A Blooming Spectacle Across the Netherlands
By Jasmine Lin | Culture | June 06, 2025
Cover Illustration: Keukenhof, Stationsweg, Lisse, Netherlands, 2022. Felicia Varzari / Unsplash
Soft-news reporter Jasmine Lin explored this year’s tulip season in the Netherlands, a time of year that never fails to charm and attract visitors from around the world.
As the last tulip petals flutter to the ground and neatly lined fields fade from bright hues back to lush green, the Netherlands begins to wind down from another spectacular tulip season. From the polished gardens of Keukenhof to the sprawling agricultural landscapes of Lisse and the quiet charm of Hoorn, tulip season 2025 has painted the country in a palette of reds, pinks, yellows and purples. Visitors from around the world flocked to witness this fleeting miracle of nature, filling trains, bike paths and social media feeds with floral moments. Farmers, gardeners and tourism boards alike revelled in the attention, marking another successful season where flowers and culture bloomed side by side.
Every year, this seasonal transformation turns entire regions into a living artwork, where tulip fields serve not only as a natural spectacle but also as a cultural celebration. While Keukenhof remains the star attraction for first-time visitors, seasoned flower fans know that the true magic often lies beyond the park’s borders. This year, nearby Lisse offered immersive countryside experiences, and the northern town of Hoorn captured hearts with its scenic fields and a nostalgic tulip train that transported travelers back in time.
Keukenhof, located in Lisse, once again lived up to its reputation as the most celebrated floral exhibition of its kind. Known internationally for its meticulously curated gardens and breathtaking bulb displays, the park boasts over 7 million planted bulbs across expansive, themed landscapes. This year, it welcomed thousands of daily visitors throughout March, April and early May. Though the peak came in mid-April, late-blooming varieties like alliums and shaded tulips kept sections of the garden vibrant into early May. Visitors lingered near the ponds and forested corners, where cool temperatures extended the floral show. The garden will officially close its gates on May 11, 2025, concluding a season that many have described as one of the most photogenic in recent years — thanks in part to mild weather and clear skies that made for ideal photo conditions, many were surprised to find so many flowers still flourishing so late in the season.
A little insider tip from seasoned tulip-chasers: while many rely on the Keukenhof Express bus from Schiphol or Amsterdam RAI, sharing a taxi proved a surprisingly smooth and cost-effective alternative. For small groups, the shared ride often saved time and avoided queues, offering direct access to the entrance gates, especially during peak weekends.
Just beyond Keukenhof, the surrounding Bollenstreek (Bulb Region) offered a more immersive and affordable experience, where rows of tulips stretched to the horizon. Here, the tulip fields aren’t confined to manicured plots; they run freely across farmland, stretching along narrow dikes and country roads. Although commercial growers began topping the tulips in late April (a process that redirects energy to the bulb), early- and mid-April visitors still enjoyed postcard-worthy views by bike or on foot.
This year’s season brought a surge in cyclists who opted for rental bikes over tour buses. Popular routes between Noordwijkerhout, Voorhout and Hillegom became tulip highways, with visitors stopping at interactive locations like The Tulip Barn and Tulip Experience Amsterdam, where they could pose for photos, dig up their own bulbs, or learn about the history of tulip cultivation. Unlike the curated experience inside Keukenhof, the fields in the Bollenstreek offered something more spontaneous—intimate encounters with nature, local farmers and flower-covered landscapes untouched by barriers.
For those seeking a quieter tulip experience, the West-Friesland region—including Hoorn, Schagen and Enkhuizen—offered a gentler rhythm. Far from the crowds of the southern bulb belt, this northern region greeted visitors with open fields bordered by canals, dikes and old windmills, giving photographers a peaceful alternative to the busy southern parks. Thanks to cooler coastal air, some northern plots held their color well into early May, making it a perfect final stop for tulip chasers. Many travelers who ventured up by car or regional train found themselves immersed in tulip rows that seemed almost private, interrupted only by the occasional cyclist or grazing sheep.
One of the highlights in Hoorn this season was the historic tulip train, operated by the Museumstoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik. This vintage steam train carried passengers through blooming landscapes in retro wooden carriages, offering a slow-travel experience that paired natural beauty with local heritage. For photographers and families alike, it became a favorite, combining floral views with the charm of clattering tracks and vintage whistles.
As the country transitions into late spring, the tulips may be fading, but their impact lingers. From the polished beauty of Keukenhof to the windswept rows near Hoorn, tulip season 2025 once again reminded us why these flowers are a symbol not just of Dutch heritage, but of renewal and fleeting beauty. Though the fields are now being prepped for summer crops and the bulbs stored for export or replanting, the memories of this season’s bloom will live on in photo galleries, journal entries and the hearts of those who witnessed it. For many, tulip season is more than a spectacle—it’s a ritual. And for those already dreaming of next year’s colors, the countdown to spring 2026 has quietly begun.
Jasmine Lin is a university student in Amsterdam. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Amsterdammer.
