Posted on Tuesday, 21 February 2023

Amsterdam - and the Netherlands as a whole - has a long and distinguished horticultural background and is renowned for its colourful carpets of flower fields, specifically tulips.

The capital and its surrounds boasts a number of beautifully-kept, tranquil gardens that will enhance any trip to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

And if you want to visit a tulip farm, just 40km from the centre of Amsterdam you will find the area of ‘Bollenstreek‘ with its countless flower fields

Here are some of the best gardens in Amsterdam...

 

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

If you’re a fan of horticulture, then you be sure to make time for a visit to Hortus Botanicus when visiting Amsterdam.

One of Europe's oldest botanical gardens, the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is a lush green oasis in the heart of the capital and arguably, the best garden in Amsterdam.

Originally created in 1638 as a herb garden for doctors who required botanicals as treatments for their patients, the Amsterdam botanical garden's produce was planted from seeds brought back by traders from the Dutch East India Company.

This botanical garden of Amsterdam housed the single coffee plant that served as parent for all the coffee plantations in Central and South America - just one of Hortus Botanicus' many claims to fame.

 

Botanische Tuin Zuidas

This smaller, more intimate botanical garden in Amsterdam features more than 6,000 species in its various greenhouses.

Don't miss the cactus collection - the largest in the Netherlands.

Interestingly, any endangered plants seized at Schipol Airport are sent to this Amsterdam garden.

 

Naarden

Naarden is one of Europe's most unique and best-preserved walled cities.

Built inside a moated star shape, Naarden was once part of Amsterdam's historic fortifications and features a series of lush green wooded areas and grassy lawns.

After exploring the fortress and strolling the tranquil grounds, make time to visit nearby Naardermeer - one of the Netherlands' oldest and prettiest nature reserves.

 

Muiderslot

At more than 700 years old, the fairy-tale castle of Muiderslot is one of the Netherlands' oldest castles.

Aside from the magical castle structure itself, visitors can wander around a series of charming gardens that feature numerous herbs and vegetables that are relatively forgotten.

The dedicated team who manage the garden take pride in explaining how the garden's produce was once used as medicines, dyes and even decoration in times gone by.

The castle's most famous resident was Pieter Cornelisz Hooft - also known as “The Dutch Shakespeare” - who found inspiration in the beautiful plum orchard that remains here to this day.

 

Tea Garden at Weesp

Located in Bakkerschans bastion (built 1674), this charming tea garden offers a true sense of tranquillity.

It was created in 1986 and was the first of its kind in the Netherlands.

After enjoying the peace and quiet of the beautiful garden, you can sample some classic Dutch cuisine in the adjacent eatery, which was once used to store munitions.

 

The Singer Sculpture Garden at the Singer Laren Museum

This fascinating free-to-enter sculpture garden features sculptures by some of the Netherlands' best-known artists.

The pieces explore the relationship between nature and humanity.

Highlights at this Dutch garden include two sheep that stand guard over the garden like knights of yore, created by Guido Geelen; and a clutch of huge blackberries by Maria Roosen.

 

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

If the bustle of Amsterdam gets too much, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel could offer the perfect respite.

This delightful 12th century village can be reached by bicycle via paths long the Amstel.

Rest up in the pleasant gardens of the Jewish cemetery - the Netherlands' oldest - before heading out to the pretty beaches at Ouderkerkerplas.

 

Keukenhof Castle

What is Keukenhof famous for?

Known as the garden of Europe, Keukenhof is one of the largest gardens in the world, spanning 32 hectares.

Designed by architect Jan David Zocher, the gardens of Keukenhof Castle take their cue from English-style gardens of the 1800s.

Don't miss the hilltop terraced gardens that afford great views over the castle and grounds.

If you visit Keukenhof, note that the Keukenhof spring flower park is open around 50 days per year.

 

Keukenhof tulip gardens

Keukenhof gardens has a variety of 800 different tulips, with over 7 million flower bulbs planted annually.

 

When is the best time to visit a tulip garden in Amsterdam?

Because the tulip bulbs are planted in different layers in the gardens at Keukenhof, the flower park is great every day during the season.

In 2023, the tulip season starts on Thursday 23 March and the last day is Sunday 14 May, with three different flowering periods.

 

Is there anything for kids to do at Keukenhof?

A visit to the flower park is a nice day out for the whole family, with plenty on offer to keep the children entertained.

They can enjoy the treasure hunt, the maze and the playgrounds.

Kids will also love the petting zoo.

 

Best way to explore Keukenhof

The many hiking trails are a great way to explore the Keukenhof park.

It is also possible to hire a bike to discover the vast gardens or to take boat trip along the flower fields of Keukenhof

 

Whisper boat trip

The 45 minute tuiip cruise through the Dutch flower fields on an electrically-propelled boat, includes an audio tour about the flower bulb region.

Keukenhof bike hire and boat trips can be booked in advance online at: Keukenhof 2023

 

Haarlem Hofjes

Hofjes are courtyards surrounded by almshouses - properties built by the rich to house the poor, unmarried or widowed women.

These examples in Haarlem (not far from Amsterdam) are wonderfully relaxing places to stroll either before or after enjoying Haarlem's many cultural and historical attractions.

 

Dutch Flower Shows

Time your trip to Holland well and alongside discovering the country’s beautiful gardens, you may even be lucky enough to experience one of the many annual flower shows.

Flower shows are hosted in Dutch cities throughout the Netherlands during Spring and Summer, with parades of spectacular themed flower floats.

The largest and most famous of these flower parades is the Bloemencorso of the Bollenstreek, which annually attracts more than 1 million visitors along the 42km parade route.

In 2023, the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek parade will be held on Saturday 22 April.

Get a Quote