When do the tulip fields bloom in Holland?
Most tulip fields bloom at the end of April. Many farmers say that King’s Day is Flower Day, as it often coincides with peak bloom. Older farmers remember that when Queen Beatrix’s birthday was celebrated on April 30, most tulip fields were in full bloom. However, despite their experience and hard work, farmers can’t control when the tulips bloom. Here’s why.
Tulip fields start blooming around April 5-10 with the earliest varieties. Each type of tulip has a different blooming period, so farmers plant both early and late varieties to spread out the workload. The later varieties bloom from the end of April to the first week of May.
What do the farmers do in the field?
Millions of tulips bloom each season, but just like people, tulips can get sick. Unfortunately, growers can’t always save them—they have to manually remove the sick tulips to prevent disease from spreading. One of the biggest threats is fire blight, a fungal disease that spreads quickly, especially when morning humidity and sunlight create the perfect conditions for it. Farmers work daily to keep the tulips healthy, carefully monitoring the fields and taking necessary precautions.
Tulips and Bulbs – Can we buy tulip bulbs when visiting the tulip fields?
No, tulip bulbs are not available for purchase in spring. Here’s why: Tulip bulbs develop underground while the flowers bloom above. The bulbs are only ready for sale once they are harvested in early June. They remain available in stores until December, as they need to be planted before winter to grow properly for the next spring. Tulip bulbs are planted in October and remain in the soil until they bloom again in spring, starting the cycle anew.
If you want to learn more about the process, read our blog post about how tulips grow.
Where can I see tulips in Amsterdam?
Do tulips thrive in Amsterdam?
Tulips can bloom in Amsterdam, but they don’t thrive as they do in the countryside. However, thanks to the Tulips in Holland organization, you can find tulip displays throughout the city, with colorful tulip boxes decorating various locations. Every year, a special tulip garden is also created in the heart of Amsterdam.
Tulips on Museumplein
Every year, 200.000 tulips bloom at Museumplein, where visitors can pick them for free. On January 18, 2025, over 10.000 people gathered to admire and pick the tulips, marking the official start of tulip season—also known as the Tulip Festival 2025 Kick-off.
Tulip Museum Amsterdam
Another great place to visit is the Tulip Museum Amsterda*, where you can explore souvenirs and learn all about the history of tulips. If you're in Amsterdam and want to see more, you can also visit the tulip fields with our Tulip Tour.
We collaborate with local farmers in Amsterdam Noord, where tulips bloom closest to the city. That’s why we call it the Tulip Tour Amsterdam.
Book your spot at the Tulip Tour from Amsterdam 2025 now!
