Our Guided Tour of Keukenhof Garden Glen and Flower Fields
Our Guided Tour of Keukenhof Garden Glen
Why Go To Keukenhof?
Keukenhof is the most extensive tulip garden in the world. Let's explore it.
In our opinion the Keukenhof Garden and Glen is the most beautiful garden in the world and it is a stone's throw away from one Europe's most dynamic cities. You will see over 7 million flowers including over 700 species of tulips! There are some really fun activities for the kids and adults will get a blast from the exhibits. There are small canals that form several made made glens such as the one pictured above.
Best of all it is close by to Amsterdam and you can make a day trip out of it. So you can enjoy the amenities of one of the major cities of Europe and visit this special place.
We will show you how to get there and read our personal, exclusive tour through this enchanting garden.
Although popular to an extent, most Americans have never heard of it. In fact many of the Dutch locals we know have not visited even if they live relatively nearby.
Imagine yourself immersed in the most culturally enchanting field in the world. If you do you have arrived in Keukenhof.
How To Get There
Keukenhof is situated approximately 1 hour southwest of Amsterdam. Take the train or the bus to Schipol Airport. From there go to the booth in the northwest entrance and purchase tickets at the booth. From there proceed to walk through the western pathway and out through the gates. This part is tricky as many people will assume it is the nearby bus stop at the exit. Nope. You have to keep walking around all the way to the end of the airport. It is not as far as it sounds, this will only take 5 minutes at most.
Once you arrive at the special Keukenhof buses, the attendant will ask for your ticket. You hop in and off you go once the bus is filled.
Enjoy a scenic tour through the countryside as you leave the hustle of the airport behind. You will farms, irrigation ditches, wind turbines, and a few lone hotels and restaurants as you go through the highway. The bus will exit and transfer to a perpendicular westward bound route. The ride will take approximately 35 minutes.
When To Go:
Unlike most attractions on Earth, Keukenhof requires you to go within a 8 week window each year. That is because tulips bloom at this time. Keukenhof is open from mid March until mid May daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. We went at the beginning one time at there are less flowers bloomed plus the boat ride was closed due to a severe arctic cold front. However, that was an abnormally strong cold front and most years early in the season works just fine. We had the place to ourselves towards the end of the day in many areas. Plus the staff had giant flower pots that they rolled out since many ground flowers had not bloomed yet. Daffodils and smaller tulips bloom early in the season. Larger tulips bloom towards the end of the season. Best days to go are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
The Entrance and Glen Area
Arrive at the front gate and check out the ducks in the ponds. They sure look like North American ducks who have migrated there permanently or just for spring.
Take a picture with dutch women who are dressed in traditional milkmaid hats and clothes. Sorry, they do not have wooden shoes any longer!
Stroll to the right first and follow the stream until it veers off. Make a left at this pathway with a row of arches and interesting small ponds. All the way you are surrounded by vibrant tulip patches as far as the eye can see. The patches are well curated and surrounded by lush grass, bushes, and a few trees.
Look to the right and you can check out a few bird cages with real birds inside. Plus there is a nice water fountain at the south eastern corner.
However, we are continuing left and walking under the archways. At the end of this interesting foot path that has round abouts you will encounter the Orange Pavilion.
Orange Nassau Pavilion
Head inside the Orange Pavilion and you will see beautiful exhibitions including a tulips decorated swing that two can sit on. There are many human created tulip exhibits in here. We saw a variety of art work as well. There is even a decorated old 1950s open top car.
Petting Zoo
It's so neat, there is a petting zoo in the central part of the garden!
Playgrounds and Cafe
There are several playground areas that will delight kids. There are slides and climbing boxes. Adults can even try their hand on the ropes.
Stop by the coffee shop and order coffee with some local Dutch treats.
Fun Activity: Zipline
Yes, there is a miniature zipline just behind the play area adjacent to the petting zoo and next to the cafe. Push the holder up the small slope and zoom off. For more speed have someone nudge the zipliner as they take off. There is a weight limit for this fund aside.
Maze
Behind the petting zoo you will see a sign and entrance to a human hedge maze. Wander through or even do a race with your companions. When you reach the end you will arive on a small look out tower that you can climb up. Up here yo ucan see the park and petting zoo on the hedge maze side. Looking out the other way you will see flower fields and distant windmills along with a canal dividing you from the fields.
Optional: Lookout Point And Water Fountain
If time permits head south of the maze and you will encounter a small hill with a trail that you can walk up and have beautiful view of the canal below and the flower fields across. There are two look out points and the first one on the left is smaller but closer to the left field. The lookout point on the right is bigger but you have to further south.
Find the Windmill and Special Boat
Keep walking past the windmill and you see the Windmill in the distance. Before you head over, there are two outcrops in the right where you can walk right up to the edge of the canal. Don't miss this chance to see the canal upclose on foot.
Walk through the winding pathway and around the corner and you will see it. Yes, you found the windmill at the back entrance!
Off to the left there is a small hedge entrance. Go through it before you head to the windmill you can have a chacne to sit in a moored rowboat. This is a prefect picture opportunity with the windmill in the background.
Next buy canal tour tickets and then head up the windmill. It is a short but steep climb up one story. Take a look at the picture here where you are looking down at the boat from the top of the windmill. There is usually a volunteer worker here who will be delighted to answer your questions about the windmill and everything else about Keukenhof.
Keukenhof Boat Tour
After you descend the windmill, it is time to take a ride through the canal. Hop on board the windcraft and an expert guide will take you through to see the flower fields.
Optional: Beatrix Building
If you have the time, you can head north after your boat ride to the Beatrix building and then head west from there laong the forested path before heading south to rendevous at the William Alexander Building.
Miffy's House
If you skip the Beatrix Building, then head straight west from the Mill. There you will see the large glass greenhouse called Willem-Alexander. Don't go in just yet. Look to the right right beofre you ge thtere and off to the side is tiny colorful cottage with a miniature canal. You will know you arrived because there will be two small rocking horses on metal springs for kids in front.
Congratulations you found Miffy's House!
In here is a cute collection of everything Miffy, a famous cartoon rabbit beloved by the Dutch. It smells really good in there too. Buy a Miffy keychain or some other souvenir. The cashier and everyone else here are seasonal workers who are both kind and very knowledgeable. The lady who handled our purchases the day we went even said she works someone where else but she wanted to be a "part of this". She is referring to working at Keukenhof for the few weeks a year it is open to the public.
Williem-Alexander Building
Walk over back to the Williem-Alexander Greenhouse, it is one of the largest greenhouses we have seen. In here you will see a wide variety of tulips with attending staff available to answer questions. You will see a wide variety of tulips here, especially if you arrive during cold weather early in the season where many of the ground tulips have not bloomed yet.
Lunch
Eat at the Willem-Alexander cafe or head south back to Orange Nassau and enjoy some lunch.
Wilhelmina/Juliana/Irene Houses
After lunch, head northwest to Wilhelmina and then south to Juliana and Irene houses for more variety of tulips. Juliana is interesting for learning about tulip bulbs.
Gift Shop
Now it is late afternoon and you are ready to check out. Before departing get some souvenirs at the two gift shops. The one on the left has traditional trickets and books. The one to the right of the entrance has bulbs for sale. We asked and the ladies said you can transport them back to the United States. We did not try transporting any bulbs back so if anyone has information please let us know.
Summary
There you have it. You have just experienced the most remarkable flower gardens on Earth with beautiful forest and glens tucked in between exhibits. This is truly a remarkable place so close to civilization but yet so far from people's minds. Almost everyone we ask in the U.S., Australia, Asia, and many in Europe has never heard of Keukenhof. Even one of the hotel receptionists we met has never been here. By the way it is pronounced Koookenhof. You have dip the o and rise back up.
Until next time!
 |
| Keukenhof Glen |
Keukenhof is the most extensive tulip garden in the world. Let's explore it.
In our opinion the Keukenhof Garden and Glen is the most beautiful garden in the world and it is a stone's throw away from one Europe's most dynamic cities. You will see over 7 million flowers including over 700 species of tulips! There are some really fun activities for the kids and adults will get a blast from the exhibits. There are small canals that form several made made glens such as the one pictured above.
Best of all it is close by to Amsterdam and you can make a day trip out of it. So you can enjoy the amenities of one of the major cities of Europe and visit this special place.
We will show you how to get there and read our personal, exclusive tour through this enchanting garden.
Although popular to an extent, most Americans have never heard of it. In fact many of the Dutch locals we know have not visited even if they live relatively nearby.
Imagine yourself immersed in the most culturally enchanting field in the world. If you do you have arrived in Keukenhof.
How To Get There
Keukenhof is situated approximately 1 hour southwest of Amsterdam. Take the train or the bus to Schipol Airport. From there go to the booth in the northwest entrance and purchase tickets at the booth. From there proceed to walk through the western pathway and out through the gates. This part is tricky as many people will assume it is the nearby bus stop at the exit. Nope. You have to keep walking around all the way to the end of the airport. It is not as far as it sounds, this will only take 5 minutes at most.
Once you arrive at the special Keukenhof buses, the attendant will ask for your ticket. You hop in and off you go once the bus is filled.
Enjoy a scenic tour through the countryside as you leave the hustle of the airport behind. You will farms, irrigation ditches, wind turbines, and a few lone hotels and restaurants as you go through the highway. The bus will exit and transfer to a perpendicular westward bound route. The ride will take approximately 35 minutes.
When To Go:
Unlike most attractions on Earth, Keukenhof requires you to go within a 8 week window each year. That is because tulips bloom at this time. Keukenhof is open from mid March until mid May daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. We went at the beginning one time at there are less flowers bloomed plus the boat ride was closed due to a severe arctic cold front. However, that was an abnormally strong cold front and most years early in the season works just fine. We had the place to ourselves towards the end of the day in many areas. Plus the staff had giant flower pots that they rolled out since many ground flowers had not bloomed yet. Daffodils and smaller tulips bloom early in the season. Larger tulips bloom towards the end of the season. Best days to go are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
The Entrance and Glen Area
Arrive at the front gate and check out the ducks in the ponds. They sure look like North American ducks who have migrated there permanently or just for spring.
 |
| Map of Keukenhof Grounds |
Take a picture with dutch women who are dressed in traditional milkmaid hats and clothes. Sorry, they do not have wooden shoes any longer!
 |
| A Second Keukenhof Glen |
Stroll to the right first and follow the stream until it veers off. Make a left at this pathway with a row of arches and interesting small ponds. All the way you are surrounded by vibrant tulip patches as far as the eye can see. The patches are well curated and surrounded by lush grass, bushes, and a few trees.
Look to the right and you can check out a few bird cages with real birds inside. Plus there is a nice water fountain at the south eastern corner.
However, we are continuing left and walking under the archways. At the end of this interesting foot path that has round abouts you will encounter the Orange Pavilion.
Orange Nassau Pavilion
Head inside the Orange Pavilion and you will see beautiful exhibitions including a tulips decorated swing that two can sit on. There are many human created tulip exhibits in here. We saw a variety of art work as well. There is even a decorated old 1950s open top car.
Petting Zoo
It's so neat, there is a petting zoo in the central part of the garden!
Playgrounds and Cafe
There are several playground areas that will delight kids. There are slides and climbing boxes. Adults can even try their hand on the ropes.
Stop by the coffee shop and order coffee with some local Dutch treats.
Fun Activity: Zipline
Yes, there is a miniature zipline just behind the play area adjacent to the petting zoo and next to the cafe. Push the holder up the small slope and zoom off. For more speed have someone nudge the zipliner as they take off. There is a weight limit for this fund aside.
Maze
Behind the petting zoo you will see a sign and entrance to a human hedge maze. Wander through or even do a race with your companions. When you reach the end you will arive on a small look out tower that you can climb up. Up here yo ucan see the park and petting zoo on the hedge maze side. Looking out the other way you will see flower fields and distant windmills along with a canal dividing you from the fields.
Optional: Lookout Point And Water Fountain
If time permits head south of the maze and you will encounter a small hill with a trail that you can walk up and have beautiful view of the canal below and the flower fields across. There are two look out points and the first one on the left is smaller but closer to the left field. The lookout point on the right is bigger but you have to further south.
Find the Windmill and Special Boat
Keep walking past the windmill and you see the Windmill in the distance. Before you head over, there are two outcrops in the right where you can walk right up to the edge of the canal. Don't miss this chance to see the canal upclose on foot.
Walk through the winding pathway and around the corner and you will see it. Yes, you found the windmill at the back entrance!
Off to the left there is a small hedge entrance. Go through it before you head to the windmill you can have a chacne to sit in a moored rowboat. This is a prefect picture opportunity with the windmill in the background.
Next buy canal tour tickets and then head up the windmill. It is a short but steep climb up one story. Take a look at the picture here where you are looking down at the boat from the top of the windmill. There is usually a volunteer worker here who will be delighted to answer your questions about the windmill and everything else about Keukenhof.
 |
| Picture from the top of the windmill. |
Keukenhof Boat Tour
After you descend the windmill, it is time to take a ride through the canal. Hop on board the windcraft and an expert guide will take you through to see the flower fields.
Optional: Beatrix Building
If you have the time, you can head north after your boat ride to the Beatrix building and then head west from there laong the forested path before heading south to rendevous at the William Alexander Building.
Miffy's House
If you skip the Beatrix Building, then head straight west from the Mill. There you will see the large glass greenhouse called Willem-Alexander. Don't go in just yet. Look to the right right beofre you ge thtere and off to the side is tiny colorful cottage with a miniature canal. You will know you arrived because there will be two small rocking horses on metal springs for kids in front.
Congratulations you found Miffy's House!
In here is a cute collection of everything Miffy, a famous cartoon rabbit beloved by the Dutch. It smells really good in there too. Buy a Miffy keychain or some other souvenir. The cashier and everyone else here are seasonal workers who are both kind and very knowledgeable. The lady who handled our purchases the day we went even said she works someone where else but she wanted to be a "part of this". She is referring to working at Keukenhof for the few weeks a year it is open to the public.
Williem-Alexander Building
Walk over back to the Williem-Alexander Greenhouse, it is one of the largest greenhouses we have seen. In here you will see a wide variety of tulips with attending staff available to answer questions. You will see a wide variety of tulips here, especially if you arrive during cold weather early in the season where many of the ground tulips have not bloomed yet.
Lunch
Eat at the Willem-Alexander cafe or head south back to Orange Nassau and enjoy some lunch.
Wilhelmina/Juliana/Irene Houses
After lunch, head northwest to Wilhelmina and then south to Juliana and Irene houses for more variety of tulips. Juliana is interesting for learning about tulip bulbs.
Gift Shop
Now it is late afternoon and you are ready to check out. Before departing get some souvenirs at the two gift shops. The one on the left has traditional trickets and books. The one to the right of the entrance has bulbs for sale. We asked and the ladies said you can transport them back to the United States. We did not try transporting any bulbs back so if anyone has information please let us know.
Summary
There you have it. You have just experienced the most remarkable flower gardens on Earth with beautiful forest and glens tucked in between exhibits. This is truly a remarkable place so close to civilization but yet so far from people's minds. Almost everyone we ask in the U.S., Australia, Asia, and many in Europe has never heard of Keukenhof. Even one of the hotel receptionists we met has never been here. By the way it is pronounced Koookenhof. You have dip the o and rise back up.
Until next time!
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