A Guide to the Best Things to do in Hillegom

Last Updated on 8th May 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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A leafy and rather residential town with little by way of tourist attractions, Hillegom still manages to make its way onto tourist itineraries thanks to its enviable proximity to tulip fields in the Dune and Bulb region (known as the  Duin- en Bollenstreek in Dutch). Best visited in April when the tulips are in full bloom, here’s a guide to the best things to do in Hillegom.

The name Hillegom itself is actually a derivation of the name Hijlighem (an Old Frankish word for “Holy Home”), which is an abbey that has since ceased to exist. In the past, the main mode of transportation in Hillegom and the surrounding region was via canals and streams and these waterways remain to this day.

Until 2016, Hillegom was home to the largest collection of Ford Cars (over 200 from pre WWII) in the form of Den Hartogh Ford Museum. Nowadays, Hillegom is home to a population of just over 22,000 residents and much of the town’s industry is focused around growing bulbs, including tulips.

The best time to visit Hillegom is undoubtedly in April when all of the tulips are in bloom. When visiting during this time of the year, do be sure to bring a rain jacket and umbrella as April showers are frequent and it’s not unusual to experience several seasons in one day!

Best things to do in Hillegom

Sint Martinuskerk

The main church in Hillegom is dedicated to Saint Martin and the first church on site was constructed in the latter half of the 19th-century.

Unfortunately, the town’s population grew too quickly for the size of the church on account of how quickly the bulb industry was growing and so a new church was built, this time one dedicated to Saint Joseph.

The original Saint Martin’s Church was expanded and the ensuing renovations were completed in 1926. Today, Saint Martin’s Church is open between 9 AM and 4 PM and lies close to Hillegom’s town centre.

Main shopping street

Most of the shops, cafés, and restaurants in Hillegom are concentrated on one main high street, which runs through the very heart of the town from the Saint Martin’s church all the way to a canal. There are several cafés, restaurants, and bars on this street.

Juliannapark

Like many Dutch towns, Hillegom is filled with two storey red brick houses, cobbled lanes, numerous canals, and plenty of small green parks. One of the best parks in town is Juliannapark, which is well maintained, contains a number of benches, and is where several tulip borders are planted during spring.

Puzzle Shop

One of the more unusual shops in Hillegom is the Puzzle shop, which is located just a stone’s throw away from Juliannapark. This niche store sells all kinds of amazing jigsaw puzzles and there’s everything from easier 100 piece puzzles to puzzles with over 1000 pieces.

The Tulip Barn

If you want to take Instagram-worthy snaps together with props while in the Dune and Bulb region, you would be well served by heading to The Tulip Barn, an attraction around fifteen minutes on foot from the centre of Hillegom.

For now, the Barn is much quieter and off the beaten path than Keukenhof, leading to a more relaxed experience where you can see tulips close up and admire their natural beauty. En route, you’ll also see plenty of beautiful tulip fields!

The Barn is also very close to genuine tulip fields- just don’t walk through any private fields and be respectful of farmers’ land! Purchase your Tulip Barn ticket here in advance.

Annemieke’s Picking Garden in Hillegom (U-pick farm)

Located on the road between Hillegom and Bennebroek, Annemieke’s Picking Garden can be visited via public transport on the Bus 50 which runs between Haarlem and Leiden.

In order to reach Haarlem or Leiden, you’ll need to catch a train from Amsterdam Centraal. The stop is Bethlehemlaan and you can also reach the Keukenhof Gardens using the #50 bus.

Open during the springtime and easy to visit as an Amsterdam day trip, the flower garden offers the chance to pick your own tulips, walk among the flower beds, and even bring some of the beautiful blooms home with you! 

Go on a bike tour

If you’ve learned anything during your research about the Netherlands, it’s undoubtedly that many Dutch people get around using bicycles, thanks in part, that many swathes of the country are incredibly flat!

If you want to cycle for yourself together with a local guide, and see the tulips at sunset, then consider taking this Guided E-Bike Tour at Sunset near Keukenhof.

Take a day trip to Keukenhof

Though Keukenhof (literal translation Kitchen Garden) is actually technically located in the town of Lisse, it is just a short drive away from Hillegom, thus making Hillegom a great base for those looking to visit the largest garden in Europe.

From the traditional Dutch tulip to sweet-scented hyacinths, the sunny daffodil, the rarer amaryllis and even a pavilion that simply houses the widest collection of orchid varieties you’re ever likely to admire, there’s something for every botanist enthusiast when it comes to Keukenhof. Just be sure to buy your ticket in advance!

Getting to Hillegom

The town is served by its own train station, which has direct railway links to Leiden, The Hague, and Haarlem. Hillegom train station is around a fifteen minute walk from the centre.

As such, if you prefer (and have luggage with you), then another option to reach Hillegom if travelling from Amsterdam is to take a train to Haarlme followed by a bus from directly outside of the station (the Number 50) to reach Hillegom.

Just be aware that you can’t use the same ticket for the bus and the train (so buy your tickets in two goes if using different modes of transportation for different stages of the route).

Where to stay in Hillegom

If you’re in search of a comfortable stay in the heart of Hillegom, then you should be sure to book yourself into Hotel Villa Flora (to be honest there aren’t a great deal of accommodation options around and this is one of the best, but make sure to bring earplugs as the soundproofing in the hotel isn’t the best).

With this being said, they have rooms for 3 people so it’s a good deal if you’re travelling as a three. The best part is that the hotel is so close to Keukenhof and there is also a restaurant onsite where you can enjoy a hearty meal without having to travel too far after a day of exploring!

There are several vegetarian options available, though the restaurant’s speciality is actually its grilled meats. Check prices and availability here.

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