How to Visit Groot-Bijgaarden Castle: Belgium’s Hidden Spring Flower Garden Near Brussels
Looking for a lesser-known spring day trip in Europe? Read on for everything you need to know before visiting Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, including how to get there from Brussels, what to see, when to go, nearby restaurants, and practical tips for your visit—from a Europe-based travel blogger.
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When spring comes to Europe, there’s a few places that can’t help but come to mind. But it’s not all about Keukenhof or tulip tours in Amsterdam.
In fact, some of the season’s most beautiful flowers can be found just a short train ride from Brussels (so yes, a Belgium trip is in order), in a castle called Groot-Bijgaarden.
In this guide, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know for your visit to one of the best and most hidden places to see tulip season in full bloom.
Shall we?
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
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🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
Why Visit Groot-Bijgaarden Castle in Spring?
Groot-Bijgaarden Castle doesn’t come with quite the same international fanfare as Europe’s bigger spring gardens, and for me, that’s exactly the appeal.
Set just outside Brussels, Groot-Bijgaarden Castle is a privately owned castle that opens up each spring for Floralia Brussels—a seasonal flower exhibition with more than a million spring bulbs planted across the estate—from tulips to daffodils and delightful hyacinths.
The result is a lovely castle visit, spring garden walk, tulip galore and a fabulous “how have I never heard of this?” Belgium day trip.
It’s especially worth visiting if you’re already planning a spring trip to Brussels, Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp and want to add something a little more seasonal to your itinerary.
What Is Floralia Brussels?
Floralia Brussels is the annual spring flower show held in the private park of Groot-Bijgaarden Castle. It usually runs for one month starting in early April (see this year’s dates here).
The display changes slightly throughout the season as different flowers bloom, so you’ll see a mix of early, mid and late-spring colour depending on when you visit.
Expect tulip beds, flower carpets beneath old trees, flower mazes, castle views and plenty of photo spots throughout the grounds.
How to Get to Groot-Bijgaarden Castle from Brussels by Train
Getting to Groot-Bijgaarden Castle by train is very doable from central Brussels, which is one of the reasons it makes such a good half-day trip.
From Brussels Central Station, take the S10 train towards Aalst and get off at Groot-Bijgaarden station.
P.S. — Before your journey (and travelling through Belgium in general) I recommend downloading the SNCB-NMBS App, it makes it very easy to buy tickets from your phone vs. waiting in queues at the station. I loved using it during my trip!
From there, it’s around a 15-minute walk to the castle, so the full journey takes around 35 minutes from Brussels. Use Google Maps or Citymapper for walking directions from the station the castle, it’s mainly walking straight!
Just bear in mind trains leave every 20-30 minutes, so plan your journey in advance.
How Long Do You Need at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle?
I’d give yourself around 2 hours for the visit.
That gives you enough time to wander the gardens at leisure, take photos, see the castle exterior, walk through the floral areas and stop for a drink or light bite if you fancy (there’s a café onsite and a lovely restaurant nearby, popped some recommendations below).
What to See at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle
Make sure you don’t miss:
The castle exterior
Groot-Bijgaarden Castle is a moated castle with a five-arch bridge, a drawbridge, a fortified entrance and a Flemish Renaissance-style main building. The castle itself dates largely from the 17th century, while the donjon dates back to around 1347.
The tulip beds
These are the obvious highlight, especially if you’re visiting for spring photos, filled with hundreds of different beds across the estate.
The moat and bridge views
Don’t just focus on the flowers. The castle setting is a huge part of what makes Groot-Bijgaarden special, especially from the bridge and water-facing viewpoints.
And that’s just to name a few…
Where to Eat Near Groot-Bijgaarden Castle
If you get peckish there’s a cafeteria inside the park’s greenhouse for light meals and drinks. Picnics aren’t allowed inside the park, so plan to either eat there or go somewhere nearby before or after your visit.
Personally I recommend popping out of the castle to the nearby restaurants in the Groot-Bijgaarden village.
You can either see what you fancy on the high street (which you’ll pass on route to the station) or you can visit 📍Brasserie Bijgaarden—a local brasserie serving Belgian dishes and local beer, right across the street from Groot-Bijgaarden.
A great option if you want a proper lunch or dinner before heading back to Brussels.
Things to Do Near Groot-Bijgaarden Castle
📍 Bruges
Groot-Bijgaarden is best treated as a half-day trip from Brussels or another Belgian city, rather than a full destination on its own.
After your visit, you could:
Head back to Brussels for the afternoon
This is the easiest option. You can pair Groot-Bijgaarden with a relaxed afternoon in central Brussels, the Grand Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Sainte-Catherine, the Sablon area or a proper Belgian lunch.
Combine it with a spring Belgium itinerary
This is also a lovely add-on if you’re already visiting Brussels, Ghent or Bruges in spring. I wouldn’t necessarily travel to Belgium only for Groot-Bijgaarden, but I would absolutely build it into a spring trip if you want something more seasonal than just city sightseeing.
Practical Tips for Visiting Groot-Bijgaarden Castle 🏰
🎟️ Book or check tickets before you go, especially during peak spring weekends.
🥿 Wears hoes that you’d be comfortable on walking paths with (but they can still be fabulous)
📸 Go earlier in the day if you want quieter photos. The park opens at 10am, and earlier visits will usually feel calmer than arriving in the middle of the afternoon. I went right for 10am and it was perfect, but definitely noticeably busier by 12:30/1pm.
☁️ Check the weather before you go. It’s still Belgium in spring, so layers and a small umbrella are never a bad idea…
🐕 Dogs are allowed on a leash, and the park is accessible for people with reduced mobility. Caretakers can enter for free.
Is Groot-Bijgaarden Castle Worth Visiting?
Yes—especially if you love spring flowers, castle settings and slightly quieter day trips.
Groot-Bijgaarden Castle isn’t trying to be Keukenhof, and that’s exactly why I liked it. It’s beautifully understated, more local, and more like a seasonal discovery than a major bucket-list attraction.
Come for the flowers, stay for the castle views, and leave feeling like you found one of Belgium’s loveliest spring secrets just outside Brussels.
Thanks for reading my Groot-Bijgaarden Castle Guide. If you end up visiting, let me know how it went on Instagram!
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Happy travels,
