Last Updated on February 13, 2026 by Tami

Last year, as the snowy Utah winter melted away to spring, my husband and I eagerly awaited our upcoming trip to Amsterdam. We were fulfilling a bucket list dream of mine––to see the Keukenhof tulips!

As a lifetime flower enthusiast and macro photographer, I’ve always loved visiting botanical gardens. I’ve taken thousands of photos of flowers, appreciating their vibrant colors, beautiful shapes, and delicate petals. This trip to Amsterdam during tulip season was expected to be a spectacular experience, and it did not disappoint!

While our whole trip would include visiting castles, cities, small towns, museums, and lots of art exhibits, this post will focus entirely on the beauty of the flowers at Keukenhof.

Keukenhof: The World’s Most Beautiful Spring Garden

Keukenhof is a spring garden open from late March to mid May, with peak tulip season in mid April. We went in late April, and were happy with all the varieties of flowers we were able to see at that time. Even earlier in the season, you can still see lots of hyacinth, daffodils, and crocuses, with small-flowered tulips in bloom.

For a mere $25 (US), you can experience the beauty of the Keukenhof tulips where seven million bulbs are hand planted every year––in the fall––to prepare for the coming spring. Tulips in every shade imaginable—fiery reds, delicate blush pinks, buttery yellows, deep royal purples. And, in multiple varieties: striped, fringed, layered, sculptural.

Arriving at Keukenhof

The day of our visit (April 25th), the gates opened at 8:00 AM, and we were right there, parked and ready. Arriving at opening meant easy parking, private pathways, and a quiet energy throughout the garden. The air was cool and fresh, with soft morning light pouring through the trees overhead. It felt like the gardens were waking up just for us.

After more than 20 hours of planes and airports to get to Amsterdam, this morning outside was refreshing and rejuvenating. There’s something healing about stepping into nature after the chaos of travel––trading fluorescent lights and boarding announcements for birdsong and the fresh scent of hyacinths.

When we first arrived, one of our best decisions was heading straight to the historic windmill near the back of the garden. In the early hours, it stood peacefully against the sky, a postcard-perfect Dutch scene without the usual crowds. For a while, it felt like our own private sanctuary.

Birds chirped overhead. Soft conversations from the tourists floated by in a dozen different languages. Footsteps padded gently along winding paths. And everywhere there was a burst of color. I truly felt like a kid in a candy store. With my digital camera in hand, I slowly captured the garden bit by bit–wandering, crouching, zooming in, chasing the light dancing between the trees.

I enjoyed capturing both photos and video to help commemorate these gorgeous blooms! This video includes many of the sights and sounds of those early hours in the garden.

Thoughtful touches

The gardens weren’t just beautiful––they were thoughtful. Carefully designed beds flow into themed gardens and pavilions filled with indoor flower shows. It doesn’t feel random; it feels curated, intentional, even magical.

We stood in awe at the level of attention the gardeners put into creating a beautiful experience for every guest who comes. We saw many gardeners mowing the grassy lawns (with manual lawn mowers to minimize noise), as well as others removing less-than-perfect tulips from the flower beds. Their attention to detail was amazing.

The varieties of  Keukenhof tulips were astounding. Never did I realize that there were so many kinds! Some looked a lot like peonies, which are one of my favorite flowers. Others stood 3 feet tall from ground to tulip head, standing at attention, perfectly poised for me to photograph. We also loved all of the indoor flower displays, featuring orchids and my personal favorite: gerbera daisies!

Busy by Noon

By noon, the energy of the garden had definitely shifted. The pathways were packed with people and everything was much louder. The park filled to the brim with tour groups. That calm, almost sacred quiet of the morning gave way to a lively buzz. We were grateful we’d had those first three hours to truly take in the beauty — 8:00 to 11:00 AM — when the gardens felt soft and still and intimate.

A Wonderful Experience, 10/10 would recommend

It had been a beautiful morning, wandering hand in hand with my favorite person. Sitting on benches beneath flowering trees. Taking “just one more” photo. If I could do it again, I would plan to spend many days near Amsterdam and return to Keukenhof several mornings in a row, just so I could truly soak up those sounds and smells and sights!

The Keukenhof tulips aren’t just the world’s largest spring flower garden. For us, it was a breath of fresh air and a much needed reset. It’s a kaleidoscope of color and a celebration of the flowers and the gardeners themselves.

If you love flowers, you might also enjoy these articles: 

Where to View Mountain Wildflowers

Desert Wildflowers Day Trip — Borrego Springs, CA

Pinnacles National Park in a Day

Ashton Gardens of Thanksgiving Point, UT

More articles about Amsterdam can be found here:

Amsterdam With Kids: Top Five Things to Do

Taking a Private Boat Tour in Amsterdam

Top 6 Cultural Experiences in Amsterdam

This article was written by guest blogger Heather Young (my lovely daughter!), whose photography is featured on her website, Heather Hiding Photography. I am grateful she is willing to share her travel experiences so we can all experience them through her words and beautiful photos.