Visiting the Flower Carpet in Brussels in 2024 (Incl. a Secret Viewing Spot)

If you are a flower lover like me, visiting the Flower Carpet in Brussels should be at the top of your bucket list. If you want to plan a trip to the Flower Carpet in Brussels in 2024, then this post is for you.

The Brussels Flower Carpet is a bi-annual event (every even year) that attracts people from all over the world. It is truly an amazing event to see in person, however there is a really small window to actually catch the Flower Carpet in action, so pre-planning is key.

Not only am I going to give you all the tips to plan a perfect trip, I’m even including a secret spot where you can enjoy an areal view of the Flower Carpet in Brussels!

Keep reading for my tips on visiting the Flower Carpet in Brussels in 2024, including my secret viewpoint!

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What is the Flower Carpet in Brussels?

The Flower Carpet in Brussels is a bi-annual event that takes place right in the city center at the Grand Place. Over 1 million fresh flowers are hand-placed in brilliant patterns covering the entire Grand Place.

The event is organized by the Tapis De Fluers de Bruxelles, a not-for-profit organization in Brussels. Each year a new themed is chosen by the organization ranging from countries, whole regions to specific people.

In 2018, when we visited, the theme was cultural elements from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico represented for their deep of flowers in this region. Other past themes have been a Japanese design in 2016 to honor the Belgium and Japanese 150-year friendship, and in 2014 Turkish immigrants were honored on the 50th anniversary of the signing of a treaty allowing immigrants.

The flower carpet in Brussels is ALWAYS constructed using begonias, one of Belgium’s major exports since 1860. Over 1 million fresh begonias flowers are delivered

Today, the carpet measures 77 meters x 24 meters and is built by about 100 volunteers in less than 8 hours. It is really a sight in itself to watch the flower carpet being constructed.

When is the Next Flower Carpet in Brussels?

The Flower Carpet in Brussel occurs every 2 years in mid-August at the Grand Place in Brussels. The event coincides with the celebration of Assumption Day and only last for one long weekend (starting on Thursday and ending on the following Monday).

The next Flower Carpet in Brussels in 2024 should be held from Thursday, August 15th through Monday, August 19th. As of now, the dates are not officially confirmed, but historically the event has taken place on the nearest weekend to August 15th.

History of the Flower Carpet in Brussels

If you are wondering, who was the first to think of creating flower carpets, it is the work of the landscape architect Etienne Stautemas, born in Zottegem, Belgium in 1927.

He began to create carpets of flowers in the early 1950s starting with small rug-sized creations. After years of testing larger designs, now more than 180 flower carpets have been created spanning multiple cities in Europe, South America and even in Columbus, Ohio.

However it is said that “nowhere is the carpet so magnificent and distinguished as on the old and unique Grand-Place in Brussels”.

The first Flower Carpet in Brussels was in the year 1971, however it was not until 1986 that the event became reoccurring.

Today the Flower Carpet occurs every 2 years (on the even year) during mid-August. In recent years, the event has evolved to incorporate light shows, sound, a firework celebration on opening night (Thursday), and local folk festivities.

How to Get to Brussels City Center

We highly recommend taking the train to Brussels if you are coming from another European city.  The main station, Brussel-Centraal, is about a 5-minute walk from the Grand Place.

If you are arriving into the main Brussels International airport, the fastest way to get to the center of Brussels is by a 20-minute taxi. For a cheaper, but longer option, take the IC train directly from the airport (station: Brussels Airport – Zaventem) just two stops to the city center (station: Brussels – Centraal) for a 30 minute ride.

If you plan to come by car, which really isn’t needed to get around Brussels, there is public parking near the Grand-Place at Interparking – Parking Grand-Place, Rue Marché aux Herbes 104.

Tips for Visiting the Flower Carpet in Brussels in 2024

• Plan about 3-4 months ahead if you want to stay a night or two in Brussels during this weekend because hotels will sell out.  In particular, the hotel with the best views will sell out 6 months in advance of the event
• Visiting the Flower Carpet in Brussels from the ground is absolutely FREE!
• However, you can pre-purchase tickets for viewing the Flower Carpet from the balcony of the City Hall in the Grand Place square starting from Thursday after 1pm for 6 EUR
• There are no hours for viewing the flower carpet from the ground, it can be viewed 24 hours a day
• On opening night (Thursday) there is a light, sound and firework show at dusk to kick off the weekend
• If you want to watch the set up of the flower carpet or can’t make it to Brussels at all, you can actually watch everything from the live webcam

How Long Do you Need to See the Flower Carpet?

You only need about 30 minutes to an hour to view the Flower Carpet in Brussels from the ground. You can walk the length of the carpet admiring the different angles and the intricate buildings of the Grand Place in the background.

Also, you may want to plan some time to view the Flower Carpet from the balcony of the City Hall building in the Grand Place square for another vantage point. Book your ticket in advance so that you don’t have to wait in line.

Pro tip: If you arrive on the opening day of the festival you will be able to see the opening ceremony starting at dusk which includes a light show and fireworks!

The Secret View of the Flower Carpet and the Grand Palace in Brussels

I’ll Let You in on the Secret Viewpoint…

When visiting Brussels for the Flower Carpet event, you should strongly consider booking a room for a night or two at the Hotel Residence Le Quinze. Here you will truly find the best views over the Grand Place and with a private window!

This hotel is located right in the Grand Place square and is a very key location to view the Flower Carpet unobstructed right from your hotel window. 

Make sure you book the hotel room with a Grand Place view, otherwise you will be looking out of the cute courtyard in the back of the hotel.  Breakfast is included in the room rate.  Also, our favorite restaurant in Brussels to get mussels, ‘T Kelderke, is on the bottom level of the hotel – how perfect!

I would make sure you secure a room here during the Flower Carpet weekend 3 or 4 months in advance. You can check availability and pricing using the button below.

Additional Options with a view of the Grand Place

Cocoon Brussels

Photo via Booking.com | Book here

If the first hotel I recommended is not available, you may try out the newly renovated glamping-style loft. This room is located on a couple windows over from the Hotel Le Quinze, offering a similar view of the Grand Place and the Brussels Flower Carpet.

Plus this spot is insanely chic and unlike any other property in Brussels that I have seen. You can check availability and pricing using the button below.

Maison Grand Place 2BR 3

Photo via Booking.com | Book here

If you are traveling with a family and need a little more space, check out this 2 Bedroom quaint apartment in the center of the Grand Place.

When to Book a Room

Thursday is the first day of the weekend festivities. That means Thursday morning starting at sunrise, a hundred volunteers begin to construct the flower carpet by hand.

We booked our room for Wednesday night and Thursday night so we were able to watch the creation of the flower carpet. It is truly spectacular watching the carpet come to life.

Believe me, the view from above is phenomenal compared to the view from the street.  In addition, if you arrive on the opening day of the festival you will be able to see the opening ceremony starting at dusk which includes a light show and fireworks!

The carpet is fully complete by noon on Thursday and starting after noon you can go access the City Hall building and see an aerial view of the finished product. 

Have More Time in Brussels? What Else To Do in Brussels

Brussels is a great European city to spend a couple days. If you are visiting for the Flower Carpet, but wondering what else there is to do, here is a summary of the top things to do in the city of Brussels:

1. Stop by the famous Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels for a walk down memory lane of all the biennial flower carpets since the 1970’s
2. Sample chocolates and go on a chocolate making demonstration
3. Visit the Musee Royaux Des Beaux Arts which includes a range of modern and ancient art collections
4. Take yourself on a beer tour of Brussels, starting out at our favorite Cafe Delirium
5. If you haven’t at least once in your life, stop by the Manneken Pis statue for Europe’s weirdest statue
6. See the Palais Royal or take a tour inside during the summer months
7. Enjoy some time in the Mont Des Art garden

For the full post, check out A perfect day-tip to Brussels for more details

Final Thoughts!

If you are planning a visit to Brussels for the Flower Carpet event and have any further question leave a comment below.

You may also enjoy these other European flower related posts:

• Where to Find the Best Fields of Tulips in the Netherlands
• Where to Find the Best Lavender Fields in Provence
• How to Visit the Cherry Blossom Avenue in Bonn, Germany
• Spring in Paris: the Best Spots for Blossoms

You may also enjoy these other Belgium related posts:

• The Perfect 2-Day Brussels Itinerary
• A Weekend in Bruges, Belgium
• 11 Best Things To Do: Ghent Day-Trip Itinerary

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