Tervuren

Tervuren is a municipality in Flemish Brabant on the outskirts of the vast Sonian Forest, south-west of Brussels. It is best known as the host town of the Belgian king's summer residence, which is now the Museum for Central Africa, and for the beautiful park surrounding it.

By tram
The easiest way to reach Tervuren is by tram from Brussels on the network of the MIVB (Brussels public transport operator). It is served by tram. Tervuren has 3 main stations: is closest to the historic center,  for the Museum for Central Africa and also last station on the line, and  for the Sonian Forest. Service frequency depends on the time schedule: during rush hour and week days there are 3 trams per hour, in the weekends or late evenings this is usually less.

By bus
Tervuren is served by the Flemish bus operator De Lijn, with lines 316 and 352 passing from Kraainem through Tervuren to Leuven. Travel time to Kraainem is 15 minutes, travel time to Leuven 35 minutes. A ticket can be purchased from the bus driver and costs €3. The bus and tram services are operated by different companies, so when transferring from bus to tram or vice versa, you must buy a new ticket.

By bicycle
The Sonian Forest and surrounding rural areas offer magnificent many viewpoints to those investing the effort of reaching Tervuren by bicycle. Slopes are rarely steep, but some exercising may come in handy. As with most of Flanders, cycling infrastructure is severely lacking. Cyclists will be required to share the road with motorized vehicles, which often results in dangerous situations. The Sonian Forest is free of motorized vehicles, and very safe to pass through.

Get around
The town and adjacent park for which it is famous are easily explorable by foot. In winter, the dolomite-covered park tracks can remain wet from rain for a long time, so water resistant shoes are strongly recommended. Although rare, snow is not unseen in Tervuren, although it usually melts within a day or two.

Go next

 * Brussels, the capital of Belgium and host of many of the European Union institutions.
 * Kraainem, neighboring town with rich cultural and industrial heritage dating back to the 12th century.
 * Leuven, famous for beer, technology, and one of the oldest universities in Western Europe. Well preserved historic city center.
 * Hike through the Sonian Forest, the "green lung" of Brussels, known for its century old beech trees.