At Keukenhof, Dogs Can Stop & Smell the Flowers

In Dutch, Keukenhof means “kitchen garden.” It is a humble name for one of Europe’s finest formal gardens. At Keukenhof, dogs can explore almost 80 acres of flowers so long as they are on a leash. Keukenhof is a beautiful dog friendly day trip from the cities of Amsterdam, Leiden, or Haarlem.

When to Visit the Gardens

Every year, an estimated seven million bulbs get planted at Keukenhof. A massive effort considering the park only stays open for seven weeks! The scheduled opening dates for 2020 are from March 21 to May 10, so start planning now. Tulip loving dogs report that mid-April is the optimal time to see the blooms.

Louie and I visited Keukenhof on a drizzly morning at the beginning of May but still found it splendid. We drove to the garden in our rental car directly from Schiphol Airport, about 15 miles away. Ample parking is available onsite for 6 euro. The park gets very busy, so I recommend arriving by 10 am if your dog is uncomfortable with crowds.

Getting to Keukenhof with Dogs

If you don’t have access to a car, don’t worry. Keukenhof is accessible by dog friendly public transportation. Arriva buses run directly from Schiphol Airport, Leiden Central, and Haarlem Station. The closest buses to Amsterdam City Center leave from Europaplein Metro or Hoofddorp Station. You can buy a bus ticket that includes Keukenhof admission for 25 to 30 euro. Dogs are free of charge.

Nearby Dog Beaches

Arriva bus 90 also connects Keukenhof to the seaside resorts of Noordwijk and Katwijk. Between beach entrance #1 in Noordwijk and the northern border of Katwijk, dogs can run off-leash, year-round. Noordwijk has several dog friendly hotels, so it is possible to combine your visit to Keukenhof with a relaxing stay at the beach.