Discover Tervuren: Culture, Park and Arboretum

Tervuren combines impressive culture with an expansive parkland and an arboretum full of unusual trees. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for their stay will find inspiration here for very different kinds of holiday days: museum visits, historical discoveries and walks through a botanically shaped landscape can be combined into a varied programme.

AfricaMuseum and Geographical Arboretum

After years of renovation, the AfricaMuseum reopened to the public on 9 December 2018. Access is via a new reception pavilion connected to the former museum building by an underground gallery. This makes the museum a striking cultural starting point for anyone wishing to explore history, collections and international connections in Tervuren.

Another facet of the area is revealed by the Geographical Arboretum of Tervuren. It was established in 1902 on land belonging to King Leopold II. The original design by Professor Charles Bommer has been preserved despite more than a century of extensions and renewals. The arboretum is considered a public area freely accessible all year round, making it particularly suitable for flexible day planning.

On the Royal Walk, the route leads past various noteworthy places in the Geographical Arboretum. With 700 different tree species, you can take a journey around the world. Highlights include sequoias from the west coast of North America and araucarias from the Andes. For families with different interests, this creates a clear choice between cultural immersion and an exploration of the plant world.

Historical Traces in Tervuren Park

Tervuren Park was once the hunting ground of the Dukes of Brabant. Today, it is an elegant 205-hectare park for leisurely walks. The park contains the remains of the ducal palace as well as the Baroque Sint-Hubertus Chapel dating from 1617. These places give a walk a historical focus without requiring the day to be limited to a single museum.

The Watermill of Gordaal, known as the Spanish House, is also one of the protected sights in Tervuren Park. It is protected as a monument and lies in an area that is itself protected as both a monument and a landscape. The Gordaal Mill was originally a compulsory mill belonging to the Dukes of Brabant; its current appearance dates from a renovation in 1533. Anyone interested in architectural history and former systems of rule can find another specific focus here.

Orientation and Special Dates

The interactive De Warandepoort Visitor Centre on Tervuren's market square provides information for visits to Tervuren, the Sonian Forest and South Dijleland. It can therefore be a helpful starting point when planning your own outings. A special culinary addition is Wijndomein Pot de Vin: tastings are only possible at the winery by prior appointment. This detail belongs in your planning if you would like to include a wine tasting in your stay.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for accommodation in Tervuren, it is worth deciding on your preferred daily rhythm first. If the focus is on the AfricaMuseum and the historic buildings, cultural discoveries take centre stage. Those who prefer to spend longer periods surrounded by greenery can include the arboretum and Tervuren Park in their travel plans. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Tervuren provides the right setting for combining these interests at your own pace; specific amenities or availability should be checked individually for each offer.

Discover More Places

For further searches for suitable destinations, you can also explore Mont-Saint-Guibert, Tielt-Winge, Lasne, Lillois-Witterzée, Beersel, Wemmel, Gooik and Jette.

To the higher-level travel overview: Brabant.