In an era of fast tourism, budget flights, and crowded campsites, a quiet revolution is growing—one tent at a time, in ordinary backyards across Europe and beyond. At the center of this movement stands Welcome to My Garden, a not-for-profit network that connects slow travelers (mostly cyclists and hikers) with warm-hearted citizens willing to offer a free spot to pitch a tent in their garden for the night.
The platform was born from a personal adventure. In 2019, Belgian couple Dries and Manon embarked on an 11-month, 13,500 km bicycle journey from Brussels to Tokyo, crossing 21 countries. Along the way, they were hosted countless times by generous strangers. These human connections—simple conversations over tea, stories shared under the stars—left a deep impression.
Back in Belgium during the 2020 travel restrictions, they decided to recreate that magic on a smaller, more local scale. What started as an experiment (reportedly beginning in Dries’s parents’ garden) quickly grew into Welcome to My Garden—a citizen-powered alternative to commercial hospitality platforms.
How It Works
The concept is refreshingly straightforward:
- Hosts (anyone with a garden and an open mind) register and add their spot to the interactive map, describing facilities (toilet, shower, power, kitchen access, etc.), vibe, and any preferences.
- Travelers (primarily people traveling slowly by bike or on foot) become members, browse the map, and send stay requests directly to hosts.
- Stays are free—no payment is expected or allowed for the camping spot itself.
- Typical stays are short (often limited to 1–2 nights per the community rules/guidelines).
- Everything is arranged directly between host and guest via the platform’s messaging.
To keep the platform running, cover server costs, development, and small-team maintenance, Welcome to My Garden operates on a membership model for travelers: a modest yearly fee allows access to contact hosts and use the full system. Hosts join for free. This “fair model” distributes the burden across thousands of users rather than relying on advertising or commissions.
Numbers That Tell the Story (as of recent updates)
- Over 4,300 gardens listed worldwide
- More than 57,000 stay requests sent through the platform
- 30,000+ to 57,000+ users (estimates vary slightly across updates)
- Started mainly in Belgium, now active across much of Europe and starting to appear further afield
Who Is It For?
Welcome to My Garden explicitly targets slow travelers:
- Long-distance cyclists following EuroVelo routes, national long-distance paths, or personal routes
- Hikers on multi-day treks
- People traveling with low environmental impact and high curiosity about local life
It is not designed for motorhome/van travelers, car-based touring, or people looking for long-term accommodation. The spirit is human connection + gentle exploration rather than convenience or luxury.
Unique Atmosphere and Community
What sets Welcome to My Garden apart from apps like Warmshowers, Couchsurfing, or paid campsites is its deliberate focus on:
- Non-commercial ethos — no one profits from hosting
- Slowness as a value — giving time to places and people
- Community events — e.g., the annual Velotour Festival (a 3-day group bicycle tour in Belgium with ~150 participants), meetups in gardens, and initiatives like the Slow Travel Pass (curated multi-day routes)
- Related projects — Manon’s documentary Women Don’t Cycle (about female cyclists worldwide, filmed during their Tokyo journey) has been screened widely and premiered online for the community
Hosts and travelers frequently describe the experience as surprisingly warm and personal. Many exchanges evolve into friendships, shared meals, or even reciprocal visits years later.
Final Thoughts
Welcome to My Garden proves that meaningful travel doesn’t require exotic destinations or big budgets—just a tent, a bicycle (or good walking shoes), and the willingness to knock on a stranger’s garden gate.
In the words of the founders: “The most meaningful and memorable experiences happen when we take our time to explore and engage with our surroundings.”
If you’re planning a multi-day cycling or hiking trip in Europe (or feel inspired to start one), visit https://welcometomygarden.org, read the FAQ and rules carefully, consider becoming a member, and discover hundreds of potential friendly backyards waiting along your route.
