A green lung right in the heart of the city. There are several already, but from April 1st you will also be able to enjoy the tranquillity of the Silent Garden at the Archiepiscopal Palace. This green space located between the Wollemarkt and Schoutetstraat will be open three days a week. Take a stroll in the garden and admire the sheds, the Lourdes grottoes, the pavilion but also the garden wall itself, all of which have just been restored. With the emphasis on silence, this little oasis right under St Rumbold’s Tower is just the place to switch off the technology and unwind.

Climb up the canyon or go for a hike to cross suspension bridges and marvel at waterfalls and nature. Or — for something as rewarding but a lot less physically demanding — have a seat in the unique Air Canyon system, which catapults you straight over the canyon and allows you to observe the surroundings from a bird's perspective. The canyon is located on Highway 138, just 5 minutes from the Sainte-Anne Basilica, so both can be done within the same day.

Stroll along the river that flows through the city and be charmed by the beautiful buildings that are built on its bank. It is in the outskirts of the city, though, that the river is more natural and just perfect for a relaxing walk.

The Botanical Garden or 'Botanique' is steeped in history. From the Middle Ages this green oasis was the garden of the former 'commanderij van Pitzemburg', order of knights. After its abolition, in the nineteenth century the garden was turned into an English landscape garden for members of the elitist Société Royale d'Horticulture. After the First World War it opened to the public as a municipal park. In the middle of the Botanical Garden is a statue of the celebrated scientist Rembert Dodoens. In the sixteenth century he wrote a highly acclaimed herbal called the 'Cruydenboek'. These days the Botanical Garden is a quiet and very pleasant park where you can enjoy the plant life while the children let off steam in the playground.