Brussels
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Brussels is the capital of beer and chocolate, being situated in central Belgium. It is part of the larger Brussels-Capital Region as one of the 19 municipalities, region has appr. 1,1 million residents.
Brussels were officially founded in 979. After the construction of the city walls in the early 13th century, Brussels grew significantly. To let the city expand, a second set of walls was erected between 1356 and 1383. Today Brussels is the important administrative center of the EU, and still the economical centre.
Recreation
Brussels Bike Tours offers the chance too see the city from the saddle, meeting point of the tours is right outside the Visit Brussels office (tourist information centre) at the Grand Place.
Brussels has many top clubs to dance the night away. See the list here. Good pubs for enjoying of splendid Belgian beers are e.g. À La Bécasse (Rue de Taborastraat 11), Bizon Cafe (Rue Pont de la Carpe-Karperbrugstraat 7) and The Monk (Katelijnestraat-Rue St. Catherine 42).
Shopping
Chocopolis (81 Rue du Marché aux Herbes-Grasmarkt, between Grand Place and Central Station). Here is all sorts of chocolate with decent prices.
Boulevard de Waterloo is one of the most well-known shopping streets in Brussels. Here is available top brands as Louise Vuitton, Gucci and Versace.
Adjacent to the Boulevard de Waterloo is the Avenue Louise. Here Belgian designers show off their seasonal designs. There are clothes for women as well as suits and shoes for men. This street is perfect for finding office wear or designer dresses.
Another brand name haven is at the short side of rue de Namur just at the end of Boulevard de Waterloo.
Something to explore
Atomium
This atom-shaped building in center of Brussels contains eight levels spread over five spheres and its all levels are for art exhibitions. Atomium were built for the World Fair of Brussels 1958 and two of its levels is dedicated for permanent exhibition of Expo58, while other levels are for changing exhibition of design, society and architecture. Upper sphere in height of 92 meters offers the majestetic 360° view over city. When the sky is clear, even the skyline of Antwerp is visible. Panoramic restaurant in upper sphere offers gourmet menu and its open till 11PM.
Palais Royale
This official palace of the Belgian royal family, situating in front of Brussels Park, is open to public.
The current facade was built after 1900 by the King Leopold II. The first nucleus of the present-day building dates from the end of the 18th century. The grounds on which the palace stands were once part of the Coudenberg Palace, a very old palatial complex that were dated back to the Middle Ages.
Since 1965, it has been traditional for the Royal Palace of Brussels to be accessible to the public each year, so that they can admire the prestigious state rooms laden with history. This tour is available in summer, after the National Holiday on 21 July, until the beginning of September.
Three contemporary works of art were installed in the Royal Palace in 2002: “Heaven of Delight” by Jan Fabre, Monochrome series by Marthe Wéry, and ”Portraits” by Dirk Braeckman.
Belgian Comic Strip Center
At the address Rue des Sables-Zandstraat 20, is located this oasis of comic art. The bookshop at the ground floor sells many different comics. The permanent exhibition features the early beginning of comics and the development. A readers’ library on the ground floor, where one can read many different comic books and buy fries.
Horta Museum
This former home and the art studio of Belgian Art Nouveau architect and designer Victor Horta depicts his works and the Art Nouveau style in Brussels. It is one of four Horta works to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Museum is situated at the address rue Américaine 25.
Tip concerning the museums: Brussels Card allows free entry to many museums and attractions.
How to get around in Brussels
Public transportation in Brussels is efficient. There are 4 metro lines, metro entrances are marked by big “M” signs in blue and white. All announcements are made in Dutch, French and English.
Tickets that bear the name ’Jump’ are also valid on all SNCB/NMBS-trains and on buses run by Flemish public bus company De Lijn and Walloon public bus company TEC within the Brussels Capital Region.
Brussels Card allows a visitor to ride on the Hop on Hop off buses for free during 24 or 48 hours. The journey planner and ticket prices are here.
How to get in Brussels
Brussels’ main airport is Brussels Airport, being located 11 km northeast of Brussels. List of its destinations is here. Belgian Rail operates trains every 15 min from the airport to Brussels’ three main stations, with most trains continuing to other parts of Belgium.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport serves also the region, 60 km south of the central train station. List of its destinations is here, airlines are listed here.
Brussels City Shuttle operates buses every 30 minutes to Brussels Midi/Zuid station, a journey takes appr. 1 hour.
Brussels has three main train stations: Midi-Zuid, to the south of the city center, Central-Centraal, which is right next to the city center, and Nord-Noord, to the north of the city center. See the European rail timetables here.
Eurolines and Megabus offers bus routes from various European cities to Brussels. Eurolines buses stop outside the Gare du Nord-Noordstation and Gare du Midi-Zuidstation train stations, Megabus’s stop is outside the North train station.
Highways E40 and E19 lead to the Brussels region.
Top 5 in Brussels
- Buy good chocolate for souvenirs
- Atomium
- Belgian Comic Strip Centre
- Palais Royale
- Avenue Louise
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: With the CC licence / Steve Collis, Mike Cattell, Lizzyyy89, Ramón, Estebanhistoria[/fusion_text]
