Brussels is not just a political and cultural capital: it is also a garden city, rich in majestic parks, intimate squares, urban vegetable gardens, and artistic gardens. Behind these often century-old or carefully restored spaces, one finds the work of great landscape architects, Belgian or European, who have shaped urban landscapes to provide everyone with a refuge, a viewpoint, or a moment of respite.
Here is a first selection of parks and gardens that you must absolutely visit in Brussels, whether you are a fan of walks, a plant enthusiast, or seeking inspiration for your own garden.
1. Cinquantenaire Park – classical grandeur and monumental perspectives
Created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgium's independence, this French-style park is a must-see in the Brussels landscape. Designed by Émile Lainé in a structured style, it features wide avenues, symmetrical perspectives, an arch of triumph, and museums in the background.
- Highlights: alignments, fountains, museums, solemn atmosphere
- Walk: free route, 2 to 3 km possible
- Address: Avenue de la Renaissance, 1000 Brussels
- Website: https://gardens.brussels/fr/espaces-verts/parc-du-cinquantenaire
- Landscape architect: Émile Lainé (19th century)
2. Brussels Park (or Royal Park) – historical green heart
Located between the Royal Palace and the Parliament, this park is one of the oldest in the capital. Created in 1775 on the former hunting grounds of the Dukes of Brabant, it combines neo-classical rigor with successive reinterpretations. It features ponds, statues, large trees, and a musical stage.
- Highlights: central location, living heritage, shaded walkways
- Walk: short loop, ideal for a lunchtime break
- Address: Rue Royale, 1000 Brussels
- Info: accessible every day, frequent activities
3. Botanical Garden – plant and cultural heritage
Once the official botanical garden of the city, this park remains a reference in the history of the Brussels landscape. It surrounds the former palace of plants, which has become a cultural centre, featuring floral beds, ponds, and a dense plant display.
- Highlights: seasonal blooms, works of art, city view
- Walk: 1 km loop
- Address: Boulevard du Jardin Botanique 50, 1000 Brussels
- Website: https://www.botanique.be
- Landscape architect: Jean-Baptiste Meeus (19th century)
4. Van Buuren Garden – art deco and garden of feelings
A hidden gem in the heart of Uccle. The garden surrounds the museum house of David and Alice Van Buuren, featuring a maze of hedges, a music garden, and a heart garden inspired by the Italian Renaissance. All of this was envisioned by the landscape architect Jules Buyssens and continued by René Pechère, two major figures of the 20th century.
- Highlights: plant scenography, symbolism, Art Deco harmony
- Walk: 45 min to 1h
- Address: Avenue Léo Errera 41, 1180 Uccle
- Website: https://www.museumvanbuuren.be
- Landscape architects: Jules Buyssens, René Pechère
5. Duden Park – reliefs, panorama and urban forest
In the municipality of Forest, this park with itsrugged terrainoffers a walk immersed in dense vegetation, withclear views of the south of Brussels. Less known than its neighbour Forest Park, it offers awilder and more contemplative path, ideal in autumn.
- Highlights: elevation, panoramic views, wooded atmosphere
- Walk: 2 to 3 km with some climbs
- Address: Avenue Gabriel Fauré, 1190 Forest
- Info: free access, sometimes slippery in winter
6.Tenbosch Park – hidden arboretum in the heart of Châtelain
Small in size (2 ha), but rich in diversity, theTenbosch Parkis a truebotanical gemin the heart of Ixelles. Former nursery ofLouise Dewael, passionate about rare trees, it was transformed into a public park in 1986 by the City of Brussels. The landscaping was carried out by the firmSkope(landscape architects of Dutch origin), with the aim ofpreserving the gardened and naturalistic character of the site.
The park offers a smooth, intimate walk, betweenclearings, gentle stairs, remarkable trees and set-back benches. It is a place ofpreferred relaxation for local residents, highly appreciated for itsfiltered light, its exotic foliageand its serene atmosphere.
- Highlights: confidential atmosphere, diverse trees, fluid landscape design
- Walk: short loop (30 to 45 min), ideal for strolling
- Address: Chaussée de Vleurgat 166, 1050 Ixelles
- Website: https://gardens.brussels/fr/espaces-verts/parc-tenbosch
- Landscape architects: firmSkope, under the impetus of the Brussels-Capital Region
- Management: municipality of Ixelles and the green spaces service of Brussels Environment
7.Abbey of the Red Cloister – nature, heritage and walks at the gates of the Sonian Forest
Located in Auderghem, on the edge of the Sonian Forest, theAbbey of the Red Cloisteris one of the most remarkable ensembles in Brussels, wherelandscape, history and biodiversityharmoniously interact. Founded in the 14th century, the abbey is today alisted site, whose ponds, meadows and paths have beenredesigned for walking and nature education.
The whole area has benefited from landscaping restoration work, carried out notably byBrussels Environment, in respect of themonastic and natural heritageof the site. Walkingpathscross wetlands, former orchards and undergrowth, withbirdwatching observatoriesand play areas for children.
- Highlights: historical heritage, monastic atmosphere, ponds, direct access to the Sonian Forest
- Walk: several possible loops (from 30 min to 2h)
- Address: Rue du Rouge-Cloître 4, 1160 Auderghem
- Website: https://gardens.brussels/fr/espaces-verts/rouge-cloitre
- Landscape architects: redesigns carried out byBrussels Environment, in connection with teams specialised in landscape heritage
- Management: Brussels Environment, in partnership with the municipality of Auderghem and various local associations (including Natagora and Rouge-Cloître asbl)
8.Parc Tournay-Solvay – plant romanticism and biodiversity in Boitsfort
Nestled between theBoitsfort stationand the Sonian Forest, this former private property transformed into a public park is atrue landscape gem. TheParc Tournay-Solvaysubtly blendswoods, meadows, ponds, rose garden and orchard, in a landscape stylefree and romantic, with well-framed views of the neo-Renaissance castle ruins.
Redesigned with the support ofBrussels Environment, it retains the spirit of the former Solvay estate while enhancing thelocal biodiversity. Numerousremarkable trees, waterside paths, differentiated management of meadows and apeaceful atmospheremake it a park particularly popular with walkers, naturalists and families.
- Highlights: picturesque ruins, rose garden, landscape diversity, natural areas
- Walk: loops of 1 to 3 km depending on preferences
- Address: Chaussée de La Hulpe 199, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort
- Website: https://gardens.brussels/fr/espaces-verts/parc-tournay-solvay
- Landscape architects: initial landscape design in the 19th century, contemporary redesigns byBrussels Environment
- Management: Brussels Environment
9.Woluwe Park – classic elegance and vast tree-lined perspectives
TheWoluwe Park, created at the end of the 19th century as part of the urban development of the eastern districts of Brussels, is a beautiful example of astructured English garden, with itswide lawns, aligned ponds and avenues lined with majestic trees. It was designed byÉlie Lainé, a renowned French landscape architect who also worked on the Cinquantenaire park.
The park is now apopular walking area, both open and fluid, withnumerous benches, well-maintained paths, elegant bridges, and abright and calming atmosphere. In autumn, the foliage reflects spectacularly in the ponds.
- Highlights: large expanses, water reflections, tree-lined paths, landscape perspective
- Walk: loops of 2 to 4 km possible
- Address: Avenue de Tervueren, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
- Website: https://gardens.brussels/fr/espaces-verts/parc-de-woluwe
- Landscape architect : Élie Lainé(late 19th century)
- Management: Brussels Environment
10.Bois de la Cambre – the large walking park of the Brussels residents
Natural extension of theSonian Forestin the city, theBois de la Cambreis undoubtedly themost emblematic park in Brusselsfor long walks. Designed in 1861 by the landscape architectÉdouard Keilig, in the style of large urban parks in the English manner, it combinesexpanse, variety, and natural staging.
It featuresopen lawns, undergrowth, and a large central lake.with its island (accessible by boat or via the seasonal bridge), as well as numerous winding paths suitable for pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists. The place is also animated by theBrasserie de la Patinoireand theChalet Robinson restaurant, accessible by ferry from the shore.
- Highlights: lake and island, long walks, clearings, lively atmosphere on weekends
- Walk: free circuits up to 7–8 km in loops
- Address: Avenue Louise extended, 1000 Brussels
- Website: https://gardens.brussels/fr/espaces-verts/bois-de-la-cambre
- Landscape architect : Édouard Keilig, 1861
- Management: City of Brussels and Brussels Environment