The most beautiful under-the-radar tulip fields in the world (2024)

Should you find yourself in Ottawa in May, then a visit to Commissioners Park is a non-negotiable, as it is here that you will find the annual tulip festival, which is free to all. The festival originated in 1945, when the Dutch government began sending a gift of tulip bulbs to Canada in recognition of two things: firstly, that the Dutch royal family had taken refuge here during World War II (Princess Margriet was even born here) and secondly that Canadian troops had played a key role in liberating the Netherlands.

Morges Castle, Switzerland

150,000 tulips, hyacinths and daffodils come together to make the annual Fête de la Tulipe on Lake Geneva one of the most stunning floral displays in Europe. Situated behind the chateau on the lake side, we can’t think of a more romantic backdrop, and it’s no surprise that it’s been dubbed a ‘mini Keukenhof’.

Srinagar, India

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The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar hosts the largest tulip festival in Asia, when thousands line up to see its 1.6 million blooms. First opened in 2017 as part of a tourism drive, it’s taken care of by a team of 105 gardeners, and saw a record-breaking 375,000 tourists visiting in 2023.

Kirna Manor Park, Estonia

In Estonia, Kirna Manor Park is renowned for its mythical healing qualities, but it’s also popular for its tulips, which spring up in May and fill the park with colour. Special photography areas have been set up amidst the flower beds, as well as benches, so that you can relax while you soak up their beauty.

Grevenbroich, Germany

GREVENBROICH, GERMANY - MAY 01: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Colored Tulips on the field on May 01, 2021 in Grevenbroich, Germany. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)DeFodi Images News/Getty Images

Much like its western neighbour, Germany also has countless tulip fields, though it’s the Lower Rhine region that has the very best. Head to Tulpenhof Francken to see them for free, though make sure you get the address right - Google Maps updates it yearly in April as the fields have no fixed location and often move.

Meerdonk, Belgium

A really off-the-beaten track option, the border town of Meerdonk has a handful of beautiful tulip fields, though in order to protect the farmers, the exact locations are often not shared. If you do visit, then remember not to pick any – after all, this is akin to theft. If you’re itching to take some home, then head to Brussels, where they are available to buy at Ferme du Chant des Cailles.

The most beautiful under-the-radar tulip fields in the world (2024)

FAQs

Where are the most beautiful tulips in the world? ›

Best overall: Keukenhof

Keukenhof Gardens – celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024 – is undoubtedly the most popular tulip experience in the Netherlands, its lushly landscaped "inspirational" tulip gardens and windmills drawing over a million visitors each year during its eight-week season.

Is the tulip festival in Amsterdam worth it? ›

Yes, a visit to the Tulip Garden is absolutely worth it. Each year, Keukenhof Tulip Gardens is only open for 60 days, and during this time, Keukenhof Tulip festival is held. You will be able to view 800+ different varieties of Tulips, apart from other flowers, spread over 79 hectares.

Does the semper Augustus tulip still exist? ›

Viceroy, Admiraal Van Der Eijk, the legendary Semper Augustus (pictured below) - they all featured the distinct, broken pattern. But today, these once-legendary breeds no longer exist. And Broken Tulips have fallen out of favor to the point of being illegal in the Netherlands.

Where are the giant tulip fields? ›

The world famous tulip fields in Holland are showing there spectaculair colors during Tulip Festival. Every spring people from all over the world enjoy the beautiful landscape just outside the city centre of Amsterdam.

Which country is full of tulips? ›

It's no secret that The Netherlands is home to the best tulip gardens in the world. During spring, usually from March to May, flower fields bloom with a variety of colorful tulips. It's the quintessential flower of the Netherlands, splashing vibrant colors as it brightens gardens, flower shops, and greenhouses.

What country is famous for tulip fields? ›

The tulip is the national flower of The Netherlands. Today it's famous for its large flower fields and Keukenhof, the largest flower garden in the world, receiving over a million visitors a year.

What happens to the tulips after the tulip festival? ›

The growth cycle of tulip bulbs

Approximately six weeks after the flowers are removed, these bulbs are carefully extracted from the ground. They are then prepared for the next phase, which involves conditioning them to ensure they are ready to be sold and planted by consumers in the winter.

Can you get married in the tulip fields in Amsterdam? ›

Whether you choose to exchange vows in a historic mansion, in the midst of tulip fields, or along the picturesque canals of Amsterdam, your wedding in the Netherlands will be a celebration of love and a tribute to the beauty of this remarkable country.

How long to spend at the tulip festival in Amsterdam? ›

Of course you can enjoy all the beauty for a whole day, but on average, a visit to the flower gardens takes about 2 to 4 hours. We recommend to admire the flower fields in addition to Keukenhof. This often also takes 2 to 4 hours. More about sightseeing the flower fields.

What is the rarest color of tulips? ›

They can be grown in practically any colour, from snowy white to purples so dark they are almost black. The only colour tulips aren't available in is blue. Blue is one of the rarest colours in flowers, and despite breeders' best efforts, 'blue' tulips are usually more purple or lilac.

Can you buy Semper Augustus tulips? ›

Ironically, the very beauty of Semper Augustus is why it no longer exists. The vivid markings caused by the Tulip Breaking Virus also weakened the bulb (and its offshoots), stunting the plant and causing it to wilt.

What is the rarest tulip? ›

The rarest and most beautiful of the breeds were so-called Broken Tulips, which had petals with two different colors in contrasting flame-like patterns. The condition was first discovered in 1576 by famed botanist and father of the Dutch tulip industry Carolus Clusius.

What state has the best tulips? ›

This Is the Largest Tulip Festival in the U.S. — With Tens of Millions of Blooms Set in a Verdant Valley. Skagit Valley in northwestern Washington is home to tens of millions of tulips. Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who's lived in five countries and visited well over 50.

Where are the tulip fields in the United States? ›

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival – April

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is the largest festival in Northwest Washington State and the largest Tulip Festival in the United States! Each year, more than 1 million visitors come to experience fields of brightly colored tulips.

Are tulips toxic to cats? ›

Tulips are poisonous to cats because they contain alkaloid and glycoside compounds as well as allergenic lactones, which are harmful if ingested. Tulips are part of the Lily family and Lilies are also poisonous to cats. The whole of the tulip plant is poisonous to cats, from the petals to the stem and leaves.

Where do the best tulips come from? ›

Coincidentally, the regions along the coast of the Netherlands offered perfect conditions for growing tulips. The North Sea has a moderating influence on the climate, keeping winters mild, despite the latitude, and more importantly for tulips, keeping late spring and early summer very cool.

Where is the most famous tulip garden? ›

If it's destination gardens that you're looking for, then look no further than the world-famous Keukenhof gardens in Holland. Receiving over one million visitors every year, Keukenhof gardens is known as the 'Garden of Europe' for its terrific tulip displays.

Where is the biggest tulip festival in the world? ›

Canada. The Canadian Tulip Festival, which claims to be the world's largest tulip festival, is a major event held annually each May in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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