Spring is just around the corner in Belgium. In some areas, buds are ready to burst, while in others, flowers are already starting to bloom. A favourite for this time of year is cherry blossoms. Luckily for lovers of these pink trees, there is no need to travel to Japan to admire them: Belgium is the perfect location for a day of blossom-spotting.
Cherry blossoms tend to start blooming in late March or early April and the season lasts until May, offering plant lovers weeks of the rose-tinted spectacle. There are several popular and lesser-known cherry blossom hotspots both in Brussels and further afield. From Laeken to Limburg, discover our favourites below.
Brussels
While the Belgian capital may not necessarily be known for its flora, it has garnered a reputation across the country for flaunting some of the most stunning displays of cherry blossoms. Why not spend a sunny spring day discovering hidden parts of the capital while spotting the colourful trees?
Schaerbeek
The northern commune is arguably the most illustrious of locations when it comes to spotting cherry blossoms, while Parc Josaphat is the most popular spot.
In the northern part of Schaerbeek's green lung, near the Louis Bertrand tram stop, the trees bend towards each other, forming a luscious pink canopy. Locals and visitors alike can regularly be spotted on the wooden benchen looking up at the spectacle.
Credit: Stephane Mignon
To the south of the commune, between the Plasky and Diamant neighbourhoods, lies the grand Avenue Emile Max. The houses in the typical Brussels architectural style and the cobblestone pavements add to this picture-perfect setting.
At the end of the blooming season, the street is blanketed in pink petals, another beautiful display.
Cherry blossom lined streets in Plasky, Schaerbeek. Credit: Onur Kir
Finally, one of the avenue's side streets, Avenue du Diamant, is another prime blossom-spotting location.
Laeken
The Royal Domain of Laeken – next to the public Parc de Laeken and close to the Atomium – is home to dozens of cherry blossoms, which stand near the historic glasshouses and the Japanese Tower.
Blossoms in Parc de Laeken and the Royal Domain of Laeken. Credit: Visit.brussels/ The Brussels Times
Unfortunately, the 187-hectare piece of land, which equates to 250 football fields in size, is closed to the public. However, for three weeks a year in the springtime, it becomes accessible during the annual opening of its greenhouses and part of the gardens. This year, the domain will be open to ticket-holders from Friday 18 April to Sunday 11 May. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 20 March at 13:00 and can be bought here.
Outside this period, people can admire the many Japanese cherry trees that surround the domain and are located in the public Parc de Laeken.
Etterbeek
Etterbeek is another top location in Brussels to admire cherry blossoms. In particular, Place Saint-Antoine and the adjacent Avenue Jules Malou in the south of Etterbeek in the Chasse neighbourhood offer one of the most beautiful sights in the commune when the Japanese cherry trees are in bloom.
The stunning Église Saint-Antoine on the square further adds to the charm.
Ixelles
Finally, one cherry blossom in the Brussels commune of Ixelles is so impressive that it was inscribed in Brussels' Natural Heritage Inventory in August last year.
Credit: heritage.brussels
The Japanese ornamental cherry tree on Place Georges Brugmann by the Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation (NDA) is approximately eight metres tall and 285 centimetres wide, making it the fourth largest of its species in Brussels.
Flanders
Japanese Gardens in Hasselt
With 225 cherry trees, this garden in the Limburg city is the largest in Europe. This year, the cherry blossom festival started on 1 March 2025, and soon, the pink trees will transform the location into a living painting.
Credit: Japanse Tuin
The site is also home to five Japanese apricot trees (with bright, white flowers) as well as pines, bamboos and plum trees (ume). It is also home to various Japanese monuments, such as a Shinto altar and a traditional gate.
To extend the experience, Japanese street food stalls offer food and traditional drinks, including steaming matcha tea, are served every weekend for a Japanese-style picnic. It also organises several late-night visits, turning on lanterns so the garden takes on a whole new dimension.
Tickets to visit the garden during this blooming period can be bought here.
Ghent
The Jozef Kluyskensstraat in Ghent has long been dubbed het Roze Straatje or the Pink Street, and around this time of year, it's clear to see why. The road, located around a 15-minute walk from the city centre, is lined with large Japanese cherry trees.
Credit: Stad Gent Dienst Toerisme
Every year, this magnificent pink display – providing the perfect photo op – draws hundreds of people to the otherwise quiet, cobblestoned street.
Huldenberg
Head to Huldenberg, more specifically the municipality of Neerijse, for a pleasant stroll which features a lane (dreef in Dutch) – the Prins de Bethunelaan – with cherry blossom trees on either side.
The Prins de Bethunelaan in Neerijse. Credit: Toerisme Vlaams Brabant
The walk continues towards the historic Margijsbos where walkers can visit the old Loonbeek watermill. Once exiting the forest, the landscape opens up, offering beautiful views amidst the rolling countryside.
