Amsterdam’s coveted Tulip Season is just around the corner, and with it comes the highly anticipated events you can only catch once per year. It’s a view like no other—the unprecedented volume of flowers bathes the city in vivid colours you truly have to see to believe—but it doesn’t last for long. Understandably, this draws substantial numbers of locals and tourists alike, resulting in tons of on-theme entertainment options from installations to parades. But, how to choose? These are most picturesque spots to celebrate Spring, the Dutch way.
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
For a serene escape from the city centre, make Keukenhof Tulip Garden your first stop. With over 800 varieties and 7 million bulbs planted by hand each year, it’s the largest tulip garden in the world and an unforgettable experience to see in person. It only opens for a limited time, from 23rd March until 14th May, so do plan your Amsterdam holiday dates with this in mind.
Located in Lisse, 24 miles outside of Amsterdam, the garden is easily accessible via car and takes just 30 minutes. Alternatively, the Keukenhof Express is a hassle-free bus service that picks you up at Amsterdam Central Station (located opposite Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam) and brings you directly there.
Museum de Zwarte Tulp
Journey through 500 years of the Flower Bulb region’s history and culture at the Museum de Zwarte Tulp (Museum of the Black Tulip). It’s a comprehensive space for the curious minded to enrich their knowledge of the science and technology that goes into tulip development alongside a rotation of unique art exhibitions. Plus, it’s only a six-minute bike ride from Keukenhof Tulip Gardens.
The Flower Strip
You’ll find plenty of spectacular photos of the iconic flower strip online, but they’ll never do justice to the tranquillity of biking through the field yourself. Like the gardens, it’s one of the most popular attractions during this special season (and for good reason). Stretching for 32 kilometres, from Haarlem to Leiden, the flower strip is bike-friendly with flat paths along the entire route.
Flower Parade
The Flower Parade is back for the 76th time this year on Saturday, 22nd April. Brighten up your day with an alternative and creative way to see spring flowers. Hundreds of huge sculptures made of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and more, will be moving from Noordwijk to Haarlem. The parade is a true celebration with uplifting live music and overall, a joyful atmosphere.
Credits: Unsplash.com
Rolling Kitchens Food Festival
Diversify your spring celebrations with at the annual Rolling Kitchen Food Festival, or Rollende Keukens, open from 17th to 21st May. Food trucks with rich flavours from around the world will unite in a massive open-air food fair with a handful of bars serving cocktails, beer, and wine. Live music and dancers bring everyone together, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere just a 30 minutes’ walk from Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam.
Credits: Unsplash.com
