The 6 best spots for a picnic in Antwerp
Are you looking for the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic in Antwerp? We asked our guides to share their favorite locations. They surprised us with six parks that offer an unforgettable picnic experience. Go on, pack your picnic basket!
1/ Den Botaniek
Den Botaniek (Antwerp’s botanical garden) is an absolute must if you love luscious colors and scents. This city garden takes you back to the past, as it used to belong to the Sint-Elisabethgasthuis, which cultivated medicinal herbs there. Today, it is a public place with over 2,000 plant species, all neatly marked with nameplates.
2/ Park Middelheim
For lovers of art and nature, Park Middelheim is an absolute must-visit. This park houses an impressive collection of contemporary sculptures. Choose a shady spot under one of the majestic trees and get inspired by the combination of art and nature. Meanwhile, listen to the soothing sound of leaves rustling in the wind while birds chirp happily in the background.
3/ Park Den Brandt
Enter a fairytale world at Park Den Brandt, a green gem with beautiful ponds, stately avenues, and picturesque bridges. The park is an idyllic setting for a picnic. Find a spot by the water and enjoy the peace and serenity around you. The rippling sound of the water and the gentle rustling of leaves create a relaxing setting while enjoying the food and drinks in your picnic basket.
4/ Park Spoor Noord
For a vibrant atmosphere, Park Spoor Noord is the place to be. This modern city park has extensive lawns and several play areas, including a fun water play area with fountains for the kids. Park Spoor Noord is perfect for families and groups of friends who want to picnic and enjoy each other’s company. Additionally, you can grab a snack or a drink from April to September at the park’s summer bar. The sound of laughing children and the enthusiastic murmur of people create a cozy ambiance.
5/ Belvédère
Park Belvédère, the newest park at the old dry docks on the Eilandje, offers breathtaking views of the Scheldt. The hexagonal viewpoint with a green zone is very popular with Antwerp residents. They mainly come there to exercise, relax or picnic! Be amazed by Antwerp’s skyline while enjoying a relaxing breeze in peaceful surroundings.
6/ Het Rivierenhof
The Rivierenhof offers everything you need for a successful picnic experience: vast green lawns, beautiful ponds, and breathtaking collection gardens, such as the rose garden, arboretum, pinetum, azalea garden, and Celtic Tree Garden. The Rivierenhof is a play paradise for families with children, with several playgrounds and a maze.
In addition to its natural beauty, the Rivierenhof organizes regular events like the Rose Festival and Storytelling Festival. Every year from June to September, during OLT Rivierenhof, you can enjoy a whole host of concerts in the enchanting open-air theatre. On the program: rock, reggae & blues, pop, hip hop, and urban. So pick a cozy spot for a picnic or visit the Rivierenhof for one of the many performances.
Explore Antwerp’s green spaces with a guide
If you want to explore some of Antwerp’s greenest spots with a guide, we recommend our bike tour “The Parks of Antwerp”. During this 3-hour tour, you will cycle past the beautiful green sites in and around Antwerp. Among others, you will enjoy the trendy Park Spoor Noord, the vast Rivierenhof, and the works of art in Middelheim Park. A local guide will accompany you and tell you about each park’s history and highlights.
Explore Antwerp’s green spaces with a rental bike
Prefer to explore Antwerp’s beautiful parks on your own? No problem! Rent a bike from Antwerp by Bike and explore the city at your own pace. Cycling lets you move quickly from one park to another and explore all the city’s beauty.
Most parks in Antwerp are free to enter. Only special events might require a ticket. To check the exact opening hours, just visit the official website of the park you’re heading to.
Picnics are always allowed, just be respectful. Clean up after yourself and don’t leave any trash behind.
Public toilets? They can be a bit tricky to find. But here’s some good news: the city is testing new public restrooms in parks and squares. After the trial, they’ll decide how to add more facilities in the neighborhoods.
