Discover Hillegom: Tulips, Dunes and History

Hillegom between tulip culture, dunes and history

Hillegom offers a varied setting for a trip catering to different interests. Staying in a holiday apartment in Hillegom allows you to combine historic sites, nature observation, walks, flowers and regional culinary culture. This range is particularly practical for families with different preferences: a cultural visit can be followed by time spent in the countryside, while seasonal experiences and regional specialities provide additional highlights.

Architectural heritage and local history around Kerkplein

Hillegom has three types of architectural heritage: national monuments, municipal monuments and buildings of distinctive character. The area around Kerkplein has been designated as a protected historic villagescape.

Kwekerij Veelzorg was founded in Hillegom in 1822. From 1850 onwards, mainly tulips, hyacinths and daffodils were grown there; before that, five generations initially grew potatoes and vegetables on the site. 't Hof van Hillegom was a former resting place for the Counts of Holland. The core of the building, and particularly the cellar, are still medieval. For more than 800 years, 't Hof van Hillegom has been the historic heart of Hillegom.

Nature between Heemtuin and Lokhorsterduin

Nature develops largely undisturbed in Heemtuin Hillegom. Pink soapwort, cowslip and enchanter's nightshade grow there. At Lokhorsterduin, former sand extraction sites, bulb fields and tall dune woodland can be seen side by side. The small walking area has three entrances and complements the historical impressions with a landscape where different traces of use can be observed.

Flowers and water as special experiences

During the flower-bulb season, the Hillegomse Bollenboot offers views of bulb fields and nature from the water. The sloop is operated by an experienced captain who talks about the region. At The Tulip Barn, you can follow a path alongside the tulip-growing fields while learning about tulip cultivation. The flower garden there contains more than 750,000 colourful tulips.

At De Tulpenschuur's pick-your-own garden, visitors can put together a fresh tulip bouquet themselves. De Tulpenschuur also offers bouquets of various tulip varieties, freshly picked from the field. This means that Hillegom's flower culture can be experienced not only by looking at it, but also through a personal selection of tulips.

Regional stories, beer culture and routes

On a first visit to Bierbrouwerij Klein duimpje, a guided tour is available. During the tour, the brewer talks about the brewery, the beers and the brewing process. The documentation centre of Stichting Vrienden van Oud Hillegom contains photographs, newspaper clippings and other documentation about Hillegom. There is a grandstand in Hillegom for the Bollenstreek Flower Parade.

The Reuzenbollenroute passes through Sassenheim, Noordwijk and Hillegom. Along the route, the landscape features human-sized tulip-bulb artworks painted by artists from the Bollenstreek.

Further local information: Hillegom.

To the overarching travel overview: Hillegom.