Welcome to the city of chocolate, castles, and beer! Others like to go by ‘Brussels’.
The Belgium city is renowned for its history and the often humorous way they flaunt their stuff. It is steeped in World Heritage Sites and an abundance of ways to learn about them.
It is a melting pot of European culture. Arguably Brussels could be its own world with its many firsts and hundreds upon thousands of years’ fortunes.
It is innovative — this is where the Belgian fight for independence began…
Brussels is traditional, with so much of its proud history left untouched.
But more than anything, it is eccentric, with so much to see and do, no time in Brussels is wasted! It is no surprise this historic city is the capital of Europe.
Even the locals can’t get enough!
Manneken Pis
Starting with the most beloved statue in the city, Manneken Pis steals a place in the hearts of locals and tourists. No, we are not joking!
The bronze statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain is known by many as Petit (Little) Julien. He sports a new outfit almost every other day, always keeping up with current events.
Find him easily just down the road from Grand-Place. He is part of the fountain that has supplied drinking water to Brussels homes since 1619.
The original stone statue can also be found in Grand Place at the museum of Maison du Roi. You’ll be amazed by his huge wardrobe that is kept there.
Grand-Place
The central square is branded a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its immense layers of history, noted in its blended western architecture. It is a rarity without a place of worship.
Dating back over a thousand years, it has been Brussels’ marketplace ever since. You will notice the surrounding streets are still entertainingly named aftermarket foods, such as ‘Rue Marché aux Herbes’ (Herb Market Street).
The square lives up to its name, featuring giant extravagant buildings, towering over bustling cobbled streets. The oldest buildings date back to the 15th century when the city was forced to rebuild after the Nine Year’s War.
It really hasn’t changed much since!
It is still home to a number of traditional activities including funfairs and a stunning flower carpet in the summer. We urge you to try visiting at different times throughout the day, particularly at night when it gets illuminated with golden lights.
City Hall
The oldest and tallest building in Grand Place is the City Hall. Standing 96 meters (315 feet) high, its tower can be spotted from most parts of the city.
Also referred to as Hôtel de Ville, it somewhat resembles a castle or fortress. The architecture is a perfect example of multiple European styles, including Brabant-Gothic, Barque, and Louis XIV.
It is wonderful for anyone who loves history and quaint old buildings.
The structure is adorned with a magnitude of sculptures that reflect the country and city’s extensive pasts. But more than anything its quirk is its bell tower, which stands wonky after having been through so many renovations.
Inside you can take in a gallery full of historical art that conveniently summarises Brussels’ narrative.
Maison Du Roi
The second oldest building on the Grand Place is Maison du Roi (King’s House).
It faces the City Hall, though this one attains a Neo-Gothic architectural style. In Dutch its name translates to ‘Bread House’, referring to the indoor bread market that used to be built on the same land. During the 16th century it was bought by the King of Spain, hence its modern name.
Being so steeped in history, naturally, the 16th-century building is the base of Brussels’ City Museum. The museum focuses on the history and folklore of Brussels.
It has way over 7000 artifacts and pieces of art to help paint the picture of the historical city, including of course the original Manneken Pis! Here you will also find the original St Michael statue from the top of the City Hall.
Atomium
Undoubtedly the most popular attraction in Brussels is the iconic Atomium monument.
The 102 meters (335 feet) tall framework has been there since the 1958 World Fair and was so loved by everyone that they had to leave it up.
It is a giant 3D diagram of an iron crystal, enlarged to 165 billion times its size. It represents the faith they had in nuclear power. It is so admired that not a single week goes by without a couple getting engaged there!
A glass elevator will take you to the top in seconds, where you’ll make your bewildered way through a series of tubes and domes. Admire 360° views of Brussels and beyond; grab a beer in the Belgian panoramic restaurant, bask in an insane red light show with electrifying music and learn about the structure’s history at the museum.
The Heysel Park monument is something you need to experience!
Mini Europe
Up for an adventure-packed day? See all of Europe in just two hours!
Located at the bottom of the Atomium, Mini Europe is the fastest, cheapest, and most entertaining way to explore the Old Continent.
This miniature park is guaranteed to thrill everyone, with tons to see and do. Visit 80 cities with 350 “mini” replica buildings.
The site features jaw-dropping detail and is packed with photo opportunities. There is something everyone will love. Learn about Europe with interactive exhibits and miniature historical imitations including scenes like Galileo’s Tower of Pisa experiment.
Fetch a guidebook to walk you through the exhibits and cool off from your journey in the cafe.
Standard and combo tickets are offered, with prices dependent on whether you want to take on the Atomium, the Planetarium, or the IMAX on the same day.
Autoworld
Car enthusiasts will love visiting one of the largest vehicle museums in Europe. Autoworld is Belgium’s National Automobile Museum.
It is a unique experience, located inside a notable building constructed to commemorate 50 years of Belgium’s independence.
The museum is packed with an astonishing amount of European and American vehicles ranging from the 19th century onwards. Hundreds upon hundreds of automobiles are on permanent display at Autoworld, not to mention the temporary exhibitions that are rotated every few months.
Book your tickets to learn about the unfolding of this great potpourri.
Parc Du Cinquantenaire
Parc du Cinquantenaire is a piece of history. Literally translating to ‘50th Anniversary’, this huge public park was built to commemorate 50 years of Belgium’s Independence.
It is an arcade filled with important museums and monuments specially erected for the anniversary, including the fantastic Autoworld. It’s a stunning representation of Brussels.
Its focal point is the giant memorial arch with 3 impressive arcs, crowning the center of the park. The Cinquantenaire Arch is adorned with stunning architecture that personifies Belgium.
There’s a vast stretch of green space to kick back in, playgrounds for the kids, and even picnic benches for a spectacularly scenic lunch.
They often have events throughout the year, so be sure to check out what’s on. You can visit it in the eastern part of the European Quarter.
St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral
The Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula is an unmissable trip. It is close to the Brussels center making it really easy to reach.
It is the national church of Belgium and the main Catholic place of worship. This is where the royals have their weddings and monarchs have their coronations and funerals — and it’s pretty self-explanatory why.
A glorious Flamboyant Gothic exterior that is even more remarkable on the inside. It is startling to consider the fact it has been standing here for the best part of a millennium. This makes it one of the oldest cathedrals in Belgium.
Guided tours are available, providing access to areas that are otherwise inaccessible. Although, it is still possible to absorb its magnificence with free entry.
A remarkable medley of architectural styles contributes to the cathedral’s splendor. Highlights include the 1699 hefty oak pulpit and beautiful stained glass windows.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Spend a day at Europe’s first covered shopping arcade. Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert was built in 1847 to let the sun in and keep out the rain. They symbolized the turnover of rampant consumerism.
The triage of arcades boasts an exclusive range of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a bijou cinema and a theatre. The boutiques have picture-perfect window displays that complement their high price tags, making them excellent for window shopping.
Indulge in some high-end chocolates from one of the famous stores, or treat yourself to refreshments at one of the wonderful coffee shops.
Palace Ruins
You may be surprised to learn, that underneath the Place Royal lies the remains of a palace. It can only be seen from the BELvue Museum, which takes a modern-day approach to understanding the history of Brussels.
The palace was built in 1100, and at the time was used as a castle. It was later transformed into the luxurious Palace of Coudenberg, where a number of rulers took residence until the 18th century. In 1731 the palace was destroyed by a fire and was later paved over by the Place Royal.
You can still explore some of the intact chambers and hallways today, where royals used to dwell.
La Monnaie
Visit the spot where the 1830 Belgium Revolution began.
La Monnaie is one of the many majestic buildings that were constructed in Brussels following the demolition of the Nine Years’ War. It is an extravagant Italian-Neoclassical theatre and opera house with a grand viewing room where a number of historical milestones took place, including the start of Belgium’s Independence.
That year, an inspiring opera piece sparked the start of riots across Brussels, turning into the nationwide Revolution. You can still see opera shows at La Monnaie today and sit in the same seats that the revolutionists eagerly filled during the 19th century.
Place Des Martyrs
Pay tribute to the much-respected burial site of the Belgium revolutionists.
Place Des Martyrs, has a crypt centerpiece that honors the lives of the victims of the protests that fought for the independence of their country.
The square, then Place de Saint Michel, dates back to the 18th century. It was originally a square for fairs and markets. Nowadays it is surrounded by Flemish government offices. It’s a touching space, loaded with passionate Belgian history.
The Black Tower
The Black Tower is the best-preserved remnant of the fortified walls that protected Brussels since the 13th century. Many visit to see the contrast between the medieval structure and its surrounding modernized buildings.
It has the aura of something straight out of a fairytale. Its magical stone facade, overgrown ivy, and black pointed roof all help contribute to the illusion.
You can spot it at Place Sainte-Catherine, just behind the church. It’s an unparalleled find if you happen to stumble across it when in the city center.
Just five minutes walk from Grand Place, it makes a lovely tie-in for an extra stretch if you’re in the area.
Train World
Journey through Belgium’s notable history at one of the oldest railway stations in Europe.
Belgium is recognized for having the first railway network on the continent. Train World is the official museum of the National Railway Company of Belgium. Built inside the preserved station buildings of Schaarbeek Station, it falls on the route of the first locomotives.
The museum brags two exhibits in particular. The first is the oldest locomotive in Europe, from 1844; the other is “The Atlantic”, which broke the World Record in 1939 for being the fastest.
It is an incredibly interactive museum, covering the past, present, and future of railways.
Belgium Comic Strip Centre
Comic lovers will ADORE the Belgian Comic Strip Centre.
Here you can find over 7000 original sketches of much-loved comics, from the likes of Tintin, The Smurfs, Bob and Bobette, and Dickie. It’s basically an art gallery for cartoons — but better!
Explore the history of your childhood companions and how they came to be. See behind-the-scenes doodles of Belgium’s best-known comic strips, with frequently rotating exhibitions.
It’s as enjoyable for adults as it is for children, with accomplished caricatures that are bound to trigger a heap of emotions for all.
Booking for temporary exhibits is highly recommended, with the Centre open daily except for Mondays.
Chocolate
Naturally, no trip to Brussels is truly complete without trying (just a few) the treats from the many marvelous chocolatiers.
But, to discover the real essence of Belgium chocolate, you’ll need to avoid filling up on the beckoning goodies from shops in the city center.
We recommend sampling confectionery from the specialists that commit their lives to chocolate — bon appétit!
One unmissable store is the Wittamer, given a Royal title for the wedding cake they made for the Belgium King and Queen. And they were the first to sell chocolate at Place du Grand Sablon. That says a lot about what you can expect from their shop!
Here you’ll find a feast of sophisticated nibbles, including un chocolate inspired by the cobbled streets de Bruxelles. They even have a morsel with a gold-coated locust perched on top — it’s said to taste like pepper by those who have dared to try it! Be sure to choose wisely…
