📍 Netherlands

DUTCH SPRING: TULIP CARPETS, WINDMILL SILHOUETTES AND CANALS

Tulip rows striping the landscape with impossible colors, windmill sails turning under pewter skies, polders bathed in spring light. Holland in bloom.

≈ 6
Days
545
Km
4
Stops
📖 3 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore Keukenhof and its flower paths, then cycle to Kinderdijk and its windmills reflected in canals. Stop at Urk, a former fishing islet, before ending at Brussels' Grand-Place. An itinerary blending fragrances, polders and beautiful squares, with a true sense of spring.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Kinderdijk

nineteen windmills guard poldered lowland heritage

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9 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of the Kinderdijk site, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Observation of the 19 eighteenth-century windmills and walking or cycling along the canals.
2
Visit inside a traditional windmill to understand the pumping system and the life of millers.
🎯

Activities

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Boat cruise on the canals of Kinderdijk to admire the windmills from the water.
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Bicycle ride around the Alblasserwaard polder, between dikes and Dutch meadows.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 80 km
Travel time: 1h15
2
Day

Keukenhof

seven million tulips carpet spring gardens

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9 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the Keukenhof floral park in Lisse, the world's largest tulip garden with more than 7 million bulbs planted each year.
2
Discovery of the Keukenhof windmill and the themed flower greenhouses.
🎯

Activities

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Bicycle ride on the Blue Cycling Route (5 km) around Keukenhof park to admire the multicolored tulip fields.
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Purple Cycling Route (10 km) through the tulip fields of Lisse and Voorhout, passing by the De Tulperij flower farm and 't Huys Dever.
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Red Loop (25 km): complete Bollenstreek itinerary passing through the dunes of Noordwijk and the beaches of the North Sea, return via an animal park.
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Next stop
Distance: 115 km
Travel time: 1h30
3
Day

Urk

former island preserves fishing village traditions

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10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Exploration of the Schokland site, former island classified by UNESCO, with its remains of a port and its open-air museum illustrating the history of the polder.
2
Discovery of the fishing village of Urk, formerly an island, famous for its cobblestone streets, lighthouse and traditional harbor.
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Activities

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Walk on the Urk dike to observe Lake IJsselmeer and the fishing boats.
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Free visit of the fish filleting workshops and restored sailors' houses.
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Next stop
Distance: 185 km
Travel time: 2h30
4
Day

Bruxelles

grand place gilded facades crown belgian detour

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10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Stop in the province of Zeeland to discover the Eastern Scheldt barrier, a major engineering work of the Delta Works plan.
2
Break by the North Sea on the beaches of Zeeland, recognized for their tranquility and their panorama of the dikes.
🎯

Activities

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Panoramic car ride along the Delta Works structures, with views of the estuaries and protected areas.
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Next stop
Distance: 165 km
Travel time: 2h10

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🛡️ Travel advice - Netherlands

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Peak season with famous tulip blooms, mild temperatures (10-18°C), and longer daylight hours. Keukenhof Gardens and flower fields create spectacular displays.

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather (15-22°C) with long daylight hours, outdoor festivals, and peak tourist season. Highest prices but best conditions for cycling and outdoor activities.

Autumn (September-October): Pleasant temperatures (12-18°C), fewer crowds, and beautiful fall colors. Excellent value with comfortable weather and fewer tourists than summer.

Winter (November-March): Cool weather (3-8°C) with cozy indoor culture, Christmas markets, and potential canal ice skating. Museums less crowded, lower accommodation rates.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 5 and 7 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Netherlands?

Progressive society with beautiful canals, tulip fields, and innovative culture. Experience cycling culture, world-class museums, and authentic Dutch lifestyle. The country offers cultural sophistication with natural beauty and modern amenities. Netherlands provides European experiences with cultural innovation and natural preservation.