcase flowers but instead houses a restaurant. Upon arriving at the Wilhelmina area, you'll notice a small cabin inscribed with the name 'Keukenhof.' This serves as the entrance to the park that has existed for decades.
The flower areas in Keukenhof Flower Garden all boast colorful tulips in various sizes and shapes (Image Source: Collected)
Important Notes for Visiting Keukenhof Flower Garden
To fully enjoy a visit to Keukenhof Flower Garden, visitors need to take note of the following important points:
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To enjoy the flower garden, visitors should plan to visit from late March to late May. The garden is only open for visiting during these three short months.
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The tulip season typically reaches its peak in mid-April every year.
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Absolutely avoid stepping into the flower fields or engaging in behaviors like trampling or picking flowers and leaves. This can seriously damage the garden's landscape.
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It's advisable to limit visits on weekends as the area tends to be extremely crowded. Therefore, visitors can choose to explore on weekdays.
Above is all the detailed information about Keukenhof Flower Garden. With these insights from Mytour, you'll have a wonderful destination for your upcoming trip to the Netherlands. If you're interested in booking affordable Netherlands tours, please contact Mytour's 24/7 hotline Mytour. Our staff will provide free consultation on itineraries, tour prices, and many attractive offers.
