It’s officially spring, which means only one thing: tulip mania. Not necessarily the speculative bubble which destroyed the Dutch economy in the 17th century – in which investors in the burgeoning capitalistic society spent dizzying amounts of guilders on flower bulbs – but certainly something similar. Because, like wooden clogs, Edam cheese and windmills, tulips are synonymous with the Netherlands, and each year, the small European nation exports 2.5 billion tulips of over 8,000 varieties, with the value standing at 250 million euros.
And yet Holland and the other corners of the Low Countries are not the only places to see the flowers. Tulips are native to the Himalayas, and were brought to western Europe via Turkey. Although they are no longer worth their weight in gold (as they literally were, at one point in Dutch history), there’s no denying that they are still popularly counted among the most beautiful flowers, announcing the arrival of spring with a burst of colour. While a pilgrimage to Keukenhof is at the top of any anthophile’s to-do list, there are other places to see tulips that are just as beautiful. Here are 10 that are slightly off the tourist trail.
Badminton House, Somerset, UK
The Duchess of Beaufort is particularly proud of her tulips, which are on display every April when the gardens open for the day to visitors (this year it will be on 27th April). She has cultivated various varieties, from the white Marilyns, with their pink seams, to lilac Ballades with their pure white edges, arranged in formal box hedges, walled garden cutting beds and terracotta pots.
Arundel Castle, West Sussex, UK
Arundel Castle’s annual Tulip Festival takes place in 2025 from 18th-20th April (in other words, from Good Friday to Easter Sunday), but naturally the tulips are in situ and in bloom for considerably longer than that. This year’s edition promises more a staggering 110,000 tulips spanning 120 different varieties, all planted by the head gardener Martin Duncan and his team.
Lolland Island, Denmark
Denmark’s fourth-largest island is home to its largest and most popular tulip fields. Due to the cooler climate in Scandinavia, the tulips here bloom later than in the Netherlands, making these lush fields the perfect recourse if you end up missing the more traditional tulip season in April.
Provence, France
While Provence is better known for its lavender, it also grows tulips, though this growing goes so under the radar that a lot of locals aren’t even aware of it. Dutch farmers outsource their bulb production to the region, meaning sooner are the flowers blooming than they’re beheaded so that the plants can concentrate on healthy bulb production. This means you have to be very specific with when you visit – one day they can be seen in their full majesty, the next, they’re completely gone. There’s something slightly romantic about it, as a result.
Konya, Turkey
Tulips might be associated with the Netherlands, but they are actually native to Anatolia, or modern-day Turkey. Tulip fields located 50 kilometres from the city centre of Konya have become a social media sensation in recent years, with tourists travelling from far and wide to see their rainbow-hued blooms. The best time of day to visit is reportedly sunset, when the flowers are at their best.
Ottawa, Canada
Should you find yourself in Ottawa in May, then a visit to the city’s Commissioners Park is a non-negotiable. It is here that you will find the annual tulip festival, which is free to all. The festival originated in 1945, when the Dutch government began sending a gift of tulip bulbs to Canada in recognition of two things: firstly, that the Dutch royal family had taken refuge here during World War II (Princess Margriet was even born here, in a maternity ward temporarily declared an exclave of Dutch territory so that she would still legally be able to inherit the throne), and secondly that Canadian troops had played a key role in liberating the Netherlands.
Morges Castle, Switzerland
Approximately 150,000 tulips, hyacinths and daffodils come together to make the annual Fête de la Tulipe on Lake Geneva one of the most stunning floral displays in Europe. Situated behind the chateau on the lake side, we can’t think of a more romantic backdrop, and it’s no surprise that it’s been dubbed a ‘mini Keukenhof’.
Srinagar, India
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar hosts the largest tulip festival in Asia, when thousands line up to see its 1.6 million blooms. First opened in 2017 as part of a tourism drive, it’s taken care of by a team of 105 gardeners, and saw a record-breaking 375,000 tourists visiting in 2023.
Kirna Manor Park, Estonia
In Estonia, Kirna Manor Park is renowned for its mythical healing qualities, but it’s also popular for its tulips, which spring up in May and fill the park with colour. Special photography areas have been set up amidst the flower beds, as well as benches, so that you can relax while you soak up their beauty.
Grevenbroich, Germany
Much like its western neighbour, Germany also has countless tulip fields, though it’s the Lower Rhine region that has the very best. Head to Tulpenhof Francken to see them for free, though make sure you get the address right – Google Maps updates it yearly in April as the fields have no fixed location and often move.
Meerdonk, Belgium
A really off-the-beaten track option, the border town of Meerdonk has a handful of beautiful tulip fields, though in order to protect the farmers, the exact locations are often not shared. If you do visit, then remember not to pick any – after all, this is akin to theft. If you’re itching to take some home, then head to Brussels, where they are available to buy at Ferme du Chant des Cailles.
