Evere

Evere is a residential municipality in the northeastern part of the Brussels-Capital Region, best known as the home of NATO's headquarters and the Brussels Expo (heysel) complex nearby. It has a quiet, leafy character with a mix of 19th-century working-class houses (around the Place de la Paix) and modern apartment blocks. The Josaphat Park — an English-style landscape park with a pond — is Evere's green centrepiece. The commune also houses the Evere Cemetery, the largest in the Brussels region, with important World War I Commonwealth war graves and the ashes of Belgian artist René Magritte. Evere is predominantly residential and is known for its multicultural population.

By Plane

Brussels Airport (BRU) is just 8 km north — a short taxi ride (€15–20, 15 min) or bus 78 (25 min). Charleroi Airport (CRL) is 60 km south; shuttle to Brussels-North (1 hr, €16) then bus 66 to Evere.

By Train

Evere has two railway stations: Evere (line 28, local trains to Brussels-North, 7 min) and Bordet (line 26, trains to Brussels-Schuman and Brussels-Luxembourg). Frequency is roughly every 30 minutes.

By Car / Road

The R0 ring road (exit 8, Evere) and A201 airport highway provide access. Street parking is mostly free in residential areas but paid near the main square. The E40 motorway to Leuven and Liège passes just to the east.

Bus lines 66, 69, and 78 connect Evere to Brussels-North, Heysel, and Brussels Airport. Tram line 55 runs from the Da Vinci station to Schaerbeek and the city centre. The commune is moderately walkable — the Josaphat Park and Place de la Paix are within 15 minutes of each other. Villo! stations are few; a bike is useful but not essential.

• Josaphat Park — A beautiful English-style park with a large pond, swans, a bandstand, and century-old trees. Ideal for walking, jogging, and picnicking. Free. Avenue Nestor de Tière.

• NATO Headquarters — The huge glass headquarters building can be seen from Boulevard Léopold III. Not open to the public, but the NATO flag and architecture are photogenic.

• Evere Cemetery — The resting place of René Magritte (grave in the middle section) and a large Commonwealth war cemetery with 2,000+ WWI and WWII graves. Free entry.

• Train World — Though technically in Schaerbeek, it is a 10-minute walk from Evere's eastern edge. Belgium's national railway museum with vintage locomotives and interactive exhibits. €10.

• Église Saint-Vincent — A neo-Romanesque church from the 1850s on the Place de la Paix, with stained-glass windows depicting the life of Saint Vincent.

• Walk through Josaphat Park — The park's winding paths, Japanese bridge, and ornamental pond make for a pleasant afternoon. The rose garden blooms in June.

• Visit Magritte's grave — A pilgrimage for art lovers; his simple granite headstone is in the Evere Cemetery (section 7, plot 13).

• Cycle the Promenade Verte — The 62 km Green Walk that encircles Brussels passes through Evere; pick it up at the Josaphat Park.

• See a concert at Forest National — Though in Forest (different commune), it is accessible by bus 66 + tram from Evere.

• La Canne en Ville (Avenue des Anciens Combattants 11) — French-Belgian brasserie with garden terrace. Mains €18–26.
• Le Jardin de Wada (Place de la Paix 20) — Good Japanese restaurant with sushi, tempura, and ramen. Lunch menu €12, mains €14–22.
• Pizzeria Romana (Avenue Joseph Baeck 38) — Classic Italian, wood-fired pizzas. €9–14.
• Le 57 (Rue François Desmedt 57) — Cosy neighbourhood bistro with a daily chalkboard menu. Mains €16–20.

• Le Paix Café (Place de la Paix 7) — The main square's terrace spot, good for a Duvel or Leffe.
• Josaphat Café (Avenue Nestor de Tière, park edge) — Kiosk bar inside the park, open in summer. Draft Jupiler and soft drinks.
• Brasserie de l'Evere (Rue François Desmedt 45) — Traditional brown bar with pool tables.

There are very few hotel options in Evere itself. Most visitors stay in Brussels-North (Hotel Bloom, NH Collection) or near the airport (Sheraton, Crowne Plaza). Airbnb is a better option for longer residential stays.

The Place de la Paix and surrounding streets have a Colruyt supermarket, bakeries, a butcher, and a pharmacy. For clothing and more variety, head to the Heysel shopping area (Basilix, Docks Bruxsel) or central Brussels. Evere has a small weekend market on Place de la Paix (Sunday, 8:00–13:00).

• Schaerbeek (15 min walk) — Josaphat Park continues into Schaerbeek; Train World and the Princess Elisabeth architecture quarter.
• Heysel / Atomium (10 min by bus 66) — Atomium, Mini-Europe, King Baudouin Stadium.
• Brussels City Centre (20 min by bus+tram) — Grand Place and attractions.
• Leuven (20 min by train from Bordet station) — Historic university city.
• Mechelen (20 min by train from Bordet) — St Rumbold's Tower and chocolate shops.