It’s Tulip Time in the Netherlands! – What to do! 2025

Who wants to travel to the Netherlands and see flowers? Tulips and hyacinths in huge, colorful fields? Tulip Time is quickly approaching, and it’s time to start planning your trip now!

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Dutch tulip fields are a mesmerizing sight in the spring, it’s like a rainbow fell out of the sky and splashed itself all over the Dutch landscapes for a short springtime showing.

Beautifully bright bands of color stretching off into the horizon, it’s just an incredible sight to see. Even though the Netherlands is a fantastic destination at any time, it’s at its best during tulip time.

When is Tulip Season in the Netherlands?

The Dutch flower season starts in late March and goes through the end of April, sometimes early May. Those first few buds pop through the cold soil and open their eyes to a new world.

For about seven or eight weeks, the tulip fields are a riot of color. This is the best time to see tulips in the Netherlands. The flowers are growing in earnest!

Forget about April showers bringing May flowers, you really can’t wait until May. It is still a little bit chilly, and there is undoubtedly a chance for rain, or even a light snow dusting, but April is the time to go to see Dutch tulips. Of course, this is also a time to celebrate. Another cold, wet winter has been chased away by all of the shining hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips.

What to do and see during the Tulip Festival

It’s so easy to fill up your time and do all things tulips, well, all kinds of flowers. From fields, farms, museums, gardens, and markets, there’s plenty to do.

The Flower Parade – Bloemencorso

Our number one pick of things to do while you are visiting the Tulip Festival in the Netherlands is watching the spectacular Bloemencorso. Typically on the second Saturday in April, you’ve never seen a parade like this. Colorful floats made entirely out of flowers.

Behind the Scenes – Making the Flower Floats

If you are going on the weekend of the parade, go a few days early to see how the floats are made at the Behind the Scenes. Jim and I did this, and it was great getting photos up close before the big day.

The Museum de Zwarte – Black Tulip Museum

The Dutch are masters at designing great museums, and the Museum de Zwarte Tulp in Lisse is no exception. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here.

The Stunning Flower Mosaics

Our number two thing to do while you are celebrating Dutch flowers is visiting the towns that have the Mosaics. These pieces of art are completely made out of Hyacinth petals and are a sight to behold. It’s something we like to do every year.

The Prettiest Traffic Jam – Mooiste File

Another event that is not well-known is the Mooiste File. Held the same weekend as the parade (two stones and all), the Prettiest Traffic Jam is a show of cars and other vehicles decorated with all kinds of plants.

Driving the Bollenstreek

Taking your time and driving the Bollenstreek is always a good idea. Anytime during the spring, you will see stunning flower fields stretching from Noordwijk to Haarlem.

Just be aware that flowers are a major industry in the Netherlands, and they don’t let these precious jewels die in the field or want them trampled. What’s really cool is that you will probably see workers doing one of the many jobs of tending the blooms.

Gardens and Farms

Keukenhof– These beautiful gardens have been pleasing spring tourists for decades. We went many years ago, and it is worth it, but there are so many people. I think for the cost and to get away from the crowds, there are better places to get fantastic photos.

Farms – The best way to find out more about tulips and other flowers, as well as being able to walk in the fields and get memorable photos, is to visit one of these places: Tulip Barn, Tulip Experience Amsterdam, or the Tulperij. They only cost about 10 Euro per person.

When to Go and What to Bring

When to go:

As mentioned the flower season starts at the end of March and often goes through the first week in May. However, if you want to see the parade, you’ll want to plan on the second weekend in April.

What to bring:

Spring in the Netherlands has weather that changes all day long. It can go from warm and sunny to cold, windy, and rainy, all in a couple of hours. So it’s a good idea to be prepared with multiple layers, a waterproof jacket, and even hats and gloves.

Tips for visiting the Netherlands during Tulip Season

• Make your reservations as early as you can. It’s a popular thing to do and hotels will book up fast. The same goes for buying tickets to the parade or Behind the Scenes.
• Be ready for the weather. This can be tricky. Spring weather is unpredictable to plan for the worst and the best.
• Get out and see the fields. You can drive, bike, or even walk. There are plenty of ways for you to enjoy the beauty.

Conclusion

There’s a really good reason that spring is one of the most popular times to visit the Netherlands. Awash with ribbons of brilliant colors, visiting the flower fields and experiences will fill you with cheer. Tulip time is the best time!

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.