20 best parks in Brussels – list, photo, description, map
The appearance of the main Belgian city and the capital of the European Union multilaterally reflected the 1000-year history of its existence, captured in cultural, historical and architectural monuments. They embody Dutch restraint and French elegance, since Brussels has happened to be the capital of Burgundy and be part of the Netherlands. Among the interesting objects of the city, popular with tourists, are the parks of Brussels, which delight with their landscape beauty and originality.
Brussels park
In the center of the city there is a vast (more than 13 hectares) green oasis – the Brussels Park. If you mentally turn to the Middle Ages, then at this place you can imagine the impenetrably dense Suan forest. The trees, standing as a solid wall, became a reliable barrier for the Germanic tribes, striving to the south. A large area of forest surrounded the palace residence of the Dukes of Brabant. After the fire that destroyed the buildings, they were not restored.
And only at the end of the 18th century. (1776-17883) engaged in clearing and landscaping the surrounding area. The creation of the landscape and cultural object was led by the French Varande and Zinner, so the brainchild of their project is decorated in the French style. The entire area is clearly demarcated by alleys, paths and platforms. The wide central alley leads to a crystal clear pond with a fountain.
Shady alleys diverge from the reservoir in 3 rays, each of which leads to the main Brussels attractions: the See Square, the Royal Palace and the Palace of Justice. It is impossible not to admire the diversity and beauty of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, numerous statues, musical pavilions, lakes and ponds. Themed parties and festivities are organized here on weekends.
Park Mini Europe
On the territory of Bruparc (outskirts of Brussels) in 1989, a kind of open-air museum “Mini-Europe” was opened. It contains miniature copies of 350 famous sights from 80 European cities. Despite the fact that Bruparc itself is very interesting to visit, the majority of tourists tend to come here precisely because of the amazing object. “Mini-Europe” is located at the foot of the hill with a grandiose model of the atom, the Atomium, installed on it, in comparison with which the copies seem like midgets next to Gulliver.
The genuine precision and filigree craftsmanship of creating magnificent copies is amazing. All the smallest details and touches are meticulously reproduced in accordance with the originals. Ancient castles, temples, fortresses, town halls, blocks of streets, fragments of famous squares are shown accompanied by visual and sound effects. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Palace of Westminster, the colorful houses of Copenhagen, the Eiffel Tower, etc.
To make it more realistic, a lot of figures of people are placed: janitors, gardeners, church parishioners, spectators around the sports arena. The layout of the old Seville arena is very impressive, on the stands of which 6,000 tiny hand-painted “little men” “sit”. Various types of transport in its evolution are presented. “Mini-Europe” makes an irresistible impression!
Brewpark
This is one of the most popular parks in the city, where there are interesting entertainment facilities. Here people of all ages will find a lot of interesting things for themselves. The main attraction is the Mini-Europe park with models of the famous buildings of 80 European cities. London's Big Ben, the Greek Acropolis, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Brandenburg Gate, the Stockholm City Hall and other famous buildings will amaze with their believable appearance.
The giant model of the atom, the Atomium (1958), is impressive, from the top of which you can see the panorama of the city. The best place for children is the water park “Oceade”, with a year-round cycle of operation and a constant temperature of 30 °. The 29 auditoriums of the IMAX cinema complex are a huge entertainment and educational platform for visitors. After sightseeing and walking around interesting places, you can go to the designer restaurant-bar “Derevnya” and, in the atmosphere of a typical European village, relax and treat yourself to masterpieces of national cuisine.
Park Laeken
A huge palace and park complex was founded under King Leopold in 1900. The idea to create a place where structures will be erected, reflecting the architectural and artistic style of various countries, arose from the king after visiting the World Exhibition in Paris. He bought the exotic Japanese Tower he saw there, which became the first object of the future Laeken Park.
The park area is spacious green lawns, decorated with beautiful flower beds, greenhouses, many paths and paths. You can endlessly admire curly trimmed shrubs, an openwork gazebo-pagoda. But the main attractions of Laeken are true masterpieces of architecture. One of the masterpieces is a unique Japanese 6-level pagoda tower, made entirely of wood without a single nail. The interior details of the building were made by Japanese craftsmen from Tokyo and Yokohama to achieve 100% authenticity of the pagoda.
The Chinese pavilion (palace) is an undoubted adornment of Laeken. The 2-level palace, built of red brick, is finished outside and inside with wooden ornaments. They were masterfully performed by Shanghai masters. At first it was planned to open an aristocratic restaurant in the pavilion, but the idea did not materialize. For several years there were expositions of the Trade Museum, for 45 years (1947-89) the building was empty. Now in the halls of the palace there is a solid collection of ancient Chinese porcelain.
Abbotship Cambr
A charming atmospheric corner located in the river valley of the Bois de la Cambrai, the ancient abbey of Cambrai. At this place in the 13th century. there was a Cistercian nunnery. The monastery, which existed until the French Revolution, was deprived of its status. In subsequent years, the monastic buildings alternately housed a military hospital, a cotton processing factory, and a soldier's school. After a grandiose restoration in the 20th century. the territory of the abbey was decorated with pretty lawns, alleys, flower beds.
The renovated buildings shone with freshness and became very attractive objects. Their architecture mixed features of different styles, from Gothic to Renaissance. Today they house the parish church, the Belgian National Geographic Society and the School of Art. When visiting the Abbey of Cambrai, you can relax on cozy benches in the shade of trees or on the velvet green lawns.
Ciftieth Anniversary Park
The symbol of Belgian independence and the pride of Brussels is the 50th Anniversary Park, the most popular among Brussels people. It was created on the site of a military training ground in honor of the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. The garden and architectural complex was intended to demonstrate the economic power of the country at the World Exhibition dedicated to the anniversary. The entrance to it is marked by a luxurious Arc de Triomphe of a symbolic 50-meter height. All statues, sculptures and bas-reliefs decorating the arch illustrate great state events and symbolize different regions of the country.
Charming artificial lakes, cozy groves, and a mini-waterfall are equipped throughout the park territory (about 30 hectares). It is impossible not to admire the bright flowerbeds with a kaleidoscope of flowers, shady alleys, green velvet lawns in English and French styles. Of great interest is the Temple of Human Passions – an unusual architectural structure in the Art Nouveau style.
Impressive visits to the Museum of Automobiles, the Grand Mosque of Brussels, the Royal Military Museum. In the design of all objects there are motifs of patriotism: mosaics, frescoes, monuments reflect history. There are solemn parades of troops with a large gathering of the public.
Botanical Garden
For the first time, the prototype of a botanical garden appeared in the city at the end of the 18th century, when exotic plants were planted in a small area. At the initiative of venerable botanists, he was moved to another place with fertile soils. Lush groves, many open glades attracted the attention of the organizers, and the garden received a new development. But on the eve of the 2nd World War, almost all plantings were taken to the fields in the vicinity of the city of Meis. Today, there is a preserved section of the Botanical Garden on Royal Street.
30 sculptures made by local sculptors delight visitors with their views, lovely lawns for relaxing. The decoration of the floristic area is a glass greenhouse with a round rotunda, under the roof of which there is a Winter Garden. You can't take your eyes off the lush flowering of camellias and azaleas – they are so good. The workshop of Queen Elizabeth (grandmother of the Belgian King Albert II) is interesting for visitors. Belgians and tourists like to relax on green lawns.
Petit Sablon Garden
In the central part of Brussels, next to the cathedral, there is a masterpiece of landscape and park art – a small rectangular area called the Petite Sablon garden. Created in 1890 on the site of an old cemetery, a charming architectural and floristic corner has become a real decoration of the prestigious Sablon quarter. Looking today at the extraordinary beauty of the design, you understand what a huge work of designers, florists, sculptors is invested in this miracle.
At the entrance, visitors are “welcomed” by the murmur of jets of fountains, the center is decorated with magnificent flower beds, lawns are masterpieces of topiary art (giving various forms to shrubs by trimming). The entire scenic area is surrounded by a metal lattice with 48 evenly alternating powerful pedestal pillars. Each of them has bronze figurines immortalizing representatives of various guilds of the Middle Ages. Watchmaker, roofer, plumber, lamplighter, pharmacist, etc. A visit to this lovely garden is an aesthetic pleasure.
suan forest
Once a huge forest area served as a reliable protection of the Belgian provinces from the conquerors – its thickets were so impenetrable. With the development of civilization, virgin forests were cut down during the construction of roads, economic activities and the expansion of urban urbanization. But even today the forest captures part of the Brussels district, Flanders and Wallonia. The landscapes of the Suan forest are recreated in fiction and paintings by the Flemish masters. The events that happened with the legendary Bayard, Ronald, Til Ulenspiegel unfold in the Suan wilds.
The Belgians adore their forest, take care of its flora and fauna. Rare species of shrubs and trees grow here, squirrels, wild boars, elk and other wild animals live here. A sports school operates in a specially equipped area, where football, handball, and frisbee trainings are held. On cozy well-maintained trails and paths, they ride bicycles, ride horses, go jogging, and walk. Amateurs sit with fishing rods on a stocked lake.
National Botanical Garden
The most extensive and rich in plant species (25 thousand species) garden area, occupying 93 hectares, is located in the vicinity of the city of Meise. On the picturesque territory there are ponds, the Royal Castle of the 12th century. – the main architectural attraction. Thousands of tropical plants collected from all over the world are collected in 30 themed greenhouses.
For example, in the Mediterranean greenhouse, flora characteristic of this climatic zone is presented. There is a Greenhouse of monsoons, mountain rainforests, edible fruits, etc. A large collection of orchids delights, a collection of predator plants is amazing. The South American water lily is amazing in its gigantic size, the leaf of which is able to hold a one-year-old baby.
A visit to the Botanical Garden will bring pleasure not only to specialists, but also to ordinary tourists. In addition to contemplating the amazing exhibits, they admire the authentic view of the castle, the original greenhouse in the form of a crown, a charming lake, go to a souvenir boutique and a local restaurant.
Park of the Academy Palace
A wonderful landscaped island with a small lake surrounds an old 3-storey building – the Egmond Palace. It was erected in the first half of the 19th century. as a residence for William of Orange and the daughter of the Russian Emperor Anna Pavlova, the prince's wife. Now the luxurious palace has been given to 5 academies of the state, and the adjacent territory is called the park of the Palace of the Academies. A calm, quiet place is conducive to contemplative walks among neat lawns, figured labyrinths of shrubs, along perfectly groomed alleys.
Against the backdrop of landscape delights, interesting sculptures and small statues, an elegant colonnade are installed here. Notable is the sculptural copy of Peter Pan, a fairy tale character invented by the English writer Barry. In addition to him, there are figurines of other famous literary characters and animals created by talented sculptors. In a cozy cafe you can have a bite to eat, drink coffee or sit on one of the many benches.
Abbey Rouge-Cloitre
In Brussels, a lot is connected with the Suan forest, located in the vicinity of the city. Local dukes were engaged in royal hunting in it, they settled around it in the 13-14th century. 18 monasteries. Only a small part of the monastic cloisters has survived to this day, among which is the abbey of Rouge-Cloiret. The monastery, which grew out of a small chapel, became famous by the 15th century. with its voluminous library, various workshops and production.
It is natural that in the 16th century. the abbey became the most authoritative and powerful among other monasteries. Then came the era of ruin and oblivion (17-18 century). Now Rouge-Cloiret, after partial reconstruction, is an interesting tourist site, where medieval authenticity coexists with stylized modernity. From the former buildings, a farm, a mill house, a brewery, lying in ruins, have been preserved in their original form. The former refectory houses a restaurant with 17th-century interiors.
One wing of the building is adapted for art workshops, the outbuildings house the inventory for the care of the estate. It is impossible not to be fascinated by the lovingly groomed territory of the abbey, hedges of trees and shrubs, perfect paths, openwork lattices. The Grünendal arboretum with 400 forest plants is located in the surrounding area. The monastery building is a unique monument of Gothic architecture.
Sad mont-de-Art
Mont-de-Arts is located between the Royal Palace and the Grand Place. When it was a densely populated quarter, but at the end of the 19th century, the buildings were demolished in preparation for the World Exhibition of 1910. In order to impress foreigners with something unusual, King Leopold II decided to organize a Hill of Arts in the vacant space. The implementation of the idea was entrusted to the landscape architect P. Vachero, who planned the “temporary” green area.
But the monumental staircase with cascades of fountains on the slopes of the hill, slender rows of trees, lawns and bright flower beds fell in love with the townspeople so much that all this beauty became permanent. Now many tourists believe that there is no more attractive place in Brussels than this cultural and landscape corner. Museums are located around: fine arts, musical instruments, the Magritte Museum. Nearby rises the Church of St. James, a monument to King Albert. From the top you have a stunning view of the Old Town.
Leopold Park
Not far from the building of the European Parliament on 10 hectares there is a very nice and cozy park area. It was designed as a park in 1880 instead of the Royal Zoo. On the green territory, the buildings of the School of Trade named after A. Solvay, think tanks “Friends of Europe” and Mason de Europe”, Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
It's nice to move from the urban stone jungle to a green oasis of wildlife. In ponds overgrown with duckweed, waterfowl live: mallard ducks, moorhens, swans, Egyptian geese. There is also a chicken coop, aviaries with parrots. Everywhere clean, well-groomed, there are toilets. Here you can have a great rest and a bite to eat, feed the birds, enjoy peace and quiet. Under the crowns of old huge trees, lovely lawns overgrown with white daisies are a great place to relax.
Voluwe Park
The largest park of the Belgian capital, located at the intersection of Tervuren Avenue and Sovereign Boulevard, occupies 71 hectares of area. It was created in 1986 for the 50th anniversary of the country's independence. The main factor in choosing a place was the successful natural landscape. Thanks to the valley of the Voluwe River (hence the name of the massif), several large ponds were built here. Coastal groves have become part of the park area with the fauna living in them. The ponds were inhabited by waterfowl: ducks, swans, Canadian geese, etc. Squirrels jump in the crowns of branched trees, and rabbits live in thick grass.
Locals love to walk in Voluva, especially parents with children. Children communicate with birds, feed them, watch animals. Dog owners walk their pets. But there are always a lot of people just walking along the reservoirs. Cyclists ride along specially equipped paths, amateurs and professionals go in for running, sedate couples walk. A wonderful oasis of flora and fauna not only pleases with its landscapes, but also benefits the health of citizens.
Joseph Park
Once upon a time, on the site of the current park area in the Schaerbeek district, there was an old forest of natural origin Lintu. King Leopold II, noticing it in 1904, decided to ennoble the forest area and create a public place for the leisure of citizens. Under the leadership of Edmond Gallopin, the forest was cleared of dried wood, trees were pruned, and the area was ennobled. Landscape architects planned lawns, laid flower beds and flower beds.
The territory, bestowed by nature, was decorated with luxurious statues, on which the recognized sculptors of that time V. Rousseau, A. Desenfant and J. Laga worked. For more than a century, the Josaf public park has been delighting visitors with a bizarre interweaving of sprawling crowns, various reservoirs with bridges, cheerful bird overflows, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Oceanade Waterpark
A jungle-styled water attraction complex is located in a busy tourist area, not far from the Atomium. This is the largest water park in Belgium, including 14 varieties of slides. Among them there are extreme slides (Hurricane, Cannonball, Barracuda); family attractions (Chameleon, Anaconda) and children's slides. Plenty of indoor and outdoor wave pools, jacuzzis, different types of baths, saunas – the choice of entertainment is huge. From the “Hurricane” extreme people fly 80 m in 7 seconds.
The pool with 3 types of waves “Caribbean Sea” is in demand: from a light breeze to a storm. In the outdoor pools you can swim even in winter – the water in them is heated. All reservoirs are equipped with terraces for relaxation. At the service of parents with children, a Zen zone has been created, equipped with a jacuzzi, a pool with hydromassage, a mini-sauna and a terrace. While the children are swimming, parents can watch them from the Martinique Panoramic Bar. A full meal can be ordered at the Pirates of the Caribbean restaurant.
Elizabeth Park
Full of captivating charm, the landscape and park area, named after the beloved Queen Elizabeth, is located next to the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacré Coeur. The majestic basilica is located on the top of the Kukelberg hill, increasing its height by 100 m. In front of the sanctuary there is a spacious green meadow, fenced on 2 sides by picturesque alleys, a living floristic fence.
Mighty hundred-year-old trees, a variety of ornamental shrubs, lovely lawns, numerous shops, and ancient lanterns create a calm, cozy atmosphere. Here you can relax your body and soul, breathe in the ozone, plunge into the historical past. Citizens come here with their pets, walk them under shady tents. Tourists do not bypass this corner to take a break from excursions.
Park Duden
Almost in the very center of the Belgian capital, it is amazing to see the untouched beech groves of the Sonian forest. They form the basis of the unusual Duden Park, which spreads over 23 hectares. Previously, these plots belonged to Forest Abbey, then the Duden family became the owner until 1900. Under Leopold II, the forest was transferred to the state.
The widow of the last representative of the Dudens rented it until 1912, when the authentic place was opened for public use. Now meadow expanses and glades have been mastered by children, athletes, football players. Here they do jogging, walks, a football team trains. Duden Park is an example of respect for nature and natural forests.
Small Sablon Square
A small cozy garden, surrounded by an ornate wrought-iron fence, delights with its floristic content, sculptural decorations, and the neighborhood of the Notre-Dame-du-Sablon Cathedral. The official opening of the square took place in July 1890, and it got its name from the quality of the soil in this place – clay (sablon).
In the very center of the square, there are statues of counts Egmont and Horn, folk heroes and patriots. They are surrounded by sculptures of 10 famous historical figures who played a significant role in the development of the country. They glorified Belgium with their talents and work. Charming flower beds, mini-fountains decorate the territory, making it picturesque and attractive.