By Kristen de Joseph
Amsterdam Travel Expert, about.com
Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Lisse (population: 22,300) each year in pursuit of the world-famous tulips and other bulb flowers of South Holland's Bollenstreek ('Bulbland') - in particular, the fields of the Keukenhof flower park. Far fewer know the name of the city they're in, much less are aware of its unique identity and other claims to (more local) fame. But for curious travelers, the 800-year-old city is worth a few hours' stroll to take in its castles and other sites of interest.
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Lisse's most iconic monument is undoubtedly the Kasteel Keukenhof (Keukenhof Castle; Stationsweg 166),
set amid a vast and beautifully landscaped park next to Keukenhof
itself. The castle is only sporadically open to the public, but
fortunate visitors may be able to sneak a peek at its interior, either
by means of a visitor's tour or on special occasions such as castle
events (see Festivals & Events, below), classical concerts and lectures (see the Kasteel Cultureel web site; Dutch only).
The castle also serves as a venue for temporary art exhibits, which can also be viewed only in conjunction with a castle tour (contact info@kasteelkeukenhof.nl for more information).
A more accessible Lisse monument - with free admission, at that - is the city's restored 14th-century castle keep, known as 't Huys Dever (Dever House; Heereweg 349a)
in honor of its first inhabitant, Reinier Dever. A trip to 't Huys
affords visitors a peek into the history of this fortified tower, whose
various rooms maintain a distinct medieval atmosphere. Not far from 't
Huys Dever is Museum de Zwarte Tulp (the
Black Tulip Museum), whose permanent exhibit traces the history of bulb
cultivation in South Holland's storied "Bulbland"; visitors can also
take a coffee or tea in of its two splendid Dutch Neo-Renaissance rooms.
In 2013,a special "Tulip Poetry Route" (Tulpenpoëzieroute)
was unveiled, which traces out a pedestrian itinerary in 20
tulip-themed poems from Dutch and international poets. Marked by tiles
in Lisse's street, the poetry route starts from Berkhoutlaan; see a
preview of the poems on the municipality of Lisse web site.
An alternative itinerary takes in the more than 30 examples of public
art in Lisse, and passes both 't Huys Dever and Museum de Zwarte Tulip
on its route; the route is outlined in the booklet Kijk! Kunst in Lisse ('Look! Art in Lisse', Dutch only), for sale at the Lisse tourist office (see below) and the public library (Koninginneweg 79 A).
Food & Restaurants in Lisse
[post_ads]While Keukenhof has five restaurants of its own, visitors curious to branch out from the flower park will find several other commendable options in town. One perennial favorite is Restaurant De Vier Seizoenen (Heereweg 224), a refined but affordable French eatery situated in an architectural pastiche that used to house the city mayors; the restaurant's excellent-value prix fixe menus vary seasonally, with dedicated menus available for special occasions and diets. A trio of popular Italian restaurants are to be found on the same street: the Neapolitan-inspired Ristorante Il Mulino (Heereweg 194), with a menu full of Southern Italian classics; next door, the city's favorite pizzeria, Pizzeria Ristorante Piccolo (Heereweg 192); and the top-rated Cantina Sociale Pane e Tulipani (Heereweg 487), which offers no menu but relies on the season's bounty and the inspiration of the chef for its antipasti, fresh pastas and meat and seafood dishes. Diners can also find Dutch and continental cuisine at the cheap and cozy Restaurant Chefke's (Grachtweg 11).
[post_ads]While Keukenhof has five restaurants of its own, visitors curious to branch out from the flower park will find several other commendable options in town. One perennial favorite is Restaurant De Vier Seizoenen (Heereweg 224), a refined but affordable French eatery situated in an architectural pastiche that used to house the city mayors; the restaurant's excellent-value prix fixe menus vary seasonally, with dedicated menus available for special occasions and diets. A trio of popular Italian restaurants are to be found on the same street: the Neapolitan-inspired Ristorante Il Mulino (Heereweg 194), with a menu full of Southern Italian classics; next door, the city's favorite pizzeria, Pizzeria Ristorante Piccolo (Heereweg 192); and the top-rated Cantina Sociale Pane e Tulipani (Heereweg 487), which offers no menu but relies on the season's bounty and the inspiration of the chef for its antipasti, fresh pastas and meat and seafood dishes. Diners can also find Dutch and continental cuisine at the cheap and cozy Restaurant Chefke's (Grachtweg 11).
Lisse has its own local delicacy - delisjes (pronounced
"delicious"), invented in 2008 to promote the local culture and
artisanship of Lisse. The raspberry tartelettes, available at Patisserie Vermeer (Heereweg 155), are topped with two dollops of cream to evoke the city's tulip bulbs, and a white chocolate "tail" as a sole tulip leaf.
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Festivals & Events in Lisse
Keukenhof Castle sets the scene for some of the city's most popular annual events. It lends its name to the Castlefest, a multi-day medieval-fantasy fair that takes place on the castle estate, where tens of thousands of visitors don fantasy costume, celebrate the Celtic harvest festival, revive medieval crafts and more to a live soundtrack of medieval-revivalist and folk artists. The city's atmospheric Kerst op Keukenhof Christmas market also takes place at the castle - and is one of the few opportunities to see its interior, as the castle opens specially to the public for the occasion.
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Festivals & Events in Lisse
Keukenhof Castle sets the scene for some of the city's most popular annual events. It lends its name to the Castlefest, a multi-day medieval-fantasy fair that takes place on the castle estate, where tens of thousands of visitors don fantasy costume, celebrate the Celtic harvest festival, revive medieval crafts and more to a live soundtrack of medieval-revivalist and folk artists. The city's atmospheric Kerst op Keukenhof Christmas market also takes place at the castle - and is one of the few opportunities to see its interior, as the castle opens specially to the public for the occasion.
How to Reach Lisse
Lisse is located some 21 miles (34 km) south of Amsterdam, in the province of South Holland. From Amsterdam Central Station, take the Intercity train to Leiden Central Station (direction: Schiphol or Haarlem). From Leiden Central, take the bus line 57 (daily) to Lisse Hyacinthenstraat or line 250 (rush hour, weekdays only) to Lisse Keukenhofdreef. Travel time is about 1 hour, 45 minutes. Customized public transit directions are available at travel advice site 9292.
Lisse is located some 21 miles (34 km) south of Amsterdam, in the province of South Holland. From Amsterdam Central Station, take the Intercity train to Leiden Central Station (direction: Schiphol or Haarlem). From Leiden Central, take the bus line 57 (daily) to Lisse Hyacinthenstraat or line 250 (rush hour, weekdays only) to Lisse Keukenhofdreef. Travel time is about 1 hour, 45 minutes. Customized public transit directions are available at travel advice site 9292.
