What to do for Valentine’s Day? It is a question many of us will be asking in the coming days, with 14 February just around the corner. Even if you do not plan on buying gifts for the most romantic day of the year, it is still a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with the person you love. When living in Brussels, however, it can sometimes feel challenging to discover new romantic spots around the city. Unlike Paris or Vienna, the Belgian capital is not internationally known for its romantic reputation.
After a long month of January grisaille, that never ending greyness so typical of Belgium, Brussels can appear cold and uninviting. But once the winter sun breaks through the clouds, the sky turns blue and terraces begin to fill, the city quickly regains its charm. It is at that moment that the desire to go out and explore returns. So why not combine that urge to discover with your Valentine’s Day plans this year? Take a day off, pack a picnic and explore a park you may never have visited before with the love of your life.
While any park can be a pleasant setting for a picnic, Valentine’s Day calls for something a little more special. That is why we have selected five of the most romantic green spaces in and around Brussels, where you are sure to create memories that will last well beyond the day itself.
1. Meise botanic garden
What could be more romantic than a stroll through a botanic garden? With its many different sections, there is no risk of growing tired of the surrounding greenery, making it an ideal destination even for those less familiar with parks. From the medieval garden to the arboretum and the rose garden, the scenery changes constantly, with Bouchout Castle appearing almost unexpectedly along the way. The most romantic feature is undoubtedly the Balat Greenhouse, a delicate architectural masterpiece where plants and design come together beautifully.
2. Parc d’Egmont
If you are not aware of its existence, it is easy to walk past this park countless times without noticing it. Its discreet entrances are tucked away between imposing buildings, making the discovery all the more surprising. With its 1.5 hectares, it is relatively small, but it offers a refreshing pocket of greenery in the heart of the city. An orangerie sits at its centre, while traces of the former Palais d’Egmont can still be found throughout the park. It is an ideal spot for a quiet and romantic lunch break for two.
3. Jean-Félix Hap Garden
Around 200 years ago, Jean Félix Hap served as mayor of Etterbeek. He purchased the estate featuring a Flemish Renaissance castle, while his son François Louis Hap later added a neoclassical residence. Today, this enclosed green haven is a delight, with centuries old trees, the spring of a small stream known as the Broebelaer and an old orangerie. Completely surrounded by walls, the garden gives the impression of stepping into another place and even another era. A perfect escape from everyday life to share with your loved one.
4. Jardins du fleuriste du Stuyvenbergh
Located close to the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, which are unfortunately only open to the public for a short period each year, the Jardins du Fleuriste du Stuyvenberg are unlike any other park in Brussels. Designed as an experimental garden, the site features plant species rarely found elsewhere in the city. Water plays a central role, reflecting the surrounding vegetation and creating a calm, contemporary atmosphere that invites both relaxation and discovery.
5. Domaine régional Solvay
Before Marquis Maximilien de Béthune acquired the estate at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Domaine régional Solvay formed part of the Sonian Forest. That changed when the castle and landscaped park were created. Covering 227 hectares, the domain offers enough space to wander for an entire romantic afternoon. The carefully designed perspectives throughout the park are truly enchanting and inevitably invite visitors to imagine what life in such a setting might be like. One can always dream.
Romance in Brussels does not always announce itself at first glance. Yet behind discreet entrances and beyond the city’s busy streets lie green spaces that offer calm, beauty and intimacy. Whether you choose a hidden garden in the city centre or a vast estate just outside Brussels, these parks prove that a memorable Valentine’s Day does not require grand gestures, only time together in the right setting.
