For a breath of fresh air and a boost to morale, there’s nothing like an escape to the great outdoors! And you don’t have to go far: Brussels and the surrounding area are brimming with magnificent gardens. Whether you prefer flower, botanical, Japanese or Portuguese gardens, there’s sure to be one to suit you! Here’s our selection of the most beautiful gardens in Belgium, less than an hour and a half from Brussels.
Meise Botanical Garden
Nestled in a 92-hectare estate some ten kilometers from Brussels, the Botanical Garden of Meise is home to a multitude of unique plant species and varieties. From the dazzling colors of Mediterranean flowers to the enchanting scents of exotic plants, you’ll be delighted by the rich biodiversity and small themed gardens such as the flower theater, the medieval garden and the culinary garden. A real treasure trove for plant lovers!
Hasselt Japanese garden
Do you like Japanese gardens? Nestling in the heart of the Kapermolen Park, the Hasselt Japanese Garden is Europe’s largest, covering no less than 2.5 hectares! Just an hour’s drive from Brussels, it features a wooden pavilion, a “Tea House”, a waterfall and cherry blossom in spring… A haven of peace at your fingertips!
The Portuguese peace garden at Richebourg
Just an hour and a half from Brussels lies a magnificent Portuguese peace garden. The result of a partnership with the Association Arts et Jardins des Hauts-de-France, who both wanted to create a new peace garden, this oasis in memory of the Franco-Portuguese alliance was created in Richebourg. A nugget for nature lovers, it winds its way through a dense forest to a clearing surrounded by elms, cattails, water clover and other natural wonders.
The gardens of Château de Grand-Bigard
Floralia Brussels, located in the gardens of the Château de Grand-Bigard, stands out as the most remarkable flower show in Belgium. Over an impressive 14 hectares, you can explore no fewer than 400 varieties of tulips, as well as hyacinths, narcissi and many other floral species, as the garden boasts over a million flowers. Breathtaking!