Keukenhof Opens for 2026 Season With Over 7 Million Blooming Tulips

Keukenhof Park in the Netherlands opened its 2026 season on March 19 and will welcome visitors through May 10, showcasing over 7 million blooming bulbs featuring 800 varieties of tulips.

The park, located in Lisse between Amsterdam and The Hague, is one of the world's largest flower gardens and a major draw for spring travelers to the Netherlands. Peak bloom typically falls in mid-April, when the surrounding tulip fields create a patchwork of color visible from cycling routes and walking paths around the park.

Tickets must be purchased online in advance with a timed entry slot. The system was introduced to manage crowds after post-pandemic demand consistently exceeded capacity. Morning slots tend to sell out first, while late-afternoon entries offer thinner crowds and golden-hour photography conditions.

Nearby flower auction houses and smaller gardens offer alternatives for travelers who find Keukenhof sold out or prefer a less structured experience. The Bollenstreek region between Leiden and Haarlem has public cycling routes through commercial tulip fields at no cost.

The Netherlands is also updating its tourist infrastructure. Amsterdam's tourist tax sits at 12.5 percent of room rates, the highest in Europe, reflecting the city's ongoing effort to balance tourism revenue with livability.