Bois de la Cambre
Ter Kamerenbos

NY has Central Park, but Bruxelles can compete with the stunning Bois de la Cambre! Enjoy a picnic in the nature with your friends, or hop on the ferry and try out the restaurant on a tiny island. There’s even a pony club!

What if you want to visit the majestic Sonian Forest but also stay within the city? Well, a short tram ride away from Brussels centre is Bois de la Cambre, an offshoot of the 5000-hectare Sonian Forest. This 123-hectare park, albeit close to the heart of Brussels, is the perfect place to relax for a few hours and let go of that city stress.

Laid out in 1861 by German architect Edouard Keilig, over the years the park has become the favourite getaway spot for locals and tourists alike. Whether you are in for a jog on the sidewalks (a full lap is about 5 km), a workout in the open air gym, or just wanna chill with your friends and get a waffle, we are sure this will become your new go-to park.

• A picturesque picnic: although this is definitely not the most impressive feature of the park, Bois de la Cambre does have a lot of shade. For this reason, it’s the ideal spot to escape the heat (especially during the summer): so bring some food, find a shady spot and enjoy.
• Worth the ride: in the park there’s also a small lake with an island at the center. Wanna get to the other side? Hop on the electrical ferry boat! Once you’re there, try out Le Chalet Robinson. Let us warn you: it won’t be the cheapest restaurant in Brussels, but it is the perfect place to splurge and enjoy some Belgian delicacies on its beautiful terrace. Reservations may be needed, particularly at night.
• A lot of nature: in 2004, the park was declared a special Natura 2000 protection area. Here you’ll see over 80 kinds of trees which are classified as “exceptional trees” by the Brussels-Capital Region. Moreover, the park is home to 16 different species of bats. And, every now and then, you can even spot some roe deers!
• The Cambre is also home to an equestrian centre. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you have the chance to take riding lessons or go for a stroll through the park on one of their beautiful horses. For more information, get in touch with them directly at +32 2 372 14 84.
• In the sunny months of the year, you can rent a paddle boat at Le Chalet Robinson and cruise through the lake with your friends. The boats look just like the ones in Central Park!

Woodpecker Park

Under the trees of Bois de la Cambre lies Woodpecker Park - an oasis providing food and drinks in the sunshine or shade along with plenty of outdoor games that you can rent for free! A perfect summer spot to relax after work or spend the day in the sunshine, with events and DJs to spice up your weekend. But it's not just for summer, you can enjoy Woodpecker all year long as you stop for a hot tea or mulled wine throughout the colder months. Find them in the centre of the park on Carrefour des Attelages. Stay up to date with what's on and their opening times on their Facebook page.