A local expert’s guide to seeing the most beautiful tulips in the Netherlands

Tulip season is one of the most iconic and celebrated times of year in the Netherlands, transforming the landscape into vivid bands of colour and attracting visitors from around the world. In this article, Dutch tulip expert and photographer Nienke Panis‑Ringersma shares her insider knowledge on how to experience the country’s famous blooms responsibly and meaningfully. She explains that tulips are deeply woven into Dutch culture, with events such as National Tulip Day in Amsterdam and a series of festivals marking the transition from winter to spring.
Panis‑Ringersma highlights several ways to enjoy tulip season, including visiting Keukenhof Gardens, attending the Bloemencorso Flower Parade, and exploring tulip farms where visitors are allowed to walk among the flowers and even pick their own. She also stresses the importance of respecting commercial flower fields, where entering or parking nearby is illegal and can damage crops. While large‑scale attractions like Keukenhof offer spectacular displays, smaller farms and historical gardens such as Hortus Bulborum provide educational and interactive experiences that reveal the long history of tulips in the Netherlands. Together, these experiences show how tradition, tourism and careful preservation combine to keep tulip culture alive.