7 Amazing Green Areas And Parks In Brussels
Located in the heart of Europe, Brussels is known for a lot of things, such as beer and waffles.
Little did we know that there are so many green areas and parks worth exploring, with beautiful views, fauna and flora.
In this article we will show you our favourite parks in the Brussels area, where you can enjoy your afternoons and explore when visiting the country!
So, letโs hop on and explore!
Take a look at the map for an overview of all the parcs we list in this Blog post:
#1 - Bois de la Cambre / Ter Kamerenbos
ยฉ agenda.brussels
We cannot talk about parks in Brussels without referring to the Bois de la Cambre!
Located in the southern part of the Brussels Capital-Region, this beautiful urban public park is huge and serves as a connection to the Sonian Forest, which we will be talking about in a moment.
In the centre of the park there is a lake and, from April to October, you can rent a boat to go paddling on the water!
In the middle of this lake is an island, with a restaurant called โChalet Robinsonโ. To enjoy its cozy atmosphere and great views, you just need to take a small ferry next to where you can rent the boats.
This is a preferred spot for locals to jog and run, and can get pretty crowded on sunny days! It offers an extensive open area where you can have a picnic or even just sunbathe, as well as numerous paths where you can enjoy nice walks in nature.
#2 - Forรชt de Soignes / Zoniรซnwoud
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Arguably the most beautiful green area on this list, the 4,421 hectare forest is located by the Bois de la Cambre park, at the southeast edge of Brussels.
The forest extends all the way to the Flanders Region, with only 40% of the area as part of the Brussels Capital-Region.
Every time we walked here we felt like we were being transported to a different planet. You donโt hear the noise of cars anymore, just the sound of nature and the wind. This forest is the green lung of Brussels, so you do feel the benefits of the fresh air when you spend some time here.
It is a very refreshing place when you need to disconnect from the hustle of the city. Itโs a great place to practice all kinds of sports, such as horse-riding, cycling and running. If youโre quiet, you might spot some wild animals along the way, such as rabbits, foxes, dear and rarely even boar!
Today, the best conserved and protected areas of The Sonian Forest are part of the Unesco World Heritage.
#3 - Parc du Cinquantenaire / Jubelpark
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Located in the European Quarter, Parc du Cinquantenaire is a beautiful urban park on the easternmost part of Brussels.
It is referred in every single tourist map, because of its location and the beautiful triumphal arch and nearby monuments and museums.
We personally love this park! It is much smaller than the Bois de la Cambre but has more amenities in the surroundings, with restaurants and snack bars where we would usually order food to eat in the park.
Always check for events before-hand, as this park is often used to host concerts, events and celebrations throughout the year!
Despite being a touristy place, it remains calm and enjoyable. We recommend that you bring a snack and head there just in time for sunset. Summer evenings in the park are a must in Brussels!
#4 - Parc de Tervuren / Park van Tervuren
ยฉ Janos Kertesz
๏ปฟSituated on the outskirts of Brussels in the Flanders region, this park is just a bike ride away from the centre of the city!
This area was once home to the duke of Brabant and is now historically renowned with plenty of statues all around and, most importantly, the famous Royal Museum for Central Africa.
We found this park to be perfect for picnics. The green area is huge so thereโs plenty of space for everyone, including in the shade. You will also find some really nice cafes and restaurants in the area where you can grab something to eat and drink if you donโt have anything with you!
Tervuren park is especially loved among locals as it is very calm all year long. You will see plenty of people hiking and biking in the forested area of this park, as the paths as very well kept and you can stay fresh even in warmer months.
If you enjoy exploring nature and birdwatching in a calmer setting, this park should definitely be on your list when you visit Brussels!
#5 - Parc Roi Baudouin / Koning Boudewijnpark
ยฉ visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy
Itโs in the North West of Brussels, between the municipalities of Jette and Ganshoren, that you can find this very calm park.
Covered with forested areas and open grass fields, in this park you can find very nice ponds and beautiful paths that are worth exploring! This is the starting point to the Green Walk, a 63 km long walk, divided in seven sections, that circles around Brussels and passes through some of its most famous green areas.
If you are travelling with kids you will be happy to know that there is a large playing area dedicated to the little ones inside the park!
#6 - Parc Forest / Vorst Park
By far the smallest park on this list, the Parc Forest is easily accessible by metro and bus from the city centre.
This is more of a city park, as it is surrounded by streets and buildings, and you wonโt feel like you are in nature as much as with the other parks we mentioned.
Once you arrive to the park you can hear the sound of birds and specially parrots, as here you will find an enormous population of Rose-Ringed Parakeets that nest in the trees.
During sunny days, and specially in the afternoon, this park can get a bit busy, as very often locals hang out here after a day of work! Because we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the park, we were here very often despite it being a bit crowded at times.
Keep in mind that the landscape in this park is very undulating, meaning youโll be walking up and down a lot. We found it to not be easily accessible for mobility-impaired visitors.
#7 - Parc de Woluwe / Woluwepark
ยฉ Springhill Stories
Probably one of our favourite parks in Brussels, Woluwe Park is one of the largest parks in the city.
Even though it is located in a very urban setting, this very green park remains calm and peaceful. Once inside, it is easy to forget that you are in a big city!
There are plenty of beautiful walks in the area, including the 63km Green Walk that passes through the park, so we found it perfect for joggers and bikers alike. We really enjoyed running here and always found it to be very safe and well maintained.
The landscape will vary a lot. You will see everything from forests to open areas and lakes. There are a lot of ducks, geese and swans to be seen in the ponds, as well as other types of birds and wildlife around.
As with every park in Brussels, it can get a little crowed on hot summer days, but donโt let it stop you! The area of the park is so big that you will eventually find a nice spot to relax.
It is in our opinion a must-visit if you enjoy long walks in the park and prefer a large area in a quieter setting!
Few cities in Europe have the same dedication to green areas as Brussels does. Every neighbourhood has its own green space, and you donโt have to walk far to find one!
Even though is was not our favourite destination, we definitely recommend you visit the parks if youโre passing through Brussels!
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Until next time, keep on travelling!
Luca & Ana
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