Tulip season is the most beautiful and magical time to visit the Netherlands. After some research, we realised that a road trip in a camper van would be the best way to fully immerse ourselves in the colourful flower fields and enjoy the freedom of camping. Before long, we were at WebCamper, renting our temporary home on wheels and packing up in the evening to hit the road early the next morning.

In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know to plan your own tulip adventure, including the best time to go, our favourite tulip-viewing spots, and plenty of tips for an unforgettable family campervan adventure.

Choosing the right campervan for your family trip

At WebCamper, you can find a wide selection of campervans suitable for every type of traveler. As a family of four, we upgraded to a larger model: the Knaus Box Life 630, and it was a great choice for us. This campervan features two large beds, including a rear bed where my 8-year-old loved to sleep. It also has a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom with a toilet, which is super handy with kids, and two back seats with an Isofix system. Bonus: the included barbecue and winter suitability made our camping evenings very cozy.

The best time to see tulips

The best period for tulips typically starts from the second week of April and lasts till the end of the month. However, the exact bloom time largely depends on the weather each year. I would advise checking updates on bloom conditions online (e.g., local websites or social media) before planning your trip.

Advantages of a road trip on a Campervan during tulip season:

• Stay right next to flower fields or farms for a unique and immersive experience

• Explore lesser-known spots without the crowds

• Adapt to weather conditions by changing plans at the last minute

• Experience tulip season with maximum freedom and flexibility

Where to find the most beautiful tulips

The main tulip-producing regions in the Netherlands are Bollenstreek, North Holland, and Flevoland. We created our itinerary to start in South Holland, as it’s the region where the first blooms typically appear. Lisse and Bollenstreek in South Holland are among the most popular places to see tulips. You can find dozens of campsites in this area, surrounded by endless tulip fields.The most popular tourist destination in the region is the famous Keukenhof Gardens, where millions of tulips are planted each year. However, we decided to skip it, as it’s usually very crowded, which can make it difficult to enjoy, especially with kids. Instead, we opted to camp next to the flower fields in Noordwijkerhout, a small town we loved. Cycling through the fields was the best way to explore the tulips. Located on the coast, the town also gave us access to the North Sea, which we enjoyed visiting in addition to the flower fields.

Tip for kids: Visit one of the tulip farms where children can walk and run in the show gardens. They’ll also learn more about tulip cultivation. We went to The Tulip Barn, and my daughter absolutely loved it.

Our next destination was North Holland, the largest tulip-producing region and it quickly became our favorite. The highlight here was camping right in the flower fields in Sint Maartensbrug. It was the best experience of the entire trip. In this region, you’ll also find many traditional windmills, which are perfect for that classic Dutch postcard photo. It was amazing to stand right under one of these historic structures. We also visited Anna Paulowna during the flower festival and discovered a mini-Keukenhof-style garden, free of charge and without any crowds. North Holland felt like the most authentic region to experience the tulips.

Tip for kids: Visit one of the show gardens where they can pick their own tulips. A definite hit with our 8-year-old.

Finally, we headed to Flevoland, a region that’s perfect for a road trip. You can download the tulip route map online and drive or cycle through the endless flower fields. Our timing aligned with the peak bloom, and we experienced the most magical and vibrant flower carpets of the trip here.

Extra tips for a great campervan trip:

Packing:

WebCamper vans come fully equipped with everything you’ll need for your camping trip, including a table, camping chairs, kitchen utensils, kettle, barbecue, and dishes. What you’ll need to bring yourself are duvets, pillows, and bedding.

Try to avoid overpacking, but don’t forget the essentials: rain gear, sunscreen, sunhats, slippers, towels, and headlamps. It’s also a great idea to bring along 1–2 favourite board games, a ball, and maybe even badminton gear to keep everyone entertained.

I would highly recommend taking bicycles on a trip to the Netherlands, as it’s truly the best way to explore the tulip fields. Just make sure to let WebCamper know in advance so they can install a bike rack for you.

Overall, a campervan trip to the Netherlands during tulip season is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We camped right among the flower fields, watched breathtaking sunsets behind the tulips, cycled through blooming landscapes, and created some of our best family memories along the way.