7 best ways to celebrate summer in Belgium

Temperatures are rising in Belgium and let’s hope it stays that way. To make the most out of these long summer days. The Bulletin team has reassembled our favourite picks to cool down.  

1. Go to the Belgian seaside
When the combination of summer heat and smog suffocates you in Brussels, do as the Belgians do: head for the Belgian coast and take a dip in (or a long stroll along) the North Sea. Belgium has over 67 kilometres of sandy beaches, among which you'll also find lovely sand dunes and nature preserves as well as a variety of proposed water sports (windsurfing, sand yachting, fishing, etc). Meanwhile, numerous boutiques, museums and aquariums exist for those looking to avoid too much sand on their feet. Consult this EUpedia website if you need more advice on which Belgian coastal town is really the right fit for you.

2. Go to Brussels Beach
If you don’t have the time to go all the way to the coast, Brussels also offers a beach of its own. Inspired by the beach on the River Seine in Paris, Brussels transforms the bank of the Brussels canal into a real urban beach called Bruxelles les Bains (pictured above). 3.000 tons of sand from the North Sea are poured on the site (length of 1km), and straw huts, palm trees, lounge chairs and water fountains run amuck.

City dwellers flock to this waterfront paradise to show off, sunbathe, play a game of beach volleyball, cool off under the fountains, or simply sip a fruit juice cocktail under a straw parasol. The beach will be open from July 4th to August 10th for this 2014 edition, and will include lots of events on the side: concert, cultural expos, sports, open air cinema, a Kids Zone and much more.

3. Do lake water sports
To learn how to water ski or do other water sports, the best to head is to the Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure. A string of lakes emerging from a hydro-electric dam, the Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure offer something summer for everyone. Water sports remain naturally the main draw, principally sailing, jet-skiing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, diving (to 40m), wakeboarding, water-skiing and windsurfing. Other sports include cycling, nature walks, fishing, Nordic walking and tree-top trails in the Natura Parc, which has the added attraction of ‘tree dating’ evenings two Fridays a month during the summer. The lakes lie amongst picturesque castles, abbeys and farms in the little-known Sambre and Meuse region, and are a perfect get away from the hot city all without getting sand in your shoes.

4. Go swimming
There’s no better way to tackle the hot summer days than with a refreshing plunge in the pool, and in Brussels you have many options to do just that. You can see which communal pool is closest to home using the website Piscines Bruxelles. Entry fees are cheap (€2-€4), but most of these pools offer just indoor swimming. Still, Etterbeek’s Espadon communal pool has an outside portion and a waterslide open in the summer. For an architecturally special swimming experience, try out the communal pool in the Marolles area. Dating back to 1949, the pool was designed by architect Maurice Van Nieuwenhuyse in the Art Deco style. To fit two pools in the narrow building, the architect came up with a construction where the pools are on top of each other. From the pool on the fifth floor, you have a wonderful view of the city.

Meanwhile out near the Atomium is Océade, a great outdoor water park that is a great day excursion for the family. With 14 slides, indoor and open-air pools, Océade has something to entertain everyone for the entire afternoon. Tickets cost €14.50 for kids between 1m15 and 1m30 (smaller children get in free). Taller children or adults pay €17.50.

5. Have an ice cream
Nothing quite cools you down and gives you that extra needed surge of energy in the summer heat like an ice cream. Here are some of the top places to get a scoop in Brussels: 

Australian Ice-cream: This national brand is known and loved for its smooth and creamy treats, a wide range of flavours and generous scoops. Located throughout Brussels.

Capoue: With 10 shops in Brussels, Capoue is very popular on hot days. Check out their summer specials, including mojito, lavender and orange blossom flavours. Among the Belgian classics you’ll find speculoos (spiced biscuits) and cuberdon (purple cone shaped sweeties) flavours as well: very tasty. 

Comus and Gasterea: If you want ice cream with a twist, try Comus and Gasterea in the Marché aux Poissons. You’ll find some unusual ice cream flavours like aubergine, olive oil, anchovies and wasabi. If you’re feeling less adventurous, try caramel, green apple or coffee. Very much worth queuing for! 

Freezy Yog: If you’re counting calories, ice-cream parlours are unfortunately are a no-go zone. Thank heaven for frozen yoghurt, then, available at Freezy Yog near the Grand’Place . Choose a portion of plain yoghurt, flavoured with red fruits or a mix of both, and top it with raspberry sauce, sprinkles or fresh fruit (or undo your healthy efforts, by adding chocolate, mini marshmallows or cookie crumbles).  

Le Frambosier Doré: Another healthy alternative to ice cream is sorbet. For this, the place to go is Le Frambosier Doré on Rue du Bailli. It’s famous for its many sorbet flavours, from lemon or banana to blackcurrant. Finger-licking good!

Zizi: Ice cream purest should ehad to the family-run Zizi in Uccle. Well-known beyond communal borders, Zizi started in 1948 with Izzi Gabriele selling homemade Italian ice-cream near the Churchill roundabout. Nowadays, the parlour in Uccle is crowded on sunny days, with people licking ice-cream or sipping milkshakes inside or outside on the benches. 

6. Have evening drinks in the park
Cool down in the park with an open-air cocktail party called apéros urbains. The cocktails take place in a different park throughout Brussels every Friday evening from happy hour to dusk (…and beyond, as it is often followed by an Apéro Club after-party).

The event travels to a new location every week, so check the online agenda for announcements. 

7. Take an Apero Cruise
Cool down with a cocktail river cruise that takes off every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening from Brussels beach (Bruxelles-les-bains). Lasting 2 hours, the cruise takes passengers through scenery between Brussels and Grimbergen as they sip on delicious cocktails and enjoy live music. For an admission fee of €10 (which includes a free drink), it’s definitely worth a whirl.