Best Spots in Brussels for The Active Explorers
Home · Brussels · The Active Explorer
For active travelers
From the classic Sonian Forest and Brussels Bike Tour: City Highlights and Hidden Gems, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.7 · 533 reviews
Lose yourself in the Sonian Forest, a huge woodland of beech and oak just outside Brussels. Follow quiet trails past lakes and open lawns, and spend a few hours far from city noise.
★ 4.8 · 526 reviews
Saddle up for a guided cycle through the many faces of Brussels. Roll past major monuments and into lesser-known districts while your guide tells the story of the city's industry and culture.
★ 4.6 · 14,268 reviews
Step into Cambre Woods, the sweeping woodland park on the southern edge of Brussels. Stroll tree-lined paths, circle the lake and stop for lunch at the restaurant on its small island.
★ 4.4 · 3,672 reviews
Explore Parc Duden, a hilly wooded park in Forest that feels like a hike close to the city. Follow shaded trails among tall trees, stop at the benches and pass statues and grassy fields.
★ 4.5 · 7,470 reviews
Head to Josaphat Park in Schaerbeek, a spacious park of ancient trees and rolling paths. Cross the romantic bridge, visit the small animal farm and finish with a drink at the café.
★ 4.4 · 112 reviews
Play a match at Tour&Taxis Padel Club, a modern facility in northern Brussels with more than eight courts. Book a slot, grab a rented racket and watch the other games from the small cafe-bar at the centre.
★ 4.7 · 315 reviews
Discover Petite Île, a bouldering gym hidden in an industrial Anderlecht building alongside a skatepark and art spaces. Climb well-set routes high up in the building, then settle in at the comfy bar.
★ 4.4 · 871 reviews
Head to the New Rock Climbing Gym in Auderghem, Brussels' largest sport climbing hall with soaring ceilings and a vividly colourful interior. Tackle more than 40 top-rope routes, then relax at the bar with a beer.
★ 4.3 · 560 reviews
Climb at Arkose Canal, a roomy bouldering hall on the Brussels canal with its own bar and restaurant. Work through regularly refreshed routes alongside a friendly climbing community, then unwind over a drink once you come down.
★ 4.3 · 4,192 reviews
Head to Parc de Forest, a broad green space with open lawns and shaded woodland paths. Wander its gentle slopes, watch for noisy parrots in the trees, and unwind at the guinguette.
★ 4.7 · 2,053 reviews
Stroll through Woluwe Park, a spacious green space built around lakes and wide lawns. Follow the water past swans and ducks, then pick a spot on the grass for a picnic.
★ 3.8 · 443 reviews
Take a dip at Piscine du Centre, a vintage municipal pool in central Brussels within easy reach of Midi station. Swim a few lengths in its old-fashioned setting, with a view that some visitors count among its charms.
★ 4.6 · 9 reviews
Discover Rouge-Cloître, a peaceful nook of woods, ponds and old priory remains near Brussels. Wander its shaded paths at an easy pace and enjoy the calm just beyond the city.
★ 4.1 · 157 reviews
Dive into Aqualibi, the indoor water park in Wavre with its expanded slide tower. Ride the slides, drift along the strong-current river and tackle the whitewater channel before relaxing in the pools.
★ 4.5 · 4,184 reviews
Discover Georges Henripark in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, a green space with a surprising past as a cemetery. Follow paths marked by old tombstones, let children loose on the playground and grab a snack at the kiosk.
★ 4.4 · 22,101 reviews
Walk into Parc de Bruxelles, the formal royal park facing the Royal Palace. Follow its straight avenues past statues and the central fountain, then rest on a bench or stop at one of the cafés.
★ 4.6 · 714 reviews
Race into BattleKart in the Tour & Taxis complex, where karting meets interactive games. Pick your nickname, jump in a kart, and play through a fast 15-minute round of driving challenges with friends or family.
★ 4.6 · 4,271 reviews
Get your bearings in Brussels on this guided walk through the Upper and Lower City. Follow your guide through the historic centre, hear how the city grew, and pause for a Belgian chocolate tasting.
★ 4.6 · 41,231 reviews
Explore Parc du Cinquantenaire, the grand park crowned by Brussels' triumphal arch. Stroll past fountains and flower beds, admire the colonnaded buildings, and drop into one of the museums on site.
★ 4.5 · 6,238 reviews
Wander through Leopold Park, a green English-style retreat in the centre of Brussels. Circle the pond, follow shaded paths and spot the medieval tower rising among the trees.
★ 4.7 · 1,061 reviews
Wander through Jardins du Fleuriste, a tranquil garden at the edge of Brussels. Find your way through small labyrinths, climb the observation tower and linger beside the lake.
★ 4.5 · 2,949 reviews
Wander through Parc de Wolvendael, a leafy hillside park in Uccle. Follow its wooded paths up and down the slopes, then rest on a bench overlooking the open lawns.
★ 4.8 · 146 reviews
Meet your local guide at the Grand Place for a walking tour through the heart of Brussels. Hear the legends behind its landmarks and finish with a PDF of tips for exploring the city and Belgium.
★ 4.4 · 167 reviews
Step into Flagey, the lively Ixelles square where locals gather around the ponds. Browse the market stalls, then grab a coffee on a terrace and stroll the water's edge.
★ 4.5 · 153 reviews
Spend a day at Walibi Belgium, the theme park in Wavre with its themed zones and maritime Dock World. Ride the family coaster, try the rafting and cinema attractions, and see how the park changes with the season.
Best season
★ 4.7 · 124 reviews
Explore Brussels on your own terms with this private three-hour walking tour. Your guide takes you through the Grand Place, galleries and Manneken Pis, tailoring the route and pace to your interests.
★ 4.6 · 1,244 reviews
Head to the Brussels Indoor Games Center in Anderlecht for an easy group outing. Play a round of laser games, bowl a few frames, and finish with karaoke and a plate of fries.
★ 4.7 · 175 reviews
Explore Jean Massart Botanical Garden, a peaceful green refuge in Auderghem. Stroll beside ponds and lakes while discovering the garden's rich variety of plants and trees.
★ 4.7 · 1,780 reviews
Slow down at the Abbaye de la Cambre, a 13th-century abbey with gardens that locals treat as a morning retreat. Wander the formal garden paths, sit in the sunlight and take in the rebuilt monastic buildings.
★ 4.5 · 597 reviews
Pause at Jean-Félix Hap Park, a small green haven in the middle of Etterbeek. Circle the pond, rest in the gazebo and settle on a bench with a picnic or a book.
Brussels · 🌳 Nature
Sonian Forest
2h30
Brussels · 🧭 Tours
Brussels Bike Tour: City Highlights and Hidden Gems
3h
Cambre Woods
1h30
Parc Duden
45 min
Josaphat Park
Brussels · ⚽ Sport
Tour&Taxis Padel Club
Petite Île
2h
New Rock Climbing Gym
Arkose Canal
Parc de Forest
Woluwe Park
1h
Piscine du Centre
Rouge cloître
1h15
Brussels · 🎭 Entertainment
Aqualibi Water Park Entrance Ticket
5h
Georges Henripark
Parc de Bruxelles
BattleKart Tour & Taxis
Guided Walking Tour
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Leopold Park
30 min
Jardins du Fleuriste
Parc de Wolvendael
Walking Tour
Brussels · 🚶 Neighborhoods
Flagey
Walibi Belgium Entry Ticket
6h
Private 3-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour
Brussels Indoor Games Center (BIGc)
Jean Massart Botanical Garden
Brussels · 🏛️ Landmark
Abbaye de la Cambre
Jean-Félix Hap Park