Is Keukenhof worth it? 10 reasons why you must visit Keukenhof Gardens in 2025

Keukenhof has the world’s largest permanent display of tulips and is in South Holland, south of Haarlem, in an area known as the country’s ‘Dune and Bulb Region.’

The Tulip garden of the Netherlands is 40 km (25 miles) from Amsterdam, 58 km (36 miles) from Rotterdam, 33 km (20 miles) from The Hague, and 20 km (12 miles) from the cities of Haarlem and Leiden.

Because of its distance from the major tourist spots, visitors wonder if Keukenhof Gardens will be worth visiting.

They want to know if Keukenhof deserves the effort.

Quick Answer
Yes, if you are holidaying in Amsterdam during the spring, visiting Keukenhof is totally worth it.

Here is our list of ten reasons every traveler must visit Keukenhof.

One and a half million can’t be wrong

Keukenhof Tulip Gardens is open to visitors only for around 60 days yearly, from mid-March to mid-May.

In 2024, these sixty days saw 1.4 million visitors walk through the gates at an average of 25,000 daily. 

That’s approximately the number of visitors to the Louvre Museum in Paris daily. 

On peak days, the Tulip Gardens received around 45,000 visitors.

Get your Tulip Festival Card to experience the best of Keukenhof, Lisse, and Amsterdam.

If you want to avoid the crowd, be at Keukenhof’s entrance before 10.30 am or after 4 pm. Want to see when the Tulips are in full bloom? Find out when to visit Keukenhof Gardens.

So many fun ways to explore the gardens

There are many ways to explore the Keukenhof gardens. 

You book the regular Keukenhof ticket and explore only the gardens.

Or, after seeing the Gardens, you can rent a bike at Keukenhof and cycle around the surrounding flower fields of Holland’s Tulip region.

Visitors can rent women’s, men’s, and children’s bikes and tandems in the parking lot at Keukenhof’s main entrance. Other bike rental shops are also available.

If you prefer something fancier, you can board a Renault Twizy and drive 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) through the Tulip Gardens with a GPS-enabled audio tour. It is perfect for couples. 

Or, you can book a half-day guided tour of Keukenhof, during which a local will accompany you and show you around. 

If money isn’t an issue, but a better experience is critical, opt for the full-day private guided tour from Amsterdam.

Book a helicopter tour over the breathtaking Dutch tulip fields

Keukenhof has a new theme every year

The Keukenhof Tulip Festival has a unique theme each year, shaping its stunning flower displays, arrangements, and activities.

There is always a centerpiece in the flower show – made up of thousands of flowers – depicting the theme.

Over the years, themes have included Romance in 2018 and Flower Power in 2019. The 2020 and 2021 themes, A World of Colours, were planned but unfortunately never came to life due to the pandemic.

In 2022, Keukenhof celebrated Flower Classics, while in 2023, it introduced a mix of themes rather than focusing on just one.

In 2024, the gardens transformed into a Floral Wonderland. For 2025, Keukenhof revisits the much-loved theme of Flower Classics.

All gardens, flower shows, and events at Keukenhof are tied to the annual theme, ensuring a connected experience for every visitor.

Visual Story: 15 must-know tips before visiting Keukenhof Gardens

The variety of flowers is unprecedented

At Keukenhof, visitors get to see more than 800+ varieties of Tulips. 

While the attraction’s focus is Tulips, they aren’t the only types of flowers at the famous tulip gardens of the Netherlands.

The gardens and the four pavilions showcase Roses, Daffodils, Crocuses, Hyacinths, Gerbera Daisies, Carnations, Lilies-of-the-valley, Bluebells, Snowdrops, Irises, Orchids, Callas, Amaryllises, etc. 

If the colors of the flowers don’t get you, the fragrance will.

The most beautiful garden in the world

Along with the Versailles Gardens and Kew Gardens in London, Keukenhof is also among the top five most beautiful gardens in the world. 

No wonder it is known as the ‘Garden of Europe.’

At 32 hectares (79 acres), Keukenhof is also one of the world’s most extensive flower gardens. 

Keukenhof has art installations as well

Keukenhof is more than just a celebration of flowers. Each year, stunning art installations are thoughtfully placed among the blooms, adding a creative dimension to the park’s beauty.

Flowers directly inspire some installations, while others are crafted from materials like metal and wood by talented international artists.

In 2025, the Tulip Festival is collaborating with 25 artists to create a mesmerizing interplay of blossoming landscapes and visual art.

Every visit to Keukenhof is different

Keukenhof is one of the rare attractions that offers a fresh and unique experience every time you visit.

With ever-changing themes, flower arrangements, and activities, no two visits are alike.

The gardeners meticulously plant bulbs in layered patterns, ensuring a continuous bloom of different flowers throughout the season.

This thoughtful design means that each trip to the Netherlands’ iconic Tulip Park reveals a new and unforgettable display of color and beauty.

Keukenhof has a historic castle

The Keukenhof Castle is 380 years old and is an excellent opportunity to understand Dutch history. 

The gardens around the castle are free to enter, but only guided tour groups are allowed inside.

It has impressive artifacts on display from the Golden period of Dutch history.

Visit the castle after you finish Keukenhof Gardens because you can’t re-enter the Gardens.

Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, the flower parade

Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, or the Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek region, features dozens of elaborately designed floats adorned with thousands of colorful flowers, including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and more.

Accompanying the floats are lively marching bands, performers, and entertainers, creating a festive atmosphere.

The parade begins in Noordwijk and travels through the Bollenstreek (flower bulb) region before passing through Keukenhof Gardens.

If you are in Keukenhof Gardens on 12 April 2025, you can see the Annual Flower Parade pass through the Keukenhof Gardens.

Insider tip: 12 April will be Keukenhof’s busiest day in 2025, so visit only if you can handle the crowd. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot along the parade route.

Visiting Keukenhof Gardens is easy and cheap

The last reason we feel Keukenhof is worth all the attention is because it is cheap and easy to visit.

It is an excellent value-for-money activity that can occupy your whole day. 

If you can handle your travel to Lisse, you can purchase the Keukenhof entry tickets that cost only €20.50 for all 18+ visitors.

Kids aged four to 17 years get a discount of €11, and only pay €9. 

If you don’t want the hassle of managing your travel to Keukenhof and back, opt for one of these three tours from the nearby cities.