Sightseeing in Brussels - what to see. A complete guide to iconic places. Public transport in Brussels
The capital of Belgium is Brussels, the city is original, unusual, interesting. It is saturated with the aroma of chocolate, hot waffles and freshly brewed beer. Its streets hide many historical monuments and masterpieces of modern architecture, cozy cafes and shops.
Brussels (Dutch Brussel, French Bruxelles), Grand Place, photo by Gaston Batistini
Brussels (Netherlands Brussel, French Bruxelles) is the largest city and capital of the Kingdom of Belgium, the official center of the European Union. Here are the European Parliament and the Royal Palace, the headquarters of NATO and the Benelux. The main city square is decorated with openwork majestic palaces, quite modern buildings rise in the middle of the old quarters, original graffiti comics are full of original graffiti comics on the walls of the houses. There are many parks, pedestrian zones, bike rental points.
When is the best time to go to Brussels
Brussels stands on the banks of the river Senne (fr. Senne, netherl. Zenne), between the Scheldt and Meuse valleys, a hundred kilometers from the Ardennes, 115 km from the North Sea. It is located in the middle of Belgium, equidistant from the borders of the Netherlands and France (about 80 km).
On the streets of Brussels, photo by Antonio Ponte
Air ocean currents move along the plain, so the climate is mild, humid - moderately maritime. The amplitudes of daily and annual temperatures are small, the relative humidity is high. The average annual temperature is around +10°C. In winter it is warm, snow rarely falls, but it often rains. The coldest winter month is January with an average low of +2.5°C. Summer is not hot, the warm months are July and August. The average daily temperature in July is around +17°C.
Attractions
Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula
Grand Place
King's House / Bread House
guild houses
Belgian Brewers Museum
Museum of cocoa and chocolate
Church of Our Lady of Victories in Sablon
Palace of Charles of Lorraine
Rene Magritte Museum
Royal Palace
Brussels park
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Park Mini Europe
Horta Museum
Belgian Comic Center
auto world
Train World
Museum of Natural Sciences
Ciftieth Anniversary Park
Grand Place Market Square
House of the Dukes of Brabant (fr. Maison des Ducs de Brabant) on the Grand Place Market Square, photo by Antonio Ponte
The main square, the pompous Grand Place (French Grand place or Grote Markt - Dutch Grote markt) is an architectural ensemble in the unique Flemish Baroque style. Every two years, a huge carpet of fabulous beauty blooms here: it is laid out from multi-colored begonias.
town hall
City Hall (Hotel de Ville - French Hôtel de Ville), photo by marco beni
The dominant of the square is the City Hall (Hotel de Ville - fr. Hôtel de Ville) (1401-1455), a baroque building with a 96-meter tower in the Brabant Gothic style with the figure of St. Michael, the patron saint of the city, at the top. The facade is decorated with arched windows, carved columns and sculptures of the Dukes of Brabant from 580 to 1564. Access to the Town Hall at any time, if there are no city council meetings. Entrance €5. The balcony serves as an observation deck on the Grand Place.
bread house
King's House / Bread House / (fr. Maison du Roi), photo by Chris Yunker
Opposite it is the graceful Gothic Bread House (Dutch. Broodhuis). In the XIII century. there were bakery warehouses, then a prison, the tax office of the Duke of Brabant; Duke's house; The House of the People, where the French governors sat, who enjoyed royal privileges and performed their respective functions. The House of the People turned into the House of the King (Fr. Maison du Roi), although no king has ever lived here. After the restoration of 1873-95. Inside is the City Museum.
guild houses
Guild houses (La Louve, Le Sac, Le Cornet, Le Renard) in the Flemish Baroque style, photo by Gwendolyn Stansbury
Along the entire perimeter of the square are Guild houses (fr. Maisons des Guildes) (there are 29 of them), built by wealthy artisans and merchants in the Flemish Baroque style in the 17th century on the site of those destroyed during the three-day shelling of Brussels by the French army in August 1695.
Almost all guild buildings are decorated with statues of patrons. For example, if you look at the photo from left to right. The House of the She-Wolf (Maison de la Louve) belonged to the guild of archers; above the main entrance is a she-wolf feeding Romulus and Remus. The top of the House of the Sack (Maison du Sac) was presented by cabinetmakers and coopers in the form of a chest. House Cart (Maison de la Brouette) - buildings of the Guild of Oil and Fat Producers; in the niche is a statue of Saint Gilles, patron of this guild. The House of the King of Spain (Maison du Roi d'Espagne) was built by the guild of bakers; above the front door there is a bust of St. Aubert of Avranches, the patron saint of bakers.
pissing sculptures
The informal symbols of Brussels are "pissing sculptures".
Manneken Pis, photo by Nice2Beat
Fountain "Manneken Pis" or "Little Julien" (French Petit Julien; Manneken Pis - Dutch Manneken Pis) is known throughout the world. The legend says: the fire threatened to destroy the city and the 3-year-old Brussels man put it out just like that. For this he was awarded a monument from grateful citizens. For the first time, a mischievous figurine was installed on the corner of Bannaya (French Rue de l'Étuve, Dutch Stoofstraat) and Oak (French Rue du Chêne, Dutch Eikstraat) streets back in the 14th century. The modern version (1619) was created by the Mannerist sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy.
Manneken Pis, photo by Piutus
In 1987, in the small dead-end avenue Fidelity (French: Impasse de la Fidélité; Dutch: Getrouwheidsgang), departing from the main square, the Pissing Girl appeared - a 50-centimeter Jeanne fountain (Jeanneke Pis) by Denis-Adrien Debouvri.
Pissing dog photo Sarah has a few pics
The figure of a dog that raised its paw - "Het Zinneke" or Zinneke Pis - has been standing at the corner of Chartreux (French Rue des Chartreux; Dutch Kartuizersstraat) and Vieux Marche (French Rue du Vieux-Marché; Dutch Oude Graanmarkt) since 2000 of the year. The bronze dog was created by sculptor Tom Fransen.
Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula
Saint-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral (fr. Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule), photo olivierbxl
The Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula or the Cathedral of Saint-Michel-et-Gyudule (French: Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule de Bruxelles; Dutch: Kathedraal van Sint-Michiel en Sint-Goedele) rises above the Troirenberg hill. This is the main temple of Catholic Belgium - it is dedicated to the heavenly patrons of Brussels. Founded in 1047, construction was completed by 1485. The cathedral with two symmetrical towers is made in the style of French and Brabant Gothic. The height of the spire reaches 64 m. The original stained-glass windows (1537) have been preserved in the transept. The nave is decorated with columns with openwork capitals and full-length baroque statues of the apostles.
Church of Our Lady of Victories
Notre-Dame-du-Sablon Cathedral (Fr. Église Notre-Dame du Sablon; Dutch. Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Zavelkerk), photo by Linda Koning
The Notre-Dame-du-Sablon Cathedral, the second name is the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Sablon (French Église Notre-Dame du Sablon; Dutch Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Zavelkerk) is located a kilometer from the Grand Place, near the Sablon Park . This temple is a vivid example of the Brabant Gothic style (XIV-XV centuries). Its outer walls and interiors are decorated with many sculptures. The cathedral was built at the expense of five military guilds - in honor of each of them, altars were installed in Notre Dame. The walls are painted with coats of arms of noble Brussels families. Light enters through 11 stained-glass windows 15 meters high.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Brussels Sacré-Coeur (French Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, Dutch Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig Hart) (1905-1970) is a grandiose, atypical religious building for Belgium. The church became one of the first religious buildings of Art Deco. The height of the spire of the temple reaches 89 meters, the total length of the building is 164.5 m. The diameter of the spherical central dome is 33 m. Green green domes tower over Brussels. The temple stands on the Kukelberg hill. Sacré Coeur is considered a symbol of Belgian independence. An observation platform is equipped under the main dome of the basilica.
Royal Palace
Royal Palace (French Palais Royal, Dutch Koninklijk Paleis), photo Athrun Zara
The Royal Palace (French Palais Royal, Dutch Koninklijk Paleis) is a majestic royal residence in front of the Brussels Park (French Parc de Bruxelles; Dutch Warandepark). Built to replace the burned-out castle of the Dukes of Brabant, it is used for official meetings and receptions. The palace complex has existed since the 18th century, but its luxurious neoclassical façade was built after 1900. Tourist visits to the palace are possible only from July 21 to September 1.
Atomium
Atomium, photo by Raymond
The Atomium, an avant-garde symbol of Brussels, is a 102-meter-high large-scale model of the iron crystal lattice, magnified 165 billion times, installed near the Mini-Europe park. Nine large mirror balls (6 are open to the public; admission €12) are connected by hollow pipes-gallery. Escalators and an elevator work inside, exhibition halls, a restaurant and a hotel are open, and a panoramic observation deck is equipped. The author of the Atomium project is Andre Waterkeyn. A symbolic sculpture with an entertainment complex inside was built for the opening of the Expo-58 exhibition.
Park Mini Europe
Mini-Europe Park, photo by Antonio Ponte
The area of the Mini-Europe park is 24,000 m². This is a collection of 350 miniatures of European landmarks. Architectural models are detailed and realistic: individual elements move, actions are accompanied by animation effects. A radio-controlled vehicle travels through the territory of "little Europe"; the streets, buildings, stadiums of the mini-continent are populated with figurines of people. Among the exhibits of the park are the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis, the Speyer Cathedral, Big Ben, the Széchenyi Bath. The scale of the models is 1:25. Entrance to the park costs €15.30.
Museum Square
Palace of Charles of Lorraine
Palace of Charles of Lorraine (French Palais de Charles de Lorraine; Dutch Paleis van Karel van Lotharingen), photo Dan
In front of the small Museum Square (French Place du Musée; Dutch Museumplein), under the Hill of Arts, stands the graceful palace of Charles of Lorraine (French Palais de Charles de Lorraine; Dutch Paleis van Karel van Lotharingen) with a curved semicircular facade. The governor's residence was rebuilt from the Gothic palace of Orange-Nassau. The reconstruction in the Flemish Baroque style was carried out by Jean Fault. Bas-reliefs of the 18th century, furniture, musical instruments, interior items, and a collection of watches have been preserved in the restored building. Today there is a museum here (until 2019 it is closed for repairs).
Failure
Not far from the palace, under the paving stones of the square, there is a “failure” (Le trou) hidden. This is a museum-well with mystical illumination (belongs to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts): it was opened on the site where it was previously supposed to arrange an underground car park.
Museums
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
Royal Museums of Fine Arts (French Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts; Dutch Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten), photo Dan
The MRBAB complex - the Royal Museums of Fine Arts (French Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts; Dutch Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten) - unites six institutions.
Three of them are located on Rue de la Régence: these are the Museums of Ancient Art (French Musée royal d'art ancien à Bruxelles), Modern Art (French Musée royal d'art moderne à Bruxelles) and the Museum of the late XIX century (French Musée Fin de siècle).
The outrageous building of the Rene Magritte Museum (fr. Musée Magritte), dedicated to the work of the Belgian surrealist, is located on the Royal Square (fr. Place Royale; Netherl. Koningsplein).
In the suburbs of Ixelles (French Ixelles), or Elsene (Dutch Elsene) there are two more “nominal” museum institutions: the Antoine-Joseph Wirtz Museum (French Musée Wiertz) and the Constantine Meunier Museum (French Musée Meunier).
Rene Magritte Museum
Rene Magritte Museum (French Musée Magritte; Dutch Musée Magritte Museum), photo by Mr. Granger
Brussels has two museums dedicated to Rene Magritte. One of them, the artist's house, Rene Magritte House (French Maison-Musée René Magritte; Dutch René Magritte Huis Museum), is located on Rue Esseghem. There are exhibited personal items, photos and documents; frequent exhibitions. The Magritte Museum (French: Musée Magritte; Dutch: Musée Magritte Museum) has been open since 2009. It occupies a spectacular building, decorated with huge graffiti, on Royal Square. The most significant works of Magritte, written in the last period of creativity, are exhibited on the ground floor.
Brussels City Museum
Brussels City Museum (Fr. Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles; Dutch Museum van de Stad Brussel), photo lia's_photos
The magnificent House of the King, which adorns the main Brussels square, has served as the City Museum since the end of the 19th century (French Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles; Dutch Museum van de Stad Brussel). Archaeological finds, documents, maps and atlases, household items, and applied products are exhibited here. The most original exposition is a selection of costumes donated at different times to a street sculpture – Manneken Pis. The central place in the picturesque collection is occupied by paintings by Brussels artists.
Horta Museum
Horta Museum (French Musée Horta; Dutch Hortamuseum), photo by Jean-Luc vazyvite.com
The Museum of the architect and designer Victor Horta (French Musée Horta; Dutch Hortamuseum) is included in the UNESCO list. Horta is considered one of the founders of the Belgian architectural art nouveau, symbolically called the "Brussels Gaudí". In his architectural works, he used floral motifs and ornaments, flexible and smooth lines.
Hortamuseum occupies a former studio building (1901) of 3 floors, built by the architect himself. The porch is made of stone and decorated with metal handrails. Inside - a glass ceiling above the main staircase, glass floral decorations on the walls. The original interiors, art objects, personal belongings of Horta have been preserved. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions.
Belgian Comic Center
Belgian Comic Book Center
The unique Belgian comic book center (French: Center Belge de la Bande Dessinée; Dutch: Belgisch Stripcentrum) is also located in a building built by Hort - this is the Waucquez Warehouse mansion. Here are collected the works of 650 artists, old illustrated files, newspapers, children's publications. The Belgisch Stripcentrum collection brings together more than 250,000 exhibits, the central place is given to the illustrations of Georges Remy. The exposition of comics occupies the second floor, the animation hall is equipped on the first floor. In the basement - a library, a restaurant, classrooms.
Belgian Brewers Museum
House of the Golden Tree with an equestrian statue of Charles Alexander of Lorraine, photo by DeepTravelersAmy
The Beer House (French La Maison des Brasseurs; Dutch Brouwershuis) or it is also called the House of the Golden Tree (Maison de l'Arbre d'Or; Dutch Den Gulden Boom) is the Brussels Beer Museum (French Musée des Brasseurs Belges; Dutch Museum van de Belgische Brouwers) - occupies a building of the 17th century. Inside the Beer House there are several pavilions dedicated to the technologies and traditions of old and modern Belgian brewing. All processes are broadcast on the big screen. Historical expositions with old equipment of brewers are placed in a dungeon with Gothic brick vaults. The museum bar offers the public all sorts of Belgian beer.
Museum of cocoa and chocolate
Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
The world fame of chocolate from Belgium is reflected in the thematic exposition of the Choco-Story store. The Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate (Fr. Musée du cacao et du chocolat; Netherl. Museum van cacao en chocolade) is open here. This is not just an educational institution, but a center for the art of chocolatier - a lecture hall, an exhibition, a showroom, a workshop. You can take part in the fascinating process of making chocolate yourself, try and purchase “exhibits”.
Museum of Musical Instruments
Museum of Musical Instruments (French: Musée des instruments de musique; Dutch: Muziekinstrumentenmuseum), photo: lilas59
The Museum of Musical Instruments (MIM) (French Musée des instruments de musique; Dutch Muziekinstrumentenmuseum) is located in the Upper Town, was founded in 1877. It occupies an Art Nouveau building - the former Old England store. More than 8 thousand exhibits are collected here: classical, folk and ethnic, ancient and modern, electronic instruments. There are collections of bells, music boxes, electromechanical machines, you will even see a 200-year-old orchestra. Wireless headphones are connected in the halls, you can listen to the sound of instruments. Or you can look into a music workshop and see how real masters make stringed instruments.
Autoworld, photo visionsoftravel.org
Autoworld (Autoworld) - a museum of the history and evolution of the automotive industry in the park Senkantyoner. Most of the museum's collection consists of rare vehicles: vintage cars, sports cars made according to special projects, the Messerschmitt three-wheeled car. The museum gift shop offers miniature models of cars.
Train World
Train World, photo Claude
The Railway Transport Museum is a relatively new cultural project in Brussels. Train World at Schaerbeek Station opened in 2015 as part of an advertising campaign for SNCB, the Belgian railways. The exposition was equipped according to the project of the ExpodioDesign studio. Cars and locomotives, illuminated by LED spotlights, are placed in four halls of the restored station building.
Museum of Natural Sciences
Museum of Natural Sciences (fr. Muséum des sciences naturelles), photo by Guillaume Conan
The Museum of Natural Sciences (fr. Muséum des sciences naturelles) belongs to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and consists of four galleries and an interactive pavilion. Expositions are devoted to minerals, wonders of the wild nature, dinosaurs and Mankind. The pride of the museum collection is 29 skeletons of prehistoric pangolins found in one of the Belgian coal mines. The Natural Science Collection was established in 1846. Its basis was the personal collection of rarities of Charles of Lorraine.
Ciftieth Anniversary Park
Park Senkantenaire (fr. Parc du Cinquantenaire, Netherl. Jubelpark), photo Ben2
Ciftieth Anniversary Park or Senkantener Park (Fr. Parc du Cinquantenaire, Niderl. Jubelpark) is located between the Brussels European Quarter and the suburb of Etterberg. It was founded by the will of Leopold II in 1880. Gardens and flower beds were planted on an area of 30 hectares, paths were laid, and artificial reservoirs were equipped. At the entrance stands the Arc de Triomphe with the quadriga of Brabant, on both sides of it there are museum buildings. The Eastern Pavilion was built on the territory of the park - since 1967 it has served as the Cathedral Mosque.
Brussels park
Varande Park (fr. Parc de Bruxelles; Dutch Warandepark), photo by Roch Garneau
Brussels Park or Varanda Park (fr. Parc de Bruxelles; Dutch Warandepark) is located between the Palace of the Nation and the Royal Palace. It covers an area of 13 hectares. The rectangular space is planned symmetrically, according to the classical principle. Since the 11th century, Varandepark has been the hunting ground of the Dukes of Brabant. A large fountain is installed on the round square in front of the Palace of the Nation, next to it is an alley of monuments to Roman emperors. The last reconstruction of the park was carried out in 2001. Hedges were restored, paths and lawns were restored; new landscape furniture.
Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert
Royal Galleries of St. Hubert
The Royal Galleries of St. Hubert (French: Galeries royales Saint-Hubert; Dutch: Koninklijke Sint-Hubertusgalerijen) is an architectural complex with a length of 212 m with glass vaults. It opened in 1847 under the name "Omnia Omnibus" and was the first shopping arcade of its magnitude in Europe. The shopping and entertainment complex has three galleries with boutiques, souvenir shops, and art salons. There are cafes, a cinema and a theater stage, and an exposition of letters from famous people.
Back to the Ages
In the 6th century, a small settlement of a monastic community arose near the river Senne. The first written mention of Brussels dates back to 996. In the 11th century, the castle of the Dukes of Brabant was founded on the Coudenberg hill. By the middle of the 13th century, the population of Brussels already amounted to 10,000 inhabitants. The heyday came in 1430 - after Philip III declared the city the capital of Burgundy. In the 16th century, a direct navigable canal was laid from Brussels to the sea. Later, the city passed under the influence of the Spanish crown and the Habsburgs, the Napoleonic army. Since 1830, it has become the capital of the independent Kingdom of Belgium: a new era of prosperity has begun. During the Second World War, Brussels, unlike many European capitals, did not suffer serious architectural losses.
Entertainment
What other entertainment can be found in the Belgian capital? Near the Atomium complex there is the largest water park in Northern Europe - the Oceade water park with attractions for children and adults, an 80-meter Hurricane slide, and an extreme descent "Cannonball".
The Royal Puppet Theater de Tun operates in the city center - its unusual performances are interesting for children and adults.
With kids, you can visit the Toy Museum on rue l'Association.
The Kinepolis IMAX cinema is located in Bruparc.
In the evenings, Brussels nightclubs open: the youth Bazaar, Le Cactus in the Latin style, the incendiary Le Fuse, the Cartagena salsa bar.
shopping
For shoppers, Brussels offers "cult" goods: lace and textiles, chocolate, the most delicate waffles, beer. The Mary Chocolatier boutique sells the best sweets in Belgium. Beer is everywhere, but it is cheaper to take it in supermarkets. The most prestigious boutiques are located in the galleries of St. Hubert. The Belgian lace manufactory Belge de Dent sells its elegant goods there. The galleries and Avenue Louise showcase the world's leading brands: Versace, Dior, Louis Vuitton. Luxury brands from last year's collections are offered at big discounts at the Maasmechelen Village outlet.
New Year celebration, photo by Szabolcs Mosonyi
From the first days of May, the city is filled with the sounds of jazz: the Brussels Jazz Marathon festival opens. Up to 500 European musicians gather, free concerts are held on the stages of concert halls and city squares.
The Zinneke Parade takes place on May 19th. This is a colorful carnival, a celebration of the unity of cultures and peoples inhabiting Brussels.
The historic Ommegang Pageant festival is held in early July. This is a theatrical costumed reconstruction of the events of 1549 - the arrival of Charles V in Brussels. The medieval holiday lasts three days: it opens with a solemn procession, then there are stylized tournaments, a folklore concert, and a festival of national cuisine.
The brightest holiday of the capital of Belgium is Flower Carpet, the Flower Carpet festival. In mid-August, the Grand Place is transformed for a few days. Designers are developing a project for a huge carpet, florists are laying grass and a begonia pattern. The flower "canvas" occupies a space of 1800 m². The best views and the most successful photos of the art object open from the observation deck of the Town Hall.
The beer festival in Brussels is not as grandiose as Oktoberfest, but it is also quite famous. Belgian Beer Weekend is held on the first weekend in September.
How to get from Brussels airport to city center
The easiest way to get to Brussels from the airport is by train. It departs from the 1st floor, Brussels Airport Zaventem station page. The station in the center of Brussels is called Brussel Centraal.
A one-way ticket costs €8.60, a return ticket costs €17.60. Buy your ticket on the spot or online.
What is the cheapest way to get to the center of Brussels?
Another option is to take the bus that stops on the 0 floor. De Lijn buses run to the city center - route numbers 272 and 471. They arrive there - at the central station (Brussel Centraal).
More routes: 359 and 659 go to Roodebeek metro station, and 820 go to Brussels Expo.
The city is divided into two parts: lower and upper.
We propose to start acquaintance with the lower part, which is also the historical center. The locals call this area the Pentagon. It is surrounded by five boulevards built on the site of the fortress wall. Inside the boulevards are the main attractions, so there are a lot of tourists here.
Start your walk from the Grand Place, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Its main decoration is the Gothic town hall building with a 90-meter watchtower and a funny weather vane depicting St. Michael. Five minutes from the square is the famous Manneken Pis Fountain. In Brussels, there is a great tradition of dressing up the boy in different costumes, so he has already managed to play the role of Dracula, Elvis Presley, a Ukrainian Cossack and even a condom. All costumes (and there are more than 800 of them) are stored in the Royal Museum. After seeing the boy, look into the luxurious Royal Galleries. This is not just a shopping arcade, but a real architectural monument. The three galleries (King's, Queen's and Princes') house boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, two theatres, a photo gallery and a museum.
Bush Street
Perhaps the most picturesque street of the old city is Bushe Street. "Butchers' Street" has retained not only its medieval name, but also its original beauty. Therefore, gabled roofs, facades of houses and unique painted doors are under the protection of local authorities. And this street is also called the belly of the city, because there are a huge number of restaurants on it.
Upper Brussels differs from the lower one in a much larger space, the number of parks and palaces, and fewer tourists. To explore this part of the city, start with the Royal Palace. The royal family has not lived there for a long time, so if you wish, you can take a walk through the royal chambers - the entrance is open to everyone. Around the palace there is a French-style park with labyrinths, greenhouses and exemplary trimmed trees.
Royal Palace
Another monumental building in the area is the Palace of Justice. The building is so huge that the locals call it a mammoth, and the largest hall of the palace is the hall of lost steps, because anyone who enters there feels tiny and insignificant. Also, the upper part of the city is notable for residential areas. For example, in Ixelles, buildings that are not typical for Brussels are small two-, three-story houses in the Art Nouveau style. There are especially many beautiful buildings on Vale Street. Be sure to check out the Place Chatelain Market (Amazon Street), which is open daily from 14:00 to 20:00. Wander between the stalls, feel free to try whatever you want - the sellers will only rejoice. Weather permitting, take a walk around the picturesque Abbey of Cambrai. On weekends, here and in the adjacent forest, locals ride bicycles and rollerblades, arrange family picnics.
Area Ixelles
By the way, it is in Ixelles that the famous Arezzo Square is located, which was described in the novel “Parrots from Arezzo Square” by the French author Eric-Immanuel Schmidt. According to one legend, a bankrupt pet store owner released parrots in this area, and they not only survived, but multiplied and now live in all areas of Brussels. So, if you are lucky, you will admire exotic birds.
"Atomium" and "Mini-Europe"
If the "Manneken Pis" is considered the symbol of the Old City, then the symbol of modern Brussels is "Atomium". An unusual structure with a height of 102 meters from huge shiny balls connected by pipes is the atomic age and the peaceful use of atomic energy. The Atomium was designed and built specifically for the 1958 World's Fair, and after its completion they planned to dismantle it. But the residents of the city and tourists loved it so much that the Atomium is still standing. Now visitors have access to six of the nine spheres, and at the top there is an observation deck and a restaurant.
Not far from the "Atomium", on the same street, there is a park of miniatures "Mini-Europe". Place for an amateur, but interesting. Here you can see about 80 major cities and 350 buildings in Europe, such as the Berlin Wall, Mount Vesuvius, the Channel Tunnel. Entrance to the "Atomium" will cost 11 euros, to the "Mini-Europe" - 14.5 euros.
FOOD
Look for traditional Belgian cuisine and excellent seafood at the Belga Queen restaurant located in the old bank building (Rue Fossé aux Loups 32). So don't be surprised when you see a cigar bar instead of a safe. In general, the average check here will be about 100 euros, but on weekdays you can order lunch for only 25 euros. The restaurant's most popular dishes are flounder with asparagus and, of course, oysters.
Dishes from the freshest fish and again seafood are cooked in Noordzee (Rue Sainte-Catherine 45). The format of the institution is a bistro with a huge window and tables on the street. Be sure to try the grilled shrimp, mussels in sauce and rich thick fish soup. Come no later than lunch, because by the evening the assortment will decrease - the regulars will eat everything.
For lovers of gastronomic sets, we recommend the Gramm restaurant (Rue de Flandre 86). Its half-French, half-Japanese chef offers modern twists on traditional French and Japanese cuisine. Therefore, all the dishes here are very unusual. A standard five-course dinner set will cost 38 euros.
One of the busiest and most beautiful cafes in the city, Fin de Siecle (Rue des Chartreux 9) is notable for its bohemian atmosphere. Golden youth, businessmen, tourists come here to have fun and dine in a big company. The interior deserves special mention: high ceilings, stained-glass windows, antique furniture. The menu includes traditional Belgian dishes, a large selection of beer and wine. Be sure to order the rabbit, which is first marinated in Belgian beer and then baked. The average cost of meals is 10–15 euros.
Museum of Musical Instruments
Several thousand instruments from all over the world are on display. Moreover, you can and should not only look at them, but also listen to them. At the entrance (eight euros), visitors are given a special device with headphones. And it is worth approaching the exhibit - the melody played on it is heard in the headphones. By the way, do not forget to go up to the terrace to the restaurant, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city.
SOUVENIRS
Of course, chocolate. It is not for nothing that Belgian chocolate is considered one of the best in the world: it is prepared with coconut oil, hence the unusually rich taste. The most famous brands are Godiva, Pierre Marcolini, Leonidas. They sell yummy by weight, the average price for 250 grams is 15 euros. One of the best chocolates is pralines. In general, the fillings can be anything: fruit, coffee, butter cream, nut paste, berry mousse. Belgian truffles made from cream with cream and hard chocolate, sprinkled with coconut flakes, are also loved by tourists. They are quite expensive - about 25 euros for 250 grams. But our advice is to buy unusual varieties of chocolate, for example with rose, pepper or black tea. You can easily find them in the old Mary Royale confectionery (Rue Royale 73).
The second most popular souvenir from Brussels is lace. It's very, very beautiful. And wildly expensive. Therefore, buy real Belgian lace only in trusted stores, such as Manufacture Belge de Dent (Galerie de la Reine 6), where there is just an excellent selection of napkins, tablecloths and bed linen.
Manufacture Belge de Dent
Few cities can match Brussels in terms of the number of antique shops. Expensive serious galleries here coexist with funny shops where you can buy vintage postcards, pretty jars and antique frames for 20 euros. Be sure to check out the Stef Antiek store (Stef Antiek Kapellemarkt 6), from the street it looks like a magic shop from a fairy tale. And even if you do not buy anything, you will have a great time looking at old signs, furniture, toys.
About an hour west of Brussels is the Belgian city of Tournai with a unique history. For a short period of time, the city was under British rule, which is reflected in its architecture and culture. Today, many visitors head to Tournai to see its magnificent cathedral. Be sure to climb the bell tower, which offers stunning views of the entire city center. Most of the architecture around the cathedral dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, so even a brief self-guided tour can be a fascinating immersion into the history of the Middle Ages. The Tournai Fine Arts Museum is vastly underrated and houses works by Rubens, Monet and Van Gogh. Thus, after sightseeing in Brussels, you can diversify your vacation and visit other cities in Belgium.
Even if you're not a history buff, you've probably heard of the Battle of Waterloo. It was in this historic battle that Napoleon lost his final battle against the Duke of Wellington. Today you can visit the field of this epic defeat in 1815. The place is marked by an artificial hill and is known as Lion's Mound. Climb the steps to the top of the mound where the amazing lion sculpture is located. The observation deck offers a 360-degree view of the entire battlefield. In the weekend closest to the anniversary of the battle (June 18), large-scale reconstructions are being held, which attract tens of thousands of spectators to watch. Waterloo is located just 30 km south of Brussels, making it ideal for an exciting day trip.
A two-hour train ride north of Brussels takes you to Amsterdam. The Dutch capital is a breathtaking city of incredible scenic beauty. Nicknamed the Venice of the North, Amsterdam has many canals that stretch along the entire city and far beyond. If you come here for just one day, then it is better to spend it in the medieval city center. This part of Amsterdam is famous for the 17th century Royal Palace, as well as the home of the legendary painter Rembrandt. Don't miss the slightly touristy but undeniably beautiful floating flower market on the Singel Canal.
Located in the southwestern part of Belgium, Dinant is located in the French-speaking area of Wallonia, just 90 minutes from Brussels. Dinant is located on the banks of the river Meuse, and among its main attractions stands out the striking Citadel of Dinant. The citadel was built in the 19th century on the coastal cliffs, offering breathtaking views. To get to the Citadel of Dinant, you will have to overcome several hundred steps carved into the cliff, or take the cable car. Don't miss the chance to see the adjoining museum with medieval exhibits and interesting pieces of art from the region.
A short 45-minute train or car ride north of Brussels takes you to Antwerp. This city is known as the center of trade and economy in Belgium. Antwerp is a place with a thriving fashion and jewelry industry, but there are also many cultural attractions. If you love art, then by all means take the time to visit the so-called Rubenshuis. The baroque painter Rubens once lived in this house. Also don't miss the chance to visit the Antwerp Art Museum. To shop for souvenirs, head to Meir, one of the most famous shopping destinations in all of Belgium.
To the east of Brussels is the Dutch region of Limburg, where the extremely interesting city of Maastricht is located. The city is a true mixture of architectural styles and culture due to its location just a few kilometers from Germany and Belgium. Walking around Maastricht, you should definitely visit the two largest squares: Markt and Vrijthof. In addition to historic architecture and world-class museums, guests may be intrigued by the St. Petersburg Caverns. These caves were created as a shelter in the past centuries, and during the Second World War, famous works of art were hidden here.
Just two hours southeast of Brussels is Luxembourg. The capital Luxembourg is divided into different districts. If you are interested in medieval architecture, then you should focus on the High City, or Ville Haute. Be sure to visit Bok, a series of natural fortifications built in the 10th century. They were designed to protect the city from invasion and have survived to this day. Fans of something more modern will love the Grand-Duc Jean Museum of Contemporary Art, known locally simply as MUDAM. Here you can find many outstanding works from famous masters of our time.
To the north of Brussels lies Ghent, a city with a unique blend of history and modernity. In the Middle Ages, Ghent was the main center of Belgium, and this influence is clearly visible when walking around the city. Ghent is also famous for its beautiful 15th-century Ghent Altarpiece, or Van Eyck's painting called Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Today, this marvelous work of art is located in the Cathedral of St. Bavo. Canal cruises in Ghent are also incredibly popular. This is a great way to see more of the city's highlights on a day trip from Brussels.
Heading northwest from Brussels towards the North Sea, you will reach Bruges in about one hour. Bruges is a beautiful Belgian city that has retained much of its past charm. The predominantly pedestrian historic city center is best explored on foot. Bruges is surrounded by a circular canal that makes it easy to navigate the city. The central Grote Markt is home to the famous belfry. You can climb to its top and be rewarded with amazing panoramic views of the city.
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, its political and cultural center, is one of the most titled cities on the planet. He had the honor to bear the title of European Capital of Culture, he was lucky enough to visit the headquarters of the European Union back in 1993, in addition, in the 1960s, the headquarters of NATO was located in this city.
If you are going to visit this extraordinary city, then, first of all, you should choose the right time to travel. It is best to go to the Belgian capital in late spring. The biggest wave of tourists usually comes in the summer, in July-August, and the locals take their holidays at this time. Late spring is the best time: the weather is getting better, the days are already long enough, you don’t have to stand in lines and maneuver in a tight crowd among other tourists, making your way to local attractions. Brussels is famous for its extraordinary architectural monuments, unique cuisine, variety of chocolates and beer.
The inhabitants of Brussels speak two languages - French and Flemish. These languages are of equal importance, therefore all signs, signs, printed materials provide information in both languages.
City `s history
Brussels harmoniously combines modernity and monuments that testify to the rich history of this city. The city itself is so huge that in recent times it has been referred to as a county. The name of the city arose from the features of the area in which it originated, the word "Brussels" came from the word "Brexele", that is, "city of marshes". In ancient times, trade routes from the city of Bruges to the German city of Cologne passed here. The city became the capital of Belgium in the 19th century, when the country gained independence; earlier it was the main city of the Spanish Holland.
Geography of the city
The central part of the Belgian capital is usually divided into two parts - the Lower Town and the Upper Town. The lower city was originally the abode of artisans, and later - an industrial area. However, this does not mean at all that the tourist has nothing to see here. On the contrary, it is in this part of the city that the famous Grand Place is located, one of the most beautiful squares on our planet. Cozy medieval streets depart from this square, and not far from here you can see the symbol of Belgium, one of the most famous fountains on the planet - the Manneken Pis.
In the Lower Town there is also the oldest shopping arcade in Europe - the Gallery of St. Hubert, made in the neo-Renaissance style. It was opened back in 1847. Nowadays, expensive shops and cute cafes with a pleasant atmosphere are located there.
But the Upper City embraced the architectural masterpieces of Brussels from the time of the king and the aristocracy. Here you will see unique palaces and parks, the official residence of the Belgian king and the Palace of the Belgian Parliament are also located here. In the Upper Town you can visit a curious museum called "Mini-Europe", in this museum you can see small copies of the most famous architectural masterpieces from all over Europe, which are made on a scale of 1 to 25. In this part of the city there is also the Arc de Triomphe, which was built to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Belgian independence.
Belgian cuisine
Even in a mid-level restaurant, you will be treated to very interesting and sophisticated Belgian dishes. When choosing food, don't forget that Belgium is famous for its hot seafood dishes, waffles, hot chocolate and beer. In any beer bar you will be given a wide variety of beers to choose from, usually about 20, but in some establishments the number of varieties can reach more than two hundred!
Brussels device features
For shopping, it is best for a tourist to go to Rue Neuve, it is here that the density of all kinds of shopping centers, department stores and small shops is highest. This street is located in the city center, so you will not have much trouble getting to it.
As for souvenirs, Brussels is famous for its finest lace. Products from it or with appropriate inserts are very popular with tourists - they buy blouses, shirts, tablecloths, bed linen. And, of course, every self-respecting tourist should not leave the city without real Belgian chocolate and a small figure of a pissing boy.
Brussels is a fairly safe city. However, it is still better not to walk around at night between the Northern and Main railway stations, as well as along the subway.
Usually, each new city leaves a solid impression, a certain image in the head. The image of Brussels blurs, breaks up into cubes and can't come together in any way. In general, everything is natural. Belgium is home to several national groups, cultures and languages. A few years ago, tensions within the country reached such proportions that Belgium set a world record by being left without a government for 540 days. This is how Brussels looks like - it seems to be sewn together from fragments of other cities. Like a student who borrowed a little from everywhere for his composition, not bothering to combine the styles of different authors with each other. Majestic buildings of the 15th century and graffiti with comics, art nouveau and wacky sculptures, exquisite chocolate ateliers and pubs with hundreds of beers - this is all absolutely illogical and equally charming Brussels.
There are not very many attractions in Brussels - just enough for the weekend. The first obligatory point in the tourist program is the Grand Place (Grote markt), a mind-blowing concentration of beauty in one place. Each building on this square is a monument of architecture shining with gold and solemnity. Here are the Town Hall, built in the 15th century (it is easy to recognize by the high tower characteristic of town halls), the King's House, where no king has ever lived (the identification mark is statues of people in a crown on the facade) and guild houses. In one of the buildings on the square, the House of the Swan, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto. We have been to many cities in Europe and seen many squares, but the Grand Place is one of the most impressive. Try to get to Brussels in mid-August - every two years a giant carpet of flowers is created on the Grand Place, and it's very beautiful.
Not far from the Grand Place, there are other sights and beautiful places of the historical center: the same Manneken Pis (as well as a girl and a dog), the Royal Galleries of St. Hubert, the stock exchange building, Art Nouveau houses and just nice squares and streets that are pleasant walk.
In Brussels, it is impossible not to notice the love of Belgians for comics. It was in Belgium that the stories of Tintin, Lucky Luke and the Smurfs were born. Comic book characters decorate the city walls, and a separate museum is dedicated to them.
After exploring the historic center, head to the European Quarter. You will not be allowed to roam freely around the government buildings of the European Union, but at your disposal is the Parliamentarian (Parlamentarium). The Parliamentarian is a free and fascinating interactive museum where, armed with an audio guide, you can follow the history of European integration, understand the EU authorities and even look into the year 2050.
The strangest attraction in Brussels is the Atomium. The object in the form of a crystal structure was built in preparation for the world exhibition Expo 58. The height of the Atomium is more than 100 meters. Since there is no practical use for the Atomium, it now justifies its existence by working as a museum. The cost of the visit is 12 euros. The exposition inside, to be honest, is stupid - a collection of photographs and historical evidence of the construction of the Atomium itself. But on the other hand, you can climb onto the observation deck in the upper “atom” and ride the escalator between the “atoms” to the sound of light music, reminiscent of the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey” and Jean-Michel Jarre concerts. Next to the Atomium is the Mini-Europe park with smaller copies of European sights.
Don't miss the art galleries of Brussels: the Old Masters Museum, which contains the works of the Flemish classics, the Fin-de-Siecle, dedicated to the Art Nouveau of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and, of course, the Rene Magritte Museum (Editor's Choice along the way). We also strongly recommend a truly wonderful Museum of Musical Instruments. Here you can listen to how hundreds of instruments from all over the world sound, including very old and outlandish things, in which you would not immediately suspect an instrument. The museum also has instruments from the CIS countries - for example, Ukrainian flutes and bandura from the village of Bukovets in the Carpathians.
