Tulip Season in The Netherlands
With over 11000 hectares, the tulips are a big export product of the Netherlands. Right before winter hits, between October and January, the bulbs are planted. The bulbs need that cold period to be able to bloom.
Psttt, the exact field locations are at the end of this guide.
Around mid-April, large fields in all kinds of colors appear, which are a feast for the eye after a grey winter. In the first week of May, the flowers are cut and ready to be sold at the markets, florists, and supermarkets.
Of course, this all depends on the weather. For example, in 2018 the tulips were still there in the second week of May whereas by the end of April in 2019 everything was already cut.
Do not: walkthrough nor damage the tulips fields, this is the business of the farmer so please respect the crop.
About Tulips in The Netherlands
The best place to see tulips for free in the Netherlands is in the southwest part of the Netherlands. An island called ‘Goeree-Overflakkee’, where we both are born and raised has one of the best Wind and Kite Surf beaches in The Netherlands and massive tulip fields.
Rent a car in the Netherlands through Sunny Cars. All insurances are already included in the price. Book your rental car here.
Goeree-Overflakee and its tulip fields are a 35-minute drive from Rotterdam. Other than Keukenhof, Lisse, or Amsterdam, these tulip fields are only known to locals who visit the tulips on the weekend or after their day at work. There are so many fields around that it won’t be hard to find tulip flowers without any visitors.
Fun fact: Tulips are originally brought to the Netherlands from Turkey.
Read the Things To Do in Rotterdam Guide
The best time to see the tulip flower is usually the last two weeks of April. You can combine the tulip season with Kingsday, the birthday of the king on the 27th of April. Known as one of the best public holidays in The Netherlands.
P.S. Make sure to tag us on Instagram when you’re here at our home. 😍
Best tulip field locations
Across the entire island Goeree-Overflakkee, are tulip fields in all colors and sizes. The largest fields are outside the villages in the central and east part of the island.
The exact location of the fields changes every year, but with dozens of tulip fields around they won’t be far!
A yearly returning event is the Tulip Walking Tour called ‘Tulpenwandeltocht’. You can sign up and walk a route along with all the tulip fields.
Fun fact: Up until today, it is not possible to grow black tulips.
Tulip locations route
Find the majority of the tulip fields on our map below or in this Google Maps map. Please remember that the tulips fields in the Netherlands are only in April and possibly May. The map may be older but the fields will be close to the locations.
P.S. Make sure to tag us on Instagram when you’re at our home. <3
Taking photos at the Tulip fields
Now important to know is that farmers sell these flowers and need to make a living off that. Different from the tulips in Amsterdam, Keukenhof or Lisse a fence does not protect these tulip fields. It is your responsibility not to harm the tulip flowers.
Also read: Things to do in Amsterdam (City Trip Guide)
There is a hand full of wider paths in each field that can be used to stand for a photo. You can take so many beautiful images even if you are not walking in the tulip field. Sometimes it is all about perspective.
Please note: The tulip fields are private property and the farmer is allowed to ask you to leave his property.
How to visit the tulips in the Netherlands?
Getting to Goeree-Overflakee and its tulip fields is best by rented car. You have the full freedom to drive around to all the tulip fields and the enormous beach area on the west side of the island. Driving around the whole island can be done in a maximum of 60 minutes.
Rent a car in the Netherlands through Sunny Cars. All insurances are already included in the price. Book your rental car here.
Tulip fields 2019: A few of the picturesque tulip fields are located here, here, and here. Spend a night or entire weekend in the area. There are loads of B&B’s available on Goeree-Overflakkee.
Also read: Surf Beach of The Netherlands
The best options are:
- An easy 35-minute ride by rented car from Rotterdam. (Rent a car here)
- A 90-minute drive by rented car from Amsterdam.
- Take the 25-minute express train from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. Rent a car in Rotterdam and drive 35 minutes to the island.
When is the tulip season?
A common misunderstanding of the tulips in the Netherlands is that they are there year-round. Tulips in the Netherlands are only there in tulip season during the last two weeks of April and the first week of May. Tulip season is spring in the Netherlands, which usually is a period of pleasant sunshine and a comfortable breeze.
Good to know is that the tulips in Keukenhof are maintained. They will be there for a longer period but nothing like the stunning fields on the farm fields.
Staying near the Tulip fields
Wandering at the tulips during sunset is a must-do! Spend the night at one of the many guesthouses or B&Bs in the area so you have more time to do this and even see the beach.
Guesthouses near the tulip fields
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If we take public transportation from Rotterdam to Goeree-Overflakke, will the bus pass by any of the tulip fields?
Hi Trudy, you will see a few but the fields are at a different location every year so it’s hard to say exactly how many flowers you’ll see.