Where to see Flowers in the Netherlands in 2019

The word “tulip” may as well be synonymous with “Holland”, and for good reason. The Netherlands is geographically situated to provide the perfect climate for growing bulbs from early spring into the summer, which has proven to be a festive and vibrant time of year to visit. Across the country every year, locals and visitors alike celebrate the flowers blooming with parades, festivals, and even driving routes.

If you are planning a visit to the Netherlands between March and September, your trip will likely coincide with at least one of the events mentioned below, so you can get your fill of all things floral. When traveling through Holland by car, you have the freedom to explore at your own pace and venture off on any detour that catches your eye. With Amsterdam sitting near the center of the Netherlands, you’ll find that the entire country is within a two-hour drive from AMS Schiphol Airport.

Tulip Fields in the Flevoland

Keukenhof Garden

March 21 - May 19, 2019

One of the most dazzling seasonal attractions in Amsterdam, the Keukenhof Garden in Lisse showcases over 800 varieties of tulips totaling over 7 million bulbs. Though the flowers themselves are the true showstoppers, the garden also hosts art events, sculptures, and activities for children and families including a petting zoo, playground, and treasure hunt. The area of Lisse surrounding Keukenhof is home to seemingly endless fields of tulips that usually bloom through the end of April when they are harvested. Because Keukenhof attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world in the span of just a few weeks, the flower fields of Lisse just outside Keukenhof are a nice alternative for visitors looking to enjoy the scenery without the crowds.

Click here for more info on Keukenhof Garden

 

Tulp Festival Amsterdam

April 1-30, 2019

April is the official month of the Tulp Festival in Amsterdam, with many public spaces like gardens, museums, and hotels participating by showcasing elaborate displays of potted floral arrangements. The colorful garden plots spread throughout the city are a sure sign that spring has arrived, and their beauty can be enjoyed by both locals and visitors.

Click here for more info on the Tulp Festival Amsterdam 

 

Kom in de Kas - “Get into the Greenhouse”

April 6-7, 2019

All across the Netherlands, hundreds of cultivators offer visitors a first-hand look into their greenhouses to learn more about agricultural operations and the industry. Beyond learning about the technology used to simulate climate and grow flowers year-around, guests can visit greenhouses that produce fruits and vegetables as well. Kom in de Kas is a family-friendly activity, where parents and children can learn about eating healthy and nutritious food and participate in fun demonstrations.

Click here for more info on Kom in de Kas 

 

Bloemencorso Bollenstreek Flower Parade

April 13 2019

With an expected crowd of over a million viewers, the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade down a 42km route that begins in Noordwijk and ends in Haarlem. The route has multiple viewing stations throughout, with the most popular (and busiest) being the Keukenhof garden which it passes around 3:30pm. The parade is a free event for all to enjoy and admire the impressive craftsmanship of building the floats. For those who would like a closer look, the floats remain on display in Haarlem on April 14^th for one day after the parade.

Click here for more info on the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek 

 

Tulpenroute Flevoland Tulip Route

April 13 - May 5, 2019

One of the best ways to experience tulips in the Netherlands is to walk, bike, or drive through the blooming fields. Flevoland hosts the annual Tulpenroute, with official outlined paths for visitors to experience the blooms. Because the amount of rain received will influence the tulip growth, the exact routes are designed to show visitors the best and prettiest fields blooming at that given time and are different every year. The total routes average over 100km of roads across 2500 acres of tulip fields, and you can  click here to check back to the official website for updates on the posted routes. Clear signs to follow will also be posted to the route itself, so once you arrive you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Click here for more info on the Tulpenroute Flevoland 

 

Tulpenfestival Noordoostpolder

April 19 - May 5, 2019

One particular area in the Flevoland, Creil, is home to the largest tulip field in the whole country. During the Tulpenfestival, visitors can enjoy the Tulip Experience Field where they host painting activities, performances, walking tours, and carriage rides. For a bird’s eye view of the blooming tulip fields, adventurous festival-goers can board a helicopter at the Tulip Experience Field on the weekends.

For more info on the Tulpenfestival Noordoostpolder, click here. 

 

Varend Corso Westland Boat Parade

August 2-4, 2019

Every year in August the Varend Corso makes its way through the Westland, and the three-day event is a joyful occasion. Each day of the parade travels through a different route of canals, with many of the shore events and viewing areas congregating in the towns of Naaldwijk, Maassluis, The Hague, and Delft. If you would rather not view the parade from the shore, visitors can also opt to book a seat one of the many boats that sail through the Westland’s canals and stop at a nice viewing point to watch the parade while on the water. 

Click here for more info on the Varend Corso 

 

Bloemencorso Rijnsburg Flower Parade

August 10, 2019

Even though tulip season has ended by August, visitors can still expect to see plenty of flowers in Amsterdam at the Rijnsburg Flower Parade, where passenger cars and floats are decorated with many different types of flower species that are either in-season or grown in greenhouses. The parade travels through Rijnsburg, Katwijk, and Noordwijk in the southwestern side of Holland. The day before the parade starts, the floats are on display at the Royal Flora Holland in Aalsmeer Rijnsburg, and the day after the parade the floats and arrangements are on display in Noordwijk on Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard. The Royal Flora Holland in Rijnsburg is a destination in itself, as it is the largest international flower auction in the world, where 4.6 billion euros world of flowers are bought and sold every year. Visit the Royal Flora Holland on a weekday morning to see the auction in action.

Click here for more info on the Bloemencorso Rijnsburg 

 

Bloemencorso Zundert Flower Parade

September 1-2, 2019

Not only is the Bloemecorso Zundert the biggest flower parade in the world, it also has a fun air of competitiveness to it as twenty neighborhoods compete for the title of best float. All floats are created by teams of volunteers, and after years of the floats becoming more and more extravagant, the parade jury ruled a limit on the size: a staggering 9 meters high by 19 meters long. Each float is decorated using only dahlias from the respective neighborhoods, and when the winner is announced the whole town erupts in a celebration. If you are traveling in the Netherlands in early September, the Bloemencorso Zundert is an event not to be missed.

Click here for more info on the Bloemencorso Zundert 

 

Bloemencorso Lichtenvoorde Flower Parade

September 8, 2019

Another parade consisting only of dahlias, the Bloemencorso Lichtenvoorde kicks-off three days-worth of festivities starting on the second Sunday of September. The local hotels and pubs participate in the festivities, and visitors can enjoy an open air market and a fair for the kids. The festivities culminate with a fireworks show over the town of Lichtenvoorde.

For more info on the Bloemencorso Lichtenvoorde, click here 

 

Bloemenmarkt Floating Flower Market in Amsterdam

Any time of year!

Regardless of which season you are visiting the Netherlands, you can find flowers in Amsterdam at the Bloemenmarkt. The always-colorful floating flower market is built on fixed barges on the Singel Canal, within Amsterdam's UNESCO world heritage site. It is a great place to find fresh bouquets, single flowers, and even bulbs ready and packaged to be brought home as souvenirs. During the winter holidays the market becomes even more festive, and offers Christmas trees and other holiday decorations. The market is open every day of the week and is a convenient stop while sightseeing in the city.

A dahlia float decorated as Van Gogh at the Bloemencorso Zundert.

Though biking is a popular option for commuters in the city or for leisurely rides on the weekends, exploring all of the Netherlands has never been easier than when driving in your own car. Pick up your short-term lease at AMS Schiphol Airport and find considerable savings when compared to long-term rentals through traditional agencies. Every reservation through the Auto France Open Europe program includes a brand-new Peugeot with unlimited mileage, full insurance, full warranty, and more. Click here to start your reservation or to choose which model Peugeot is best for you.