Dutch tulip fields route by car
The classic spring drive through the Bollenstreek past the colourful tulip fields, Keukenhof, Lisse and the dunes near Noordwijk. At its best late March to mid-May. For convertible, touring car, motorbike and camper.
Google Maps starts from your own location. For Garmin, Komoot or TomTom: download the GPX.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: tulip fields Lisse by Rob Schleiffert (CC BY-SA 2.0) and Michielverbeek (CC BY-SA 4.0).
The Netherlands at its most colourful
For a few weeks a year the Bollenstreek is the most colourful corner of the Netherlands: neat strips of red, yellow, pink and purple as far as you can see, between the dunes and the old bulb villages. The tulip fields route strings together the finest fields, with Keukenhof as its radiant centre. By car you drive from field to field, the window down for the scent and the colours. About 53 kilometres in all, a half or full day with Keukenhof.
The season is everything. The fields bloom roughly from late March (crocuses and daffodils) to mid-May (the late tulips), with early to mid-April usually the peak. Keukenhof is open in that period. Outside the bloom the route is still lovely along the dunes and the villages, but without the colours; so come in spring for the fields. You start in Oegstgeest and drive a loop past Katwijk and Noordwijk by the sea, Lisse with Keukenhof and the bulb villages of Hillegom and Sassenheim.
The route on the map
A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.
Soon: your time and starting point
The places along the route
1. Oegstgeest
Oegstgeest, just above Leiden, is the quiet starting point on the southern edge of the Bollenstreek. From here you are soon in the first fields, heading for the coast. A good place to start before the festival of colour begins.
Practical: park in the village; the first bulb fields and the road to Rijnsburg lie close by.
2. Rijnsburg
Rijnsburg has been the centre of flower growing and trade for centuries, with one of the largest flower auctions in the world nearby. Fields and nurseries lie all around the village. It is the beating heart of the Dutch flower industry.
Practical: a short stop; fields along the road all around the village.
3. Katwijk
Katwijk aan Zee lies where the Old Rhine meets the North Sea, with a broad boulevard, a beach and the well-known lighthouse. Away from the fields you taste the sea side of the Bollenstreek here: dunes, wind and the beach. A fine place for a break by the sea.
Practical: park by the boulevard; beach and lighthouse within walking distance.
4. Noordwijk
Noordwijk is the elegant seaside resort of the region, with a long boulevard, broad beaches and the dunes that separate the Bollenstreek from the sea. From the dune edge you look over the sea on one side and the coloured fields on the other. One of the loveliest contrasts of the route.
Practical: park by the boulevard or the dune crossings; beach and dune walks nearby.
5. Noordwijkerhout
Noordwijkerhout lies in the middle of the bulb country, surrounded by the most colourful fields of the region. The road from here to Lisse runs through the heart of the bulb growing; on a fine spring day this is the backdrop of countless photos. Stop a moment and let the colours sink in.
Practical: park on the edge; stay on the road and do not enter the fields, they are fragile and private.
6. Lisse
Lisse is the capital of the Bollenstreek, with Keukenhof as its radiant centre: the most famous flower park in the world, where millions of bulbs bloom in spring. In the village, Museum de Zwarte Tulp tells the story of bulb culture. This is the must-see of the route.
Practical: park at Keukenhof (busy in season, come early); allow half a day for the park.
7. Hillegom
Hillegom is a true bulb village, with the fields right up to the edge of the houses and a long tradition in flower bulbs. Around it lie nurseries and the last great fields before you close the loop. Quieter than Lisse, but just as colourful in season.
Practical: a short stop; fields along the through roads around the village.
8. Sassenheim
Sassenheim closes the loop, with the ruin of Teylingen castle just outside the village: an old stronghold with a round keep, in the middle of the bulb country. From here it is a short way back to Oegstgeest, with the last fields along the road.
Practical: park at the Teylingen ruin; the castle grounds are freely accessible.
Practical: for convertible, motorbike and camper
Come in season: the fields bloom from late March to mid-May, with early to mid-April usually the peak. The exact bloom varies each year with the weather; check the current bloom map and the Keukenhof opening dates in advance. Outside that period you drive a lovely dune and village route, but without the colours.
From which town: the route starts in Oegstgeest, but you need not start there. Enter your own address in the planner, choose your time, and Touren.app rebuilds the same loop from Leiden, Lisse, Noordwijk or wherever you are staying.
For which vehicle: flat, colourful and with the window down: an ideal scenic drive in spring, for convertible, motorbike or camper. In high season it is busy around Keukenhof; come early and park where allowed.
Respect the fields: the bulb fields are private and fragile. Stay on the road, do not walk among the flowers and pick nothing; enjoy the colours from the edge. That keeps it beautiful for everyone and for the grower.
Out of season: even without bloom the route is worthwhile for the dunes, the beaches of Katwijk and Noordwijk and the bulb villages. If you come for the colours, really plan for April.
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Mail this route to yourselfFrequently asked questions
When do the bulb fields bloom?
Roughly from late March to mid-May, with early to mid-April usually the peak: crocuses and daffodils first, then the tulips. The exact bloom varies each year with the weather. Keukenhof is open in that period.
How long is the tulip fields route by car?
About 53 kilometres, with just over an hour of pure driving, measured via Google Maps with motorways avoided. With a visit to Keukenhof and a beach stop it is a full day.
Can I drive the route outside the bloom season?
Yes, but without the colours. Outside spring the route is still lovely along the dunes, the beaches of Katwijk and Noordwijk and the bulb villages. If you come for the fields, plan for April.
May I enter the bulb fields?
No. The fields are private and fragile. Stay on the road, do not walk among the flowers and pick nothing; enjoy the colours from the edge.
Are the exports really free?
Yes, free with a Touren.app credit on them. You never pay us for exports; those who want to drive ad-free and offline choose Plus.
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