Nestled within the world-famous Keukenhof estate stands Keukenhof Castle. Dating back to 1641, this castle offers a glimpse into the past, long before tulips and daffodils defined the landscape. While the surrounding gardens steal the show for many, Keukenhof Castle itself holds its own stories, with tales of nobility, hunting grounds, and the evolution of a huge estate.
Keukenhof Castle and the castle gardens offer year-round beauty. Beyond the spring bloom, the castle offers a diverse calendar of events.
Centuries ago, Countess Jacoba van Beieren, or Jacqueline of Bavaria, used the sandy "Keukenduyn" (kitchen dunes) as a royal hunting ground to supply her Teylingen Castle’s kitchens with game. Fast forward to 1641, and Keukenhof Castle was built, its grounds eventually sprawling across 200 hectares.
But the real work began in 1857, when the renowned landscape architects, Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul Zocher (the duo behind Amsterdam's Vondelpark!), redesigned the castle gardens. Their vision, an English landscape-style park, laid the foundation for the Keukenhof we know today.
Then, in 1949, a brilliant idea blossomed: 20 top flower bulb growers and exporters decided to showcase their spring blooms on the estate. And so, in 1950, Keukenhof opened its gates and instantly captivated the public. A staggering 236,000 visitors flocked to the park in its very first year!
Exploring the grounds of Keukenhof Castle is absolutely free! The only times the estate isn't freely accessible are during special events, so be sure to check the calendar if you're planning a visit during one of these occasions.
Well, that depends on what you want to do! The estate is quite large, so you could easily spend anywhere from one to four hours exploring, depending on how much you want to see and do.
The Keukenhof estate offers several walking routes, including the Laarzenpad Route (6 km), a scenic trail through picturesque parts of the estate; the Art Route (1.5 km), a shorter walk featuring various art installations displayed throughout the grounds; and the Gnome Trail (750 m) designed for children, which includes 16 gnome posts to discover.
Yes, visitors can enjoy meals and refreshments at Restaurant de Hofboerderij, located on the estate. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 10am and 5pm, offering a variety of lunch options and beverages.
Absolutely! In addition to the petting zoo and Gnome Trail, there's a playground on the estate, making it an enjoyable destination for families with children.
Yes, Keukenhof and Keukenhof Castle are located on the same estate, approximately 650 meters apart, making it convenient to visit both in a single day. However, note that Keukenhof has specific seasonal opening times while the castle grounds are open year-round.
