Bollenstreek

Bollenstreek, also known as the Bulb Region, is a coastal region in the western Netherlands, mainly in the province of South Holland. It runs along the North Sea coast between Haarlem to the north and Leiden to the south, with central bulb-growing towns such as Lisse, Hillegom, Noordwijkerhout and Sassenheim, and the coastal towns of Noordwijk and Katwijk. The region is renowned for large-scale cultivation of bulb flowers, especially tulips, hyacinths and daffodils, and for the springtime displays of blooming fields and gardens. The Keukenhof garden in Lisse is one of the world’s largest flower gardens and a major tourist draw.

The Bollenstreek has deep roots in horticulture dating to the Dutch Golden Age. Tulips were introduced and developed by Dutch botanists in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the region grew into a leading bulb-export area. The tulip mania of the 1630s is a famous cultural episode associated with the area. In contemporary times, bulb cultivation remains economically important, while the spring bloom attracts visitors from around the world.

In spring the fields show vibrant color from late March to May, and many travellers explore the area via car or bicycle routes that pass through the fields. A notable spring event is the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, a parade along the coast featuring floats decorated with bulbs. The landscape combines agricultural cultivation with coastal dunes and garden tourism, forming an iconic part of Dutch horticulture.