5 parks to visit in Brussels

As a suburbian girl I've always lived near and between both the city and forrest. Whenever moving around to a new city it is necessary for me to discover the green part. The forrest or the park. A place where it's possible to take a breath in a hectic daily life. In my previous home (before I moved to Brussels), a one room flat in St.Hanshaugen, Oslo, is basically in the middle of the city, I always had to take the bus for some time to get to the nearest forest. As Oslo is a very green city close to the nature, it wasn't that long. But not exactly something I could do in a hectic daily life. Therefore I was very lucky to be living near the park, and I think I passed it or entered it every day when I was living there. Ah, good memories.

In Bois de la Cambre, enjoying the beautiful autumn colours.

But anyways. One of the first things I obviously did when I came here in August was to look for my closest forest or park, to make sure I have a green era I can escape to sometimes. The closest one to where I live in Flagey is Bois de la Cambre. The closest to my work is Parc Cinquantanaire. Ok, let me guide you through the parks I've seen so far and give my recommendation. Notice that these are mostly located in the south-east of Brussels where I live and work. I will probably add Laeken when I have visited that as well. To be continued!

1. Parc Cinquantenaire // Jubelpark

Oui, two different names in French and Flemish. For foreigners this is probably the most famous park, because it has the Arcade du Cinquantenaire, a must visit turist attraction in Brussels. It's located at the European quarter of Schuman, so just a few blocs from the Commission & Council building. Perfect place for a run after work or just walking after a long day at the office. I think this park is the most clean or may I say not messy? They must have many gartners working full time to clip the gras and take care of the plants, because it's always so stylish in a way. Oh you have to pay the park a visit to understand what I mean! I so wish I could have done a picnic here but not very suitable for the autumn....

How to get here? Take the metro to the stop of Schuman or Merode, depends on which side of the park you wanna start on!

The best photo I've taken of the arcade so far...

A must selfie with little bro when he visited me some weeks ago.

With my dear German and old Erasmus student from my Winchester days, Kathinka, who visited me in Brussels a couple of weeks ago.

In many of the Brussels park there are some (beach) chairs (often belonging to the cafees), where you can sit down and enjoy the green view. Highly recommended!

2. Bois de la Cambre // Ter Kamerenbos

This is my "local" one, located in the south east part of Brussels in end of the long Avenue Louise, not too far from Flagey or the ULB university. Bois de la Cambre is like a combination of forrest and park, so perfect for a walk on a Sunday or when you have the day off or wanna hang out with your friends and do a picnic. Actually the park is very old from like 1860, and at that time: often visited by the wife of Belgium's king Leopold II. There is also an island in the lake of Bois de la Cambre called Robinson's island, where there is a nice (and very romantic!) restaurant, and you just pay like 1 euros to get there by a little boat. The park is very green and popular for families during weekends, when the main road around the lake is closed for cars. And by the way, the park is huge so bring your phone (because you might get lost here).

How to get here? Easiest by bus 71 and the stop of the university ULB - or take tram 93/94 to the stop Legrand in the end of Avenue Louise.

My first Sunday walk in Brussels went to this amazing comb of forrest and park.

It's so green in Bois de la Cambre, even the lake is green!

When my dear friend Signe from home visited me in Brussels in the end of September I was so lucky to show her this beauty.

3. Parc de Bruxelles // Warandepark

The city center park is located next to the castle of Bruxelles, so basically it's an easy walk from the Gare Central and Grand Place Square. But even though it's around important institutions like the Belgian federal parliament and the king's official resident, you wouldn't belive so. It's definitely not that clean and with many fresh and beautiful flowers and plants, like you have in Slottsparken in Oslo. Parc is a bit messy with their old trees and unlike Bois de la Cambre - not many places on the gras to have a sit with a picnic or so. Their fountain is definitely a great plus! But of course - the most central one, so a lovely place to walk through after a long day in the city.

How to get here? Easiest to take the metro to the stop Parc, which is in the park! Besides that most of the busses to Grand Place from the south stop just next to it.

A parc with not so many places to sit on the gras....

... but my trainee colleagues and I managed to find a place to sit on a very hot Sunday in Brussels in the middle of October with 23 degrees and sun! Here (f.w) with Tyra, Maiken, Mina and Amanda.

The day I arrived in Brussels in August it was 32 degrees so I definitely needed a break in Parc close to the fountain.

4. Parc de Woluwe // Woluwepark

I visited the Woluwe parc first time last Sunday. Not the best idea when I'm having a cold and it was raining parts of the time, but in this time of the year I just have to get out and catch the beautiful autumn colours with my Canon camera. The Woluwe park is in the south east of Brussels, in the municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - close to the border between the Brussels and Flanders regions. The Woluwe is a bit more forrest then park I would say, but smaller then the Bois de la Cambre, so perfect if you wanna have a run around.

How to get here? Take the metro to the end stop of Hermann Debroux in Auderghem or take tram 94 to the Tram museum. You may also walk from the metro stop of Montgomery.

Out by the lake, just next to the tram stop ...

Look at the beautiful colours around. Why autumn is my favorite time of the year.

Like my bro called me: I'm a forrest troll!

I must confess these houses are not my favorite ones in Brussels #inlovewithartnoveu

Parc Léopold // Leopoldspark

A small park named after their famous king Leopold, this park i also in the European quarter, close to the European Parliament and the newly opened House of European History, a highly recommended museum in Brussels if you love European history! The park is quiet and by a little lake, perfect for a walk just after work or a lunch break if you need som quietness. The last days I've actually walked through this park on my way to work, but that is a bit of a detour.

How to get here? Take the metro to Maelbeek or bus 59 to the Leopold park. Or it's just a quick walk from the EU institutions in Schuman.

I pass this park on my way to work every day. The autumn colours is so beautiful with the morning light!

The museum House of European History opened this May and is a treasure you have to spend at least one hour in if you want to get an overlook on the rich political and cultural history on our continent from the French revolution until today.

And here with the afternoon light. Where nice to stand here for a minute or two after a long day at work.... but not enjoying the view of that ugly 70s building.