Beyond Keukenhof, into the soul of the Dutch spring

Each spring, the Netherlands wakes in colour. Tulips — not just flowers but national poetry — rise from the fields in brilliant stripes, as if the land itself has burst into art. It’s fleeting. It’s glorious. And it’s one of Europe’s most enchanting seasonal spectacles.

But to truly experience tulip season is not just to see flowers. It’s to step into a time of light, air, and a kind of quiet joy that comes only once a year.

When to Go: The Magic Window

Tulip season stretches from mid-March to early May, with mid-April often considered the sweet spot. But nature follows no timetable — some years bloom early, others keep you waiting.

If your heart is set on peak fields, keep your dates flexible. Or better yet, let us handle it — our local partners monitor the fields weekly and tailor your trip to when the colour is just right.

Where to Go: Keukenhof and Beyond

Most travellers head straight for Keukenhof Gardens — and rightly so. With over 7 million bulbs curated into floral symphonies, it’s a spectacular first encounter with Dutch spring. But it’s also no secret.

To experience the tulips in their most authentic form, venture beyond.
The Bollenstreek (Bulb Region) between Lisse and Noordwijkerhout is where the magic truly unfolds. Picture this: quiet roads flanked by endless rows of blooms, a vintage bicycle waiting for you, and not another soul in sight. Fields of violet, gold, coral and crimson stretching to the horizon — it’s like riding through a Rothko painting.

Prefer not to pedal? We’ll arrange a vintage convertible, or a private guided drive with curated stops at flower farms, family-owned greenhouses, and charming cafés nestled among the petals.

How to Make It Yours

At The Uncharted Travel, tulip season isn’t just an event — it’s a curated experience. We weave it into your journey in subtle, soulful ways:

  • Stay in a boutique hotel near the fields, where your breakfast overlooks a private bloom garden.
  • Join a local grower for a behind-the-scenes tour — and perhaps handpick a bunch that travels with you.
  • Toast the sunset with champagne in a blooming field, far from crowds, with only birdsong and colour for company.
  • Or experience Keukenhof after hours, with an exclusive guided walk while the gates are closed to the world.

What Else to Pair With It

Tulips are just one thread in the Dutch spring story. Add days in Amsterdam, where cherry blossoms bloom in secret courtyards. Visit Delft, the city of porcelain and poets. Or spend a night in Giethoorn, where canals reflect the blossoms like watercolours come to life.

Tulip Season, Reimagined

You could come to see tulips. Or you could come to feel them — in the light, the land, and the quiet joy of a country momentarily covered in bloom.

Spring in the Netherlands is short. But for those who catch it, it lingers long after the petals fall.