Where to see tulips in the Netherlands: 5 stunning spots for spring

Every spring, fields in the Netherlands burst into colour as tulips bloom across the countryside, and thousands of visitors flock to the country to witness it. It’s easy to see why it’s become so popular - the colours, patterns and scale of the fields feel dreamlike, creating the perfect backdrop for photographs. But it’s not the easiest trip to plan. Tulip season is short, and the timings change each year depending on the weather, so you need to be prepared to really make the most of your trip. This guide covers five of the best places in the Netherlands to see and photograph tulip fields, and some useful information to make your trip planning easy.

1. Keukenhof

Keukenhof is the most famous place to see tulips in the Netherlands and one of the largest flower gardens in the world, with over 7 million flowers planted by hand each year. It’s a great place for photography as there’s so many interesting backdrops - like the working windmill located on a canal. Despite its popularity, the size of the park means it’s still possible to find quieter areas away from the main crowds. Visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon is best for both fewer people and softer light for photos. Alongside the tulips, there are themed gardens, art installations and boat tours, so it’s worth allowing at least a few hours to explore properly. Keukenhof only opens for around eight weeks each year, usually from late March to mid-May, but the dates vary depending on when the flowers bloom.

2. Fam Flower Farm

Fam Flower Farm is run by two lifelong friends, whose families have been growing flowers for generations. They open their fields to the public for just a few days each tulip season, with a limited number of visitors per time slot, creating a quieter, almost private feel compared to the larger farms. If you’re a keen photographer this is one of the best fields to visit as there’s fewer people so you can take your time to get the perfect shot. As well as endless rows of different coloured tulips, there’s fun props like bicycles, swings, signs and baskets full of tulips to make your pictures stand out even more.

3. De Tulperij

De Tulperij is a small, family-run tulip farm. Unlike a lot of the other tulip fields, entry is free, with guided tours available at an extra cost. One of the highlights here is the chance to pick your own tulips, which is something not offered at many places. The setting is a little more low-key compared to larger attractions, but that’s part of the charm, and it’s still a lovely spot for photos. 

There’s also an on-site restaurant, where you can grab a tulip cocktail and a slice of cake and enjoy them with a view of the tulip fields.

4. The Tulip Barn

The Tulip Barn is a family-run attraction home to over 2.5 million tulips and more than 250 varieties. A traditional wooden windmill sits at the centre, and there are plenty of props dotted around the fields, including clogs, swings and small bridges, making it easy to take more styled photos. There’s also a large barn with coffee, cakes and a restaurant, plus a spacious outdoor seating area with food stalls, so you can easily spend a few hours there. Visiting during golden hour is ideal, when the softer light makes the colours stand out even more. Try shooting from a lower perspective, using the flowers in the foreground to frame your shot.

5. Tulip Experience

Tulip Experience plants around 4 million tulips each year, creating wide, colourful fields that are ideal for exploring and photographing. The scale makes it feel more open than some of the smaller farms, with long rows of colour stretching across the landscape. It’s spread across multiple fields so it’s not hard to find a quiet part away from the crowds. There’s also plenty to do beyond the fields, including an indoor museum, farmers market and restaurant. Plus, you’ll find an indoor picking garden, where you can choose your own tulips to take home.

Respecting the tulip fields

All of the tulip farms included in this guide are open to visitors, with designated paths where you’re free to walk and explore, and sometimes even pick your own tulips. But as you travel around the area, you’ll see plenty of tulip fields along the roadside too. They’re beautiful to look at from the path, but it’s important that you don’t walk across them. These are working farms, and the flowers are part of the farmers’ livelihood. Walking through them can damage the tulips and affect the harvest, which has a direct impact on the people who grow them.