Lisse - Lisse

Lisse is a city of Bollenstreek in the province ofSouth Holland.

To know

Lisse is famous for the Keukenhof Gardens, a 32-hectare park known for its beautiful flowers that bloom in spring and attract more than 800,000 visitors a year between late March and early May.

Background

Lisse was first mentioned in 1198, and was originally a small village born of agriculture and peat mining. In the late Middle Ages, much of the area was part of the domain of Teylingen Castle (currently in Voorhout), of which only ruins remain today. The most important inhabitant of the castle was Jacqueline, countess of Hainaut (Jacoba van Beieren, 1401-1436), which played a tragic role in the struggle for Holland between the German Empire and the Duchy of Burgundy. Legend has it that the herbs for his cuisine ("keuken" in Dutch) were harvested where the Keukenhof is now located, hence the name of the park. In fact, the park was part of the Keukenhof Castle built in 1642 by Adriaen Maertensz. Block, who served as captain of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) on the Maluku Islands. In 1840 the castle gardens were redesigned by Zocher, father and son, famous garden architects who also designed the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. This project laid the foundations of the current park. The castle was enlarged in 1865 and has been completely renovated in recent years.

The cultivation of flower bulbs in the region began in earnest in the late 19th century, bringing a lot of prosperity. The Keukenhof tulip gardens were created in 1949 as a flower show initiated by the mayor of Lisse and some prominent local flower bulb growers. Since its opening in 1950, the number of visitors has increased rapidly and remains the main marketing tool for the Dutch flower bulb industry.

How to orient yourself

How to get

By car

From Haarlem, follow the N208 or the N205. From She give take the A44 and follow for Lisse (N207; about 20 min). From The Hague, take the A44 or the A4 (about 30 min); from Amsterdam the A4, and then exit at Lisse (about 35 min). Keukenhof is indicated by road signs as soon as you arrive in Lisse.

By bus

You can take the bus from Schiphol or Leiden station.

In season, direct buses from Schiphol airport (bus 858, or "Keukenhof Express", 35 min). From She give, bus 850 or 854 (30 min). From Haarlem, bus 50 (35 min).

By bike

It is easily reached by bike from She give is Haarlem. They are about 15 km.

How to get around

Lisse is small enough to walk around and the Keukenhof is within walking distance of the city center. Exploring the surrounding area is most comfortable by bike or car.

By car

Parking at the Keukenhof is subject to charges (€ 6); you can park your car in the city for free, but on peak days it is not recommended.

By bike

• Rent-a-bike Van Dam Keukenhof, Stationsweg 166a, ☎ 31 6 12 08 98 58, @[email protected]. 10 € / day. End of March-mid-May, Mon-Sun 9: 30-19: 00. 

What see

Keukenhof

The Keukenhof it's the main reason foreigners come to Lisse, and it's worth it. This is a vast park and flower show promoting the Dutch flower industry, focusing on the many varieties of bulb flowers grown in the area, most notably of course the iconic tulips, as well as crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils and other lesser known species .

The Keukenhof is only open from the end of March until mid-May (check the website for the actual opening period, as this changes from year to year). The best time to visit the Keukenhof may depend on the weather, but it is usually mid-April.

The park opens already at 8 in the morning. If you can be there around that time you can enjoy the wonderful combination of a very peaceful park and the blossoming flowers. However, the Keukenhof can get very busy in the afternoons, especially on weekends. The closing time is usually at 19:30, the ticket offices close at 18:00.

The simplest way is to purchase a Combiticket for public transport and park entrance. All tickets can be purchased online in advance, which is recommended to skip the line at the entrance. Combitickets can also be purchased at the main railway stations (Schiphol, She give is The Hague) and in the tourist offices of Amsterdam. If you go by car, you can also buy a parking ticket in advance.

Other places

• Kasteel Keukenhof (Keukenhof Castle), Keukenhof 1, ☎ 31 252 750690, @[email protected]. Despite having the same name, the castle is not part of the flower park, but you can visit the park (about 200 hectares of woods, meadows and a beautiful park) for free, and finish the walk with a coffee or lunch at the restaurant. The castle itself is accessible only with guided tours; concerts and plays are organized once a month (see website for current agenda). An important event every year is the Castlefest in August. 
• Museum De Zwarte Tulp, Heereweg 219, ☎ 31 252 417 900, @[email protected]. A small museum dedicated to flowers and their cultivation, with a valuable art collection focused on flowers. 

Events and parties

• Castlefest, Kasteel Keukenhof. 65 € for the whole festival. One of the leading fantasy themed festivals in the Netherlands on the first weekend of August, with musical performances, medieval food and crafts, and many visitors dressed in their best costumes. 

What to do

You can take guided tours and sign up for conferences and photography workshops at the Keukenhof. A popular excursion is the bulb field boat trip which departs at the edge of the park (advance reservations can be made for groups).

Bicycle

Cycling in the area is easy and will quickly take you to the many flower fields to find the perfect photo opportunity. Be aware that it is not allowed to enter the flower fields, as they are all privately owned.

• Keukenhof Cycle Route. 38 or 31 km route through the flower fields starting from the Keukenhof train station or Voorhout. 

Shopping

At the Keukenhof you can buy flowers on site. Five pre-licensed vendors sell bulbs for export. You can visit their pavilions and choose which bulbs to ship to your home address in time for autumn planting. Make sure the selected bulbs are approved in the destination country. Of course, Keukenhof also has a large selection of other souvenirs for sale.

In the orchards of Olmenhorst (see section) they produce their own artisanal fruit juice, jam, syrup and honey. Especially apple and pear juices have become nationally famous and can be purchased in supermarkets and grocery stores across the country.

How to have fun

Where to eat

The Keukenhof has five self-service restaurants, each with a terrace overlooking the park where you can have coffee, tea, sandwiches and hot meals, even if the food is not that great. There are a few restaurants.

Average prices

• De Vier Seizoenen, Heereweg 224, ☎ 31 252 418 023. 4-course menu 41 €, vegetarian menu available. Lunch Mon-Sat 12: 00-15: 30, dinner Wed-Mon 6: 30-21: 30. French kitchen. They also have a B&B. 
• The Mill, Heereweg 194B, ☎ 31 252 625 420. Italian cuisine. 
• Vrouw Holle, Kanaalstraat 22a, ☎ 31 252 413 739. Traditional pancake restaurant in an old farm, with the usual selection of sweet and savory pancakes. A limited menu of other dishes is available, but don't expect anything extravagant. 

Where stay

Accommodation options in and around Lisse are limited, but remember that you are a short distance from She give, Amsterdam, Haarlem and from the seaside resort of Noordwijk.

Average prices

• Hotel de Duif, Westerdreef 49, ☎ 31 252 410 076. 
• De Nachtegaal, Heereweg 10, ☎ 31 252 433 030. From € 69 for a double. 
• Hotel Villa Flora, Hoofdstraat 55 (Hillegom), ☎ 31 252 515 100, @[email protected]. 

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

• De Olmenhorst, Lisserweg 481 (Lisserbroek), ☎ 31 252 413 165, @[email protected]. An organic apple and pear orchard open to the public. Includes a playground and various shops. They organize all kinds of craft workshops, and in the harvest season (starting from mid-September) it is possible to collect their own fruits. 
• Kasteel Teylingen, Teylingerweg 15 (Voorhout), ☎ 31 252 211 597, @[email protected]. The former residence of the lords of Teylingen was built in the 13th century. She is best known for her connection with the Countess Jacqueline of Hainault (Jacoba van Beieren), which at the beginning of the 15th century was involved in the struggle between the German Empire and the Duchy of Burgundy for the County of Holland. Jacqueline sided with the Germans and fought a series of small battles before being forced to sign a peace treaty that would effectively hand Holland over to the Burgundians. In 1433 she resigned as Countess of Holland and died in Teylingen in 1436. The castle itself was destroyed during the Dutch War of Independence in 1572 and was never rebuilt. The ruins are currently protected as a national monument. 
• Amsterdam and Schiphol International Airport are less than half an hour from Lisse.
• Haarlem
• Hoofddorp
• She give
• Noordwijk (on the coast)
• Zandvoort

Useful information

• VVV Lisse, Heereweg 219, ☎ 31 252 417 900. The tourist office is inside the Museum De Zwarte Tulp. 

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Lisse
• Commons contains images or other files on Lisse

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