Dahlias: The Summer Flower Season
- Erik Sadao
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Exuberant Dahlias in the Netherlands!
When I moved to the Netherlands, I thought I understood the country's relationship with flowers quite well. After all, tulips are a national symbol. Every year, millions of visitors come to admire the colorful spring fields and the famous gardens of Keukenhof.
What I didn't know was that when the tulips bid farewell, a second flower season begins, one that is every bit as enchanting as spring itself.
I discovered dahlias by chance a few years after settling here. It was late summer, the days were beginning to lose a few precious minutes of daylight, and instead of the familiar carpets of tulips, I found fields filled with flowers that looked like miniature works of art. No two were alike. Some resembled stars, others delicate sculptures crafted from petals. There were blooms as large as dinner plates and others as delicate as brushstrokes on a canvas.
Originally from Mexico, the dahlia found fertile ground in the Netherlands to flourish and reinvent itself. Over the decades, Dutch growers have developed more than 200 varieties, transforming the country into one of the world's leading centers for dahlia cultivation.
But what captivated me most was not only the flowers, it was the atmosphere!
Dahlia season, which runs from August through October, arrives when the pace of tourism begins to slow, the canals return to the locals, and the cities take on a quieter, more intimate beauty. It is a time when the Netherlands seems willing to share some of its best-kept secrets.
That is why we decided to create a collection of special experiences during this remarkable season. Each journey includes a visit to a private flower farm, where our travelers can stroll among thousands of blooming dahlias and personally harvest the flowers they wish to take with them. It is a simple experience, yet one filled with emotion. There is something truly special about returning to your hotel with a bouquet chosen by your own hands, knowing exactly where every flower came from.
To make these experiences even more meaningful, we have paired the flower fields with some of the cultural destinations I most enjoy sharing throughout the Netherlands.
Perhaps tulips will always remain the great stars of the Dutch spring. But dahlias have taught me that the most fascinating places are not always found on the most famous postcards.
Sometimes, they simply bloom a little later!
See below some of our curated experiences for the Dutch Dahlia's Season:
with keukenhof castle, leiden
A journey that reveals how flowers, trade, science, and art became intertwined in the story of the Netherlands. Discover how flowers helped shape the Netherlands on this immersive journey through horticulture, history, and art.
The experience begins in Keukenhof's dahlia gardens, showcasing over 200 varieties developed by Dutch horticulturists. We then visit a private flower farm where guests harvest their own blooms, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon takes us to Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, for a visit to Museum De Lakenhal—home to masterworks from the Dutch Golden Age. The day concludes with a private boat cruise along the city's canals, experiencing Leiden's history and architecture from the water.
Highlights: Private bulb farm visit, Keukenhof Castle Estate & Dahlia Festival, Leiden, Museum De Lakenhal, private canal cruise.
Type: Private cultural experience
with Muiden Castle, Kröller-Müller Museum
This unique tour combines art, nature, biking, art, farm life, flowers. Everything you need for a perfect dutch summer day trip.
Begin in blooming dahlia fields where guests hand-pick their own flowers. Continue to a local berry farm for seasonal harvesting. Visit the historic Muiden Castle, a 14th-century fortress with picturesque gardens overlooking the Zuiderzee. After lunch at a nearby restaurant, head to the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of modern art, including masterworks by Van Gogh and Mondrian. The experience concludes with optional biking through the Hoge Veluwe National Park, exploring its heathland and woodland landscapes. This itinerary weaves together harvesting nature's bounty, exploring Dutch history and castles, world-class art, and the freedom of cycling through pristine countryside.
Highlights: Muiderslot Castle, local flower farm visit, Hoge Veluwe landscapes, Kröller-Müller Museum and Sculpture Garden.
with keukenhof castle & the hague
Begin in Keukenhof's dahlia gardens, then visit a private flower farm for hands-on harvesting. In The Hague, enjoy lunch at Hotel Des Indes before visiting the Mauritshuis, where masterpieces by Vermeer, Jan Steen, and others reveal the Dutch Golden Age's obsession with flowers and landscapes, including works by pioneering female artists of the 17th century. Conclude at Panorama Mesdag, an immersive circular painting depicting 19th-century Dutch coastal scenery. This itinerary traces how flowers and landscapes have inspired the masters of Dutch painting.
Highlights: Private dahlia farm visit, flower picking, Keukenhof Castle & Dahlia Festival, Mauritshuis, historic city palace.
Type: Private cultural experience
