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From convivial Christmas markets in winter to colorful blossoms come spring, Brussels transforms with each season. While many locals celebrate the arrival of the warm summer months, when beer gardens thrive and the streets buzz with life, visiting outside of peak season has its distinct advantages. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best times to experience Brussels.

Like Belgium, Brussels has many faces, most of which are underappreciated. Many tourists flit into Brussels for a quick photo of a famous statue and perhaps a stop at a chocolate shop. However, if you stay in Brussels for more than a moment, you’ll uncover a rich metropolis where street art dominates cityscapes, Art Nouveau plays with façades, and proud locals effortlessly switch between languages.

With sun comes Belgians. Belgians are masters at making the most of pretty days – a necessity in the oft-rainy lowlands – and it shows in their capital’s countless parks. When the weather is good, there’s no better way to explore Brussels than to do as locals do and seek out a sunny spot of green. The experience is cultural and enriching, revealing hidden palace gardens and abbeys in urban forests. Here are the 9 best parks in Brussels you shouldn’t miss.