Mar
24
2012
May
07
2012
Mar
24
2013
May
07
2013
Mar
24
2014
May
07
2014
Mar
24
2015
May
07
2015
See the Ultimate in Flower Power at the Keukenhof Gardens: “The Largest Flower Garden in the World”
Published by Abby Agyarquah, Writer
Country: Netherlands 
The Experience
If you ever dream of spending the day surrounded by gorgeous flowers, then the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands will not dissapoint you. A wide array of aromatic scents caress your nose and the colours of long-stem flowers envelope your eyes. The Netherlands is privileged to have “The Largest Flower Garden in the World,” which they have christened the Keukenhof Gardens. Keukenhof literally means “kitchen garden” and is named after the herb garden outside the kitchen of Jacoba van Beieren’s castle. Situated near Lisse, between Amsterdam and The Hague, the “Bulb Region” contains 7 million bulbs which are planted by hand in the fall and covers a land span of 8 acres. The Keukenhof Gardens cultivated beauty will tempt you to kick off your wooden shoes and pick yourself a tulip.
After Jacoba van Beieren passed away, the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland became what it is today due to the care of rich merchant families. Once a hunting area, The Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt requested that landscape architects J.D. and L.P. Zocher (who once designed the Vondelpark of Amsterdam) create a design for the garden around the castle. The current park is a section of the large estate of Slot Teylingen.
Designed after English Landscaping, this 15th-century park has retained its distinctive look, growing evermore beautiful throughout the years. In 1949, the open-air flower exhibition became an annually recurring event, allowing Keukenhof’s popularity to grow as the world's largest flower garden during the following fifty years.
The Keukenhof Gardens greet visitors with what can be likened to a football field of flowers. One could easily find themselves lost in the variety of colours that burst from the tulips alone. Hyacinths, narcissi, lilies, gerberas, and orchids are also located outside the main garden area. Mother Nature shows her artistry as rows of purple, pink, yellow, red, and orange dance before your very eyes. To describe the Keukenhof Gardens as breathtakingly beautiful would not do it justice. In addition to the main garden, seven gardens entitled the “Inspirational Gardens” are still inhabited by the Van Beieren family. A new garden called the “Be-Green” inspirational garden of Uncle Willem van Beieren has been created especially for its 2009 American theme. Furthermore, a display of the rooms in the Van Beieren family home can be viewed at the Oranje Nassau Pavilion.
The Keukenhof Gardens has other activities available for its visitors besides just keeping them continuously awestruck. One can watch a flower show, flower parade, or even participate in a workshop which gives you tips on how to photograph these flowers. Naturally, bike rental and guided tours are available.
Interestingly, the Keukenhof Gardens are only open for two months a year, from mid-March until mid-May. The rest of the year is spent landscaping and planting in the garden. The 7 million bulbs are planted by hand in the fall, and the fields of flowers outside the garden can be seen from alternative vantage points, as many people opt to rent bikes or drive alongside them. If you are a keen gardener, then a trip to Keukenhof Gardens is guaranteed to inspire you. Generally, all those who love flowers are destined to find a brand new admiration and respect for their beauty at the Keukenhof Gardens.
After Jacoba van Beieren passed away, the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland became what it is today due to the care of rich merchant families. Once a hunting area, The Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt requested that landscape architects J.D. and L.P. Zocher (who once designed the Vondelpark of Amsterdam) create a design for the garden around the castle. The current park is a section of the large estate of Slot Teylingen.
Designed after English Landscaping, this 15th-century park has retained its distinctive look, growing evermore beautiful throughout the years. In 1949, the open-air flower exhibition became an annually recurring event, allowing Keukenhof’s popularity to grow as the world's largest flower garden during the following fifty years.
The Keukenhof Gardens greet visitors with what can be likened to a football field of flowers. One could easily find themselves lost in the variety of colours that burst from the tulips alone. Hyacinths, narcissi, lilies, gerberas, and orchids are also located outside the main garden area. Mother Nature shows her artistry as rows of purple, pink, yellow, red, and orange dance before your very eyes. To describe the Keukenhof Gardens as breathtakingly beautiful would not do it justice. In addition to the main garden, seven gardens entitled the “Inspirational Gardens” are still inhabited by the Van Beieren family. A new garden called the “Be-Green” inspirational garden of Uncle Willem van Beieren has been created especially for its 2009 American theme. Furthermore, a display of the rooms in the Van Beieren family home can be viewed at the Oranje Nassau Pavilion.
The Keukenhof Gardens has other activities available for its visitors besides just keeping them continuously awestruck. One can watch a flower show, flower parade, or even participate in a workshop which gives you tips on how to photograph these flowers. Naturally, bike rental and guided tours are available.
Interestingly, the Keukenhof Gardens are only open for two months a year, from mid-March until mid-May. The rest of the year is spent landscaping and planting in the garden. The 7 million bulbs are planted by hand in the fall, and the fields of flowers outside the garden can be seen from alternative vantage points, as many people opt to rent bikes or drive alongside them. If you are a keen gardener, then a trip to Keukenhof Gardens is guaranteed to inspire you. Generally, all those who love flowers are destined to find a brand new admiration and respect for their beauty at the Keukenhof Gardens.
When to Go to Keukenhof Gardens
The Keukenhof Gardens are open for approximately eight weeks a year in early spring, between March and May. The best time to visit is during mid-April when you will have a much better chance of seeing the flowers in full bloom.
Odds n' Ends
Keukenhof Gardens is open daily from 8:00 a..m to 7:30 p.m. and the cost of entry is approximately US$20 for adults and US$10 for children.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Discover the bulb region! The famous flower and bulb region with beach, sea, lakes and dunesand also interesting cities like Amsterdamand The Hague at a ... 1 miles away
$48 EUR+
Discover all that Lisse has to offer with Hotel De Duif as a base.All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in ... 1 miles away
$49 EUR+
+ 23 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Bicycle through Charming Vondelpark in Amsterdam
- The entrance gate to Vondelpark in Amsterdam provides a perfect first impression. Distinguished doors frame the park in green and regal gold, and the swirl embellished bars of the gate suggest that art antiquity lies just beyond. Although works of Van Gough and Rembrandt are found outside of Vondelpark, the ornately sculptured park is actually the art form implied upon. There is, however, a sculpture by Picasso (The Fish), and an abundance of places for repose and tranquility. By far the best way to explore the lush grounds is to use the beloved local means of transport in Amsterdam: the ...15 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
You'll cruise aboard a luxury glass-domed motor launch while savoring a sumptuous four-course dinner, accompanied by free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks. You will be ...16.20 miles away via Amsterdam.
$88+
+ 22 others. Show all.
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
Amidst the flowers there are exquisite pieces of sculpture and other works of art to admire. En route to Keukenhof you'll drive through the beautiful ...
Starting from $42.96 per person.
Starting from $42.96 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
- Keukenhof
- For 60 years now, Keukenhof has been the most beautiful place in the world, where spring bursts out in all of its colourful majesty. Here you can find inspiration and relaxation in a magnificent park environment.
- Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands - About.com
- A spring cruise to Holland and the Netherlands is not complete without a shore excursion to the Keukenhof gardens hear Amsterdam.
- Keukenhof Gardens in Spring - WhatsOnWhen.com
- Set in 77 acres of wooded park in Lisse, Keukenhof are some of the world's most spectacular flower gardens. Established in 1949 as a showcase for Dutch bulb-growers, every spring more than seven million buds reach to the sky.
Media References
- Tulip Mania - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Spring visitors can't miss the bright fields: flights approach Schiphol Airport over the sandy soil behind the Netherlands' coastal dunes, perfect tulip country, roughly from Haarlem to The Hague.
- Growing - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Anyone who can stare down into the face of Tulipa greigii Fanfarella -- creamy white with a blush of red on every petal and a yellow throat -- without falling in love has got to be repressing something.
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Indonesian 
,
Turkish
,
Vietnamese
are some of the languages spoken in Netherlands. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
People with experience
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "keukenhof gardens":
