Visit the Netherlands flower route

Visit the Netherlands between late January and early May to enjoy this candy-coloured 40km drive. You don’t have to be an avid gardener to appreciate the lollypop landscapes and multi-hued horizons, but you probably will be by the end of your trip!

Driving to Holland is easy with LeShuttle. Put the petal to the metal and book a trip today.

What is the Netherlands flower route?

The Flower Route is a journey that takes you from the northern town of Haarlem, right through the rainbow fields of the Netherlands to the flower capital of Naalwijk. As you follow this floral-infused road trip, you'll find yourself driving along the west coast, past beautiful beaches, and through stunning parks and gardens that fill the country with colour. From the artwork featured in Haarlem's Frans Hals Museum to Lisse's famous Keukenhof gardens, you'll be blown away by the natural beauty that brightens up this fascinating country during spring.

Enjoy a scenic family road trip through the tulip fields.

Must-see stops along the flower route in Holland 

The flower route in Holland takes you through the bulb region’s historic towns and cities, including Haarlem, Lisse, Leiden, The Hague and Naaldwijk.

Haarlem

A city in the north of the country, Haarlem is a popular place for fans of the Netherlands' springtime flower bloom. Not only is it dotted with blossoming crocuses, tulips, and daffodils, but it's also home to the Frans Hals Museum, a place of floral-themed artwork.

Flowers can be found throughout the museum, whether in the decorative tiles and wallpaper or in the vast artistic collections. Two key artists to look out for are Judith Leyster, a female artist who explored the 17th Century Tulip Mania (a time when tulip bulbs cost the equivalent of their weight in gold) and Kees Verwey, a Dutch painter who produced depictions of flowers, using heavy, thick brush strokes.

During spring, you can enjoy the museum's Flower Mania, a time when the master florist, Paul Wijkmeijer, puts together amazing bouquets, and displays them throughout the museum. Rooms and corridors are brightened up with pops of colour and filled with floral scents that complement the paintings.

Where in the Netherlands: Haarlem, North Holland

Drive from Calais: 380 km / 3h 45m

Get ready for a quacking good time on the Flower Route - don’t miss the annual Flower Parade.

Lisse

After exploring the floral artwork of Haarlem, head south along the N208 highway to Lisse, a town that's home to the world's second-largest flower garden, Keukenhof. With over seven million bulbs planted, and 800 different varieties of tulips to see, Keukenhof is a hub of natural beauty and wonder.

Every year, the organisers of Keukenhof Park put together a breathtaking array of garden themes, flower shows and activities for visitors. From romantic gardens featuring pastel-coloured flowers and summerhouses to a garden designed especially for the local bees and butterflies to inhabit, the park always surprises and wows.

On top of the captivating gardens, Keukenhof also presents a number of flower shows inside the park's many pavilions. The Orange Nassau Pavilion hosts a different lecture on flowers every week, so whether you're a fan of tulips or roses, you can pick and choose which one to attend. If you're a bigger fan of tulips, you can admire over 75,000 in 600 varieties inside the Willem-Alexander Pavilion, which is also home to the largest lily show in Europe. Finally, if you have a taste for the exotic, explore the inside of the Beatrix Pavilion, where orchids, anthuriums and bromeliads are showcased.

On top of the flowers, there are plenty of activities to keep your kids occupied during your visit. Head over to the park's petting zoo, where you and your family can stroke lambs, baby goats and pot-bellied pigs, or take part in the Keukenhof scavenger hunt, where your kids will get to learn more about the flowers as they search for hidden treasure.

Where in the Netherlands: Lisse, South Holland

Drive from Calais: 365 km / 3h 42m

Leiden

Once you've explored every corner of Lisse's Keukenhof Park, continue your journey south along the N208 and take the A44 highway to Leiden. The journey between Haarlem, Lisse and Leiden is said to be the best for spotting the fields of flowers during spring, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled, and your car windows open, to let the floral scent in.

Located in the city centre, and on the Leiden University grounds, is the Hortus Botanicus, the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Once used as a medicinal herb garden in 1594, the garden is now host to over 10,000 botanical species from around the world, including Southeast Asia, South Africa and Southern Europe. From sitting and admiring the dozens of birds that inhabit the park to exploring the Japanese Garden and wandering through kid-friendly exhibitions on exotic plants, there's so much to see and do.

Finish your time in the botanical garden by enjoying a coffee and snack in the Grand Café Clusius, a wonderful spot that sells local and organic delights your family will love.

Where in the Netherlands: Leiden, South Holland

Drive from Calais: 343.4 km / 3h 30m

Take a stroll through history at Hortus Botanicus, the Netherlands' oldest botanical garden.

The Hague

Around 30 minutes from Leiden is The Hague. The city on the west coast of the Netherlands is known for its unique blend of historical monuments, museums, sandy beaches and flowers. 

Stroll along Bankastraat or visit Prins Hendrikplein to see cherry blossoms in full bloom before heading to the Clingendael Estate. The 16th-century country house is celebrated for its impressive outdoor spaces, including an old Dutch garden, a woodland area known as the ‘Star Forest’ and the highlight of the estate, a Japanese garden. The oldest and largest Japanese garden in the Netherlands, the garden is only open to the public for short periods during spring and autumn.

Finish your time in The Hague with a visit to a fairytale forest. The Hyacinth Forest, Het Hyacintenbos, near Landgoed Ockenburgh is reachable from the Ockenburgh Estate. The lesser-known, but just as beautiful walk, is perfect for visitors looking for a quieter experience. Wander through the purple fields as the sun dapples through the trees before heading back to the Estate for a warm drink and snack.

Children will enjoy the 1km Gnome Trail and with so many cycling routes around the estate, there are plenty of ways to explore your surroundings. 

Naaldwijk 

Conclude your journey along the Flower Route by taking the A4 south and turning west onto the N222 towards Naaldwijk, a bustling town situated at the Flower Route's most southerly point. On top of being home to plenty of beautiful flora, Naaldwijk is also the greenhouse horticultural economic hub and is one of the main locations for the country's flower auctions, which are run by Flora Holland. The town is a leader in the flower industry, and traders from around the world come to the country to bid on some of the rarest and most captivating species of flowers. It often means big money too, with the annual turnover said to be around $5 billion.

If you can't be a part of the auction, be sure to explore the town's local florists, or gardens, that are rich with colour and vibrancy during the spring months.

Where in the Netherlands: Naaldwijk, South Holland

Drive from Calais: 326.1 km / 3h 16m

Get a front-row seat to the flower auction action at Flora Holland.

Blooming good tips for visiting the Netherlands flower route

Plan a blooming good trip along the Netherlands flower route with these top tips:

•    Plan to visit the Netherlands between late March to mid-May for the most spectacular flower displays. The Flower Parade in mid-April, marks the peak of the season, so is usually the best time to visit.

•    One of the best ways to experience the flower fields is by bike! Rent a bike or bring along your own to cycle through the brilliant blossoms.

•    Whether you decide to cycle or walk, wear comfortable shoes to make the most of your days out.

•    Pre-book tickets to major attractions like Keukenhof for a stress-free visit.

•    Be respectful of your surroundings and be sure to avoid walking on the flowers during your adventures.

And lastly, stop to smell the roses! Take your time to enjoy the scenery and take lots of photos! 

Drive to the Netherlands with LeShuttle

The Flower Route through the Netherlands is one of the most picturesque drives in Europe, taking you through some of the country's most idyllic spots. Feeling inspired? With LeShuttle it only takes 35 minutes to cross the Channel, so you'll be on your way to Haarlem in no time at all.