Groot-Bijgaarden Castle

The Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden is a fairytale medieval moated castle on the edge of Brussels, surrounded by a moat and monumental gardens. The castle itself dates partly from the 12th century and was thoroughly restored in the 20th century. The gardens are best known for the annual Floralia flower festival in April and May, when more than a million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths make the grounds shine.

Accessibility of the gardens is good during the flower festival: the organisation has mapped out specific wheelchair-friendly routes with paved paths or firmly packed gravel. There are enough rest benches and seating areas along the route. The main entrance is step-free and wheelchairs can be rented on site on request. The castle itself is not or only partly accessible inside during the festival due to historic stairs, but can be beautifully admired from the outside.

Adapted toilets are present at the reception and at several locations along the garden route. A large car park with disabled parking spaces is located directly at the entrance. Outside the festival season the grounds are usually closed to the public. A combination with nearby Zaventem or a day trip to Brussels is easily feasible by train from the nearby station.