Visiting the Botanical Garden of Brussels

Just a hop from Brussels and you land in Meise, where the Botanical Garden makes you wonder if you’ve stepped into a Jurassic Park movie set—minus the dinosaurs and drama!

SUMMARY: The Botanical Garden in Meise, just outside Brussels, is a great spot to explore both nature and history across 92 hectares of gardens. Some of the main attractions are the Plant Palace with its climate-controlled greenhouses, Bouchout Castle with its panoramic views, and various themed gardens that feature medicinal plants and trace plant evolution. The garden is open all year, and tickets cost up to €15. There’s plenty to do, including educational trails, a barefoot path, a garden train ride, and special seasonal activities.Buy your entry ticket here.

When my family met up with my brother-in-law’s family and we agreed on the Botanical Gardens because it was a convenient location, I didn’t expect it to be so beautiful and so much fun.

We all fell instantly in love and I even returned a couple of months later with the kids to explore more of the park. We still didn’t cover everything and I have to say: the gardens are ever-changing and so worth visiting, especially if you’re city-tripping Brussels and you could use some peace and quietness.

I can see us coming back here every couple of months. But what exactly makes it so special?

A Bit of History

Did you know the National Botanic Garden of Belgium started in 1797, right in Brussels?

Back then, it was part of the Nassau Palace, where explorers would bring back exotic plants from their travels. As the collection outgrew its home, the need for space led to a big move to Meise in 1938. 

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The cool part? The land was bought by King Leopold II (we don’t like him — he’s a murderer) for his sister, Empress Charlotte, turning it into a massive garden with everything from English parks to a huge greenhouse complex called the Plant Palace.

Nowadays, it’s one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and it even holds a world record as of the summer of 2024 (for the largest “corpse flower” ever)!

What Will You See? 

Covering 92 hectares (about 227 acres), the Botanical Garden of Brussels houses an incredible collection of over 18,000 plant species. Let’s take a closer look.

The Plant Palace

Ever wanted to hop from tropical rainforests to deserts to a Mediterranean climate in a matter of minutes?

That’s the Plant Palace for you—13,000 square meters (139930 sq feet) of climate-controlled greenhouses, each meticulously crafted to transport you to a different part of the world.

Calculate enough time, because the greenhouse is rather large. Also, don’t forget to climb the stairs and take in the view from above.

The Castle of Bouchout

Yes, there’s an actual castle in the mix! Bouchout Castle brings a touch of medieval flair to the garden, hosting some exhibitions plus, if you climb to the top, you’ll be treated to spectacular panoramic views of the garden.

Themed Gardens

Each themed garden is a universe of its own. The Evolution Garden takes you on a walk through plant history, showcasing how diverse life forms have evolved over millions of years.

The Medicinal Garden displays plants that heal, teaching you about nature’s remedies right under your nose.

Seasonal Highlights

Each season transforms the botanical garden in Meise: Spring in Belgium features a stunning display of cherry blossoms—ideal for early visits.

In summer, the gardens are at their peak, lush and vibrant, great for longer explorations. Autumn offers a spectacular color change, perfect for photography.

Winter will bring you a serene landscape where you get to enjoy a peaceful stroll. 

Planning Your Visit

Here’s what you need to know to make your trip smooth and enjoyable: 

🕰️ Opening Hours: The garden is open daily. From March to October, it’s open from 10:00 to 18:00, with the last entry at 17:00. In the winter months, from November to February, it operates from 10:00 to 17:00, allowing last entries at 16:00. 

🎟️ Admission Fees: Entry costs €15 for adults, but you can save €1 if you book online. It’s a great deal for families because kids under 18 get in for just €6, and those under 6 years old enter for free. Discounts are available for seniors and disabled visitors. Additionally, if you’re a frequent visitor, consider getting the Friends of the Garden card for year-round access and benefits. Plus, if you have a MuseumPassMusées, you get free access as well.

🚌 Getting There: For those not driving, a convenient bus from Brussels North Station will take you directly to the garden’s entrance. It’s hassle-free and drops you right at the doorstep! 

💡 Tips: Grab a leaflet at the entrance to help you; they’re tailored to different interests and really handy, plus they come in different languages too! If you’re looking for something more, the garden offers all sorts of activities throughout the year, like thematic walks and art exhibitions. Plus, the staff at the entrance are super helpful and friendly—they’ll make your visit even better (seriously, we loved these people so much!!)! 

For the latest information and to plan your visit better, check their official website for details on tickets and upcoming events.

🚗 Parking: the botanical gardens have a free parking lot next to the entrance. This is also a great place to park if you have an old car that’s not allowed into Brussels city center (Brussels is a LEZ zone) because you can catch a direct bus into the city.

Visiting with Kids 

The Brussels Botanical Garden is a fantastic spot for kids, filled with opportunities to learn and explore. Here’s what makes it a hit for families:

Educational Trails and Interactive Learning

The garden puts a lot of attention to educational trails specifically designed for kids. These trails are interactive and make learning about plant life an engaging experience for young explorers.

Bee Quest

During the summer months (from May to September), the garden hosts a “Bee Quest,” where kids can follow clues and complete tasks to find a treasure chest.

This activity is designed to be fun and educational, teaching kids about the importance of bees in the ecosystem. At the end of the quest, there’s a little surprise waiting in the treasure chest for the young adventurers.

💡 Good to know: this is the tour we did, but it might change year over year. However, there should be a treasure chest during the summer months as the Botanical Gardens are part of the “Treasures of Fly”, a treasure hunt platform for Dutch-speaking kids. But good news: the one at the Botanical Gardens is available in English too!   

Train Ride Through the Garden

The garden’s little train (golf cart kind of train) is great, especially if you’re visiting with young kids.

Our 3-year-old really enjoyed the ride, and it was a nice way for us to rest a bit while still seeing different parts of the garden. It’s a convenient and fun way to cover more ground without getting too tired.

💡 Insider’s Tip: It’s free (yay!) and it’s a hop-on-hop-off train, so make good use of it. The only downside is that it takes an hour to complete the route, so while there are many stops along the way, you’ll have to wait for another hour if you miss it.

Barefoot Path and Play Areas

For a more tactile experience, you can enjoy the “Amaze-Your-Feet Path,” a barefoot trail that will have you walk barefoot (duh!) through mud and over all kinds of different textures.

There’s also a raft (super fun, really!) to cross over to the Island Garden and a Play Forest where they can let out some energy in a natural setting.

💡 Good to know: If you’re visiting in early spring, be aware that the Barefoot Path is located in a sea of blooming Wild Garlic. If you’re sensitive to the smell, you might want to avoid this part.   

Seasonal Activities

The garden often organizes seasonal activities tailored for children, like treasure hunts and interactive guided tours. This means there’s always something new to discover, even if you visit often.

While we were there in April, we took part in the Easter treasure hunt that was centered around the Plant Palace. And while we were there in July, there were plenty of summer activities including a crafting area at the castle where you could borrow crafting boxes. My son chose the “painting a rock” one, while my daughter picked one to make perfume (with plants from the garden, of course!).

Tips Before You Go 

• Footwear: Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as the garden paths span over several kilometers. Almost all paths are gravel.
• Weather Prep: The Belgian weather can be unpredictable. Always bring an umbrella or a raincoat, just in case. 
• Photography: Early morning or late afternoon provides the best light for photos, so if photography is your thing, make sure to visit early or late. 
• Time: You’ll need at least a full day to explore the botanical gardens and everything there is to do!

So, Is the Botanical Garden in Meise Worth It? 

I’m going to keep this plain and simple: yes, definitely visit the botanical gardens when you’re in Brussels! It’s kind of a hidden gem, but I’ve recommended this place to a lot of people and they all loved it!

My favorites are the Plant Palace, the Barefoot Path, and the Island Garden, but there are a couple of places we still have to discover.

If you’re looking for more interesting things to do in Brussels, check out my list of the best museums in the capital!

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