Is there any downside to visiting Keukenhof on the 21st of May. I think this is the last day they are open.(are they open on the 21st?)I know the flowers probably wont be at their prime. Will it be unusually crowded or lackluster in presentation? We could visit 1 or 2 days sooner but the 21st works best into our itinerary, Thanks - John & Robin
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Since you are dealing with living plants, obviously sooner would be better. What if the 21st turned out rainy and you missed your chance all together?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I'm going to make an assumption... the outdoor gardens probably won't be at their peak. The indoor displays, however, are probably less sensitive to seasonal factors. The flowers on display inside the Willem Alexander pavilion were some of the most colourful I could have ever imagined.
Posted by
Laguna Beach, CA, USA
272 posts
I went around that exact time two years ago. It was the third week of May. I had an enjoyable day there and there were many colorful flowers however a lot of the displays were gone (no flowers left!). So I can only imagine what I missed however based on what I saw and what was there, it was still beautiful and worth the day trip I made from AMS. I don't how much a difference going 1 or 2 days sooner would make in your case???? And besides the flowers, there are unusual statues and exhibits, pretty waterways and it's just very peaceful especially if you are coming from city site-seeing on your holiday.
There were still quite the crowds (many tour buses) and I think I was probably the youngest person out there by about 30 years but it was fun! ha ha
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
I can't contribute to comments made except to tell you that the year we went, they started harvesting the blooms on the first of April. The date varies each year.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Helpful as always, Carl. When the question was about visiting at the end of the bloom, why did you think your advice to visit at the beginning would be helpful?
Posted by
Delft, Netherlands
242 posts
They don't harvest the blooms, but they do cut off dead flowers every day. Even when we went the day after it open there where beds that had been dead-headed.
We have been three times this season and my conclusions are: March was too early - mainly daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths in bloom, Easter weekend was just shy of perfect, and the weekend after Easter was magnificent - daffodils still in bloom, trees in bloom, and tulips bursting with color. This time frame does vary a bit every year.
IMHO, I wouldn't go that late in May. The fields and gardens are past their prime already. Even though it is famous for tulips, much of the garden is planted with hyacinths and daffodils - both of which are way past their prime now.
Like Tom said, the inside displays may still be in full bloom, but € 13, transportation costs, and a half day trip out of Amsterdam is lot to look at the 5 conservatory buildings. I would definitely weigh it against the other activity you could be doing if you didn't go.