Parc Leopold Brussels
Little gem in the European Quarter
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!). That's the Parc Leopold of Brussels!
Since early 2017 the new House of European History museum has opened in the middle of the park in the Eastman building, built in 1934-1935 by Mr Eastman (the inventor of the Koadk camera!), a good escape when the weather suddenly turns rainy as in a typical Brussels day.
It was created as a 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, slightly falling apart, I've been told, but it still fascinates me) and the Solvay Library, which is now a conference centre.
In winter, I've seen the pond completely frozen… I feel bad for the poor swans living there!
About this spot
Rue Belliard 133
- 24 hours daily
€
no-price
Explore Brussels like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Brussels guide.
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels
Crèmerie Saint-Guidon
Buy back in time
At Crèmerie Saint-Guidon all the delicacies are personally selected: Brussels salted cheese and the famous ‘pottekees’; large eggs and delicious bread...
By
Davy
Verbeke
The Wild Lab
Healthy vegetarian breakfast
“The Wild Lab” in Brussels makes perfect vegetarian breakfasts for those lazy mornings…
By
William
Mertens
Chicago Café
My go-to brunch spot
"Chicago Café" is my favorite brunch spot in Brussels! They offer all-day breakfast & brunch and I recommend coming with friends - the portions are huge!
By
Charlotte
Mewis
Nightshop
Natural Wines in Sainte-Catherine
Standing in front of what looked like an open garage, a busy wine bar like no other was waiting for me. Looking at it, I was mesmerized...
By
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Le Conteur
Middle-Eastern Flavors
Dishes come with bold and rich flavors, which blend different cultures and cuisines. Our choices fell on some mezze, including a tasty paprika hummus...
By
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Place Sainte-Catherine
Vibrant square in Brussels
"Place Sainte-Catherine" is one of Brussels' most characteristic zones, and although tourists love it, locals love it even more for its versatility!
By
Charlotte
Mewis
Jardin des Sculptures
My zen place in Brussels
"Jardin des Sculptures" in Brussels is a little green oasis that forms a perfect combination of nature and arts. A true hidden gem...
By
Charlotte
Mewis
Cement Truck
Not your average piece of art
"Cement Truck" by Wim Delvoye is a unique piece that's a scaled-down model of a cement truck constructed in the Flemish Baroque style. An ode to opposites!
By
Charlotte
Mewis
Heading to Brussels?
292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Brussels?
✓ 292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
