Explore the captivating capital of Belgium
The capital of Belgium, Brussels, grew from a small rural settlement on the river Senne to become an important city-region in Europe. Since the end of the Second World War, it has been a major centre for international politics and home to numerous international organisations, politicians, diplomats and civil servants. Brussels is the de facto capital of the European Union, as it hosts a number of principal EU institutions. Read why it should be on your travelwishlist (click on the links for more details & bookings):
The monastery of the Abbey of Cambre is located in the very central and chic district of Ixelles. The buildings are more than 800 years old. This ecclesiastical and architectural heritage has been occupied by the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré over the last decade.
The Atomium is a landmark building, originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. It is located on the Heysel/Heizel Plateau in Laeken, where the exhibition took place.
3. BASILIQUE NATIONALE DU SACRÉ COEUR
The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica and parish church. The church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart, inspired by the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur in Paris. Symbolically, King Leopold II laid the first stone of the basilica in 1905 during the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Belgian Independence.
4. BELGIAN COMIC STRIP CENTRE & COMIC STRIP ROUTE
A world full of comics, this attraction located in the heart of Brussels, the Comics Art Museum has been honouring the creators and heroes of the 9th Art for 30 years. The regularly renewed permanent exhibitions and a diversified programme of temporary exhibitions enable visitors to discover the countless aspects of comics art.
The City of Brussels pays special attention to the comic book. Since the early 90s, it pays tribute to characters and authors of the Franco-Belgian comics on the walls in the Pentagon (city centre) and Laeken.
The Palace of Laeken or Castle of Laeken is the official residence of the King of the Belgians and the Belgian Royal Family. It lies in the Brussels-Capital Region, 5 km north of the city centre, in Laeken, and sits in a large private park called the Royal Domain of Laeken.
The Grand Place or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels, Belgium. It is surrounded by opulent Baroque guildhalls of the former Guilds of Brussels and two larger edifices; the city's Flamboyant Town Hall, and the neo-Gothic King's House or Bread House building containing the Brussels City Museum.
The Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, is an opera house in central Brussels. The National Opera of Belgium, a federal institution, takes the name of this theatre in which it is housed—La Monnaie in French or De Munt in Dutch—referring both to the building as well as the opera company.
8. MANNEKEN PIS
Manneken Pis (Dutch for 'Little Pissing Man') is a landmark 61 cm (24 in) bronze fountain sculpture in central Brussels, Belgium, depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. It was designed by the Brabantine sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in 1618 or 1619. The current statue is a replica which dates from 1965. The original is kept in the Brussels City Museum. Manneken Pis is one of the best-known symbols of Brussels and Belgium.
Mini-Europe is a miniature park located in Bruparck, at the foot of the Atomium. Mini-Europe has reproductions of monuments in the European Union and other countries within the continent of Europe on display, at a scale of 1:25. Roughly 80 cities and 350 buildings are represented.
10. MONT DES ARTS
The Mont des Arts or Kunstberg is an urban complex and historic site in central Brussels, including the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR), the National Archives of Belgium, the Square – Brussels Meeting Centre, and a public garden.
The Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon is a Roman Catholic church located in the Sablon/Zavel district in the historic centre of Brussels, Belgium. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Sablon.
12. PARC DE CINQUANTENAIRE
The Parc du Cinquantenaire (French for "Park of the Fiftieth Anniversary" or Jubelpark (Dutch for "Jubilee Park") is a large public, urban park of 30 ha (74 acres) in the easternmost part of the European Quarter in Brussels. Most buildings of the U-shaped complex which dominate the park were commissioned by the Belgian Government under the patronage of King Leopold II for the 1880 National Exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Belgian Revolution.
13. ROYAL GALLERY OF SAINT HUBERT
The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries are an ensemble of glazed shopping arcades in central Brussels designed and built by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer between 1846 and 1847.
14. ROYAL MUSEUMS OF FINE ARTS OF BELGIUM
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium are a group of six art museums: the Oldmasters Museum, the Magritte Museum, the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, the Antoine Wiertz Museum and the Constantin Meunier Museum. The Royal Museums contains over 20,000 drawings, sculptures, and paintings, which date from the early 15th century to the present.
The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians in the centre of the nation's capital, Brussels. However, it is not used as a royal residence, as the king and his family live in the Royal Palace of Laeken in northern Brussels.
16. ST MICHAEL & ST GUDULA CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral in central Brussels, Belgium. It is dedicated to Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, the patron saints of the City of Brussels, and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Brabantine Gothic architecture.
SLEEP AT JULIANA HOTEL BRUSSELS
Juliana Hotel Brussels is situated on one of the most iconic neo-classical squares in Brussels, discreetly nestled in the heart of the city. Each room is unique and memorable for its cutting-edge design, colours, dim lights, artworks, comfort of the exceptional mattresses and duvets, refined linen, delicate mosaics of bathrooms, Molton Brown soaps, large screen, digital communication SuitePad, and view of the heritage-listed square or the interior vegetable garden of the Juliana Hotel Brussels: everything is so tempting and good to look at.
PLAY AT CITY UNSCRIPTED BRUSSELS
Visiting a new city is always exciting, but exploring the unfamiliar can sometimes seem daunting. But with City Unscripted and one of their Brussels hosts by your side, you can leave your comfort zone in total comfort and get acquainted with Brussels, its food, culture, activities and of course, its people!
PLAY & EAT AT EATWITH BRUSSELS
Unforgettable, immersive culinary experiences in Brussels. Explore culinary experiences with locals, dinner parties, cooking classes and more in beautiful homes and exclusive venues. Choose an event, select the number of guests in your party, and experience the magic of Eatwith.
DRINK BEER
EAT BRUSSEL SPROUTS!
EAT CHOCOLATE
EAT MOULES FRITES
EAT WAFFLES
BEST TIME TO GO: The best time to visit Brussels is between March and May and September and October, the shoulder seasons; this is when room rates are cheaper and the weather is mild. This city experiences all four seasons and rain is a possibility year-round.
HOW TO GET THERE: Brussels in one of the best-connected cities in Europe. It has air links to all the main cities and rail connections with its neighbouring countries.
HOW TO GET AROUND: Walk, busses, Metro & trams
CURRENCY: The euro is the official currency of Belgium, which is a member of the European Union.
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