The Tulpenpluktuin in Marknesse is a flower garden that focuses on self-picking tulips. Established in 2006, it features a 5,000 square meter garden planted with over half a million tulips. Many different varieties and colors are planted throughout the garden, with new blooms appearing daily during the season. A 5-meter observation tower offers a view of the polder and the historic harbor town of Blokzijl. The garden is designed with wide paths that are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. On site, there is a central square called the Tulpenplukplein, which includes a terrace with a view of the tulips, a car-free play area for children with bicycles, tractors, and a trampoline, and the Boerenbol refreshment stand offering coffee, soft drinks, snacks, and picnic bags. Visitors can enter the garden for a fee and purchase a bucket to fill with up to 30 tulips. A guide on how to properly pull and care for the tulips is provided.
The garden is open daily during the spring tulip season. For the 2026 season, the opening period runs from early April until the last tulips have finished blooming, with a planned closing date of May 3. The garden typically opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5:30 PM. On April 17 and 24, there is a special evening picking event (Tulpenplukavond) where the garden remains open until 9:30 PM. There are parking facilities and an accessible entrance. The garden is suitable for children and offers special group arrangements for ten or more people, including breakfast options and guided tulpenplukplezier packages.
What visitors say
This self-picking tulip farm offers a widely enjoyable experience, with many visitors describing the activity of selecting and picking their own tulips as fun, cozy, and worthwhile. The price of €10 for a bucket containing 30-35 tulips is generally considered good value, especially in comparison to larger, more expensive attractions. Guests often praise the friendly and welcoming staff, noting their helpful explanations on how to best pick the flowers. The farm extends beyond just tulip fields, featuring a farm shop with local products, a lookout tower, and workshops, making it a pleasant stop for coffee and apple pie, and even offering delicious strawberries.
However, some common points of contention exist. Several visitors have found the tulip garden to be smaller than anticipated, describing it as a relatively modest field. A notable recurring complaint pertains to the pricing structure, with some guests perceiving a mandatory €10 bucket purchase per person as a condition for entry, leading to unexpected expenses for couples or families. Although the owner’s responses suggest a separate small entry fee per person alongside optional bucket purchases, this aspect appears to cause confusion or dissatisfaction. Furthermore, some visitors were disappointed to find a significant number of tulips past their peak bloom, particularly later in the season. The on-site bistro also received criticism for its mediocre, self-service food, served in paper cups with spray cream. While the farm shop is appreciated for its local offerings, some feel it doesn’t warrant a special trip on its own, and tulip bulbs are not available for purchase during the blooming season. Nevertheless, despite these issues, many reviewers express a positive overall sentiment and a desire to return for the unique picking experience.