Parc du Cinquantenaire
Jubelpark

A picturesque park inaugurated in 1880 to celebrate 50 years of Belgian independence. It’s still one of the most beautiful parks in the city and full of hidden gems!

If you’ve ever been to Brussels, chances are you’ve noticed the majestic Arcade du Cinquantenaire. You know, that incredible triple arch topped with a sculpture of Brabant raising the national flag. Still, have you ever wondered what this represents?

The Arcade du Cinquantenaire is the centerpiece of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, which--as you probably know by now--was originally designed to celebrate the first 50 years of Belgian independence.

There are two things that arguably make this place so special. First, it’s the park itself: thanks to its 37 hectares of beautiful nature, it’s the perfect spot to chill and sunbathe, or even to get some exercise if you feel like going for a jog.

The second (and most important) factor is the amount of culture to be discovered in the park: the Parc du Cinquantenaire isn’t only full of beautiful trees and flowers, but also full of monuments, buildings and even museums.

• The largest mosque in Belgium: the park is also home to the Great Mosque of Brussels, the most important mosque in the country. No matter your belief, this is definitely something to check out, especially if you’re interested in Islamic culture and history.
• Chill in the sun… or learn something new: you can either visit the park to spend a relaxing day in the sun or visit the 3 museums that lie within the Cinquantenaire: the Royal Museum of the Army and Military History, the Art & History Museum and the World Automobile Palace. The perfect combination of relaxation and culture! Note that you’ll have to book the tickets beforehand to visit the museums.
• During the summer, you can visit the Temple of Human Passions, a beautiful neoclassical pavilion in the form of a Greek temple.
• Kid-friendly! If you decide to visit the park with your little ones, let them have fun in the 2 different playgrounds in the Cinquantenaire: a bigger one -- close to the mosque and with white sand -- and a smaller one, right next to the Army museum.
• There’s also a track field where you’ll see locals working out in the evenings. It’s a great place for a run combined with a lap around the park.

Summer pop-up

In the summer enjoy a drink or bite to eat at Chez Maurice - an open air pop-up bar (or guinguette) - located near the west corner of the park, just a stone's throw from the European Commission building. With plenty of benches for seating and heaps of lawn space to spread out on, this summer hotspot is ideal for catching up with friends or just enjoying some sun in the city.