5 tips for cycling through the tulip fields
There are many different ways to see the flower fields. One of the most pleasant ways for me is cycling through the tulip fields. I live close to Keukenhof and it is a joy to cycle around the flower fields. The sight, the fragrance, the colors, I love it!
5 tips
- Rent a bike early!
When visiting Keukenhof and the flower fields almost every one is visiting the Keukenhof first and plan to cycle in the afternoon. It will be busy in the afternoon and especially during weekends it can be possible that you have to wait in line for the bicycles to return. When you rent a bike early in the morning you won’t have this problem and there are less people on their bike near the fields. - Know where to go
Sure you can cycle around the Keukenhof and see the fields there. But it is very easy to ride a bit further away. Keep a map in your pocket or find one online before you go. Every local in the area know where the Keukenhof is, so in case you get lost they are happy to point you in the right direction. Are you interested in bicycle maps for the tulip fields? I have made some maps last couple of years you can find them here. - Ride on the right place of the road
Lots of roads have a bicycle path next to it. Keep right and stay on the bicycle path. When you ride on the road keep right too and don’t block the roads for cars. - Lock your bike
Do you see a beautiful tulip field that you want to look closer? Park you bike on a save place and lock it. Yes even if you are close to it. You don’t want to find another tourist get your bike and peddle away. Just lock it and keep the key close to you. - Don’t enter a flower field
I know this one is difficult 🙂 The flower fields are working farms where they produce bulbs. You don’t want to be liable for damage to the bulbs. Stepping on the flowers can cause problems but also the bacteria under your shoes. And yes many people do enter the flower fields, but it is not allowed. If you want beautiful photos of you standing in between the flowers visit a picking farm where you can get up close to the tulips.
You can rent a bike at the entrances of Keukenhof. The bike rental company has more information on their site.
Tulips in Holland gives you information about the spring flowers and flower fields in the Netherlands. If you are interested to see what the current blooming status is have a look here for the weekly flower updates.
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I am planning a trip to Hooland either on the Barge trips or Backroads this April. I have an April 19 or 25 option. Do you have any opinions about the barge trips? I’m 62 fit female traveling solo to enjoy your country and its flowers. I want to bike. I’m also concerned about the weather in mid April Please advise. Thank you for Tulip updates. Really enjoyable. All the best, Sharon
Sorry I don’t know a lot about barge trips but you might find more information at TripAdvisor.com. The weather can be anything from warm and sunny and cold, wet and grey. April weather changes a lot. Have a look at http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=lisse for current weather and for the weather in previous years. Last year April was beautiful. The year before cold and lots of rain. Have a wonderful time biking around in the Netherlands.
Hi Nienke? I’m also planning on a tour through The Netherlands this year, most likely via a bike tour organizer (if I find one). Do you have any tips regarding which bike tour organizer to pick? Using google I found a few. There’s hollandcycletours which is okay but is very limited in its tours. Than there’s wheel2wheelholidays but they only have 4 tours. Any help? Thanks!
Thanks! Went for comfort, booked with Backroads. Happy Spring!
Hi Elsa, most people in the Netherlands just bike on their own without a tour group, so I am not that familiar with bike tour companies. If you want to tour through the Netherlands for a couple of days on your own make sure you see the website of vrienden op de fiets (friends on the bicycle), where you can stay at a home / farm/ small B&B for a small fee.
You need to take care of your own luggage and remember that the rental bikes are the heavy ones (not really suitable for touring lots of KM) You can also stay in a hotel and make multiple day trips.
Thanks for your quick reply and tips Nienke!
Hi Nienke,
We are planning to visit Keukenhof on April 24th Sunday in the morning and planning to visit some good bulb fields around it by cycling and walk.
After reading your blog, we decided to cycle first and visiting park. However, as we are new to this place, I got couple of questions.
1. As we have not often used cycling, we try to cover a small area around less than 5km
2. We would like to see a red color tulips and other colors like Noordoostpolder farms
3. We would like to get into farms and take very nice photos with my wife :). Is there any picking farm near by?
4. Which cycle route is good near by Keukenhof
5. Can I rent a electric cycle near Keukenhof ?
Thanks in advance..
Hi Murali,
1. 5 km cycling is just 20 min. not sure if it is worth the price to rent a bike for such a short time.
2. I don’t know what color tulip fields will be in bloom by the 24th of april. Please check back a week in advance. Tulips are a product by nature. Blooming depends on the temperature and weather in the next few weeks.
3. You can’t walk up to a farm to make photos. Tulip farms are generally not a tourist attraction (and it is not allowed to get into a field yourself) And the tulip picking farms are more than 5 km bike ride away from Keukenhof.
4. Just drive around where you see colored fields. 5 KM is not that far, you can practically bike around keukenhof and you will be back in 5 km /20 min.
5. As far as I know you can only rent normal bikes at Keukenhof. Please inquire at the bike rental place for more specific information.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday in the Netherlands!
Thank you very much! You are so quick 🙂
Is it possible to take any public transport(bus/train) from Keukonhof to some flower fields allow walking in near by? We are very eager to get into farm and take photos.