Last Updated on sixth May 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
A leafy and somewhat residential city with little by means of vacationer sights, Hillegom nonetheless manages to make its means onto vacationer itineraries because of its enviable proximity to tulip fields within the Dune and Bulb area (referred to as the Duin- en Bollenstreek in Dutch). Best visited in April when the tulips are in full bloom, right here’s a information to the finest issues to do in Hillegom.
The identify Hillegom itself is definitely a derivation of the identify Hijlighem (an Old Frankish phrase for “Holy Home”), which is an abbey that has since ceased to exist. In the previous, the primary mode of transportation in Hillegom and the encircling area was by way of canals and streams and these waterways stay to today.
Until 2016, Hillegom was residence to the biggest assortment of Ford Cars (over 200 from pre WWII) within the type of Den Hartogh Ford Museum. Nowadays, Hillegom is residence to a inhabitants of simply over 22,000 residents and far of the city’s business is targeted round rising bulbs, together with tulips.
The finest time to go to Hillegom is undoubtedly in April when the entire tulips are in bloom. When visiting throughout this time of the yr, do make sure to convey a rain jacket and umbrella as April showers are frequent and it’s common to expertise a number of seasons in at some point!
Best issues to do in Hillegom
Sint Martinuskerk
The predominant church in Hillegom is devoted to Saint Martin and the primary church on web site was constructed within the latter half of the Nineteenth-century.
Unfortunately, the city’s inhabitants grew too rapidly for the dimensions of the church on account of how rapidly the bulb business was rising and so a brand new church was constructed, this time one devoted to Saint Joseph.
The authentic Saint Martin’s Church was expanded and the following renovations had been accomplished in 1926. Today, Saint Martin’s Church is open between 9 AM and 4 PM and lies near Hillegom’s city centre.
Main buying road
Most of the retailers, cafés, and eating places in Hillegom are focused on one predominant excessive road, which runs by means of the very coronary heart of the city from the Saint Martin’s church all the best way to a canal. There are a number of cafés, eating places, and bars on this road.
Juliannapark
Like many Dutch cities, Hillegom is stuffed with two storey purple brick homes, cobbled lanes, quite a few canals, and loads of small inexperienced parks. One of the perfect parks on the town is Juliannapark, which is properly maintained, comprises a variety of benches, and is the place a number of tulip borders are planted throughout spring.
Puzzle Shop
One of the extra uncommon retailers in Hillegom is the Puzzle store, which is situated only a stone’s throw away from Juliannapark. This area of interest retailer sells every kind of wonderful jigsaw puzzles and there’s every thing from simpler 100 piece puzzles to puzzles with over 1000 items.
The Tulip Barn
If you wish to take Instagram-worthy snaps along with props whereas within the Dune and Bulb area, you’d be properly served by heading to The Tulip Barn, an attraction round fifteen minutes on foot from the centre of Hillegom.
For now, the Barn is far quieter and off the crushed path than Keukenhof, resulting in a extra relaxed expertise the place you possibly can see tulips shut up and admire their pure magnificence. En route, you’ll additionally see loads of stunning tulip fields!
The Barn can also be very near real tulip fields- simply don’t stroll by means of any non-public fields and be respectful of farmers’ land! Purchase your Tulip Barn ticket right here upfront.
Annemieke’s Picking Garden in Hillegom (U-pick farm)
Located on the street between Hillegom and Bennebroek, Annemieke’s Picking Garden might be visited by way of public transport on the Bus 50 which runs between Haarlem and Leiden.
In order to achieve Haarlem or Leiden, you’ll have to catch a practice from Amsterdam Centraal. The cease is Bethlehemlaan and you can too attain the Keukenhof Gardens utilizing the #50 bus.
Open throughout the springtime and straightforward to go to as an Amsterdam day journey, the flower backyard affords the possibility to select your personal tulips, stroll among the many flower beds, and even convey a few of the stunning blooms residence with you!
Go on a motorcycle tour
If you’ve discovered something throughout your analysis in regards to the Netherlands, it’s undoubtedly that many Dutch folks get round utilizing bicycles, thanks partly, that many swathes of the nation are extremely flat!
If you wish to cycle for your self along with a neighborhood information, and see the tulips at sundown, then contemplate taking this Guided E-Bike Tour at Sunset close to Keukenhof.
Take a day journey to Keukenhof
Though Keukenhof (literal translation Kitchen Garden) is definitely technically situated within the city of Lisse, it’s only a quick drive away from Hillegom, thus making Hillegom a fantastic base for these seeking to go to the biggest backyard in Europe.
From the normal Dutch tulip to sweet-scented hyacinths, the sunny daffodil, the rarer amaryllis and even a pavilion that merely homes the widest assortment of orchid varieties you’re ever more likely to admire, there’s one thing for each botanist fanatic in the case of Keukenhof. Just make sure to purchase your ticket upfront!
Getting to Hillegom
The city is served by its personal practice station, which has direct railway hyperlinks to Leiden, The Hague, and Haarlem. Hillegom practice station is round a 15 minute stroll from the centre.
As such, if you happen to want (and have baggage with you), then an alternative choice to achieve Hillegom if travelling from Amsterdam is to take a practice to Haarlme adopted by a bus from instantly outdoors of the station (the Number 50) to achieve Hillegom.
Just remember that you may’t use the identical ticket for the bus and the practice (so purchase your tickets in two goes if utilizing completely different modes of transportation for various levels of the route).
Where to remain in Hillegom
If you’re in quest of a cushty keep within the coronary heart of Hillegom, then you need to make sure to e book your self into Hotel Villa Flora (to be sincere there aren’t an excessive amount of lodging choices round and this is likely one of the finest, however make certain to convey earplugs because the soundproofing within the lodge isn’t the perfect).
With this being mentioned, they’ve rooms for 3 folks so it’s deal if you happen to’re travelling as a 3. The better part is that the lodge is so near Keukenhof and there may be additionally a restaurant onsite the place you possibly can get pleasure from a hearty meal with out having to journey too far after a day of exploring!
There are a number of vegetarian choices out there, although the restaurant’s speciality is definitely its grilled meats. Check costs and availability right here.
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Sophie Nadeau loves canine, books, journey, pizza, and historical past. A fan of all issues France associated, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the subsequent sundown shot or consuming one thing candy. She presently splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.