Keukenhof Favorite Tips by ATLC Top 5 Page for this destination

Tulip Mania

Favorite thing: In the Sports tips you find a book recommendation about the mania that surrounded tulips in the 17th century.
The Semper Augustus tulip bulb was sold for 6000 guilders, which in the 17th century was the same price as a Amsterdam town mansion.

Google for Tulipmania and you'll find plenty of information about this baffling historical period.

Fondest memory: Pieter de Hondt, a poet from Leiden wrote in 1621 :

Dat men in Nederland,
Sooveel sotten bij der hant
Vinden can, die in haer hoven
Deze bloem alleene loven
Om een weke, drye, of vier,
In haer hof gheen enckel sier,
Dan de tulpen aen te schouwen,
Om de tulpen maer alleen;
Sotten die haer hoven bouwen,
Voor één bloeme en anders gheen

My translation:

That one in Holland
so many fools at hand
can find, who in their courts
only this flower praise.
For three or four weeks
no other than tulips
do their garden grace.
For the tulips but only, the fools bother
to build their courts, for this one flower
and none other.

Keukenhof general

Favorite thing: Keukenhof attracts about a million visitors each year, in those mere 6 or 7 weeks of the year that it is open to the public. They stroll along 15 kms of footpath on 32 hectares and shows about 100 tulip varieties and many other flowers. It is easily one of the most photographed places on earth! It's also the largest sculpture park in The Netherlands and 93 bulb growers participate in what is on show.

Fondest memory: The most amazing colours. Some flowers almost look surreal, or even fake. The red tulips on the photo in this tip seem to be of silk or even plastic, given their shine. But they're real.
How about the upside down tulip?! They came in yellow and orange varieties.

Do enjoy the 5 photos in this tip!

Well laid out for disabled people

Favorite thing: The Keukenhof is very popular with older people, and you'll see many people in wheelchairs being pushed around by their friends and family.
Most of the terrain is flat, and the pavilions are all easily accessible. There are toilets for disabled people as well.

Fondest memory: As I've pushed wheelchairs before, I can appreciate the dedication of those that do. We sneaked a photo of a man lying on one of the gigantic cushions, wheelchair by his side, enjoying the sun...

Buy your ticket in advance

Favorite thing: If you can, buy your ticket in advance at the Keukenhof website. It saves you standing in lines at the cashiers, you can walk straight on to a special entrance for E-tickets.

If you're coming by car, also buy your parking ticket online.

The website is in various languages, full versions.

Fondest memory: Walking past the lines, straight to the entrance!