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Did you know you can also see beautiful tulip fields in Belgium? When we think of tulip fields the only answer that comes to mind is the Netherlands.
But guess again!
We also have beautiful tulip fields right here in Belgium that are free to visit! And in this guide I will tell you exactly where you can find them and why they are here in the first place.
Besides tulip fields there are a lot of other beautiful places to see Spring in Belgium and if you’re into photography you’ll love these hidden gems in Belgium!
- Tulip season in The Netherlands
- Taking photos at the tulips in Belgium
- When to visit the tulip fields in Belgium
- How to reach the tulips in Belgium
- Staying near the tulip fields
The Best Place to see Tulips in Belgium
The start of Spring means that tulip season is right around the corner. Every year from mid-April until the start of May the tulip fields burst out in all of their vibrant colours and every year thousands of people from all over the world flock to The Netherlands to see this spectacle.
It’s a beautiful sight and up until last year I always thought it was only possible to actually see this phenomenon in The Netherlands. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong cause last year I discovered I only had to drive 20 minutes to see the most beautiful tulip fields for myself!
And the best part? These tulip fields in Belgium aren’t a tourist attraction. They are known by the locals who live in that area and during tulip season they go for a walk in the neighbourhood or grab their bicycle.
Tulip season in The Netherlands
The tulips in The Netherlands are one of the biggest export products of this country. They have over 11.000 hectares dedicated to tulip fields but some Dutch farmers found their way to Belgium!
The exact location of these tulip fields is revealed at the end of this article!
Every year they rent a couple of fields from local farmers in Belgium and right before Winter hits they plant thousands of tulip bulbs. These bulbs actually need the cold of the winter to grow into a beautiful tulip come Spring.
They do this because tulips are very delicate flowers and they are very sensitive to diseases. For this reason the farmers have to change parcel every 6 to 7 years to plant their bulbs. This is the only way to guarantee their growth!
The tulips that are planted on the fields in Belgium are only used for their bulbs. This means that they’ll stay until they are fully blossomed and then they’re cut off and the bulbs are taken out again. These bulbs are then exported to Asia, America and the Middle East.
Until then these beautiful flower fields in Belgium can shine in all their glory and bring colour to the area.
Taking photos at the tulips in Belgium
It is very important to know that when you’re taking photos in these flower fields you’re standing in between someone’s way to earn a living. Unlike in many other gardens in Belgium such as the Vredehof tulip garden these tulip fields aren’t fenced off.
There are a ton of wider walking paths between the different fields. You can use these for taking photos and I can guarantee you that you don’t have to stand in the tulips to get a beautiful photo! All you need sometimes is a little change of perspective!
It is your own responsibility to be careful and to not damage the tulips. Last year it was even possible at one spot to cut your own tulips for a couple of Euro’s! But more on that later! 🙂
GOOD FLOWER FIELD BEHAVIOR 🌺🌷🌸🌼
- 🌷Don’t pull out any flowers to take home or as a prop to take photos!
- 🌷If a tulip field is fenced off you can’t enter!
- 🌷Always be careful if you’re standing close to the tulips, make sure not to step too close to them.
- 🌷Don’t touch the tulips – Your hands are full of bacteria and this can cause diseases.
- 🌷Don’t stand, lay or sit in/on the tulips!
ALSO READ – Hallerbos Forest – Everything you need to know to take beautiful photos at the blue forest in Belgium!
When to visit the tulip fields in Belgium
The best time to see the tulips in Belgium is usually the last two weeks of April, depending on the weather. If the weeks before the average temperature is much higher than normal their peak blooming period can be a little earlier.
You can get a good idea by looking at other flowers and blossoms. The tulips usually start to bloom right after the cherry blossoms and hyacints.
How to reach the tulips in Belgium
You can find these flower fields in Belgium in the North of Waasland. Every year a part of this region gets used by Dutch farmers to plant new tulip bulbs and around mid April thousands of tulips brighten up this area with their vibrant colours.
Last year you could see the tulip fields at the Rode Moerpolder and the Koningskieldrechtpolder in Meerdonk. Often farmers changes fields in between years but they will definitely be in that neighbourhood! This is the ideal area cause to properly grow tulips they need a lot of water. And for the local farmers it’s a pretty good deal as well!
They used these fields to grow sugar beets but ever since the closure of the sugar factory in Meerdonk their demand has gone way down. This way they can earn extra money by renting out their fields!
The easiest way to reach these fields is by car and you just park in one of the nearby streets.Make sure not to park in front of anyone’s driveway and that you’re not blocking the road!
Another option is to take public transport but I honestly do not recommend it. For instance, this area is only 10 minutes driving from Antwerp but by bus it will take you longer than 1,5 hour! Public transport in Belgium really isn’t the best, especially not on the countryside!
Staying near the tulip fields
The most beautiful times to capture the tulips are sunrise and sunset so why not stay in Antwerp so you can enjoy these special moments to the fullest!
Below you’ll find some of my favourite hotels to stay in Antwerp
- Hilton Antwerp Old Town– When its comes to location, you can’t go better than the Hilton! Located in the heart of Antwerp on the Groenplaats this hotel is so spectacular and hosts a few impressive ballrooms that are perfect for hosting a wedding.
- Rosier10– This small B&B only has 4 rooms available and each one of them is decorated completely different!
- Hotel Diamonds and Pearls– This tiny hotel is tucked away in one of the many side streets in the heart of Antwerp. All rooms have period furnishings so you’ll feel like you’re staying in a historic house
Charlotte
Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.
