Things to do in the Flower Strip

Tour the lakes at Westeinderplassen

In Aalsmeer, the Westeinderplassen (Westeinder Lakes) offers plenty of water sports, from swimming to sailing lessons and boat rentals. The area is famous for its horticultural industry, and the small islands still grow strawberries and lilacs – just as they did long ago. You can take an open or covered boat tour via Westereinder Rondvvaart through a maze of islands and let knowledgeable skippers fill you in on the region’s horticultural history. Presiding over the water, the 50-metre-high Art Deco Aalsmeer Watertoren (water tower) is one of the region's architectural showpieces. Swing by for a fascinating exhibition about local water management before climbing to the top for breathtaking views of the surrounding region. Across the road, The Flower Art Museum is the world’s first museum dedicated to floral-inspired contemporary art. At the foot of the tower, you’ll find the On the Rock restaurant, which offers a stunning view of the lake and is a perfect spot for a surf break.

Venture into hidden UNESCO fortresses

The Defence Line of Amsterdam is a UNESCO-listed ring of fortifications around the Dutch capital, and many of the fortresses have undergone a large-scale renovation in recent years, transforming them into spas, restaurants, theatres and museums. Fort van Hoofddorp on the Haarlemmermeerpolder offers various cultural activities throughout the year, such as exhibitions and performances. Amidst the public park, you will find a restaurant, terraces, a wine bar, an open-air theatre and an education centre. It's a great space to explore on a day out, or there are regular guided visits before dining at Restaurant Fort Noxx on the upper floors - which often hosts live jazz and blues nights. Also, check out Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen for contemporary art and the CRASH Air War and Resistance Museum ’40-’45 at Fort Bij Aalsmeer, containing a unique collection of objects and documentation about World War II.

Experience the hustle of a live flower auction at Royal FloraHolland

The Flower Strip region produces a staggering 70% of the world’s commercial flower output, so a trip to this world-famous landscape is well worth it. At the Royal FloraHolland flower auction, visitors can get behind the scenes at the world’s largest flower sale. Experience the hustle and bustle of the trading floor, watch dealers bidding against the clock and be amazed as hundreds of thousands of beautiful flowers are sold to traders worldwide. Located just a stone’s throw from Schiphol Airport, get there early to explore the auction at its busiest. You can also take a guided tour with an expert - available in Dutch, English or German - or use the information panels to embark on a self-guided tour.

Swim and sunbathe at Toolenburgerplas

The Toolenburgerplas lake in Hoofddorp is an 85-hectare recreation area perfect for open-water swimming, sun-worshipers, and water sports. Enjoy scenic walking paths, a running track, and playgrounds. Relax at restaurants like Lieveling and Long Island, offering waterside dining. It’s an ideal spot for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Pick your own fruit at Olmenhorst

Thanks to the fertile polder soil in the region, this is where you’ll find beautiful organic fruit farms such as Landgoed de Olmenhorst (Olmenhorst Estate). This green oasis of apple and pear orchards in the village of Lisserbroek is over 160 years old and is where you can enjoy a stroll through the grounds or high tea on the terrace of De Fruitloods all year round. Autumn is when the fruit is ripe and when you can join one of the pick-your-own events.

Meet the world's largest steam engine at Cruquius

Four metres below sea level, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer harbours a historic pumping station with the world’s largest steam engine. In the middle of the 19th century, the Cruquius steam engine was used to drain a lake to create new land. The only pumping station saved from demolition, Cruquius is now part of a fascinating museum. Learn about the Dutch struggle against water, marvel at a model of how the Netherlands would look without dykes, and experience a live steam engine demonstration. Don't miss the Steam Weekends on dedicated dates throughout the year for a double-hit of watery history. 

Visit the world’s largest flower gardens at Keukenhof

Nowhere is the Dutch cult of the tulip celebrated more gloriously than at the ‘the most beautiful spring garden in the world’, located in the bulb region south of Amsterdam. Open for just eight weeks each year (per the tulip’s national flowering season from March to May), Keukenhof boasts a staggering seven million blooms planted across a 32-hectare park. Over 500 growers present their most beautiful blooms, and leading florists create truly unique displays. Special activities for kids, exhibitions, events, and performances will ensure that the whole family finds something special to do.

Explore the Bollenstreek by foot, bike or electric vehicle

One of the country's most popular and unique attractions, the Bollenstreek (bulb region) stretches 30 kilometres between Haarlem and Leiden. Home to the world-famous tulip fields, the area comes alive with colour every spring when millions of crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, asters and tulips burst into life. While the best time to visit is from mid-March to mid-May, the tulip season is in full swing during mid-April. Throughout the year, the countryside landscape is also well worth exploring, with various routes passing windmills, quaint farmsteads and lush green polder landscapes.

• Wandelnetwerk Bollenstreek (website in Dutch) is a network of marked hiking routes throughout the Flower Strip. Follow the signposts, and you’ll soon savour the jaw-dropping views from atop wooden stiles and navigating waterways on pulley-operated ferries. Be sure to stick to the paths and follow the farm rules. Walking across the fields is not permitted as it can crush or damage the flowers.
• Another unique way to explore the region is to hire a 100% electric two-seater vehicle. Renzy’s excursions take you around the region and feature a GPS and an audio guide.
• You can rent bikes from Rent-a-Bike van Dam at the main entrance of Keukenhof for €16 a day (€11 for 3 hours), including a cycle route map. You have four marked routes to choose from - ranging from 5km to 25km - all of which are well-signposted, relatively flat and very safe. For the real green-fingered fanatics, there is a longer ‘Bulb Route’, a bum-numbing 35km.
• Or you can out these cycleseeing routes for more ideas in the Amsterdam Area.

Cycle through the Haarlemmermeerse Bos

Nestled just above Hoofddorp, Haarlemmermeerse Bos is a serene green oasis covering 115 hectares, offering a peaceful retreat for nature lovers. Developed in the 1970s, this expansive park is perfect for outdoor activities like walking, cycling, and picnicking along scenic lakesides. Several scenic cycle routes cross through the forest and the surrounding region. The park also features sports facilities, playgrounds, and unique landmarks such as Big Spotters Hill, which offers stunning views from its 22-meter-high pyramid-shaped structure. Tuck into speciality beers, warm mains and substantial snack platters at Papa’s Beach House's hidden lakeside terrace, tell stories by the campfire or rent a paddleboard from the adjacent SUP Club.

Scale new heights at Klimpark21

Klimpark21 in Hoofddorp is a modern, sustainable outdoor climbing park offering exciting routes for all skill levels. Located in PARK21 - a 1000-hectare recreational park developed through local involvement, it features four climbing, scrambling, and ziplining challenges set amidst nature. The park is built entirely from sustainable materials, providing a unique adventure experience and making it a vibrant space for all. And for more adrenaline-fueled and outdoorsy activities, check out the climbing park, indoor ski slope and paintballing on offer in the Spaarnwoude Recreational Area.