This article first appeared in
My Travelogue by Bhushavali
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!
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.
Where is the tulip farm in Brussels (Ferme du Chant des Cailles) (on Google Maps)? Ferme du Chant des Cailles
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.
All about Floralia Brussels: Click here for
my article on the Tulip Gardens in Belgium
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.
Also read: Bluebells in Halle (Hallerbos Hyacinten), Royal Greenhouses of Laeken.
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)
3. Meise Plantentuin (Meise Botanic Garden) has an area dedicated to
magnolias.
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!
I must admit that every spring I long for a trip to see vast fields in bloom with tulips. I always thought I would need to visit Amsterdam or other spots in the Netherlands. So I was surprise to read about tulip fields in Belgium. I am fascinated by the variety of colours that the tulips come in. Good reminder about not picking the tulips! And a hard one to tell kids about! We may just have to plan a visit for Floralia Brussels and get our fill of the colourful sights.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great guide to the tulip fields in Belgium. We have some in the north of Italy but not to this scale! Also we can collect the tulips here for a cost of course. I’d most like to see the cherry blossoms, the colours are mesmerising and we don't have that here.
ReplyDeleteGood to know that there are tulip fields in Belgium as well. I have always been fascinated by them. Very good that you emphasized what not to do at tulip farms which I unfortunately witnessed too much of - while people trampled over the flowers to get that Instagram shot. Great guide and pretty pictures. I would pout too if i was told I could not get to pluck and bring the tulips home.
ReplyDeleteWe all know about tulips in Netherlands, but to see them up close in your country of residence is so much more exciting. Delhi also held a Tulip festival in spring with 1,20,000 spread across the diplomatic areas. This was the first time, I saw the famed tulips up close. I could just imagine the fields in Belgium while reading your post--so colourful and your daughter learnt about them too.
ReplyDeleteI am Belgian myself (but we live in France) and to be honest, I had no idea there were Tulips in my country. My partner has been rambling about seeing them over at Netherlands but now I know we don't have to go far and can see have fields in my country. This will be on top of our list for next Spring when we visit family in Belgium!
ReplyDeleteI thought tulips are only in the Netherlands, but I did not know there are so many tulip fields in Belgium. Tulips in Belgium
ReplyDeletewith Cherry Blossoms and Magnolias blossoms seem perfect for a spring trip. The season is short so it's good to plan a trip properly. Great tips on illegal trespassing or plucking of tulips. I love the idea that reaching them by public bus is possible! I want to visit Urban Farming in Brussels at Ferme du Chant des Cailles. I want to see them Sunday afternoon when they organize a small market with their produce. Pictures of Atyudarini in those tulip fields are fantastic!
I am in awe of how colorful these tulip fields are! I adore your photographs. Those cherry blossoms are really gorgeous. They're all such a visual delight. Additionally, I'm hoping that upcoming visitors will safeguard the flowers by not picking them.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a tulip farm some day, I can imagine what a sight it is to see colour all around you. It's very good to remember people not to trespass, that those fields are not for their entertainment but someone's livinghood. I am surprised that the entry to the tulip farms in Belgium is free and you only pay per plant. I am used to the lavender fields here in the UK, where you have to pay to get in, and then pay some more if you want to buy flowers - you can't pick them yourself most of the times though, they are already cut and available at the farm's shop.
ReplyDeleteLet me just say that I'm ABSOLUTELY jealous!! I've never seen tulip fields like this in person. Although, I've always thought about going to The Netherlands. I think Belgium would be a great choice, too (and maybe not as crowded?). Your photos are so lovely, and I'm glad that I got to experience it through your eyes. It's so inspiring!
ReplyDelete