10 Jul 2024 Welcome to Brussels. The Belgian capital is built on civilisations of the past and hundreds and hundreds of years of history.
The city is full of interesting corners, places where tradition is still alive and well or where it mixes nimbly with today's avant-garde.
Brussels is the definition of a cosmopolitan and plural city, full of contrasts and people from all over the world. Great atmosphere, great history and a Belgian gastronomy that will captivate you. Not to mention its impressive Belgian craft beers.
We're going to try to be as concise and to the point as possible, because you could spend three days in Brussels taking pictures and enjoying the atmosphere. So these are the monuments and attractions that you absolutely cannot miss.
Let's start with the most central and well-known. The most popular and beautiful square in Brussels. The characteristic Guild Houses, the Town Hall and the Maison du Roi are the undisputed kings of this square.
If it's impressive like this, don't forget to stop by on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday or weekend before 18:00, because you'll find its colourful Flower Market. And if you are lucky enough to visit Brussels at Christmas, this is the first place you should come to.
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is a glassed-in shopping arcade in the heart of the city of Brussels. This beautiful two-storey passageway was opened in the mid-19th century, where glass and iron are its heart, while chocolate shops, cafés and luxury boutiques are its soul.
Strolling through this gallery and indulging in the flavour of some of the best chocolate shops in the country is a must-do as soon as you arrive in the city.
The photo of the statue of the pissing boy in Brussels is a must for your mobile phone. It is a symbol of the city. Don't expect a huge fountain with a gigantic sculpture, it's a little boy, and the thanks is not only in the fact that he's peeing, but also in the outfit he's wearing at the time. Because the Manneken Pis has more wardrobe than you and me put together.
Since you've stopped to take the photos, have a local craft beer too, at Café Manneken Pis or Poechenellekelder, two of the best places to drink beer in Brussels.
And if you want to complete the family photo, there is a statue of the Manneken Pis' sister, Jeanneke Pis, right in the same alley where the famous Delirium Café with its more than 200 types of beer is located.
Another iconic image of the city that comes to mind when you think of Brussels is the Atomium. A metal structure, some 100 metres high at its tallest point.
This giant representation of an iron crystal was inaugurated in 1958 and in one of its spheres you can enjoy one of the restaurants with the most amazing views of the city.
While you're at the Atomium, don't miss the Mini-Europe theme park, with scale representations of famous monuments and buildings from all over Europe. It would also be a shame not to visit the sixth largest church in the world, the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur.
An incredible Art Deco building, the largest of its kind in the world, it will blow your mind.
The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, also known as the Brussels Cathedral, is a Gothic cathedral completed in 1500. It is also one of your must-see stops, because it is the most important religious building in the city. It is as important for its history as it is for its location. In the centre of the city and close to other places of great interest such as the Parc de Bruxelles.
Brussels' largest urban park is full of life. The lung of Brussels is a great place full of trees, lawns and places to visit, such as the Théâtre Royal du Parc. Our next stop is also just a stone's throw away.
Welcome to the official seat of the King and Queen of Belgium. Although this is not their usual residence, it is one of the most important buildings in the country as it is the venue for state events and official meetings.
Right next to the Palais Royal is the Place Royale. The importance of this square is not so much the architecture but what is around it; the best museums in the city of Brussels. Some of them are Musée Old Master or Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts.
And if we were talking about the beautiful Parc de Bruxelles and its importance in the city, we cannot leave behind the impressive Parc du Cinquantenaire and its 30 hectares of space.
The park is full of monuments and interesting places to visit; from the imperial Monument to the Cinquantenaire, which is the huge Arc de Triomphe, the park's hallmark.
Other must-see photos include the façades of the buildings housing the Musée Royal de l'Armée et de l'Histoire Militaire and the Institut Royal d'Histoire de l'Art et Archaeology. On leaving the Parc, don't forget to pass by the Grand Mosque of Brussels.
A paradise in the middle of Brussels with the best views of the whole city. These gardens hide, in addition to privileged views, green areas and a place to unwind and relax, some of the most beautiful historic buildings in the whole region, such as the Square Brussels Conference Centre and the Belgian National Archives building.
Visiting Brussels and not seeing Tintin? It's impossible. Stop by Rue de L'Etuve 37 and visit him in full adventure. In fact, the whole Rue de L'Etuve is a work of art, which you can walk up and down.
Brussels is the birthplace of great comic strip artists and the birthplace of such timeless characters as the Smurfs, Lucky Luke and Tintin himself. There is a huge comic book culture with open-air artworks, trails and museums. Whether you're a fan or not, it's well worth experiencing.
The heart and mind of Europe is in Brussels, from where the entire continent's direction is set. The European Quarter, or Leopold Quarter, is an area where the government buildings sit, but there is much more to see.
Buildings of European-level governmental importance are mixed with museums and exhibition venues. The House of European History, the Residence Palace, the Parlamentarium and Luxembourg Square are a must on your route.
And remember to take a stroll around Brussels' best chocolate shops. The capital's signature food is also a monument in its own right, as are the popular Fritkot, the stalls with the best fries in Belgium. And I don't think we need to talk much about the wonderful Brussels waffles.
If you want to see all the sights and then be able to relax, you need to stay somewhere central, close to the main monuments and attractions of Brussels, but still quiet. Can you think of a place?
We have the solution: Latroupe Grand Place. The best hostel in Brussels awaits you with fantastic facilities where you will feel at home, the bar with the best atmosphere in the city and daily activities to meet places, meet people and have fun.
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29 Jul 2024 