Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof is open for just two months each spring, making the annual event one of the most popular in Europe. In addition to the flower fields, the park is a kid-friendly venue home to canals, restaurants, a picnic area, maze, playground, and windmill, providing plenty to see and do as you walk around. Consider booking a tour or ticket with skip-the-line access to ensure you get to experience the flowers in bloom, and plan to spend a half or full day exploring the park. Combo tours are available if you'd like to check out additional locations in Holland such as Marken, Volendam fishing villages, or Zaanse Schans.

• Keukenhof is only open from mid-March to mid-May.

• There are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep the little ones occupied.

• Lockers are available to store luggage.

• The park is both wheelchair and stroller accessible.

• Wi-Fi is available throughout the park.

Keukenhof is located in the town of Lisse, about an hour southwest of Amsterdam in the Dutch countryside. Booking a Keukenhof Gardens tour or ticket package with included transportation and admission is the most convenient way to get there, although public transport is also available from Amsterdam city center if you plan to visit on your own.

Keukenhof is open from mid-March to mid-May each year. Special events such as the flower parade and exhibitions are held during these two months, so check the Keukenhof website for a calendar if you're interested in timing your visit appropriately.

While the park is open, about 20 rotating flower and plant shows take place inside the park's pavilions, allowing travelers to see and learn about specific varieties of flowers such as orchids, lilies, and, of course, tulips.

Allow two to four hours to enjoy Keukenhof Gardens, depending on how fast you walk, how many photos you take, and how into spring flowers you are. With around 7 million bulbs, plus 10 miles (15 kilometers) of footpaths, the gardens could easily entertain you for the day.

The weather is more important than the day of the week when visiting Keukenhof Gardens: You’ll have more fun and take better photos on a dry, clear day. With that said, midweek days with no special events are quieter, so try Tuesday or Wednesday.

It depends. It’s not required, but it is wise to book Keukenhof Gardens in advance. This wildly popular attraction is only open for eight weeks each year and timed slots may be taken on the day-of. However, you can usually leave enough leeway to check the long-range weather forecast.

Yes, you can bring a backpack to Keukenhof Gardens, but you’ll likely need to store it in the luggage lockers. There are some lockers near the main entrance and overflow storage, but there's not capacity for large luggage: Leave jumbo packs and big suitcases at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport instead.

Yes, Keukenhof Gardens are accessible, with flat, wide paths, ample wheelchair-friendly bathrooms, and ramps where needed. There is an accessible bus route and a designated parking area near the entrance. The only accessibility issue most travelers encounter is at the children’s playground, which is sandy.

Yes. Despite the crowds, Keukenhof Gardens are worth it. They give you a chance to see Holland do what it does best—bloom. However, it’s worth knowing that these are formal, manicured gardens, not the open expanses of tulip fields some photographers and Instagrammers are hoping to find.