The sun is showing itself more and more, the temperature is rising and little lambs are running around outside. That means that the flowers will start to bloom again. Who doesn’t get excited by all those colourful tulips, hyacinths, crocuses and daffodils? In this article you’ll find the best places in the Netherlands with charming flower activities.
The most beautiful flowerfields in the Nederlands
The name says it all: in spring, the area around the Bollenstreek is full of elongated fields of daffodils, fields of hyacinths, crocuses and tulips. It’s the perfect place for a lovely walk or bike ride on a sunny day. The Bollenstreek starts above Leiden and ends at Haarlem, an area large enough to explore. You find most of the bulb fields around Lisse, Hillegom, and Noordwijkerhout. These villages are all close to each other, so the best option is to jump on your bike to admire the splendour of all the flower fields. You can take photo breaks to look back at the beautiful experience later on, but beware: it is not appreciated when you enter the fields as the flowers may damage. So stay along the edge of the fields.
Tip: if you’ve had enough of the flowers, enjoy a walk on the beach. The Bollenstreek is located directlybehind the dunes, so the beach is easy to reach, both by car and by bike.
Bloemencorso:
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek is a grand annual event. From Noordwijk to Haarlem, a long parade of magnificent floats slowly make its way through the Bollenstreek, with room for hundreds of thousands of visitors. These floats are full of daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, crocuses and other flowers, creating an impressive sight. Every year, the Bloemencorso has a different theme, allowing it to be a new spectacle every time. In addition to the floats, the parade includes cars decorated with flower bouquets, music vans, and brass bands.
Besides the parade itself, the Bloemencorso has more to offer fans; the biggest spring festival offers almost a week of activities with all kinds of flowers from the Bollenstreek. Take a look behind the scenes of the decoration, watch the lights of the parade at night or take a look at the floats one day after the parade.
Exhibition of the floats
On Sunday, April 23, you can enjoy the beautiful floats one last time! In the bustling center of Haarlem you can take the most beautiful pictures between cozy terraces, music and entertainment. Don’t forget to wave the floats off at 17:00 with a final salute!
Keukenhof
Keukenhof probably rings a bell for many people: it is the largest and most famous flower park in the world. It is not without reason that more than a million visitors enjoy the flowerbeds every year. Get the ultimate spring feeling with more than 7 million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, carnations, irises, and other flowers that bloom here. With at least 15 kilometres of footpaths, you have endless pleasure for your senses; not only does it look spectacular, the scents of all the different types of flowers smell amazing. Every year, the flowers and gardens of Keukenhof have a theme.
Besides the different flower gardens and pavilions, there is more to experience in the park. Look at interesting art from the Kröller-Möller museum, float around in the whisper boat and visit the animal meadow. For kids there’s also a playground and the possibility of a scavenger hunt.
Keukenhof is open to visitors from 23 March to 14 May. Book your tickets here and find more information about Keukenhof 2023.
Complete your unforgettable weekend full of flowers and enjoy a lovely overnight stay at Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam or Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre.
Read here about another great bicycle route you can do when you’re in the Netherlands, this time in the Zaanstreek.
You’ll be surprised!