Best Parks and Gardens to Picnic in Brussels (Guest Post)
Traveling can sometimes mean a full, busy day of navigating from one attraction to the next and trying to fit in as much as you can. Sometimes, though, it is necessary to spend some time relaxing and simply taking in and enjoying a destination. If you travel with kids frequently, you know as much as I do that it is essential to give them time to run and stretch their legs. Visiting a local park or garden area can be the perfect way to combine an afternoon of relaxation for yourself and an opportunity for your kiddos to run and play. Below the experienced travel bloggers at Wanderlust Pulse present their list of the best parks and gardens in Brussels to have a picnic.
Nothing is more relaxing after a long day of exploring, discovering and walking around Brussels than taking a moment in one of Brussels’ parks to sit down, relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Brussels has dozens of beautiful parks and gardens, so we listed the best ones to enjoy a great picnic. Make sure to bring a camera when you’re discovering Brussels, because you’ll find a lot of stunning places where it’s easy to create a unique photograph.
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Parks and gardens in Brussels listed
Leopold Park
Address: Leopoldpark, 1000 Brussels
Leopold Park is a public park of 6.43 ha located within the Leopold Quarter (European Quarter) of Brussels.
Botanic Garden Meise
Address: Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise
The National Botanic Garden of Belgium is one of Europe’s largest botanic gardens.
Its location is just 3 km from the famous Atomium, and in easy reach of Brussels. You will discover a paradise for nature and plant lovers, and a historic domain that extends over 92 ha.
Malou Park
Address: Stokkelsesteenweg 45, 1200 Brussels
Park Malou is an urban park located in the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert municipality of Brussels.
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Address: Cinquantenaire Park, 1000 Brussels
The Parc du Cinquantenaire – Jubelpark in Dutch – is not only a park but a national landmark in Brussels. The name means ‘Park of the fiftieth anniversary’ and it was built during the reign of Leopold II to commemorate fifty years of Belgian independence.
Symbolically, the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels is built in the shape of a pentagon, like the inner and outer rings of the city. Cinquantenaire sits just outside the inner circle, and is close to the European Quarter.
Mont des Arts
Address: Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels
Mont des Arts – literally translated “hill/mount of the arts” – is an urban complex and historic site in the center of Brussels. It includes the Royal Library of Belgium, the National Archives of Belgium, the Square – Brussels Meeting Center, and a public garden.
Sonian Forest
Address: Sonian Forest, 1000 Brussels
With more than 5000 hectares space, this forest is Brussels main oxygen tank!
Bois de la Cambre
Address: Ter Kamerenbos, 1000 Brussels
Bois de la Cambre is a huge urban public park that is ideal for walking and various other activities.
Here you will find lakes, bicycle paths and even a small forest to explore. Very good choice to get away from the bustle of the center.
Botanique
Address: Rue Royale 236, 1210 Brussels
The Botanique is a cultural complex and music venue in Brussels.
The building was previously the main orangery of the National Botanic Garden of Belgium and even as part of the garden had hosted cultural events. In 1958, the National Botanic Garden of Belgium moved to Meise, outside of Brussels. Le Botanique opened in 1984, and the gardens in front are now the Botanical Garden of Brussels.
Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
Address: Koninklijk Parklaan 61, 1020 Brussels
Once a year – around Spring – the Royal Greenhouses are open to the public.
This time of year is the highlight of the blooming season, so the garden is at its best, replete with stunning colors and mesmerizing scents. Visitors are free to walk through the large complex of steel and glass greenhouses and marvel at the abundance of exceptional flowers and trees.
About the Author
Hello! We’re Wanderlust Pulse, a community of travel photographers aimed to help you discover new locations and learn more about photography.
We bring together a community of people who love travel photography by sharing our guides to map out upcoming travel plans, creating itineraries of past trips, and by sharing practical tips for on the road. Enjoy the ride!
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About Me
I’m Melissa, but you can call me Missy. I continuously crave a new adventure and love sharing those adventures with you! My sidekick is my 5 year old daughter. Together we are conquering the world, one city at a time! Find family travel tips and guides that will help you plan your next adventure!
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I’ve not been to Brussels in a while, and reading this reminds me that I need to revisit again. Botanic Garden Meise is really lovely, as is the Sonian forest. Two on my list should I return soon.
Wow, some of those Brussels parks are gorgeous! That castle at the Botanic Garden Meise looks fabulous and fun to explore. The Sonian Forest looks like it belongs in the Black Forest. 🙂
Oh wow – I never knew about quite a few of these amazing parks in Brussels. We really loved visiting Belgium a couple of years back but somehow didn’t get the chance to spend much time in Brussels. I remember feeling awed by the perfectly manicured gardens Mont des Arts back then. Next time around, would love to spend a few days in the city to explore it some more. A leisurely stroll and a picnic in these beautiful gardens seems like the perfect way to relax and take in the surrounding.
This article rings a bell, this is so true, while traveling we think of visiting all the landmarks, and royally avoid parks. We take parks and gardens for granted. In fact if one want to absorb a place, then sitting in the park and gardens plays an important role. I love the Sonian Park the full oxygen tank, it looked amazing and must visit kinds. I have read so many articles around monuments in Brussels, but it is interesting to read about the parks too.
We were in Brussels in 2018. I didn’t know of all these gardens. Especially Botanic Garden Meise, just 3 km from the Atomium which we visited. And I would have wanted to visit the Forest, the main oxygen tank of the city
The chance to go into the Royal Greenhouses must be really special. I’d be happy there, and at the Botantic garden.
Oh my goodness! Brussels looks gorgeous! I can’t wait to visit someday!
Wow, I didn’t realize Brussels had so many green spaces, each more beautiful that the previous! The Castle of Boechout at Botanic Garden Meise looks especially picturesque.
Oh my, I have not been in Brussels for 30+ years and I don’t recognize any of the parks. So, thank you for posting this. This will come in handy on my next trip to Europe where I plan to spend some time in BeNeLux.
Wow, all of these parks and gardens in Brussels look amazing. Like every one of them! I think in particular, I would love checking out Castle of Boechout at Botanic Garden Meise first. But the arch building at Parc du Cinquatenaire looks equally amazing. For a more natural park, those trees at Sonian Forest are crazy looking! What an amazing place to slow walk amid the giant trees.
What a great guest post! I love that all the parks seem to embrace their urban settings and offer views of castles and other historic architecture. I’ve never heard of the Sonian Forest but that photo of it you’ve included looks like a painting. I am missing Europe so much and can’t wait to go back!
People in Brussels are surely know how to build the best parks. All of these parks look beautiful and special, but my favorite one is Sonian Forest. I wonder what tall trees are those? Malou Park and Mont des Arts are the next ones that I want to visit.
We have never been to Brussels. So I am sure that our itinerary will be filled with so many things to see and do. So it is great to know there are some lovely parks for some space and relaxation. And I love the castle views at the Botanical Gardens! I love that we could escape to the Sonian Forest and get a break from the city spaces.