Green space in the city matters to everyone, and fortunately both Brussels and Antwerp are home to several parks that are excellently accessible to wheelchair users. Paved paths, adapted toilets, disabled parking and level little bridges make these green lungs genuine places of rest for all. Below we have picked the eight most beautiful accessible parks in the country's two largest cities.
Brussels: four accessible favourites
Parc du Cinquantenaire (Jubelpark)
The Parc du Cinquantenaire in Etterbeek is the largest historic park in Brussels. The imposing triumphal arch forms the centrepiece of this vast area, with wide, paved paths that are all step-free. Around the park you will find three museums, all three of them wheelchair-accessible: the Army Museum, AutoWorld and the Royal Museums of Art and History. Disabled parking is provided at several entrances. The Merode and Schuman metro stations are both fitted with lifts.
Parc de Bruxelles (Warandepark)
The Parc de Bruxelles, opposite the Royal Palace and the federal parliament, is an oasis in the heart of the city. Despite its historic layout, the main paths are well paved and level. Adapted toilets can be found at the pavilion in the middle of the park. On summer evenings there are regular free concerts at the various bandstands, all reachable for wheelchair users. The Parc and Trone metro stations are just a few metres away.
Bois de la Cambre (Ter Kamerenbos)
The Bois de la Cambre on the Avenue Louise is a vast woodland and walking area where several main paths are fully paved and level. Around Robinson Island and the Abbaye de la Cambre the surface is ideal for wheelchair users. This is also a must for lovers of culture and architecture: the abbey houses the renowned La Cambre art academy, and the restored section is wheelchair-accessible.
Parc de Woluwe
The Parc de Woluwe in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is a romantic English-style park with three large ponds, designed by landscape architect Elie Laine. The main paths around the ponds are paved and offer beautiful views over the rolling landscape. Picnic tables on paved ground make this a perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday afternoon with the family.
Antwerp: four accessible favourites
Rivierenhof
The Rivierenhof in Deurne is Antwerp's largest city park, with no fewer than 130 hectares of greenery. The paved main paths are wheelchair-friendly and lead past the castle pond, the French gardens, the open-air theatre and the Provincial Museum Sterckshof. Adapted toilets are available at the castle and at the Turnhoutsebaan entrance. Accessible parking is plentiful at every entrance.
Park Spoor Noord
Park Spoor Noord is a modern park built on a former railway shunting yard. This means everything is brand new and designed with accessibility in mind. Wide, perfectly level paths, spacious playgrounds with equipment for children with disabilities, water features and an adapted cafe make this park a model of inclusive urban design.
Middelheim Museum and Park
The Middelheim Museum is not a conventional museum but an open-air sculpture park spread across 30 hectares of greenery. All main paths are paved and the sculptures are positioned at a height that is comfortable to view from a seated position. Adapted toilets are available in the pavilion Het Huis. Admission is also entirely free, all year round.
Sonian Forest (Antwerp side)
The Sonian Forest extends across the borders of Brussels, Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant. At various welcome points, accessible trails have been laid out along paved forest paths. The Hallerbos Visitor Centre and the Tervuren Arboretum are both excellently accessible and make ideal starting points. The nature experience is fully immersive, including for those using a wheelchair.
Practical tips
Parks may at first glance always look accessible, but watch the details: check in advance whether there are gravel paths (which can be difficult for non-powered wheelchairs), whether any small bridges have thresholds, and whether the adapted toilets remain open outside the high season. For events and concerts, ask the organisers about reserved wheelchair spaces and dedicated entrances.
Combine your park visit with a nearby museum or landmark. Discover more ideas on our routes page or browse the full list of accessible locations in Brussels and Antwerp.