Immerse Yourself in Tulip Magic: 10 Stunning Festivals Worldwide

22.04.2024.

The enchanting beauty of tulips declared Netherlands into the world’s empire of this gorgeous flower. With hundreds of colours tulips became the symbol of the lovely country and Keukenhof, the most breathtaking garden in the world.

Tulips scattered across the globe in the mesmerizing shine to sign the celebration that spring activated. In various gardens and festivals we can enjoy the pure magic that even ressembles the spirit of Netherlands.

Appearing by Turks in 1000 AD, tulips framed the floral glory which started in central Asia. The Persian word „tulip“ shaped its origin meaning turban while European wore turban with tulips inside.

If you’re flower obsessed like me, visiting the enchanting tulip fields will take you to the colourful waterfalls of fantasy. Let me take to the journey to 10 most stunning tulip festivals in the world in this collaboration post.

This post contains links which could help me to earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. Thank you for reading and supporting Under Flowery Sky.

Keukenhof Garden & Lisse Fields, Netherlands

With the carpets of colourful tulips, Keukenhof Garden is the one of the largest floral gardens in the world. Only open from March till May, visiting Keukenhof is unmissable during spring in Amsterdam.

Located close to the village of Lisse, Keukenhof is a delightful symphony of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers. The main attraction is the typical Dutch windmill surrounded by tulips and giant cloggs.

Various decorations fill the hidden corners of the marvelous Gardens while you admire the incredible tulip world.

You can learn about the history of tulips in Juliana Pavillion and relax at various snack points.

Every year the topic of Keukenhof Gardens changes enriching your visit. The Flower Parade culminates with the explosive colours the last weekend in April.

About Lisse

After visiting Keukenhof I would recommend to rent a bike and take a stroll around the lovely tulip fields in Lisse. Following various directions, you will get a chance to visit the flowers fields, lakes or the village of Lisse. FAM Flower Farm is the most innstagramable spot that will attract you with their hats, boots, baskets and other decorations.  

How to reach & where to stay

Keukenhof Gardens is easiest to reach with the Keukenhof Express bus from the Amsterdam Schipol Airport. The journey takes about 30 minutes and you can also take the same bus from Amsterdam RAI, Harleem, Leiden and Noordwijk beach.

Buying an online ticket in advance is advisable and you can save yourself much trouble with the Tulip Festival Card. Including the public transport in the Amsterdam region, it can last 1, 2 or 3 days.

If you’re taking a day trip from Amsterdam, I would recommend Ecomama. Lying in the heart of the city, it’s a wonderful place with the cozy beds, equipped kitchen and delightful communal space.

Flevoland, Netherlands- contributed by Cosette from the Kars Travels

Flevoland is a province in the Netherlands. It’s the last province that was added to the country. Where there’s land now, there used to be sea. Now it contains the most tulip fields in the whole of the Netherlands.

You can explore this area with tulip fields, in 2 ways. One way is through biking routes, considering the self-guided biking routes available. You can also drive the tulip route Flevoland by car. Both offer excellent views and enough time to admire the tulips. There are several different auto trips each year. The organization Tulpenroute Flevoland maps them out each year.

Numerous tulip fields with rows and rows of tulips in various colors will enchant you at the first sight.

What else to see in Flevoland & how to come

However, tulips are not the only thing to see in the province of Flevoland. Other things to see are Aardzee (earthsea), the largest landscape artwork in the Netherlands. Among several museums in Flevoland Aviodrome or aviation museum will highlight your visit. Or Batavialand, a museum on land reclamation.

You can drive to the province of Flevoland from Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam. Another option is Lelystad Airport on Flevoland. It’s a beautiful day trip when staying in Amsterdam. The A6 or A27 lead to Flevoland. 

Morges Tulip Festival in Geneva- contributed by Zoe from Together in Switzerland

Switzerland is a popular destination to visit during Spring time, with all funiculars, gondolas and scenic passes slowly opening up. For the scenery, flowers start showing themselves from late March onwards with many events that re-appear. 

One tulip festival worth highlighting is the Morges Tulip Festival in Geneva. This yearly event is held for Spring each year at Parc de l’Indépendence à Morges. A lovely park in the village of Morges, just west of Lausanne is the center of happenings. The opening dates for 2024 is 29th March to 12th May 2024. 

The festival has around 150,000 flowers, combining tulipe with also daffodils and hyacinths. From these, there are 350 different types of tulips you can enjoy.

What else to see in Morges

The park is right on the lakeside of Lac Leman, making it a stunning location for a flowery afternoon. You can easily combine the visit with explorations around the lake seeing more destinations like Vevey, Montreux and Chillon Castle. 

Special events are sometimes held at the park during Spring time that connects with the Morges Castle. However the gardens are always free to enter. This is suitable for those also with children or those in a wheelchair, with pathways wide and flat. 

Tulip Festival in Istanbul, contributed by De Wet & Jin from the Museum of Wander

April in Istanbul can only mean one thing: tulip season! In this magical time Turkey welcomes spring, and the city explodes with a rainbow of colours. From parks to palaces, the city bursts with the vibrant hues of these iconic flowers.

Starting in early April, Istanbul hosts the International Istanbul Tulip Festival, turning the city into a living canvas of tulip blooms. Visit Istanbul in mid- to late April, and you’ll be sure to see the tulips.

The historical significance of tulips in Turkish culture makes this place extra special. Back in the Ottoman Empire, tulips were cherished as symbols of wealth and beauty, and they’ve never lost their allure. Few know that the famous Dutch tulips were actually imported from the Ottoman Empire. The best and most impressive tulip displays can be seen when visiting Emirgan Park Park or Gulhane Park during the festival.

What else to see & how to come to Instanbul

Beyond the tulips themselves, there’s plenty to see around Istanbul. Take a cruise along the Bosphorus to admire the city’s skyline adorned with tulips. Visiting the Topkapi Palace where tulips were once cultivated in royal gardens is a marvelous experience. Don’t miss the chance to explore neighbourhoods like Sultanahmet for famous sights like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. On the other hand, in Karakoy and Beyoglu you’ll find wonderful cafes and exciting markets.

Getting to Istanbul is easy. The city is well-connected by air, with Istanbul Airport serving as a major hub for international flights. Once you’re there, public transportation like trams and ferries makes it convenient to navigate the city. Moreover, Istanbul is an excellent city for exploring on foot.

Delhi Tulip Festival, contributed by Suzanne Hooker of Suzanne Wanders Delhi

If you haven’t heard of the Delhi Tulip Festival, you’re not alone. The festival started in 2023.  But it has been such a resounding success, I’m sure it will be around for a long time. Held every year in mid February for 12 days, it’s one of the best reasons to visit Delhi.

Interestingly, the Delhi Tulip Festival started as a way of celebrating the long-standing diplomatic relationship between India and the Netherlands. In fact, the Dutch Embassy gifted the city with 40,000 bulbs in 2024.  The other 300,000 bulbs were obtained directly from the Netherlands. Delhi is the nation’s capital and has a large diplomatic community. There are over 170 embassies, high commissions and consulates.

This year, over 200,000 tulips were blooming around Chanakyapuri and Lutyens’ Delhi.  The largest stretch is always on Shantipath, embassy row. It’s a vibrant burst of colour that attracts many locals. Delhiites love to see the tulips, and take photos posing with them. Street hawkers and food stalls also set up, making the event a very family friendly affair.

How to reach and where else to see tulips in Delhi

Besides Shantipath, you can also see tulips in other areas like Windsor Place roundabout and Sardar Patel Marg. This part of Delhi is known as Lutyens’ Delhi and is on the UNESCO tentative list as a heritage city.  

The Delhi Tulip Festival is very central and easy to get to. You can reach it by Delhi metro (one of the best systems in the world), auto rickshaw, or Uber. After you’re done admiring the tulips, visit nearby attractions such as the National Rail Museum, Safdarjung Tomb, or Sarojini Nagar Market.  

Tonami Tulip Fair, Japan- contributed by Ossama Alnuwaiser from the Awesome Traveler

Tonami is the home to some of the best restaurants in Japan, a city that stretches in central Japan. Showcasing more than two million tulips that were carefully made by horticulturalists, Tonami Tulip Fair is a fabulous place to visit. The festival takes place during the last week of May until the beginning of May. Therefore, there are plenty of time to explore Tonami and attend the festival. 

This annual event features many performances and tends to be pretty crowded. It’s a good place for trademark tulip soft cream, tulip bouquets customization, and tulip artwork creation. In addition, visitors can climb to the summit of the giant tulip to witness the colorful grounds. It is something that you do not want to miss if you happen to be in Tonami during spring. Creating a feast to the eyes, it’s something to remember for the year to come. 

How to reach Tonami

Taking place in Tonami city near Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, Tulip festival represents a paradise on earth. This annul flower festival hosts varities of tulips in Tonami Tulip Park, which bursts with colours. The flowers flora at the park are extravagant in their numbers and verities, which there are more than 250 species of Tulip in the park alone.

Tonami Tulip Gallery (Tulip Shikisaikan) is the largest exhibition hall in the park that features a museum, which explains the history of making Tulips and tulip cultivation. 

The good news is that Tonami Tulip Park is not far from Tokyo, Japan. You can take a local train from Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Takaoka area. Then walk 15 minutes to the park. If you do not want to walk for 15 minutes, you can take a taxi. 

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington (USA), contributed by Alanna from the Periodic Adventures

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs every April in northern Washington. Just an hour north of Seattle, the easiest and best way to get there is by car as public transportation is limited. While you can take an Amtrak train, it only runs twice daily and still requires you to hail a cab or rideshare.

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has four participating farms, so you can visit any of them! They’re all magnificent with tens of species of tulips on display. Plus, they’re grown in the most picturesque way with rows of color blocks and designs. Not to mention, the mountains surrounding the area make for the most gorgeous photos.

Please remember to follow all the posted rules and avoid going between the rows. There’s plenty of photo opportunities and areas set up for your perfect shot!

Which tulip farms to visit & what else to see in the Skagit Valley

Tulip farms to choose from include Roozengaarde, Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, and Garden Rosalyn. They all have admission, food and drink, and tulips for sale, so you can’t go wrong!

Skagit Valley is comprised of multiple towns, so be sure to visit beyond the tulip farms. La Conner is a favorite. This seaside town has adorable shops, antiquing, and museums. Grab a bite at Calico Cupboard along the water for the perfect cap on your day!

Abbotsford Tulip Festival – British Columbia, Canada- contributed by Debbie Fettback from WorldAdventurists.com

Thousands visit Abbotsford for Canada’s top Tulip Festival, the Abbotsford Tulip Festival. Explore over 5 million tulips and 100+ tulip varieties across 35 acres of stunning blooms! The mountains provide stunning backdrops for photos captured during beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and the golden hour.

The area has picturesque walking trails and high platforms for great photos. Unique attractions like baby grand pianos, giant klompen, and swings enhance the fun atmosphere. On selected days you’ll find food trucks and live music. You are also welcome to bring a picnic along.

The bold colors of the tulips will catch your attention, each type releasing a distinct scent. From sweet to spicy, every step reveals a captivating new tulip variety. It is a sensory delight at every turn.

What else to see & how to reach

The Abbotsford Tulip Festival is part of the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival, the largest flower festival in Canada. It spans six months, from vibrant tulips to golden hues of the sunflowers that mark its grand finale.

Prior to buying tickets, ensure you check the field report for flower status. This will help you assess the seasonal conditions and the level of blooming in the fields when you visit. Additionally, if there has been recent rain close to your visit, consider wearing rain boots!

To reach the Abbotsford Tulip Festival from Vancouver, a vehicle is necessary. Expect about an hour’s drive to Abbotsford. The festival is located at 3663 Marion Road, not far from Exit #99 on the Trans-Canada Highway. To avoid crowds and experience the fields tranquilly, it’s best to arrive early.

Ottawa Tulip Festival, contributed by Mel from BRB Travel Blog

The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa is the world’s largest tulip festival. The annual festival runs for almost 2 weeks in May and showcases more than 100 plus varieties of tulips and over 300,000 Tulips. The free festival is not only flowers, there are musical performances, races, fireworks, parades, and more. 

The festival has historic ties to the Netherlands. The first tulips were sent by the Dutch monarchy as a gift to Canada after hosting the royal family during WWII. You can go here to learn more about it. 

Where to see the tulips in Ottawa & how to reach

There are several places around the capital where you can see the tulips. The biggest park is Dows Lake and the Commissioners Park. The park goes along the Rideau Canal, one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada. The second most popular place is Lansdowne Park. However, there are 20 other places to see the tulips in the city. 

Ottawa is also a great destination that has plenty of things to do like world-class museums and visiting Parliament Hill. 

The city can be easily accessed by plane, train, bus and car from other Canadian and US cities.

Tulips in Niagara Falls, Canada-contributed by Kristin from Tiny Footsteps Travel

As the winter melts away, millions of tulips start to bloom in Niagara Falls.

If you visit anytime between April and June, you will be able to enjoy the view of tulips with the backdrop of one of the most iconic waterfalls in the world.

You can find tulips in several gardens in downtown Niagara Falls:

• Queen Victoria Park, from where you have a beautiful view of Horseshoe Falls
• Centennial Lilac Garden. The lilacs come in late May, but from April to mid-May, you’ll see tulips
• Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, just a short walk from the Butterfly Conservatory (a short 15 minute drive from downtown)

In addition, you can enjoy tulips among other flowers. throughout the street planters around town. 

JP Niagara Tulip Experience- a stunning farm with tulips

If you’re looking for an additional tulip experience in Niagara Falls, you should consider making the drive to the JP Niagara Tulip Experience, which is a 30 minute drive from downtown Niagara. There, you can admire thousands of varieties of tulips and even pick your own!

The tulip experience runs from late April to mid-May and must be booked in advance on the farm’s website.

Enjoying the short-lived tulip season is an excellent, and unique way to enjoy Niagara Falls.

Tulip Festival Perth, contributed by Lyn from A Hole In My Shoe

Araluen Botanic Park in Perth, Western Australia hosts an astounding tulip festival annually, attracting visitors worldwide. Each year the mass spring bulb plantings take place in June, where over 145,000 bulbs from 80 varieties of tulips are planted throughout the 59 hectares park. The vibrant tulips bloom in the southern hemisphere Spring in September in a breathtaking array of colours, painting the landscape with nature’s finest hues.

Araluen’s unique landscape, nestled in the Darling Ranges, enhances the beauty of the tulips, creating a picturesque setting unlike any other. Visitors can immerse themselves in a sea of tulips, wandering through meticulously curated gardens that showcase thousands of stunning flowers.

Exploring the park, visitors can discover cascading waterfalls tranquil lakes, lush forests, and the diverse flora and fauna of Australian native plants, adding to the allure.

How to reach

Visitors can embark on a scenic drive from Perth, taking approximately 45 minutes to reach Araluen Botanic Park. Guided tours are available, and witnessing the tulips in full bloom promises an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. 

Final thoughts

Tulip became the symbol of spring and I’m sure there are many other fascinating fields and festivals dedicated to this marvelous flower. After returning from the enchanting Puglia, I discovered a tulip field in Bari in the Dutch style.

These are some of the most grandiose festivals that will take your attention to unveil the beauty of tulips. I hope to inspire you with new destinations or unlock the magic of your current ones.

PIN IT FOR LATER: