Lisse is a small town in South Holland in the Netherlands famously known for Keukenhof Garden and the surrounding tulip, hyacinth, and daffodil fields.
It’s best to visit in spring when all the flowers are blooming. Make sure to check the Keukenhof website for opening dates. Depending on the length of the winter, these dates shift each year.
Most visitors come to Lisse as a day trip from Amsterdam. You can spend the day here visiting the gardens and biking around the surrounding tulip fields.
- Keukenhof Gardens | Google Maps
- When to Visit | late March/early April through the end of May
- Get the Guidebook: Rick Steves Amsterdam & the Netherlands
- Where to Stay in Amsterdam: Stayokay Amsterdam Stadsdoelen (budget), PH93 Amsterdam Central (midrange), or Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht (luxury)
How to Get to Lisse from Amsterdam with Public Transit
Amsterdam to Lisse By Bus
During the Keukenhof season, there’s a direct line (Bus 858) from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the gardens that run 4 to 12 times per hour. The nonstop ride takes 35 minutes.
If you purchase the Combi Ticket from the Keukenhof website, it covers the entrance to the park as well as the transportation to and from the Airport.
There are two types of Combi Tickets:
(1) Combi-Ticket, bus + entrance Keukenhof;
(2) Combi-Ticket, train + bus + entrance Keukenhof.
Amsterdam to Lisse By Train + Bus 361
Another way to travel from Amsterdam to Lisse is by taking a Sprinter Train and then Bus 361. There are different connections, so check out Google Maps for directions.
Visiting Keukenhof Gardens
With 800 varieties of tulips and 7 Million bulbs planted each year, Keukenhof Garden is a flower paradise. The garden expands over an area of 32 hectares (79 acres).
There are fountains, waterways, pavilions, flower shows, dining areas, and a Mill located on the premises. You can spend hours wandering through the manicured gardens. Though, it’s best to come as soon as they open (8:00 a.m.) to avoid the crowds.
Keukenhof is open roughly between late March through the end of May. Dates will vary slightly each year. To see the garden in full bloom, it’s best to aim for late April or early May. The flowers will bloom earlier if it was a warm winter, and later if it was a cold winter.
Biking around Tulip Fields in Lisse
In April and May, Lisse is bursting with color. Tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils are in full bloom. Interestingly, the farmers in the region cultivate the flowers for bulb production.
They don’t actually sell the flowers; they sell the bulbs under the ground. That’s why this area is called the Bulb region.
Thousands of people flock to Holland each year to experience the Keukenhof Gardens in Spring. The best thing to do is explore the gardens in the morning (as early as possible), and spend the afternoon biking around the surrounding area.
And if you must choose between the two, we recommend opting for the bike ride.
Where to Rent a Bike in Lisse
Rent-A-Bike van Dam is a bike rental company located directly in from of the main entrance to Keukenhof Gardens. They charge a flat fee of 10 EUR. The staff is fast, helpful, and informs you about your route options.
What bike route to take
There are four route options:
Route 1 (Yellow) is 5 km in length and takes you to some of the flower fields around Keukenhof.
Route 2 (Orange) is 15 km in length and takes you around more flower fields in the vicinity.
Route 3 (Red) is 25 km and takes you around flower fields, a Lake, the North Sea, and the Dunes.
Route 4 (Purple) is 10 km and takes you to other flower fields.
We opted for Route 3 (Red) and loved it. Apart from the flowers, this route takes you to the Dunes, which is an entirely different landscape.
We took several breaks, one of which was at Langevelderslag Beach, to enjoy the sea breeze. We also stopped for coffee at Como & Co, which is located on the lake.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
Budget | Stayokay Amsterdam Stadsdoelen is a hostel located in Amsterdam’s city center. Stayokay offers 24-hour front desk, lockers, breakfast, luggage storage, and a bar.
Midrange | PH93 Amsterdam Central is a clean, comfortable and top-rated accommodation in the heart of the city.
Luxury | Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is an elegant and upscale hotel located in the heart of the canal belt. Each room is uniquely designed. The hotel has a spa and wellness center, a restaurant and a bar.
Look for accommodation in Amsterdam.
Keep Reading about the Netherlands and Europe Travel
The Netherlands:
Europe:
- Belgium Travel Guide
- Germany Travel Guide
- Austria Travel Guide
- Italy Travel Guide
- Switzerland Travel Guide
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