Zeeland – unknown tulip routes in the Netherlands

Fancy a beautiful bike ride along the bulb fields? But not in the hordes of tourists that you find at the Keukenhof? Then go to Zeeland!

We do not associate this part of the Netherlands with tulip fields, but good news: there are beautiful flower fields to be found without the mass tourism of the more famous Bollenstreek.

This tough bike ride of just under 50 kilometers takes you past some special, lesser-known highlights of Zeeland. The starting point is the parking lot next to the Grote Geule nature reserve. From there you cycle through the village of Kieldrecht towards the first Highlight: the Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe. This place has a special history. Saeftinghe or Saaftinge was a city located in East Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. It existed until 1584. It is now a swamp area and an official nature reserve. The country is a crossroads where the River Scheldt meets the salty waters of the North Sea in the Westerschelde estuary.

A little further on, in the Schor van Baalhoek, you run the risk of spotting a herd of water buffalo, which graze freely here. Enjoy this special view and always keep a sufficient distance, because they are wild animals after all.

The next highlight on the route is the striking Heilige Cornelius Church, a large Roman Catholic church in the village of Lamswaarde. A unique building in this rural area, which is definitely worth a visit.

In the fields between Meerdonk and Kieldrecht you will eventually find what you came for: the vast tulip fields. From March the fields start to look green. The best time to take in the sea of colors is between mid-April and mid-May.

Enjoy the tulip fields on this unknown route!