Brussels Travel Guide

General

Beer, waffles and festivals - if this is what you’re looking for you will find them in abundance when you visit the country’s capital city (pop. 989 000). Brussels is the major gateway for the country: it is on the main routes heading inland from the Channel ports via the Flemish art towns and it is as well a convenient stopover on the train between France and the Netherlands.

Brussels took its name from “Broekzele”, or “city of the marsh”, which grew up in the sixth century on the trade route between Cologne and Bruges / Gent. Under the Habsburghs the town flourished, eventually becoming capital of the Spanish Netherlands. In the 19th century it became the capital of the newly-independent Belgium. Although nowadays, the city is often primarily regarded as a destination for businesspeople or diplomats — it is the headquarters for the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) — there is plenty to see and do for other travellers. ‘Manneke Pis’, plenty of impressive museums, delicious chocolate and a city centre divided into the upper and the lower town with a beautiful cathedral and the Oude Markt where you can enjoy your Belgian beers. Brussels requires a minimum of two nights to get a feeling for the city but an even longer stay should be planned if there is a festival in town. While Brussels is a safe city some areas are prone to crime, especially at night. Be careful when walking near the westward arc between North and Midi railway stations and Rogier and De Brouckere Metro stations.

Note: Brussels is an international city; for the two great parts of Belgians (French and Flemish-speaking) there is parity in Brussels. This means that every instance of the written word, from road signs to the yellow pages, has to appear in both languages.

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Accomodation

Brussels has no shortage of places to stay, but given the number of visitors, finding a room can be hard, particularly in summer. Cheapest stay in Brussels is under a bridge or camping. But do not worry. If you book ahead at least the first night, tourist offices can book hotel rooms on arrival. To look for hotels on your own, we've listed a few hotels in three sections. Camping outside official campsites is prohibited in Flanders, but there is a wide range of campsites. All licensed campsites satisfy modern quality and fire-safety requirements.

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Sights

The centre of the city can be divided into two parts: the upper town made up of broad boulevards and stately buildings and the lower town a maze of narrow medieval lanes surrounding the ornate 12th-century Grand Place one of the most perfectly preserved of all market squares in Europe. The many faces of Brussels are expressed in the four quarters of the city, which are a must for every visitor.

First of all, there is the Lower Town, which extends from Manneken Pis via the Grand Place with its guild houses and the town hall to the Botanique. The Royal District in the Upper Town occupies the area between the Warande and the impressive Palace of Justice. In the North of the City lies the Heizel with the Atomium and Bruparck. Just outside the city centre you will find the Cinquantenaire park and the European District. Cinquantenaire Park with its triumphal arch and military art and history museums provides a calm respite from the bustle of the city.

There are multiple interesting museums showing exhibitions relating to subjects such as Brussels' history, famous painters and even Brussels' comic cartoon art.

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