The warmest Friday of the year (so far) is upon us, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Brussels to celebrate the return of better weather.
From ice cream and bike rides to picnics and pétanque, here are The Brussels Times' favourite ways to spend a sunny day in the capital.
1. Spend a day at the spa
A day at the stunning Thermae Boetfort on the outskirts of the city is our Editor in Chief's favourite way to spend a day off. This wellness complex is located in the grounds of a picturesque château just outside Brussels, and is the ideal activity to let off steam after a busy working week.
Credit: Thermae Boetfort
Open until 22:30, the spa boasts an outdoor pool, hot tubs and sauna cabins, terrace restaurant and bar, private wellness facilities and massage treatments, as well as indoor facilities on cooler days.
Find more information here.
2. Perfect your pétanque
On a sunny day in Brussels, there's nothing better than a friendly game of pétanque in one of Brussels' sunny parks. A surprisingly well-maintained terrain can be found in Etterbeek's Jardin Jean Glineur. Just in front of Le Stop café, there is a public pétanque area free to use by locals. With the bar's terrace just next door, it is an ideal location to bring together a group of friends for beer and a bowl.
Credit: La Bruxelloise à pétanque
Other good locations include the Parc Sainte Elisabeth, Les p'tites soeurs de l'Atomium (Mutsaard), the Parc de Bruxelles, Tour & Taxis, and the Parc de Cinquantenaire.
Our favourite location for pétanque, however, is the shady gardens of the Jardins de l'Abbaye de la Cambre, located not far from the Bois de la Cambre. During the summer months, local vendors sometimes operate a pop-up bar at this location and the gardens are a buzz with groups playing pétanque.
3. Explore one of Brussels' ice cream parlours
Now's the time to discover the best ice cream Brussels has to offer. Whether you prefer a cone or a pot, fancy a smooth, creamy dessert or a refreshing, tangy sorbet, the city has something for everyone.
Credit: Bargello
Bargello are masters at providing that Italian summer holiday feeling with their artisan ice cream, while Giotto introduces new and bold flavours every week and Pepe's Glacier was ranked in the top 100 ice cream manufacturers in the world in 2022.
Find all our favourite ice cream parlours here.
4. Dive into Brussels' only outdoor pool
Brussels' only outdoor swimming pool FLOW, located on the canal in Anderlecht, is open for the sunny weather. From a poolside sauna which opened last year, to free swimming lessons for young and old, the bathing spot is the place to be.
Credit: FLOW
The pool is accessible by metro lines 1 and 5 or the 78 bus. Make sure you book online beforehand to ensure a spot and a rejuvenating dip.
Find more information here.
5. Soak up the rays with a good book
For those who are not up for anything active but still want to feel the sun on their face, Brussels' parks are great for reading in the sun. Bring a book, sunglasses, some fresh fruit, and maybe a nice cold drink. Find a patch of grass that strikes your fancy, lay down and enjoy the breeze while reading your favourite book, magazine or newspaper.
People sitting in the sun in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Lambert
With its kiosks and fairy lights, Parc de Bruxelles is perfect if you want to have a quick drink or bite in the shade. Parc de Osseghem gives you a nice view at the Atomium, while Parc de Forest makes you forget you are in a crowded city. But a favourite is Parc Léopold near Schuman. With its sloping meadows and large pond, it is the ideal place to lay back and relax.
Find more on Brussels' best green spaces here.
6. Picnic in the park
One of our reporters says there's no better way to end the working week than strolling to Josaphat Park with a picnic basket filled with comfort food.
Park Josaphat in Schaerbeek. Credit: Lauren Walker / The Brussels Times
Lie down on the sloped lawn, and wind down while enjoying the stunning view over the city. Stop by WINOK on Avenue Louis Bertrand on the way to grab some mouth-watering pastries (the cookies are sublime) for a perfect experience.
7. Dine at a local market
There's a food market for every day of the week in Brussels, and on Fridays it's Schaerbeek's turn. The cosy Place des Chasseurs Ardennais around the corner from Plasky is a favourite of one of our editors. Although open all year round, locals love to soak up the rays on a sunny Friday, catch up on their week over a beer and enjoy a tasty meal from one of the many food stands.
Credit: Place des Chasseurs Ardennais market / Facebook
While in Plasky, take time to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom adorning the avenues this time of year.
Find more information here.
8. Ride into the sunset
Some cyclists need no encouragement and hit the roads oblivious to the Belgian elements. Others are fair-weather riders and save their outings for the rare days when skies are blue and tarmac is dry. On these occasions, this correspondent likes to head south, taking the cycle path along the canal towards Halle. The route quickly leaves the concrete cityscape, giving way to open fields and hills on the horizon.
Car Free Sunday, 18 September 2022. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
If you're energetic you can explore the rolling roads of the Flemish Pajottenland, brave the Classics cobbles, or aim for the woods around Halle, which will soon be blooming with bluebells.
9. Enjoy jazz and €1 pints
The bright evening calls for a stroll around Ixelles' eclectic Fernand Cocq neighbourhood for a €1 happy hour pint from 18:00 to 19:00 (or €2 cava) on the buzzing terrace of the charming old bar Le Consul.
Sounds jazz club open mic.
Admire Fernand Cocq's ornate town hall at sunset before meandering toward the Sounds Jazz Club on the Rue de la Tulipe. A €5 ticket grants access to the evening's groove session featuring an array of "infectious beats, soulful melodies, and masterful improvisatio." There is also an open mic for anybody looking to contribute their musical abilities to the jam session.
Find more information here.
10. Dance the night away at Kiosk Radio
Kiosk radio broadcasts year-round, but when temperatures rise the guinguette around the wooden shack are packed, as people are drawn to this congenial corner of Parc Royale by the eclectic soundtrack.
Credit: Kiosk Radio / Ugo Realfonzo
It's a favourite hang-out for anyone with an interest in DJ culture but is by no means exclusive.
Find more information here.
