A Nature Lover's 7-Day Itinerary in Brussels

  • Day 1: Sonian Forest
    30 minutes (7.5 miles) from Brussels City Centre

    Located on the southeastern edge of Brussels, Sonian Forest is a peaceful retreat from busy city life. With over 5000 hectares of beech trees, oak trees and an extensive network of trails for hiking or biking, it’s a perfect spot for nature lovers.

  • Day 2: Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
    20 minutes (3 miles) from Sonian Forest

    Opened to the public for a few weeks each year, Royal Greenhouses are a place of great beauty and rare plants. Admire the stunning architecture and explore the exotic plants in these 19th-century greenhouses.

  • Day 3: Tervuren Park
    20 minutes (6.7 miles) from Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

    A stunning park in Tervuren with a long history, it houses art and natural history museums, a lake for fishing or renting paddle boats, and a rose garden. You can rent bikes or go for a jog or take a leisurely stroll.

  • Day 4: Bois de la Cambre
    20 minutes (4 miles) from Tervuren Park

    A vast green space located in the heart of the city, it features a lake, walking trails, an island in the middle of the lake, a playground, and a café. It’s a perfect picnic spot or just relax on the grass under the sunshine.

  • Day 5: Mount Saint Peter
    1 hr. 25 minutes (80 miles) from Bois de la Cambre

    A fantastic viewpoint of Belgium’s hilly landscape, it offers a panoramic view of the Meuse Valley. You can hike or bike on trails throughout the hillside. You can have lunch or a drink at the top of the hill to accompany your view.

  • Day 6: Hallerbos
    30 minutes (13 miles) from Mount Saint Peter

    A magical forest that turns lavender every spring season, it features an incredible fairy-tale landscape of bluebells that stretches as far as the eyes can see. You can spend hours wandering around the woodland, taking photographs of the stunning scenery, and experiencing the quiet tranquility of nature.

  • Day 7: Atomium
    20 minutes (8.5 miles) from Hallerbos

    A must-visit landmark of Brussels city, is the symbol of the Atomic Age and is a structure of immense magnitude. Take the escalator, stairs, or elevator up to take in the phenomenal views from the top sphere. Afterward, stroll around the surrounding gardens and catch a bite to eat at one of the many cafes.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Sonian Forest (2 hours, Free)
  • Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (2 hours, €2)
  • Tervuran park (3 hours, Free)
  • Bois de la Cambre (3 hours, Free)
  • Mount Saint Peter (4 hours, Free)
  • Hallerbos (2 hours, Free)
  • Atomium (2 hours, €16)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €18

Transportation

Most of the places are easily accessible by trains, buses, and trams offered by public transport. Some of the nature reserves might require taxi or private transportation. The travel cost ranges from €1.5 - €30 based on the distance and mode of transportation. All transportation time listed above is based on public transport.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you could explore more natural landmarks near Brussels like Waterloo Battlefield, Leuven Botanical Garden, or Halle. You can combine certain locations from the itinerary and allocate more time to places you like the best. Having less time means that you can cut some of these locations from your itinerary or combine certain spots from various days.

Airports

Brussels Airport (BRU) is the main airport of Brussels, situated around 12km (8 miles) north-east of the city centre. It takes approximately 30 minutes to travel by train or bus from Brussels Airport to the city centre.

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