Writer: Anna Nilsson Spets
You don't have to go to Holland to see tulips from Amsterdam... My work friend Kristel and I meet up with my daughter Emma who came to visit her elderly mother in Belgium.
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We take the train to the outskirts of Brussels, more specifically to Groot-Bijgarden, which is a small den best known for its castle and church.
Between the first days of April and the beginning of May, the castle opens the gates to its park and the Floralia event that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The season begins with early-flowering bulbous plants such as pearl hyacinths, crocuses and daisies.
Then follow daffodils, hyacinths and tulips in different batches and, as when we arrived, the medium and late tulips are in full bloom. 400 different types of tulips... 1 million bulbs. Hallelujah
Some days there are special activities such as a parade with Venetian masks or for children; meet Maya the Bee, a beloved character in Belgium.
We start with a coffee of course before we dive into a world of colors. The café is outdoors, the weather is great but the coffee tastes crap.
Groot-Bijgarden has a longer history than the tulip garden. The first part of the castle was built in the 12th century, with other buildings added in the centuries that followed.
During the latter part of the 19th century, the castle and its surroundings fell into serious disrepair, and a 30-year renovation began around 1920. Today, it is a well-maintained historic building in private ownership, and the castle can be rented for events and celebrations.
There is a moat and a number of smaller bridges around the castle. Canada geese and various ducks swim around and don't take much notice of us.
It's stunningly beautiful, rows of tulips and newly-blooming trees. A treat for the soul.
The history of the cultivated tulip goes back as far as the 16th century. The very name tulip comes from the Persian word dulband, which means turban.
The original form of the tulip originated in Iran and spread to Europe in the 17th century with a hype of collector mania and sky-high prices. A single bulb could cost a whole year's salary, it was called the whole tulip fever and eventually the stock market crashed and the fever came to an end.
Adjacent to the castle there is a small shop where you can buy some great bulbs and tubers. We shop and head home with our hearts full of all the colors of the palette.
Photos: Anna Nilsson Lace and Emma Karlström Lace
Good to know about Groot-Bijgarden
- Location: Dilbeek, on the outskirts of Brussels
- Getting here: Easiest by car, otherwise train to station Groot-Bijgarden, 10 minutes walk.
- Tickets: Online or at the entrance
- More info: Floralia-brussels
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Anna Nilsson Spets
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BP says:
What a wonderful explosion of color! Many of these beauties I have never seen before. I'm not a fan of tulips as cut flowers, but I love the splendor of the flowers.
Too bad the coffee wasn't great, but you can't have everything in life ;-)
Nice to have some background information too :-)
April 28, 2026 - 19:28
Linda says:
Beautiful photos. So nice to see our Canada geese in faraway places. Thank you for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
April 29, 2026 - 0:23
Anna Nilsson says:
Thanks for reading. Gooses are common here, not always very loved
April 29, 2026 - 6:22
Anna Nilsson says:
Thanks for reading, I love tulips in all their forms. The coffee was really good.
April 29, 2026 - 6:16