Vacation Photography

Hillegom, The Netherlands

A Perfect Tulip Adventure: Exploring Keukenhof Gardens & The Tulip Barn by Bike

When people ask me about the best tulip gardens in the Netherlands, two always come to mind: Keukenhof Gardens and The Tulip Barn. Both are easy to reach by public transport, making them ideal destinations for a springtime floral adventure.


Getting to the Tulip Gardens

One key thing to remember when visiting the tulip gardens is that they are not directly accessible by train. You won’t step off a platform and find yourself surrounded by flowers! Instead, I always recommend renting a bike to explore the area conveniently.


Thankfully, bike rentals are available at Keukenhof Gardens and Hillegom Station, so you can easily cycle to the best spots.


A Springtime Photo Session in the Tulip Region

For this particular shoot, we met at Amsterdam Centraal Station before heading to Haarlem by train, where we transferred to another train bound for Hillegom. If you plan to visit using public transport, Hillegom Station is your best starting point. From there, you can either walk to The Tulip Barn or take a bus to other gardens in the region.


💡 Tip: Always wear comfortable shoes, as some walking is necessary!


Renting Bikes and Cycling to The Tulip Barn

Once we arrived at Hillegom Station, my clients rented bikes. Since I visit frequently during tulip season, I usually have my own bike parked at the station. If you plan to bring your own, remember that bike transport on trains requires a special day ticket, which can be purchased at NS.nl. Bikes are only allowed on trains during off-peak hours:

Weekdays: 09:00 - 16:00 and 18:30 - 06:30

Weekends & Public Holidays: All day


Cycling from Hillegom Station to The Tulip Barn takes about 6 minutes. The first part of the route follows a road, but soon you’ll find yourself on a peaceful rural path surrounded by stunning tulip fields.


Discovering The Tulip Barn

Arriving at The Tulip Barn feels like stepping into a vibrant, multicolored world. The garden is beautifully designed with rows of tulips, charming props, and designated areas featuring different tulip colors. It’s a fantastic spot for photos, with a small windmill at the center adding to the picturesque scenery.


One hidden gem? The daffodil garden! Since it’s less popular, it offers a quieter atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing stroll.


Amenities at The Tulip Barn:


- A coat rack at the entrance

- A cozy café to warm up or take shelter from the rain. If it's sunny they also have an outdoor area.


Cycling to Keukenhof Gardens

From The Tulip Barn, we continued our journey to Keukenhof Gardens, which is just an 8-minute bike ride away. Though we spent most of our time at The Tulip Barn, we still had the chance to admire Keukenhof’s incredible landscape.


Key Differences Between The Tulip Barn & Keukenhof Gardens

1️⃣ The Tulip Barn: Features warm colors (pink, purple, and orange), with long rows of tulips stretching across the horizon.

2️⃣ Keukenhof Gardens: Flowers are arranged in curated small sections with scenic tree-lined backgrounds. Unlike The Tulip Barn’s decorative windmill, Keukenhof boasts a real, towering Dutch windmill, making it an iconic photo spot.


Best Route for a Memorable Tulip Experience

If you're exploring the tulip fields for an urban storybook-style adventure, I recommend starting at The Tulip Barn and ending at Keukenhof Gardens. However, for special occasions like a proposal, it's best to focus on just one of the gardens for a more intimate experience.


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See you soon in Amsterdam or the Tulip Region of South Holland!

Joanna
📷 Amsterdam Photographer & Local Expert


Tags

Keukenhof Gardens, the tulip barn tulip season Netherlands travel Amsterdam day trips tulip photography Dutch countryside bike tours Netherlands travel tips spring in Holland

A couple stands hand in hand in a colorful tulip field under a cloudy sky, dressed in elegant attire—him in a white shirt and jeans, her in a flowing red dress.
A man lovingly embraces a woman from behind as they stand in the middle of vibrant tulip rows, with red, yellow, and white flowers stretching into the horizon.
A romantic moment as a couple shares a gentle kiss while standing in a vast field of multicolored tulips under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman in a red dress leans up to kiss her partner in a white shirt, framed by endless rows of bright tulips in full bloom.
A tender embrace between a couple in a tulip field, with the woman looking into the camera as her partner holds her close against a colorful floral backdrop.
A couple walks hand in hand through a vibrant tulip field, the woman in a flowing red dress leading the way as they stroll among rows of red, yellow, and purple flowers.
A couple walks hand in hand through a vibrant tulip field, the woman in a flowing red dress leading the way as they stroll among rows of red, yellow, and purple flowers.
A romantic kiss shared between a couple sitting among pink and white tulips, surrounded by delicate petals and springtime colors.
A joyful moment as a couple sits among blooming tulips, laughing and enjoying each other’s company in a picturesque flower field.
A smiling couple sits among tulip rows, facing each other with hands intertwined, surrounded by purple, yellow, and white flowers in full bloom.
A man lifts his partner into the air as they embrace in a tulip field, with a traditional Dutch windmill in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A romantic moment as a man holds his partner in a red dress close, surrounded by colorful tulips, with a windmill adding to the picturesque Dutch landscape.
A loving embrace between a couple in the middle of a tulip field with a windmill in the background, with soft sunlight highlighting their expressions and a windmill in the background.
A romantic moment as a man holds his partner in a red dress close, surrounded by colorful tulips, with a windmill adding to the picturesque Dutch landscape.
A romantic moment as a man holds his partner in a red dress close, surrounded by colorful tulips, with a windmill adding to the picturesque Dutch landscape.
A couple walks hand in hand through a tulip field, with a windmill standing in the distance, capturing a romantic springtime moment.
A romantic moment as a man holds his partner in a red dress close, surrounded by colorful tulips, with a windmill adding to the picturesque Dutch landscape.
A woman in a red dress smiles warmly, standing in front of a tulip field with a windmill behind her, her hair gently blowing in the breeze.
A couple walks hand in hand through a tulip field, with a windmill standing in the distance, capturing a romantic springtime moment.
A couple walks along a dirt path between a vibrant yellow daffodil field and a canal, holding hands as the windmill stands in the distance.
A loving embrace between a couple in the middle of a golden daffodil field, with soft sunlight highlighting their expressions and a windmill in the background.
A loving embrace between a couple in the middle of a golden daffodil field, with soft sunlight highlighting their expressions and a windmill in the background.
A loving embrace between a couple in the middle of a golden daffodil field, with soft sunlight highlighting their expressions and a windmill in the background.
A loving embrace between a couple in the middle of a golden daffodil field, with soft sunlight highlighting their expressions and a windmill in the background.
A woman leans into her partner’s embrace, eyes closed and smiling, as they stand surrounded by endless rows of colourful tulips
A woman leans into her partner’s embrace, eyes closed and smiling, as they stand surrounded by endless rows of colourful tulips
A woman leans into her partner’s embrace, eyes closed and smiling, as they stand surrounded by endless rows of colourful tulips
A woman leans into her partner’s embrace, eyes closed and smiling, as they stand surrounded by endless rows of colourful tulips
A woman leans into her partner’s embrace, eyes closed and smiling, as they stand surrounded by endless rows of colourful tulips
A couple embraces in front of a traditional Dutch windmill, surrounded by blooming pink tulips, with golden sunlight casting a romantic glow.
A couple stands in a lush garden, surrounded by vibrant tulips in shades of red, pink, and white, with tall green trees in the background.
A loving moment between a couple in a flower garden, gazing into each other’s eyes while surrounded by deep red and white tulips.
A couple shares a joyful moment in a peaceful garden, standing among purple tulips with a large tree providing shade behind them.
A romantic walk through a scenic garden, as a couple holds hands along a flower-lined pathway bathed in warm sunlight.

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