A Visit To Keukenhof Tulip Garden with My South African Grandmother

April 29th, 2025

Visiting the Keukenhof Tulip Garden felt like a dream, almost as if I had stepped into heaven. I can only hope that heaven resembles Keukenhof! The vibrant colors, vast expanses, and diverse varieties of tulips were truly astonishing. The exquisite landscaping and breathtaking beauty of nature will leave you in awe and bring peace to your soul.

This visit to Holland was truly special. My husband, Ernst, and I flew in from England for two nights to experience Keukenhof with my grandmother. My South African Ouma had not traveled abroad since 1985. After Oupa passed away four years ago, it became her dying wish to see Europe once more. Ouma had a clear vision for her dream: she wanted to visit the Black Forest in Germany, where her ancestry originates, and she wished to cruise along the Rijn River in Holland. She saved diligently, and in celebration of her 80th birthday, she booked an organized tour with a group of other Afrikaans-speaking seniors. The itinerary included two weeks of travel across Europe, covering Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland, and it even encompassed both of the experiences on her bucket list! Naturally, we couldn't resist the short 50-minute flight to Holland to witness Ouma’s reaction to the breathtaking gardens. Here is what we experienced:

The expansive curated flower columns surround a tranquil lake, framed by majestic, tall trees. Wonder is all around—a true paradise for bees and butterflies. What amazed me most was the impact of the densely planted purple and blue muscari flowers. It is well-known that tulips and muscari thrive together, but here they are combined in a magnificent display of harmony. A massive “Welgedaan” to the Dutch farmers and landscapers who inspired this creation. I don't think I could ever tire of this scene.

Here are my favourite tulip pics:

1. Apricot Parrot

2. Renoir

3. Caribbean Parrot

4. Dreamer

   
   

A Journey Through the Tulip Fields

After bidding farewell to Ouma and dropping her off with her tour group, we set off to explore the tulip fields in Lisse by bicycle. Just outside the entry gates of Keukenhof, we found bicycles available for rent. I opted for a tandem bike, which allowed me to relax and take in the stunning 360-degree views of the vibrant fields, all while my reliable partner, Ernst, did the pedaling. I highly recommend this experience!

Tips for Visiting Keukenhof

• Visit in late March or early April. We went on the last weekend of April, and many flowers were starting to wilt. While the gardens were still vibrant, most of the tulips in the fields had been cut or were dying. We had to follow a specific route to see the columns of tulips that were still in bloom.

• Choose an early time slot for your visit. We opted for the 8 AM slot, which allowed us to enjoy the gardens before the afternoon rush of visitors, making our experience much more pleasant.

• Despite the forecast promising sunshine, it was still quite chilly. Be sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable clothing suitable for walking and cycling.

• The cafeteria is average, I'd recommend to eat before/ bring your own lunch.

Three Historic Facts of Keukenhof

• “Keukenhof” Means Kitchen Garden

  The name Keukenhof literally means "kitchen garden" in Dutch. In the 15th century, the land was part of the estate of Jacoba van Beieren (Jacqueline of Bavaria), a noblewoman who used it to gather herbs and vegetables for the kitchen of Teylingen Castle. That humble purpose gave the iconic garden its name.

• Established as a Spring Flower Exhibition in 1949

  Keukenhof as we know it today was established in 1949, when a group of 20 Dutch flower bulb growers and exporters came together to use the estate as a showcase for spring-flowering bulbs. It was designed to promote the Dutch flower industry, especially tulips—which were already a national symbol. The initiative was a huge success and became an annual event.

• Home to Over 7 Million Flowers Today

  Keukenhof now features over 7 million flower bulbs planted by hand each year, across 32 hectares. Though it’s only open for 8 weeks each spring, it attracts more than 1 million visitors from around the world. Each year, the garden follows a different theme, which influences the design and layout of its colorful floral displays. In 2025, Keukenhof embraced the theme “Dutch Design in Bloom”, celebrating the Netherlands' renowned design heritage by blending modern aesthetics with floral artistry.