Image by Wouter Spitters

One of my favorite ways to relax is seeing how others tire themselves. Especially when they do it in a spectacular way.

Take your drinks with you and climb the steps of the skate-ramp. There you can sit and relax on the bench, enjoying the sun while the youth is giving away a free stunt show, right at the place where the trains disappear a few meters below into the Brussels underground.

Looking for some action? Bring your own skateboard or bmx and be an acrobat yourself. The place is free and accessible to everyone.

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Skatepark | Relaxing | Free
Ursulinenplein | Center
Daily

Image by Renata Riva

I’m always surprised to discover that Brussels has hundreds of small parks, hidden behind buildings, or around the corner of a busy street. Even locals do not know them, as the entrance is often a small door, with an opening timetable posted on it.

The other day I saw a gate and a sign “Parc Public, entree libre 09:00 – 18:00″. As a Brussels Spotter I can’t miss out on this! And… what a surprise. Nobody around, and music coming from a workshop nearby.

Quietness, this is the feeling I got from this Park. You need to think? You need to relax after walking around and shopping in Matonge (see the Matonge article)? This is the place to go!

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Parc Viaduc | Relaxing | Free
Entrance from Rue du Viaduc 131B | Ixelles
09:00 – 18:30 daily

Image by Renata Riva

It’s quiet, it’s small, it’s hidden in between place Jourdan, the Parliament and rue Belliard. It has a pond, a few nice buildings, a long history, a few paths to walk around it, benches to rest and nobody will complain if you lay down with your picnic basket (as long as you take your trash home!).

It was created as zoological garden back in 1851, and at that time even giraffes were living there. Now you can see rare trees and animals, students passing by (there’s a high school, a bit falling apart I’ve been told, but it still fascinates me) and the Solvay Library which is now a conference centre.

Up the hill you can play basketball, and in winter I’ve seen the pond completely frozen… poor swans living there!

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Parc Leopold | Relaxing
Rue Belliard 133 | Etterbeek/ Eur.Qt
24 hours daily

Image by Renata Riva

All my friends know which is my favourite place in Brussels…the esplanade at the end of the Mont des Arts. In itself is nothing special, but when you arrive there at sunset and it’s a clear sky day, then you will immediately understand why I like it so much.

There’s a nice view of place d’Espagne and the town hall tower. But the colors are the ones striking me. Impossible to describe a sunset, so just take your chance and check out this place!

And if you like skiing, don’t miss the piste between 10th and 25th December and the après ski, of course! Unfortunately it’s a bit expensive (5euro for every 20min, 15euro for an hour +8euro for rental material)…but the location is worth it.

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Le Monts des Arts | Relaxing | Free
Mont Des Arts 24 | Center
24 hours daily

Image by Wouter Spitters

In the middle of the Marolles on the border of Het Vossenplein you can find this cosy bar. Sit on the terrace, enjoy the sun &  try one of their great beers while you are watching the flea market activity.

On every Thursday evening from 20:00 to 00:00 Chaff is the epicenter of the Brussels board games world. Dozens of people gather together. The concept is simple: go sit at a table and you wait for one of the sympathetic organising dudes to pass by, you pay 3 euro and in return you can a name tag and you can choose from dozens of often less known but fun games. The organizers can help you choose the games depending on your preferences, well known or less known, with a lot of strategy or based on a lot of luck, speed or concentration and group size.

If you’re looking for game companions or when you think it’s fun to meet new people the tables might get mixed and you end your evening playing with complete strangers. Too lazy to read the game rules (or game rules in another language)? No need to worry, you get an almost professional live explanation of everything you need to know. 

Oh yeah, before I forget to tell you, they have great food too ;)

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Chaff | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Restaurants | Boardgame evening € 3
Vossenplein 21 | Center | +3225025848
08:30 – 00:00 daily (closed Mon evening & Sun lunchtime)