Last weekend, Lars (who’s from nearby Lisse) and I did the most Dutch thing ever — we went to Keukenhof. Again. For me, it was the third time, and honestly? Still not enough.
We clocked 20,000 steps, dodged tour groups from every corner of the world, and somehow still managed to feel totally at peace surrounded by rows and rows of tulips. Red, yellow, purple, fringed, striped — tulips in styles we didn’t even know existed. It’s wild how something so simple — a flower — has turned into this global magnet for tourism. Only the Dutch could pull off something this low-key and genius.
How the Tulip Show Happen
Keukenhof isn’t just a random explosion of color. It’s a carefully timed, high-stakes planting operation. Bulbs are planted in October, just before winter. They need the cold to grow strong roots. Then in March and April, just as things warm up, they bloom on schedule — creating those surreal, painterly landscapes that people fly across oceans to see.
The Local Side of It
Behind all that beauty are local farmers, many of whom have been growing tulips for generations. The Lisse area, where Lars grew up, is filled with bulb farms — some just for the tourists, others for serious business. The timing, the color planning, the care — it’s meticulous. And deeply rooted in Dutch craft and culture.
Tulips: A Blooming Business
Tulips aren’t just eye candy — they’re a serious contributor to the Dutch economy. The Netherlands produces around 6.5 billion bulbs a year, exporting 1.5 billion worldwide. In 2023, tulip and bulb exports brought in approximately €82 million, with the Netherlands responsible for a whopping 81% of all EU tulip exports.
That’s a lot of bulbs. And a lot of bikes carefully navigating fields full of them.
Tulip Mania: The OG Bubble
A little history detour: tulips were introduced to the Netherlands in the 1500s from the Ottoman Empire. By the 1630s, the country experienced a full-blown “Tulip Mania,” where rare bulbs sold for the price of a canal house. The market crashed (obviously), but the cultural love affair stuck around. Today, they’re one of the country’s most iconic exports — no bubble required.
Where Else Do Tulips Bloom?
Think tulips are just a Dutch thing? Not quite. While the Netherlands leads in scale and swagger, tulips pop up all over the world:
- Skagit Valley, Washington (USA) – Bright fields set against snowy peaks
- Ottawa, Canada – Tulip Festival born from a royal Dutch thank-you
- Kashmir, India – Asia’s largest tulip garden with a Himalayan backdrop
- Tonami, Japan – Over 3 million tulips in bloom each spring
- Istanbul, Turkey – Where the tulip story began
- Emilia-Romagna, Italy – Chic fields with serious photo appeal
Still, nothing hits quite like the Dutch version — neat rows, big skies, and that earthy-sweet smell of spring tulips in bloom.
The Grand Exit: Keukenhof’s Pied Piper Moment
Just when you think it’s time to leave, Keukenhof pulls one last trick.
As closing time creeps in and people are still lingering — taking just one more photo — a cheerful marching band appears. Bright uniforms, brass instruments, and the happiest Dutch folk tunes you’ve ever heard.
It’s basically the Pied Piper of Tulips. Tourists, finally convinced to move, begin shuffling toward the gates with smiles and sore feet. It’s genius. And honestly? Kind of magical.
If you’re in the Netherlands during tulip season — go. Go again. Walk until your legs hurt. Because yes, it’s touristy. But it’s also beautiful, weirdly soothing, and full of moments that make you stop and smile.
