With sun comes Belgians. Belgians are masters at making the most of pretty days – a necessity in the oft-rainy lowlands – and it shows in their capital’s countless parks.
When the weather is good, there’s no better way to explore Brussels than to do as locals do and seek out a sunny spot of green. The experience is more cultural than you might expect, from hidden palace gardens to abbeys in urban forests, the best parks in Brussels have all kinds of surprises up their alleys. Here are the 9 best.
Forêt de Soignes
Hiking in the woods might seem far-fetched in a small, densely populated country like Belgium, but the Forêt de Soignes is a southern stone’s throw away from Brussels. Once a favorite hunting ground of the Hapsburg Imperial family, the Unesco-listed ancient beech forest is now more welcoming to creatures of all classes and species.
Juggle greetings of bonjour and dag as you traverse miles of bicycle, walking, and horse paths crisscrossing forest spanning both Wallonia and Flanders. No excursion in the Sonian Forest is complete without a stop at Rouge Cloitre, a 14th-century Augustinian abbey now featuring a contemporary art gallery.
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Botanical Garden of Brussels
Nothing says “Belgian” like a mishmash of cultures, meaning Brussels’ terraced Botanical Garden is the epitome of Belgian design. Conveniently located in the city center, its glittering central orangery (conservatory) was built in French Baroque style, its central gardens are of Italian design – despite featuring yellow irises, the official flower of Brussels – and classical bronze sculptures from Belgian artists stand watch over the grounds. Ticketed exhibitions are regularly held inside the orangery, but most people prefer to roam the maze of hedges and walkways on its lower terraces since they’re free and open to the public all day.
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Look to the east for the most regal city park in Brussels, Parc du Cinquantenaire. It’s impossible to miss thanks to the monumental Triumphal Arch towering at one end. Three grand museums branch off from the triple arch to encircle the carefully coiffed gardens: the Art and History Museum, Royal Military Museum and a vintage car museum, Autoworld.
No pressure to go museum-hopping – locals head to the park to jog or take advantage of its picnic tables and lawns when the weather is just right. For a change of perspective, go up the arches for a panoramic view of the park and part of Brussels’ Royal District, now home to the Belgian Parliament.
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Jean-Felix Hap Garden
Venture off the beaten path in search of Brussels’ “secret” parks. Somewhere between a large garden and a tiny park, local favorite Jean-Felix Hap Garden is a verdant space hidden inside a prim block of brick houses in the Etterbeek neighborhood of Brussels. Once the grounds of the Hap family mansion—back when Etterbeek was still a rural suburb of Brussels – the park is now an experiment in biodiversity in the east of the city.
Bois de la Cambre
New York has Central Park, Brussels has the Bois de la Cambre. Its manicured lawns and sloping paths are the place to be for hip youth and families alike on sunny days. Weekends are simultaneously calm and chaotic: cars are banned from entry, and its roads fill with bicycles, scooters, skateboards and even the occasional unicycle.
To make an afternoon of the Bois de la Cambre, start with a stroll around the park’s namesake, the Cistercian Abbaye de La Cambre. Amble south to the central lake, then ferry across the water to Chalet Robinson, a cozy restaurant on similarly named Robinson Island. There, indulge in Belgian beer and waffles – for the “culture” – or more substantial bites if you’re hungry after a long wander.
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Parc d’Egmont
Hiding behind an unassuming gate on the stately Rue aux Laines, Parc d’Egmont is another secret park in Brussels. The intimate gardens were previously part of the Parc d’Egmont lining their eastern end, but they’re now open to anyone able to find them. The petit park is popular with dog walkers, but everyone is welcome to enjoy a spot of brunch on the wide, shady terrace of La Fabrique en Ville, a small café in the center of the park.
Jardin Mont des Arts
The vibrant Jardin du Mont des Arts offers one of the best views in Brussels, especially on spring or summer evenings when the garden is in full bloom. Geometric hedges and flower arrangements sit atop a single concrete slab, its fountain-lined edges drawing eyes to a spectacular panoramic view of Brussels’ Grand Place. Mont des Arts is no secret and the garden can be busy during the day. It’s best to visit in the evening around sunset for one of the best views in Brussels. Don’t leave once the sun sets – the garden transforms into one of the most romantic parks in Brussels once illuminated by the lights of the Grand Place.
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Promenade Vert
If working up a sweat is on the itinerary, look no further than Brussels’ Promenade Vert, a 60km (37mi) route around the city connecting all kinds of natural spaces, historical buildings and more. Divided into seven connected areas with separate routes for pedestrians and cyclists, the well-marked paths are some of the best places to jog or cycle in Brussels. Ride along a walkway following an abandoned railroad track, jog past an 18th century wooden windmill in Woluwe-Sint-Lambert, or take a breather under castle spires in the royal Parc de Laeken.
Parc Josaphat
For those with little ones in tow, Parc Josaphat is one of the best parks in Brussels for families. While kids scamper around on the playgrounds or lawns, parents can relax from the comfort of a café terrace with tea (or something stronger) in hand. To keep finicky younglings engaged, play some holes at Minigolf Josaphat on the north side of the park. Designed in 1954 by Belgian landscape architect Réne Pechère, it’s one of the oldest in Belgium and has a refined – if aged – feel to it.
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