The Ultimate Guide to the Best Places to See Tulips in Belgium
…and also Cherry Blossoms, Magnolias & Daffodils in Brussels…
When I moved to Belgium, ‘going to the Netherlands to see some Tulip fields’
was right at the top of my wishlist. However, I came to know that Belgium
itself has its own Tulip options and now, I could choose to not visit the
Netherlands to see tulips! So here’s all about Tulips in Belgium.
Before I start, keep in mind that this is very seasonal, going to these
places at any other time would give you a very different appearance without
the flowers…
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TULIP FIELDS IN BELGIUM
I’ve been on the fence about whether or not to share this… So I’m gonna
share ‘partially’! Being the neighbor of the Netherlands, located just to the
south of it, Belgium has its own fair share of Tulip fields, very close to the
Netherlands border, in the towns of Meerdonk and Kronenhoek. The streets of
LangeNieuwstraat, Molenhoekstraat, and Polderstraat that go across the border
to the Netherlands are all entirely cultivated with Tulips!
Attention when visiting Tulip Fields in Belgium:
May it be the Netherlands or Belgium, keep this in mind when visiting Tulip
fields, no matter where. REMEMBER…
1. Those magical movie scenes of gorgeous women walking through the tulip
fields look splendid. But the production team of the movie has paid a lot of
money to the owners of those fields, to take those shots. Unless you’re
paying the farmer or at least asking permission, walking through the fields
is TRESPASSING! So basically, ILLEGAL! There are boards everywhere, in front
of every field, mentioning that going beyond that line is trespassing, but
still, I found many people go through the lines of tulips. Here’s the thing,
if the farmer drops by, they can hold you accountable and call the POLICE!
When I was there, I also saw a patrol vehicle of the Sint-Gilles-Waas
commune making sure that cultivated tulips are safe and warning visitors who
are entering the fields.
2. Those tulips are the farmer’s livelihood. Plucking those flowers is
basically STEALING and a PUNISHABLE OFFENSE, unless you’re on a farm that explicitly allows it, where
you pay for the tulips you’ve plucked (more about one such farm coming up
below)!
Tips for visiting Tulip Fields in Belgium:
1. The tulips cultivated here are for bulk sale and not for display like
in Florlia Brussels or Keukenhof Gardens. Some of the farmers may not have
cultivated tulips in a particular year if there was no requirement. The
farmers who cultivate, harvest the tulips when they’re in full bloom (just
like farmers who cultivate rice, or wheat, or corn). So, when you visit,
there is every chance that the tulips had been harvested already or were never planted!
2. If you see a farmer in his field, working, try talking to them. I
spotted a gentleman working at his farm and chatted with him. He explained
what he was doing step-by-step to Atyudarini. She had fun watching him mix
various chemicals and use his fertilizer sprayer on the plants. I also
spotted another farmer who generously gave us permission to go very very
close to the tulips to take photographs, but of course, barred us from
entering the tulip cultivation lines. Atyudarini also tried to interact
with his dog!
Where are the tulip fields in Belgium? I don’t want to give a
pinpoint on Google Maps. Explore the region! Yes, it is possible by public
transport but be prepared to walk a lot!
How to reach the tulip fields in Belgium? DeLijn Buses are
available from Sint-Niklaas railway station
When is the best time to see Tulips in Belgium: Mid-Apr to Mid-May
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TULIP FARMS IN BELGIUM
Yes, it is very very tempting to pluck the tulips; even more for the kids!
When I told Atyudarini that she cannot even pluck one tulip in the Tulip
fields of Belgium she was not happy. So, we headed to the Tulip farm in
Brussels where she could do precisely that – cutting her own tulips and
making her own bouquet!
Urban Farming in Brussels at Ferme du Chant des Cailles: Ferme
du Chant des Cailles (Sound of Quails Farm) is a charming little farm in
Watermael-Boitsfort, in South Brussels. It is a farm of animals,
vegetables, as well as, of course, flowers.
It is an urban agriculture project where the locals living in this
commune, come together to do farming together. Everything from cleaning
the land to making manures to cultivating to taking care of the plants to
harvesting, everything is done by the members together. The end result –
everyone gets their own farm-fresh products. It’s not only vegetables but
also herbs, honey, eggs, some sheep milk products, etc. Every Sunday
afternoon, from March to October, they also organize a small market where
you can buy some of the produce. I love this concept!
Tulips at Ferme du Chant des Cailles: While the vegetable
gardens have a specific team of local members to take care of the
harvesting, the flower gardens are open to all! When I visited there were
Tulips & Daffodils. There are boards on these plots, that mention
‘fleurs à couper’ which means ‘Flowers to cut’. They have scissors but you
could also take yours. There’s a money box beside when you just pay for the
tulips you’ve cut. It is like a piggy bank, so it is a good idea to carry
cash and coins, so you can precisely pay. It is an honesty shop where no one
checks your goods and what you pay, so sincerity and honesty, please!
The farm also has a small vacant area (the plot where the Sunday market
happens). If you go on any other day, the kids could run around and play in
this area. We did carry some frisbee and footballs and the kids had fun.
There are picnic tables here, so we had a nice, relaxed, lunch here as
well.
How to reach the tulip farm in Brussels (Ferme du Chant des Cailles)? It is about 1.3km (16 mins walk) both from Demey & Hermann-Debroux
metro stations (connected by STIB-MIVB Metro Line 5). It is about 800m (12
mins walk) from Tenreuken tram stop (connected by STIB-MIVB Tram Line 8.
Ferme du Chant des Cailles entry ticket: Free
Ferme du Chant des Cailles timings: Sunrise to sunset
Cost of Tulips at Tulip Farm in Brussels (Ferme du Chant des Cailles): €0.70 per flower (carry
cash & coins)
Cost of Daffodils at Tulip Farm in Brussels (Ferme du Chant des Cailles): €0.60 per flower (carry
cash & coins)
When is the best time to see Tulips in Belgium: Mid-Apr to Mid-May
Update 2024: Tulips have been planted this year and will be available soon for picking
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Divider of Boulevard Auguste Reyers
TULIP GARDENS IN BELGIUM
The easiest, straightforward way to enjoy seeing Tulips in Belgium is to visit
Floralia Brussels. Floralia Brussels is an annual event that happens at Groot
Bijgaarden Castle, to the north of Brussels. Though it is called Floralia
Brussels, it is technically on the outskirts of Brussels in the Flemish
Brabant province and one of the best castles to visit near Brussels. Every
year, more than a million tulips in 400 varieties are here on display
alongside daffodils & hyacinths. It is one of the most picturesque, most
instagrammable places in Brussels in April & May. Keep in mind that the
Groot Bijgaarden & Castle is open to visitors only for 1 month in Apr-May
during the Floralia Brussels event.
SMALL PATCHES OF TULIPS IN BRUSSELS
Apart from the major gardens, and farms, you can always see patches of Tulips
in most of the parks in the city including Cinquantenaire Park, Jardin
Botanique, Josaphat Park, etc. Also, in some streets, you’ll see tulips on the
green patches on road dividers and in the middle of roundabouts. I’ve seen
some on Boulevard Auguste Reyers, the roundabout of Schuman, Merode,
etc.
OTHER FLOWERS IN BLOOM IN BRUSSELS
Apart from Tulips, you can also see quite a few other flowers in full bloom in
Brussels in the Spring season.
DAFFODILS IN BRUSSELS
Almost everywhere that you see tulips, you’ll definitely see Daffodils too.
Even Ferme du Chant des Cailles (where you can cut & make your own Tulip
bouquet), has a section for Daffodils which also you can cut and use as a
part of your bouquet.
Where to see Daffodils in Brussels:
1. Ferme du Chant des Cailles
2. Avenue des Narcisses in Parc du Laeken
3. There are small patches of Daffodils in all parks including
Cinquantenaire Park, Jardin Botanique, Josaphat Park, etc.
4. Daffodils are relatively wild and you might find them in many wooded
areas like Bois de la Cambre, Roodebeekpark, Parc de Woluwe, etc.
When is the best time to see Daffodils in Belgium: Apr to June
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Avenue Eugene Plasky
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Avenue Eugene Plasky
Avenue du Verseau
Cinquantenaire Park
CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN BRUSSELS
There are certain streets in Brussels where Cherry Blossoms are on either
side of the street and in late April and May when it’s the right weather,
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom and it is just incredible!
When is the best time to see Cherry Blossoms in Brussels: Mid-Mar to Mid-May
Where to see Cherry Blossoms in Brussels:
1. Avenue des Cerisiers and Avenue du Mai near Parc Georges
Henri. Nearest metro stop: Gribaumont (When a street’s
name is literally Cherry Tree Avenue, obviously that’s the best place to
go. When it says May Avenue, go there in May month)!
2. Avenue Eugene Plasky, Avenue du Diamant, and Avenue Emily Max near
Plasky roundabout. Nearest tram stop: Diamant (STIB MIVB
Lines T 7, 25)
3. Avenue du Verseau near Roodebeek Park. Nearest bus stop: Heydenberg (STIB MIVB Lines B 80)
4. Rue des Tritomas, Berenshide, Avenue des Cailles and Avenue des
Halletons near Ferme du Chant des Cailles. Nearest metro stop: Demey (STIB MIVB Lines M5)
5. Les cerisiers du Japon inside Parc Josaphat from Av. des
Glycines. Nearest tram stop: Louis Bertrand (STIB MIVB
Lines T7).
This is NOT an exhaustive list. There are many more streets with Cherry
Blossoms lined on either side. Here’s an idea. Try to look at the map and
find the streets named ‘Avenue …’ near where you live/study/work. There
is a good chance that at least a couple of those would be Avenues of
Cherry Blossom trees. Let me know in the comments below of the other
avenues of Cherry blossoms in Brussels that you’ve been to.
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MAGNOLIA IN BRUSSELS
While there are not as many avenues of Magnolia, as much as Cherry Blossoms,
there are some streets (avenues) with Magnolia trees lined up. In the right
season, they are in full bloom and are absolutely picturesque!
When is the best time to see Magnolia in Brussels: Mid-Mar to Early-Apr
Where to see Magnolia flower trees in Brussels:
1. Avenue Michel Ange which connects Cinquantenaire Park and Square
Ambiorix. Nearest metro stop: Schuman (STIB MIVB Lines M1
& 5)
2. Avenue de la Dynastie in Parc de Laeken. Nearest tram stop:De Wand (STIB MIVB Lines T7)
Again, this is NOT an exhaustive list. If you know more, let me know!
DAISIES IN BRUSSELS
One of the simplest and easiest flowers that you can see here in April is
Daisies. Most of the places with a large grassy area would be dotted with
these gorgeous, stunning little flowers. All parks, on the green patches on
road dividers, in the middle of roundabouts, and even in the front yards of
many houses – you will spot Daisies everywhere!
