Flower fields in the Netherlands

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The flower fields in the Netherlands are world famous. The striking colours of the flowers tulips are a typical Dutch landmark in spring. The red, pink and yellow colours are breathtakingly beautiful and should be on everyone's bucket list.

The so called “Bollenstreek” is the area where you need to be if you want to see the world-famous Dutch flowers with your own eyes. The area around Lisse, Hillegom and Noordwijkerhout is a mecca for lovers of flower fields. This region is located just behind the dunes and it is a wonderful area to stay. Here you can stroll through the beautiful dunes or visit charming towns like Noordwijk and Katwijk. 

Another great region to discover the flower fields is Flevoland. Every year there is a signposted route from around mid-April to early May along some 1000 hectares of tulip fields. This Tulpenroute can be covered both by car and by bike, and according to National Geographic is one of the most beautiful car routes in the world.

The annual Flower Parade (Bloemencorso in Dutch) is a spectacle with beautiful colors and delicious perfumes. Twenty huge floats and thirty decorated cars follow a 42 kilometer (26 miles) route from Noordwijk to Haarlem. Hundreds of thousands of visitors from Holland and abroad are drawn to the colorful flower spectacle every year. It is held in the middle of April.

Tulip fields in the Netherlands without Tourists

The best place to see tulips in the Netherlands without any tourists is in the southwestern part of the Netherlands. It is an island called 'Goeree-Overflakkee'. The island has one of the best wind and kite surf beaches in the Netherlands and huge tulip fields in the spring.  

Goeree-Overflakkee and its tulip fields are a 35-minute drive from Rotterdam. Unlike Keukenhof, Lisse or Amsterdam, these tulip fields are known only to locals who visit them on weekends or after their workday. There are so many fields nearby that it will not be difficult to find tulip flowers fields without visitors. Here you can find a google map with all locations in Goeree-Overflakkee.

Where to stay

If you are looking for a great place to stay and if you are not on a budget we recommend staying at the fancy 5 star and sustainable Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk. The hotel is nicely situated right on the beach. The beach itself is wide and sandy.

Best time to visit

The flower fields start to colour from the end of March until May with the end of April being the best time. Click here for more climate details about Noordwijk.