Visiting Holland in the spring is a must for all travellers - experienced or new, group or solo. Why? Simply put - the same way we go gaga over cherry blossom season here in Asia, Europe, specifically Holland have their own flower celebrity. Aka the tulip season.
When to go
The flowering season in Holland begins with the crocuses in March, followed by hyacinths, narcissus/daffodils and tulips at the end of the month. The tulip season extends until the end of May when the Keukenhof closes. Mid-April is probably the best time to go as most of the flowers will be in full blossom!
It’s worth noting that every year the season changes slightly. Finding the prime point to go is really difficult (so get checking with those flower updates). Climate change is definitely making itself known, so it all depends on what kind of weather Holland has just before tulip season and during it.
How to get about Holland
One of the appeals of Holland to travellers is its easy accessibility to most parts and how cyclists and pedestrian friendly it is. You can see a lot on foot or by bicycle. We recommend renting a bike for a day of cycling to various flower fields.
Cycling: Take the direction of Noordwijkerhout, and come back via Sassenheim and Teylingen. You’ll be able to go through amazing fields, with windmills, for complete scenery!
On foot: Hop on the train to Hillegom for an easy walk around the station. You won’t have to go far to find the fields, as they are easily accessible. The fields and the tulips are absolutely amazing!
By car: Rent a car and whizz around the breathtaking flower fields of Keukenhof at your own pace, bypass the tourists standing around. Head out on country roads for completely unobstructed, stretching views of the stunning flowers instead in a 100% electric-powered Renault Twizy.
River cruise: For a completely stress-free and unique travel experience, why not ride a river cruise to riverside towns and villages around Holland. River cruise operators like Avalon have a cruise especially dedicated to Tulip Time around Holland. This cruise hits all the main tulip spots along the river over a few days while you get in wine and dine in absolute comfort and luxury onboard their ship. All the experience of tulip sightseeing without getting lost or stressing out.
Where to go for tulip sightseeing
Keukenhof Gardens
Visiting Keukenhof during tulip season is a staple of Dutch springtime. More than 6 million tulip bulbs are planted in this expansive park every year, and its English-style landscape gardens are absolutely breathtaking. Keukenhof also organise events throughout the season, including a huge flower parade, which attracts thousands of visitors.
Amsterdam
Yes, this is an entire city, but finding tulips in Amsterdam is never difficult thanks to the many springtime events and activities that take place within its borders. In addition to its floating flower market and other horticulturally orientated attractions, Amsterdam also hosts a massive tulip festival. Many of the city’s principle cultural institutes take part in this event and plant tulips around their headquarters, creating colourful oases throughout the city.
Noordoostpolder
Like the rest of the Flevoland province, the municipality of Noordoostpolder was submerged beneath the sea until relatively recently and was reclaimed from the Zuiderzee bay during the mid-20th century. Today, this large landmass is covered in flower fields and is among the best places in the Netherlands to experience tulip season. Many farms in Noordoostpolder offer guided tours of their fields, and the whole area is exceptionally bike friendly.
Lisse
Although Lisse is usually associated with Keukenhof, the town is actually surrounded by hundreds tulip fields that mainly produce flowers for the international market. These long, multi-coloured strips of land are astoundingly beautiful and easily accessible by bike. In fact, Lisse has deep historical ties with floriculture and is home to the Museum de Zwarte Tulp, which is dedicated to the Dutch tulip industry.
Noordwijkerhout
The small tract of fertile, costal land between the city of Leiden and Haarlem is famed for its expansive tulip fields and is colloquially known as de Duin- en Bollenstreek (the Dune and Bulb Region). This beautiful landscape trails through a small Dutch town called Noordwijkerhout, which is particularly well known for its excellent tulip bulbs. Exploring this region by bike is exceptionally rewarding and allows visitors to discover Noord-Holland’s rural hinterland, rugged dunes and beautiful shoreline.
Who to get in touch with for arrangements?
If you're a first timer to Holland or even a veteran traveller to Europe but is in search of a different experience, then consider engaging a travel agency like Sedunia Travel to help with your travel plans. From flights to accommodations to ground arrangements, Sedunia Travel can assist with the planning and booking.
Looking for a new experience of seeing Holland by river? Visit www.avalonwaterways.com.my for more information. Get touch with Sedunia Travel, the General Sales Agent for Avalon Waterways for bookings and further inquiries.
That’s it! Get ready to get into the Dutch spirit and get ready to travel Holland in 2022 for tulips!
Sources: The Dutch Review, The Culture Trip