Parks

Brussels is a ‘green’ city with a lot of parks, woods and gardens. When you walk thru Brussels you will find some places were you can chill, relax and enjoy the park life, because one quarter of the total region area is allocated to forests and parks.

Bois de la Cambre
The most famous park of Brussels is Le Bois de la Cambre located at the end of Avenue Louise in the southern section of Brussels. You can take the tram 92 or 93. In the centre you find a small lake with an island in its centre that can be reached by an electrically operated pontoon. The best time to go to the park is during weekend because the park will be closed to traffic. During mid week there are a few busy roads with fast-moving traffic run through it so then you have to take care. Furthermore you will see a lot of locals ride bikes, skates, roller blades, or just walk around. You can also rent a rowing boat or a pedal boat at the lake in the middle of the park. The park is pretty big (123 hectares, but what you see of the park is only a small part of ‘La forêt de Soigne’, a giant wood south of the Bois. This is no longer a park with playing areas and regularly mown grass, but a forest that stretches almost to Waterloo. The wood is also open to the public and is a popular place for horse riding, mountain biking and nature discovering.

At night the park Bois de la Cambre contains a disco bar as you can read in section nightlife. The place is called the Jeux d’Hiver and is located in the middle of the first section of Le Bois de la Cambre.    

Parc Du Cinquantenaire or Jubelpark
Parc Du Cinquantenaire or Jubelpark was designed to celebrate the half centenary of Belgium's 1830 independence. King Leopold II commissioned the creation of this park with the triumphal arch. The Cinquantenaire (Golden Jubilee) Park was a work in progress from the 1870s until the 20th century. The park consists gardens and in the centre a triumphal arch topped by a bronze four-horse chariot sculpture, representing Brabant Raising the National Flag. Today, you can visit some of its museums, Autoworld and the Jubelpark Museum, or you can rest on the grass and admire the nice houses. The Great Mosque and the Temple of Human Passions (Victor Horta's first monument) can also be found here. Every year on July 21st, on the occasion of National Festival Day, there is an evening fireworks display.

Parc de Bruxelles
Parc de Bruxelles or Brussels Park is located at rue Royale and near by Métro: Parc, between Parliament and the Royal Palace. The park was laid out in the 18th century as a landscaped garden. During the War of Independency patriots of Belgium and Holland fought at this place for their freedom. So if you’re lying in the grass of the park you have to imagine that they fought at this place. Nowadays it is a fashionable place to stroll and to meet friends. The park is not very big, but is well trimmed and has nice trees and bushes. In 2001, the park was closed for refurbishment and restored as close as possible to its 18th century look. The band stand from 1840 has been refurbished, with the promise that it will host regular summer concerts.

Mont des Arts
The Mont des Arts is located in the centre of Brussels within walking distance of the Grand Place and central station. It is the cultural heart of the city and that means you can see for example a concert at the Palais des Beaux-arts, workshops and different exhibitions. The garden of the Mont des Arts is renewed in 1955 and has an assemblage of trees, plants, and fountains, a children's play area, new paths, benches, and access points. There’s enough to do or see in this cultural place.