Walking through this pristine garden is an out-of-body experience. The entire park is absolutely bursting with scent-sational fragrance and vibrant color. Seeing the endless flowing seas of flowers is surreal. The perfect petal displays and flowering fields and the rolling green landscape of pristine flower scenes are unworldly and like a fairytale.
A Blooming History
The history of Keukenhof, which means Kitchen Garden, goes back to a flower exhibition that was developed during the 15th century on the Landgoed Keukenhof Estate grounds. The first part of the estate was built in 1641 but since has passed through the hands of several wealthy merchant families, including Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt. They asked the landscape architect Zocher, responsible for the Vondelpark in Amsterdam, to design a garden around their castle. This English landscape they created in 1857 still forms the basis of the park as seen today.
In 1949 a group of flower bulb exporters came up with an idea to use the estate to showcase an exhibition of spring flowering bulbs. This was the birth of Keukenhof as we know it today! The park officially opened its doors to the public in 1950. The estate is now owned by a foundation charged with preserving the park that now measures over 240 hectares and includes 15 buildings. The Keukenhof garden uses 50 of these hectares for the annual flower exhibition.
Behind the Petals
Where do all the gorgeous blooms come from? One hundred bulb growers supply the bulbs to the park, completely free of charge, so the park may showcase their products. The park also works with over 500 cultivators and traders that collaborate on the annual flower shows that are found in the pavilions and grounds.
In order to ensure that Keukenhof always has a new look, the planting is redesigned every year. You will never see the same design twice at this gorgeous garden oasis.
Flower Power
This year, in contrary to previous editions, Keukenhof is not dedicated to a specific theme. However, Keukenhof 2023 does have a special surprise for visitors; a collaboration with the Kröller-Müller Museum and 25 artists. They’ve blended several sculptures and artworks into the already breathtaking flower gardens, to give the experience an extra dimension.
The Pavilions on the property feature a changing selection of 20 flower and plant shows, where growers exhibit a wide variety of plants and flowers. This is the pinnacle completion for these growers – where judges decide the best-in-show for each horticultural product.
Flowering Fields Forever
Not just immaculate gardens, Keukenhof also has fields of flowers right on the property to explore. The (gorgeous!!) fields are accessible only by boat tours that last 45 minutes through water-filled canals. The “Whisper Boat” tours are digitally narrated through headsets, which offer narration through several different languages. The canal boat tours are the only experience at Keukenhof that is not included in the admission. Tours are €10,00 for adults, €5,00 for children aged 4-11. Children age 3 and younger are free. Boat tours can be booked in advance online. Note: They are called Whisper Boats as you are asked to speak only at a whisper volume on the tour.
Don’t miss the chance to view these fields from the park! You can also have a great view from the top of the windmill terrace and on top of the viewing platform at the end of the garden maze. We found these views spectacular, and are a must during your visit.
The Iconic Windmill
The famous windmill at Keukenhof is more than a century old. It was built in Groningen in 1892 and was used to pump water out of a polder. In 1957, the Holland-America Line bought the mill and donated it to Keukenhof. Visitors of all ages are invited to tour the windmill today (and take in the absolutely stunning view of the fields!).
A Paradise for Children
Keukenhof is an absolute paradise for children. They are welcomed with open arms, and throughout all exhibitions. There is a large playground on site with separate areas that would appeal to children of all ages – from small slides for toddlers and the littlest flower fan, to playground climbing contraptions for older children (and those who would enjoy a thrill of a zip line!). There is even a separate snack house catering to children directly next to the playground that features children’s meals with mini Dutch pancakes (happy meal style – with a drink and a toy) as well as neighboring food carts with popcorn and cotton candy.
Aside from the playground (which we could have spent all day in), there is also a fun garden maze. The small, yet fun garden maze was created from tall bushes – those who make it to the end are rewarded with a look from the pavilion, which offers amazing views of the park, as well as the flower fields.
We loved how there were so many child-friendly experiences on-site, all geared towards memorable family experiences that will last a lifetime. Read more about the children’s experiences here.
Crowd Control
Want to enjoy the peace and quiet of Keukenhof? It is less busy before 10:30 and after 16:00. The light of the morning and evening sun allows you to take wonderful photographs. It is also less busy on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday than on the other days of the week. Early bird gets the worm. I can’t stress this enough: Get there as early as possible. Often, especially during weekends, Keukenhof closes its doors early due to the fact that the park has reached capacity.
How to get there
Given the garden’s close city location, it’s easy to discover this park as a day trip from Amsterdam, and there are many ways to access this flowering oasis! Public transport is the fast, comfortable way of getting to Keukenhof, with many departure locations and options. The bus service picks up from multiple locations – including the Schiphol airport and Amsterdam Central Station. There is also a train service that runs from Amsterdam and other cities, where you can then connect to a Keukenhof Express bus.
In most cases, the cheapest way to travel is by using a “Combiticket” or combined ticket. This day ticket is both your Keukenhof ticket and your ticket for public transport on that day. The bus driver will drop you off right outside or near Keukenhof’s main entrance and you don’t have to wait in the ticket line either.
Have a car? Keukenhof has a large parking lot for those who drive in for the gardens, which holds 4,500 cars and over 1,000 coaches. Car parking is 6 euro.
Being the New Yorkers we are – we opted for an Uber from our hotel in Amsterdam. A pricier option – but we sprung for this convenience as we wanted to be first to the park and have a leisurely, direct-to-door experience getting there. Our Uber was about 50 euro and took 35 minutes.
Leaving the park: The bus and train service has multiple departures a day. Taxis were plentiful as we exited the park, and were waiting for a fare. Uber also works great in the area, which is what we used to return to our destination as well (we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a driver).
Tips for visiting Keukenhof:
- We are often asked how long to gauge for a visit. We spent 4 1/2 hours in the gardens, and while we didn’t get to see all the pavilions, we thought that this time was adequate (which included a leisurely lunch). However, our little guy could have spent all day at the playgrounds and maze. The timing at the gardens really depends on each family!
- On your way into the park be sure to grab a free Keukenhof Scavenger Hunt booklet from the information desk. The booklet includes facts, teasers, activities, and challenges for kids. Finish the booklet and pick up your free gift from the information desk as you exit.
- As mentioned previously, Keukenhof is very family-friendly! Strollers are absolutely allowed. As one would expect- strollers are not allowed on boat tours or in the narrow passageway stairs of the windmill.
- Fido like flowers? Not just kids – Keukenhof is also a friend to the four-legged family members too! Fido is allowed to tour the grounds on a leash, however, is not allowed in the pavilions or restaurants with exception of guide dogs.
- There are multiple restaurants, kiosks, and food stand options directly in the gardens offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, snacks, ice creams, and adult beverages – there’s something for all palettes!
- There are many tables but with the crowds, they are often taken. Our tip? Bring a blanket and have a picnic! Grab some yummy food from one of the truck vendors and set up a to-go picnic lunch right in this garden oasis – there couldn’t be a more picturesque location! Bonus: outside food and drink are allowed.
- The famous stepping stones in the pond make for a gorgeous photo backdrop! Just be sure to practice caution with small children. The stones become wet and a bit slippery, and a slip into the water could make for quite a wet afternoon adventure.
- Free Wi-Fi is available around the pavilions at the park.
