Would you sell your house to buy a single flower? In the 17th century, the asking price for a single Semper Augustus tulip peaked at ten thousand guilders – enough money to buy a grand townhouse on the most expensive canal in Amsterdam. Collectors prized these rare “broken tulips” with flaming streaks of red and white. There were rumored to be less than a dozen in existence, all owned by Amsterdam’s wealthiest man, driving the price of these scarce flowers even higher.
The mania for tulips crashed spectacularly in 1637 and has been an early lesson in speculative investing ever since, but the Dutch’s love for these colorful flowering bulbs endures. Every spring, tulip lovers hunt for the best places to see the flowers. The Keukenhof Garden outside of Amsterdam, the world’s largest flower garden, is open only eight weeks a year and is host to more than a million visitors during this period.
To see tulips without the crowds, take a detour to the quiet island of Goeree-Overflakkee just south of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. If you’re coming from across the pond, you’ll need to book a flight to Amsterdam and then head south to Rotterdam, just an hour by bus or train. Alternatively, if traveling within Europe, the train is also a good option, with railways connecting cities across the continent. If you plan on visiting multiple locations around the Netherlands, renting a car is the most flexible way to get around. From central Rotterdam, it’s a further 45-minute drive to the island, or one hour by bus from the city’s Zudplein station.
Mind your manners when seeing Dutch tulips
Today, the Netherlands is the biggest exporter of tulips and other fresh flowers, dominating 40% of the world market. From April to late May is the best time to visit, just as the bulbs are blooming. The fields rotate yearly, but some of the best towns for tulip viewing are Dirksland, Middelharnis, Nieuwe-Tonge, and Oude-Tonge. You can rent a car to tour the area, or consider indulging in one of Rick Steves’ favorite bike trips. The island organizes a cycle and walking tour through the fields every April to help visitors enjoy the best of the season.
While it may be tempting to wander into the fields for the perfect Instagram pic, don’t do it! While it’s fine to take photos, walking into the tulip fields can damage the flowers and spread disease. “I’ve told people for years that they should not walk inside tulip fields in The Netherlands,” warns Dutch tour guide Manon Van Schagen. “The tulips are part of a billion-euro industry and are not here for your Instagram or TikTok photo or video. Tourists have been causing tens of thousands of euros of damage to Dutch tulip farmers. You do not want to be one of those.”
If you do want to gather your own tulips, head to a “pluktuin” or “plucking garden” like Bloemenliefde in Oudorp. For a fee, you can pick your own bouquet.
Water sports and wildlife in Goeree-Overflakkee
