Keukenhof Gardens in May
Great time to visit
Your final opportunity to catch the gardens before they close for the year. Late tulip varieties and other spring flowers provide a gorgeous farewell, though crowds remain heavy.
Weather
May brings consistently pleasant spring weather with temperatures climbing into the comfortable 18-20°C range. Sunny days become more frequent though afternoon showers still pop up regularly. Evenings stay light until after 8pm.
19°C high9°C low11 rain days
Crowds & Cost
high crowds
~$160/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Liberation Day (May 5)
- •Mother's Day celebrations
- •Late tulip varieties blooming
May Tips
- •Last chance to see Keukenhof before mid-May closing
- •Pack light rain jacket for sudden showers
- •Book dinner reservations well ahead in Lisse
All Months
Keukenhof typically opens from mid-March to mid-May, with exact dates varying yearly based on weather conditions. Early April usually brings peak tulip bloom, but this shifts with temperature and rainfall.
Weekdays mean smaller crowds, especially Tuesday through Thursday. Arrive right at 8am opening or after 4pm for the best light and fewer people. Saturday mornings are chaos—avoid unless you enjoy human traffic jams.
Weather in spring is unpredictable. Pack layers and waterproof shoes since paths get muddy after rain. Those Instagram-perfect sunny days happen, but expect at least some clouds and possible showers.
Late March showcases early bloomers like crocuses and daffodils. Mid-April brings the full tulip explosion. Early May features late varieties and the gardens start winding down. Check the Keukenhof website's bloom calendar before booking—there's nothing worse than arriving to mostly green fields.
Keukenhof Gardens Scores
Solo
6/10
Couples
9/10
Families
9/10
Adventure
2/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
5/10
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