Happy TravellerWelcome to Lisse, a picturesque town located in the province of South Holland in the Western Netherlands. This charming municipality covers an area of 16.05 km2 (6.20 sq mi) of which 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi) is water and is home to a population of 22,982 as of 2021. Lisse is situated within the Duin- en Bollenstreek, also known as the Dune and Bulb Region, which is famous worldwide for its expansive fields of vibrant bulb flowers.
Lisse’s history can be traced back to the 10th century, and in 1198, it was officially documented with the town’s name. During the Middle Ages, Lisse was a small settlement with only 50 houses in 1500. The town’s population lived from agriculture, animal husbandry, and peat harvesting. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries, Lisse was home to many estates of rich merchants and nobility, like Hillegom. The forests and gardens of Keukenhof, Meerenburg, Wildlust, Zandvliet, Overduin en Akervoorde, Wassergeest, Grotenhof, Ter Specke, Dubbelhoven, Rosendaal, Veenenburg en Berkhout, Middelburg, Ter Beek, and Uytermeer estates all added to the town’s beauty and glory. However, over time, every estate except Keukenhof was removed to make way for the cultivation of bulb flowers. The sandy soil in Lisse’s surroundings was highly suitable for growing bulb flowers, provided the soil was fertilized. The nearby dunes were excavated, and forests were cut down progressively for more fields for the flower business, bringing employment and prosperity to the area.
Today, Lisse is considered the heart of the bulb flower region and is a major tourist attraction, especially during the spring when the fields around Lisse are in full bloom with colorful tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. The only remaining estate that was not removed for flower cultivation, Keukenhof, became world-famous for its flower displays. Visitors can enjoy a stroll through Keukenhof’s gardens, which are open year-round, and experience its spectacular displays of over 7 million bulbs in the spring. Each spring, Lisse also hosts a flower parade called the Bollenstreek Bloemencorso, which travels through the town’s main streets. The Huys Dever, a restored castle tower from the 14th century, and the Museum De Zwarte Tulp, exhibiting the history of the Dutch bulb-growing region, are other places of interest.
Sports enthusiasts can visit Lisse to watch FC Lisse, a football team currently playing in the Zaterdag Topklasse. Notable people born in Lisse include Dutch painter and printmaker Abraham Rademaker, zoological illustrator Joseph Smit, physicist and mathematician Wander Johannes de Haas, and Dutch politician Gert-Jan Segers.
Visit Lisse to experience the beauty of the bulb flower region and enjoy a unique and unforgettable travel experience!
