WALKS & ACTIVITIES
Sometimes it is are where we least expect it: sustainability is gradually moving into the city, in the form of technologies, educational events, places and leisure activities that are environment-friendly. A brief, and far from exhaustive overview.
Guided tours
Many organizations offer tours on the theme of sustainable development to show you the city at its most original. For example, "Brussels to make you drool! Mmm… ".
Greeters
To add to a note of authenticity to a stay in Brussels, why not experience a different kind of tourism, by using the services of "Greeters”. These volunteers, Brussels-born or adopted residents will guide you solo, as a family or group, on a tailor-made voyage of discovery. Depending on your tastes and interests, they will reveal little-known neighbourhoods, the local sights, their favourite restaurants and their shopping tips. These special moments of meeting people and exchanging ideas leave indelible memories and the feelings that you know more than everyone else about a city full of charm.
Sightjogging
Visit Brussels while you are doing your jogging: one way of exploring the city, proposed by the association Brussels Sightjogging.
A guided tour by bike, with a Pro Velo specialist
To discover the cultural heritage of Brussels, the bike tours arranged by the association Pro Velo are ideal. There is an extensive choice of theme tours, there are dozens about lifestyle, heritage, green open spaces, history, neighbourhoods…
cactus & co
In small groups and in a quiet atmosphere, unusual cycle trips to discover Brussels in a different way…
A Segway trip
The Segwaytour is the perfect way to surprise your colleagues with a tour that is both cultural and unusual. The tour goes through the discovery of the finest examples of Brussels' architectural heritage, its most amazing yet little-known nooks and crannies, all by Segway. The Segway is an electric platform with two wheels that enables you to travel around the city in a fun, green ... and non-tiring way, even when going uphill! Fifteen minutes, supervised by instructors, will suffice to familiarise yourself with the Segway. The "Brussels Segwaytour" takes about one and a half hours and goes through 17 unmissable historic sites and buildings in the capital.
Brussels for All
The 'Brussels for All' site is for people with disabilities, seeking information for their stay in Brussels; it is also an effective tool for travel agencies and tour operators, transport or accommodation service providers. This site provides information about the availability of accommodation facilities, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, sports and recreation.
Parks
With its many parks, gardens and forests, Brussels has no fewer than 27 square metres of green open space per head of population. It is the greenest capital in Europe. In the centre, just a short distance from the Grand’ Place, take a stroll in the garden of Mont des Arts or lie down on a hammock bench in the small park opposite the cathedral. A few steps away, the avenues of the splendid Parc de Bruxelles are just made for walking. At the lower end of Rue de la Regence, go into the beautiful square of the Petit Sablon and see, on the fence surrounding it, the bronze statuettes representing all the ancient crafts and trades. Then head up rue aux Laines and enter the Egmont Park. It's so peaceful! You would hardly believe that you are just a short distance from all the bustle of Place Louise! Yes, you can really walk through Brussels and almost only see trees! The further away from the centre, the more spectacular the green open spaces become: the Cinquantenaire Park and museums or Woluwe Park and its 71 acres of English style grounds. At the end of Avenue Louise, the Bois de la Cambre takes you seamlessly from the city to the countryside. At the edge of the lake, do as the people of Brussels do: take the old ferry across to Robinson Island and go take a gingerbread-flavoured ('speculoos') ice cream in its charming chalet. Cycling is the ideal way to discover the hidden treasures of this green city.
The Green Walk
The Brussels region is literally surrounded by a green loop of 63 km of trails that can be explored on foot or bicycle, and easily accessible by public transport (metro, tram…). This bucolic tour takes you from parks into forests, crossing pieces of lost pieces of countryside lost amid the city, and dotted with ponds, woods or marshes. An enchanting walk which won two awards in 2010: an Award from the tourism industry in May and a special mention from the jury in the 8th European Town Planning Grand Prix in November. Discover it soon, no matter what the season!
Nos Pilifs Farm: for an unforgettable family outing 
It is hard to believe we are still in the capital of Europe ... Here we are greeted by farm animals. In addition to the work of the farm, handling workshops, a restaurant, a grocery store, a bakery ... provide employment for people with disabilities. The younger ones among us will discover the different jobs in a fun way to take full advantage of the tasty produce grown and raised according the principles of organic agriculture and livestock in the café of the site. Nos Pilifs Farm is one of the most surprising and most bucolic places in Brussels.
Farm in Park Maximilien
This educational farm, nestled in the heart of Brussels, is a small urban miracle. The programme of the tour: a vegetable garden, an orchard, a pond and above all, animals. It is also a centre for education about the environment and sustainable development, with rainwater tanks, lagoons for waste water, composting site, solar water heating, photovoltaic panels, ... all intended to reconcile nature and urban life in a sustainable way.
Tournesol asbl
Ferme d'Uccle
This farm in Uccle is a small piece of countryside that Brussels keeps as a secret.
The farm activities in Uccle are organized by the Tournesol association, a regional centre for introduction to ecology, itself located in a beautiful old farmhouse in the Tournay-Solvay Park in Boitsfort. With the ambition to arouse a sense of wonder as much as to raise awareness of the impact of our daily actions on the environment, the team of activity leaders offers a wide range of activities on the two sites: school activities, courses or guided tours.
Park "Tournesol" (Tournay-Solvay) is located between the Chaussée de La Hulpe and the station in Watermael-Boitsfort.
Les Jardins du Fleuriste
Nestling close to the Domaine Royal de Laeken, the Jardins du Fleuriste were born out of Leopold II's wish to develop a site of nearly 7 hectares dedicated to horticulture.
Since 1999, a public park has been laid out here. The various gardens that make up the park now reinterpret the historic character of the site and bring it a streamlined modernity, respecting the most stringent environmental standards. The highlight of the visit, the balconies, emphasizes the panorama that stretches from Notre-Dame de Laeken to the Palace de Justice...
van Buuren Gardens
This is a romantic walk par excellence ! First we visit the splendid Villa van Buuren built in 1928, the Art Deco interior, housing rare furniture, sculptures and old masters. Then we discover the gardens... These are truly exceptional: the "Picturesque Garden", a "Garden of the Heart" and "Maze Garden" are remarkable, beautiful in every season.
Apis Bruoc Sella asbl, Brussels honey
The association's main aim is to encourage the development of the Nature centre into the concept of 'Sustainable City' and 'Sustainable development'. It also promotes the development of a beekeeping policy integrated into the city.
The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
Built on the initiative of King Leopold II, the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are among the main 19th century monuments in Belgium. They were built entirely of metal and glass, which was a spectacular innovation at the time. The greenhouses house a sizeable collection of plants and flowers, particularly exotic ones, including a very large collection of camellias. Each spring, the greenhouses are opened to the public.
The Port of Brussels
The Port of Brussels is the second largest inland port in Belgium. It is a sea port can accommodate vessels up to 4,500 tons.
Guided cruises are arranged regularly in the Port of Brussels, in the city or towards Hainaut province, by Brussels by Water or La Fonderie.
La Brasserie de la Senne
This micro-brewery believes in making beers the traditional way, unfiltered, unpasteurized, without any additives, using only top quality raw materials.
Le Sortilège
This is a great adventure game for all, combining fun, resourcefulness and teamwork, out in the countryside.
