Discover the best places where you can find and see tulip fields in The Netherlands, without or with tourists. This local guide to finding the best, free and most beautiful flower fields in The Netherlands is a must-read for anyone who wants to visit The Netherlands and Holland during tulip season. Find all the places and provinces in The Netherlands where you can see Dutch bulb fields with this perfect guide to the tulip fields of Holland.
Plus the perfect tulip route of Flevoland, Holland as well as tulip routes for the provinces of Zeeland and Drenthe, The Netherlands. Including information to finding a tulip garden near Amsterdam and the best information for the best time to see tulips in Holland, Amsterdam and The Netherlands. As well as a tour through tulip farms in The Netherlands and tips to the best tulip events in The Netherlands, plus tips for seeing tulip fields by air. Find the best places and locations for seeing and finding the tulip fields of The Netherlands here with these insider tips.
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Where are the tulip fields in The Netherlands
Tulip fields can be found all throughout The Netherlands. Most tourists go to the tulip fields in Lisse and Hillegom in the province of Zuid-Holland, or South Holland. In the area of Lisse you can also find De Keukenhof, which is one of the biggest flower gardens in the world.
While most tourists go to Zuid-Holland to see tulips in The Netherlands, there are other provinces in The Netherlands and beyond Holland where you can find tulip fields. Think of Noord-Holland, where you’ll find most of the tulip fields of The Netherlands but without the tourists. Or visit the tulip fields in Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, Zeeland and Flevoland, The Netherlands. One thing is for sure, you can find the beautiful Dutch tulip fields all throughout The Netherlands.
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Best time to see tulips for tulip season in The Netherlands
The tulip season in The Netherlands generally lasts between mid April until the first two days of May. However, keep in mind that the exact time depends on the winter season. When there has been a very strong winter, then the tulips bloom a little bit later in The Netherlands. When the winter has been very mild, then the tulip fields will be blooming a little earlier in Holland and The Netherlands. The best time to see tulips for tulip season in The Netherlands is generally the last weekend of April.
13th of April 2023 update Dutch tulip fields in Holland and The Netherlands 2023: Our Dutch winter has been cold in December, and after that it has been mild. It’s been pretty warm the last few days. I expect the tulip fields in North Holland in The Netherlands to start blooming naturally around the 15th of April 2023. Note: this does not mean that all of the fields will be blooming suddenly, it’s when they roughly start. It now really depends on the amount of sun and the temperature. Right now there are not many fields just yet (there are a few!). In the Zuid- Holland tulip region, they often bloom a tad earlier than in the rest of the country, due to them having a layer of plastic on top of the fields. This happens in few areas in Noord- Holland (Enkhuizen, Venhuizen, Oostwoud too). Also, you can join me on a bike tour along the tulip fields this year.
Can I walk inside the tulip fields to take photos in The Netherlands
No. Tulip fields in The Netherlands aren’t here for your Instagram page or to entertain you. The flower industry in The Netherlands is enormous. Millions of tulips, tulip bulbs and other flowers are sold each day. It’s an industry. This means that the tulips in the tulip fields in The Netherlands, that you want to walk through, belong to someone. To a tulip farmer. Those tulips are part of his job.
If you walk in the tulip fields in The Netherlands, lay between them, etc. there’s a big chance you’re destroying tulips. You can cause the spread of fungus, insects and diseases that will destroy tons of the bulb field in The Netherlands. This means the farmer will lose money, has less money to feed his or her family and to pay the bills. Think before you act. Unless you have permission from the farmer, you are NOT allowed to enter the tulip fields in The Netherlands.
So. One last check. Are you allowed to enter and walk inside the tulip fields in The Netherlands? If you have answered no, then you’re good to go and we will happily greet you in The Netherlands. If, for some reason, you still think that you can be ignorant and that the tulip fields are here for your pleasure, then please stay home.
Where to see and find fields of Dutch tulips in The Netherlands
Where to see and find Dutch tulip fields in Noord- Holland, The Netherlands
One of the best areas and locations for finding and seeing tulip fields in The Netherlands is the province of Noord- Holland. In the area of the Kop van Noord-Holland, or top of North Holland, you can find most tulip fields in The Netherlands and the world. There are also other places in this part of The Netherlands where you can find tulip fields, which you will discover below.
Amsterdam
Tulip fields cannot be found in the city of Amsterdam and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. You can find some flowerpots filled with tulips, but that’s as far as finding tulips in Amsterdam goes. You can take a tulip tour near Amsterdam with me. These places in North Holland to see tulip fields are all near Amsterdam, so it’s perfect for a spring day trip. The Keukenhof area, which will be discussed in the province of Zuid-Holland, is also near Amsterdam, but too crowded for my liking.
You can find the tulip fields closest to Amsterdam in this article.
Hoorn & surroundings
Hoorn is not only a beautiful city that you should definitely visit, but the city and its surroundings are known for it’s beautiful and free tulip fields within Noord- Holland and The Netherlands. The area of Hoorn, Bovenkarspel, Medemblik, Enkhuizen and Andijk is filled with tulip fields. The area of Drechterland, which is a municipality, is also a perfect area to find and see tulip fields in North Holland.
An extra tip: Tourists can discover the tulip fields in this area of Noord-Holland from a historic steam train that will ride a special route.
Alkmaar & surroundings
The city of Alkmaar can be visited as a perfect day trip from Amsterdam, but also for the cheese market which is one of the things you have to see and do in The Netherlands. Besides that, Alkmaar is a perfect starting point to explore the tulip fields of the top of Noord- (North) Holland.
I would recommend you to follow the following tulip route from Alkmaar, The Netherlands:
Alkmaar – Landgoed Nijenburg – Heiloo – Egmonderbinnenvaart – Egmond aan den Hoef – Egmond aan Zee – Alkmaar
Not only will you discover beautiful tulip fields in this area of Egmond and Alkmaar, but you will also pass by a stunning manor house that is located in a forest and will discover The Netherlands off the beaten path.
Discover the accommodation to stay near the tulip fields in Noord- Holland, The Netherlands
Schagen & surroundings
Schagen is a small town that is located in the top of North Holland and during tulip season you can find many tulip fields in the area of Schagen. As soon as you cycle or drive outside of the city of Schagen, you can find tulip fields. That makes it very easy to see tulip fields around Schagen, especially when you’re not a big fan of cycling long distances. You can also join me on a tulip fields bike tour in this region this year, check availability now!
The best places to find tulip fields in the surroundings of Schagen are the following: Nieuwe Niedorp, ‘t Veld, Waarland, Schagerbrug, Sint Maarten, Sint Maartensvlotbrug, Sint Maartenszee and Petten.
Join me on a bike tour along the hidden tulip fields this year!
Anna Paulowna & surroundings
Anna Paulowna and its surroundings are known within The Netherlands for its events around tulip season and its beautiful tulip fields. Anna Paulowna belongs to Hollands Kroon and is the perfect starting point to see tulip fields in the top of Noord- Holland.
I can recommend you to follow the following route in order to see tulip fields in Anna Paulowna:
Anna Paulowna – Breezand – ‘t Zand- Wieringerwaard – Anna Paulowna
Find the exact locations of the tulip fields in Anna Paulowna, Noord- Holland, The Netherlands
Den Helder & surroundings
Den Helder is a perfect city to discover more about the second world war in their many museums, but it’s also a great city to use as a starting point to see the tulip fields in and around Den Helder. The closest tulip fields you’ll be able to find near Den Helder can be found near Den Helder and in the area of Julianadorp. But I would recommend you to discover a bit more of the area if you have the time and to follow the following tulip route:
Den Helder – Breezand – ‘t Zand – Callantsoog – Julianadorp – Den Helder
De Beemster
Not only is De Beemster area a Unesco World Heritage Site, but besides the endless meadows you can also find plenty of tulip fields in this region of Noord-Holland, The Netherlands. Two perfect areas to discover tulip fields are the Zuidoostbeemster and Spijkerboor. You will find tulip fields without tourists in this part of Holland and The Netherlands, which is an extra plus. Cycling along the area and discover the free and beautiful tulip fields in North Holland.
Wadden Island of Texel
While the Wadden Island of Texel, The Netherlands, is a beautiful island to visit no matter what time of the year it is, spring makes travelling to Texel even more special. One of the things you have to do on Texel during spring time is visiting the tulip fields on Texel.
Around the town of Den Hoorn, which is cute already, you can find lots of tulip fields in this region of Texel. Other places to find tulip fields on the island of Texel is around De Witte Hoek (lighthouse), Polder Eierland and polder Het Noorden. The last places to see free tulip fields on Texel is along the Prins- Hendrikpolder, Den Hoorn, Den Burg and Het Kogerveld.
There’s also a tulip picking garden on Texel located on Westerweg.
Discover the things to do on some of the other Wadden Islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland
Visit a green house tulip farm with a tour nearby Amsterdam
A great tulip tour from Amsterdam is visiting the tulip green houses of Siem Munster. In these green houses you will see more than one million tulips, discover the different phases of the growth of the tulips and get answers to all your tulip questions. This tulip green house excursion will be an experience that you can’t get enough of and it’s a perfect special and unique day trip from Amsterdam. And, during tulip season you will get a tour of some of the blooming tulip fields around the greenhouses too – which is obviously an absolute highlight.
For more information about Siem Munster his tulip farm, click here.
Join me on a tulip field bike tour this spring 2023!
Have you always wanted to go on a guided bike tour along tulip fields in North (Noord)- Holland? Understandable! You can now join me this upcoming tulip season on a bike tour to see the blooming flower fields in North- Holland that rarely any visitor sees, traditional Dutch windmills, picturesque villages and more. My tulip bike tour takes place from the 15th of April until the 4th of May. The bike tour is four hours long (depending on the wind and number of photo stops), and only seven people can join daily. Only 140 people can participate in my tulip tour in Holland. So, take advantage of the current availability, as tulip season is the busiest time of year in The Netherlands.
Find more information about this bike tour along the tulip fields here
See the Dutch bulb fields by air
One of the best ways to discover the Dutch tulip fields in The Netherlands is by air. So what better way than seeing the tulip fields in The Netherlands by helicopter. One location for helicopter flights is Slootdorp. The helicopter flights are only departing the third week of April and have to be reserved in advanced. A flight of 6 minutes costs roughly 59,95 per person, a 12-minute flight costs around 99,95 euros per person. For more information about a tulip flight in The Netherlands, click here.
Another location for a helicopter flight above the tulip fields in The Netherlands is Julianadorp. In the third and fourth weekend of April there are helicopters departing from Julianadorp, the price is 75 euros per person, per flight. For more information and reservations, click here. Seeing the Dutch bulb fields by air is definitely an experience you won’t forget.
Bonus: Aalsmeer flower auction
Something I would recommend to anyone who is even in the slightest way interested in flowers, is visiting the biggest flower auction in the world in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. You can watch traders bid against the clock, see the millions of flowers that are auctioned every day and ask all the questions you want. You will discover a very special trade centre which is definitely worth a visit, no matter where you were planning on visiting.
For more information about the Aalsmeer flower auction, click here.
Where to see and find tulips in Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
Lisse and surroundings
The region of The Netherlands is also called ‘De Bollenstreek’. This area is most popular with foreign visitors, mostly thanks to the flower garden De Keukenhof that is located in Lisse.
De Keukenhof is one of the biggest spring gardens of Europe and the world. It’s also known as the Garden of Europe and is one of the world’s largest flower gardens. Around 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually in the park that covers an area of 32 hectares. De Keukenhof is opened from around the end of March until Mid-May, but the best time to see the tulips at De Keukenhof is around the end of April. For more information about De Keukenhof, click here.
Besides visiting De Keukenhof, you can also walk or cycling along tulip fields, which is something I would recommend you to do. The best towns to visit around Lisse are Hillegom, Sassenheim, Voorhout and Noordwijkerhout.
Goeree Overflakkee
This region of Zuid- Holland, The Netherlands, has its own tulip route that you can follow. The tulpenroute of Goeree- Overflakkee is the following: Middelharnis, Sommelsdijk, Dirksland, Nieuwe-Tonge, Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet.
Find a full guide to see the tulip fields in South- Holland here!
Where to see and find tulip fields in Zeeland, The Netherlands
Zeeland is a beautiful province that is known for its seaside and beautiful cities, such as Middelburg and Vlissingen. One thing that most people don’t know, is that you can find plenty of tulip fields in the province of Zeeland, The Netherlands. There are even special tulip routes in Zeeland so that you can discover the tulip fields by bike, car or foot.
Most of the tulip fields of Zeeland, The Netherlands, can be found in Oost- Zeeuws- Vlaanderen. But in other places of this province of The Netherlands you can also find the Dutch tulip fields.
Find a full guide to tulip fields in Zeeland here
Where to see and find tulip fields in Friesland, The Netherlands
Friesland is one of the most beautiful provinces of The Netherlands and has some of the most beautiful places in The Netherlands that you must visit. Besides cute towns, you can find some stunning Dutch tulip fields in Friesland as well.
The best places to find tulip fields in Friesland, The Netherlands, are in the surroundings of the town of Holwerd, from where you can take the boat to the Dutch Frisian Island of Ameland.
Where to see and find tulip fields in Groningen, The Netherlands
The province of Groningen, The Netherlands, is not well-known for having tulip fields. However, even though you won’t find as many tulip fields in Groningen as in Noord- Holland, you can still find Dutch tulip fields in Groningen. In area around the town of Spijk, you can find quite some tulip fields.
Find a full guide to seeing tulip fields in Groningen here
Where to see and find tulip fields in Flevoland, The Netherlands
You can find the best tulip fields of Flevoland in the area of the Noordoostpolder or the surroundings of the town of Dronten. As of 2015, the local authorities mapped out a special tulip fields route in Flevoland, The Netherlands. The tulip route of Flevoland includes cycling, walking and car routes.
In the Noord- Oost Polder I would recommend you to discover the Profytodsd Tulpenfestival, or tulip festival in Flevoland. Near Emmeloord they created walking, cycling and car routes to follow the tulip fields in Flevoland. It’s free to attend.
In and around the towns of Dronten, Swifterbant and Lelystad, Flevoland, you will find many tulip fields. You can find other things to do in Flevoland in this region as well. Besides visiting tulip fields you can visit several businesses on a tulip route in Flevoland. If there’s a tulip flag on the house or business, you can visit the place. If you’re more into picking tulips yourself, then I can suggest you to visit Hanneke’s Pluktuin in Biddinghuizen. In this picking garden for tulips in Flevoland there are 80.000 tulips planted, divided into 250 species. So there are always tulips that fit your style and taste. Another location is around the towns of Creil and Espel.
Find a full guide to see the tulip fields in Flevoland here!
Where to see and find tulip fields in Drenthe, The Netherlands
As I’ve mentioned before at the Friesland part of this article, the edge of the Drents Friese Wold (a national park on the border or Friesland and Drenthe) also has a lot of tulip fields. But that’s not all, as Drenthe is the fourth province in The Netherlands when it comes to the number of tulip fields (after Noord- Holland, Flevoland and Zuid- Holland). You can find the tulip fields in Drenthe, The Netherlands, in several parts of this province. From Smilde to Grolloo to Hooghalen.
Find a full blog on where to find tulip fields in Drenthe here!
Where to see and find tulip fields in Overijssel, The Netherlands
You can find a couple of tulip fields in the province of Overijssel, The Netherlands. These can be found in the area between Tubbergen and Geesteren, roughly around the streets called ‘Bosweg’ and ‘Huyerenseweg’.
The Dutch tulip fields in The Netherlands are slowly spreading to more parts of the country, because the world apparently loves our tulips. So, don’t be surprised if I’m adding more provinces next year.
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I hope you discovered where to see Dutch tulips and tulip fields in The Netherlands, Holland and Amsterdam. As well as the best time to see tulips and Dutch flower fields in Holland, The Netherlands and Amsterdam. Plus when the tulips bloom in Holland, the tulip farms in The Netherlands you can visit, when tulip season in The Netherlands takes place and the best locations to see fields of tulips in The Netherlands.
If you liked this article I can assure you that you will like this local guide to the tulip fields of Noord- Holland, The Netherlands. When you are interested in staying as close to tulip fields in the top of Noord- Holland as possible, then you will definitely like this complete article to the best accommodation near tulip fields in de kop van Noord- Holland. Do you want to discover spring in The Netherlands by car or public transport? You will like this perfect one week spring road trip through The Netherlands. A great way to explore The Netherlands is with the help of these great travel apps for your trip to Amsterdam, Holland and The Netherlands.
If you’re interested in exploring more of The Netherlands beyond Amsterdam and are looking for the most beautiful places to visit in The Netherlands, then you will absolutely love these offbeat places to visit in The Netherlands. When you’re visiting offbeat places in The Netherlands anyway, then you’ll love to try these local and regional typical Dutch foods in The Netherlands. Share this post!
Great ideas Manon. We missed the tulips on our last trip so need to get back there to see them.