Brussels Tourism
Brussels Belgium is the effective capital of Europe because that's where the European Parliament is suituated but Brussels is also famous for its delicious chocolate, belgian beer, lace and the wonderful food.
Brussels seems a much unloved country but spend a weekend there and you'll want to come back time and again especially if you take a trip to Brugges or where Stella Artois is made in Leuven.
About Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a small capital city of Belgium and speaks four main languages.
Key Statistics
- Belgium population: 10,666,866
- Brussels population: 1,048,491 in city and 1,975,000 in metro areas
- Languages Spoken : French, Flemmish, German and English
- Country size : 30.528 KM2
- Currency: Euro (was Belgian Franc)
Where is Brussels ?
Brussels is located in the middle of Belgium about 1 hours flight from anywhere in the UK and a 90 minute drive from the port of Calais.
Brussels Map
Below is a map of the surrounding areas in Brussels. The airport is located on the outskirts of the city but is only a 20 minute drive into town.
Things to see and do in Brussels
Being a tourist in Brussels is great. Make a stop off at the Grand Place which is the old town hall and surrounded by pubs, restuarants and shops. Although it looks a little touristy at times all the restaurants serve excellent food and you won't have a bad meal at all. Also make sure you visit the TinTin shop located opposite the main town hall down one of the side streets.
Fresh fish is normally the order of the day and make sure you get a big pot of moules, fries and mayonaise.
During the summer months in July and August there is a music and light show in the Grand Place normally to some classical music. So find yourself a table in one of the outside bars and grab a beer and relax.
Belgian beer is a must have if you are into your beers. Some of them have made it over to the UK but having them served on draft is much better. Try a blonde beer (a white cloudy beer) or Duval (a darker beer).
If you're into museums the René Magritte Museum contains some of the artist's surrealist paintings and work and is located at Rue Esseghem 135, Brussels.
Other places of interest include
- The botanical gardens
- The atomium (which is a large atom shaped building you can go up inside and view the city from next to Heysel football stadium and...)
- Mini-Europe which is an excellent out door down scaled overview of all the famous buildings in Europe
- St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (a fabulous place)
- Delirium Cafe in the old part of the city
- Manneken Pis - a 2 foot statue of a boy weeing - the locals dress this statue up in clothes depicting whatever event or festival is taking place. A short walk from the Grand Place and you can also buy your own miniture Manneken Pis to take home with you !
- Royal Museum of Central Africa (Musee Royal de l'Afrique Central) - a 15 minute drive out towards Leuven is this monster museum of everything African. It's set in massive gardens and lakes you can walk around in.
- Place du Grand Sablon - which has many antique shops but is an excellent place for restuarants and bars. In the summer this gets very busy with the locals.
- Cinquantenaire Park is a massive arch celebrating 50 years of Belgiums independence and is above the main road tunnel that goes into Brussels city. A nice place to wonder with peaceful residential streets off each side.
Brussels Airport
Brussels airport is located at the east side of the city and is called Zaventum airport because that's the name of the town it resides in. The airport is linked to Brussels by the train which is very cheap to access but will take about 40 minutes to get into the city because it's very slow - although very efficient and clean.
Perhaps the best way is to jump into a taxi.
The airport has two terminals. An international terminal including flights to the UK and a domestic terminal which is just a few years old and serves the rest of EU Europe.
Brussels Flights
The main Belgium airline is Brussels Airlines which was the old Sabena before they went bankrupt and has recently merges with Virgin Express. Brussels Airlines have many code share agreements and also fly Airbus 330s into many parts of Africa because of the old links to the African Congo.
From the uk there are many airlines that offer Brussels flights apart from the local airline. Flybe and BMI both fly from major airports including Heathrow and Birmingham.
Brussels Hotels
When staying in Brussels you have a vast choice of really excellent hotels to choose from. The hotels in Brussels are mostly excellent and much better than you'll find in the UK.
Le Meridein Hotel is just behind the Grand Place and offers excellent hotel bargains. One we have chosen is the Chocolate Weekend which provides an excellent room, a chocolate afternoon tea and free entrance into the Chocolate museum - yum. See the hotel site here
Another excellent hotel just off the Grand Place at Place Jourdan is the Sofitel Hotel Brussels which offers luxury at a price you can afford in the European Quarter. The Sofitel official site is here
Shopping in Brussels
There are great shops for tourist trash in and around the Grand Place. For more upmarket shopping where all the local residents go, head over to the Sablon or Avenue Louise for the famous fashion houses and has great coffee shops. More traditional shopping can be had at Rue Neuve which has regular and traditional department stores and street sellers selling hot Belgian Waffles. Mmmmm.
Of course there is the world's very first covered shopping mall just across from the Grand Place and next to the large Haagen Daaz ice cream parlour called Gallerie St. Hubert. It was built in 1847 and is under a glass roof and is lined with coffee shops and boutique shops. Well worth a visit. More information can be found on the visitbelgium website here