About Brussels
Brussels grew up around a small island in the river Senne, and its name is usually traced to the Old Dutch Bruocsella, "settlement in the marsh". Over a thousand years it became the seat of the Dukes of Brabant, a Habsburg court city, the capital of independent Belgium from 1830 and, more recently, the de facto capital of the European Union and the home of NATO's headquarters. That layered history gives the city a split personality: officially bilingual in French and Dutch, international in its institutions, and stubbornly local in its love of bars, comic strips and frites.
The Grand-Place, with its gilded guildhalls and Gothic town hall, is regularly described as one of the most beautiful squares in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brussels is also a capital of Art Nouveau, thanks to architects such as Victor Horta, whose townhouses are UNESCO-listed too. Beyond the historic centre, districts like Saint-Gilles, Ixelles and the Marolles reveal flea markets, cafés and multicultural streets.
Our three guides explain where to stay, what to see beyond the Manneken Pis, and practical information about trains, the Brussels Card, seasons and costs.
Brussels city guides
- Where to stay in Brussels
Brussels is a compact city, and many visitors combine it with Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, so being close to a train station is a real advantage. The Brussels-Capital Region consists of 19 municipalities, each with its own character. Staying near the Grand-Place puts you at the heart of the historic centre, with the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, one of Europe's oldest covered shopping arcades opened in 1847, and the Manneken Pis a few minutes away. The Îlot Sacré's narrow lanes are full of restaurants, some of them tourist traps along Rue des Bouchers. It is very convenient but crowded, and late-night noise is common. North-west of the Grand-Place, the former port quarter of Sainte-Catherine is known for fish restaurants around the old docks (the Marché aux Poissons), and Rue Antoine Dansaert has Belgian designer fashion boutiques. The area feels more local and stylish, with natural wine bars and Flemish cafés, and it's a short walk to the centre.
- Things to do in Brussels
Brussels surprises visitors with its quirky humour, architectural treasures and gastronomic richness. Here are the highlights. The square's ornate guildhalls were rebuilt in just a few years after French troops bombarded the city in 1695. The Gothic Town Hall, with a 96-metre tower topped by Saint Michael slaying a dragon, survived. The square is lit up at night, and the Christmas tree and light shows in winter are spectacular. Visit the Brussels City Museum in the King's House (Maison du Roi), which also displays Manneken Pis's wardrobe of more than 1,000 costumes in the GardeRobe MannekenPis museum nearby. The small bronze statue of a urinating boy, a seventeenth-century work by Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder, is dressed in costumes on special occasions. His female counterpart, Jeanneke Pis, and the dog Het Zinneke are hidden around the centre.
- Practical tips for visiting Brussels
Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zaventem is 12 kilometres north-east. Trains run to Brussels-Nord, Central and Midi in 15 to 25 minutes; the fare includes a Diabolo airport supplement. Bus 12 (or 21 at weekends) runs to the European Quarter. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), used by low-cost airlines, is about 55 kilometres away; a shuttle bus to Midi takes about an hour. STIB/MIVB runs the metro, trams and buses. You can tap a contactless bank card on readers to pay, with daily fare capping. The centre is walkable, though the Upper Town around the Royal Palace requires climbing; the free public lift at the Marolles connects Place Breughel de l'Ancien to the Palace of Justice. Villo! shared bikes and electric scooters are available. Trains to other Belgian cities are frequent and affordable; consider a weekend return ticket or the Rail Pass for 10 trips. The Brussels Card gives free entry to around 50 museums and discounts, with an option to add public transport. It pays off if you visit three or more museums per day. Many museums are free on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month.
Destination overview · Brussels
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What to see in Brussels
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What to do
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