Dutch Tulip Fields: A Cycling Trip from Keukenhof

My favourite things to photograph are flowers and insects, especially in macro. On this blog, I share my visits to beautiful parks and gardens – my playgrounds for close-up photography. For years, I dreamed of seeing the tulip fields in full bloom – not just in curated gardens, but stretching endlessly across the Dutch countryside. I had visited tulip exhibitions before, like Britzer Garten in Berlin or the floral displays at Aflopark in Poland, but I longed to experience the real Dutch tulips.

Since tulip season is short, planning the timing wasn’t easy — but this year, I finally made it happen. I chose Keukenhof in Lisse as the starting point for my tulip adventure. Apparently, it wasn’t just my dream: Keukenhof Garden attracts over a million visitors each year, even though it’s open only from March to May. To avoid the crowds and costs, I decided to explore the surrounding fields by bike instead of entering the park itself. Below, I’m sharing the highlights of my trip and some helpful tips if you’d like to organise one yourself.

How to get there

Keukenhof is located in the village of Lisse, southwest of Amsterdam. While it is world-renowned, it’s also crowded, touristy, and expensive. I decided to skip the garden this time, but it might still be worth visiting for some. It’s essentially a well-designed botanical park, showcasing 7 million blooming bulbs, flower installations, a windmill, boat tours (for an extra fee), and guided walks. There are no actual tulip fields inside, but the flower compositions are truly stunning.

The easiest way to reach Keukenhof is by car, with plenty of nearby parking (€9–14). A convenient alternative is public transport: buses depart from places like Schiphol Airport and Leiden Central Station. Even if park tickets are sold out, you can still take the bus to Keukenhof. Note: cash payments are not accepted and you’ll need a separate credit card for each ticket. The ride takes about 20–30 minutes and drops you off right in front of the garden entrance.

Renting a bike and choosing your path

You can rent bikes from several locations. The closest one to the Keukenhof bus stop is Rent-a-Bike van Dam, located directly in the parking lot. They offer single and tandem bikes, and you can choose between a 3-hour rental (€11) or a full-day option (€16), which I highly recommend if you want the freedom to take spontaneous detours.

All bikes are bright orange — cheerful, distinctly Dutch, and eye-catching among the flower fields. You’ll see plenty of them on the routes. They come with locks, so you can safely leave them while stopping for lunch or to explore a tulip-viewpoint on foot.

You can choose a short 5 km ride around Keukenhof garden or explore longer routes through nearby villages and fields. There are many scenic options to choose from.

I recommend to first choose just one path to follow, but be open to changing your plans, once you see something interesting on your way. My trip took around 7 hours with many stops for photography. I initially followed the green route, but ended up doing parts of red one as well.

You’ll pass a few cafés along the way, but toilets are rare. Also, be careful on the paths: people often stop abruptly to take photos, and you’ll share the lanes with some very fast cyclists. Although the routes are well-marked, there are at least two numbering systems, which can be a little confusing.

Here are some of my favourite spots on this trip!

Castle Keukenhof (Kasteel Keukenhof)

Hidden between tall trees near the flower park, the only visible part of the castle from the street is its tallest tower. The castle grounds are surrounded by an English-style landscape garden. It’s free to enter and seems overlooked by touristy crowds.

In spring, the gardens bloom with tulips; in summer, with dahlias. There’s also a mini-zoo with goats, chickens, pigs, and rabbits, which you can pet. Kids can play at the wooden playground and parents can get a refreshment at restaurant Hofboerderij.

I wouldn’t recommend traveling from abroad just for the castle, but if you’re already in the area, it’s definitely worth a stop.

Field viewpoint

Among the fields, there’s a small hill with a viewpoint, called Uitkijkpunt Tespelduyn. Leave your bike at the entrance and climb a few stairs to take in a panoramic view of the surrounding tulips. It’s a bit smelly (apparently not all visitors use it just for sightseeing…), but the view is still absolutely worth it. The viewpoint building has a roof, so you can hide there in case it is raining. If you look carefully, you should be able to see Amsterdam or Hague, but I wasn’t lucky enough to experience it.

Tulip fields

Not all fields bloom at the same time – some are still green, others already cut, while a few are in full-colour bloom. I visited at the end of April, after several weeks of relatively warm spring already and there were much less fields than expected. I encourage you to check the maps with updated flower field conditions, before your trip to optimise the visit.

Most fields are planted in single colours, creating massive blocks of red, yellow, or pink that feel like oceans of flowers. But my personal favourites are the ones where colours are mixed – a vibrant spring cocktail.

Keep in mind that most fields are private property. Respect the signs and do not enter the fields unless invited. Sadly, many tourists ignore this, walking into the rows for photos and damaging the flowers.

For tips on how to take respectful and beautiful pictures, check out the guide.

Windmills

The iconic windmill featured in most Keukenhof photos is located inside the flower park. But if you’re cycling nearby, you’ll find more windmills “in the wild” – just a short detour (about 5 minutes) from the official route. They’re marked on the map and offer a quieter, more authentic scene for photos. Be careful when cycling on narrow streets without designated bike line. Most car drivers are very respectful, but not all.

Dunes and the North Sea

Lisse is surprisingly close to the North Sea – just about 10 kilometers away. The dedicated bike path takes you through quiet forests and sandy dunes. For a moment, it feels like you’ve left the Netherlands and entered Australia or a remote American highway.

The road is not completely flat, but rises and falls gently, making it an easy and beautiful ride. Once you reach the beach, there are public toilets and restaurants to relax before heading back. the food prices were surprisingly low in comparison with those in the city.

Adding the beach detour makes your ride longer, but it’s totally worth the effort!

The Tulip Museum

The Tulip Museum is known for its colourful floral arrangements, photo-worthy props (like a painted tractor and mock windmill), and of course – crowds.

You can peek your own tulips or purchase bulbs to bring a piece of the Netherlands home with you. A bit pricey, but a nice stop and very popular.

You can take a sneak peek through the fence and decide whether it’s worth entering.

This tulip cycling tour around Keukenhof was one of the most beautiful spring experiences I’ve had. If you’re into photography, flowers, or simply peaceful countryside rides, this region is a perfect seasonal escape.

Check out my photo collection below, and if you’ve done a similar cycling tour or know of other tulip routes worth exploring – leave a comment and share your tips!