Royal Park
Sitting between the Royal Palace and the Belgian Parliament, the Royal Park is where monarchs and ministers practically share a garden. This 18th-century green space boasts leafy paths, ornate fountains – and one truly bizarre story about a Russian emperor who had a bit too much to drink.
The Tsar and the fountain
In 1717, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia visited Brussels and – after one too many drinks – ended up throwing up right into one of the fountains. That very basin still exists today. You’ll find it in one of the park’s two sunken pits near the Royal Palace. Stand with your back to the palace, and head to the pit on the right. The basin sits there, alongside a bronze statue of the Tsar himself.
The Latin text on the basin tells the whole story (with way more elegance than we just did): “Pierre Alexiowitz, Tsar of Moscow, Grand Duke, seated at the edge of this fountain, ennobled its waters with the wine he had drunk on April 16, 1717, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.”
A park with a pattern?
Look at the park on a map, and you’ll spot something curious – its paths form what looks exactly like a compass, one of Freemasonry’s key symbols. Coincidence? Maybe not. Designed in the late 1700s, when Freemasonry was thriving in Brussels, those neat diagonal paths just happen to point toward three centers of power: the Royal Palace, Parliament, and the Palace of Justice.
A Summer-Hit: Vaux-Hall
From mid-June to late August, the park’s historic Vaux-Hall transforms into Vaux-Hall Summer, a dreamy cultural oasis with workshops, open-air movies, dance performances, and DJ sets. Whether you’re looking to lounge under the trees or immerse yourself in new artistic experiences, it’s always free, always festive, and a perfect way to hit pause on the hectic city life.
Kiosk radio
Also look out for Kiosk Radio – an online community radio station streaming 24/7 from a cozy wooden shack right here in the park. On sunny afternoons, their grotove spills onto the grass, giving you a great excuse to dance under the trees.
Woodpecker Park: feeling peckish?
Open year-round from 11 AM to 7 PM (often later in warm weather), Woodpecker Park serves up burgers, waffles, and artisanal Belgian ice cream – many from local Brussels brands. Bonus points if you catch a live DJ set from Kiosk Radio while you sip your craft beer or savor a scoop of Gaston ice cream.
Insider tip
Grab food from Woodpecker Park, find a sunny spot, and join the Brusseleirs in the noble art of doing nothing much at all.