Whether you’re in Brussels on business or just to enjoy a trip to one of Western Europe’s finest cities, you’ll find plenty to get stuck into.
Grand architecture, tree-lined boulevards, glamorous boutiques and an array of dazzling restaurants jostle for attention in Belgium’s buzzing capital.
Head for the Grand Place
Most major cities have a central point that draws people to it like a magnet. In Brussels, it’s the beautiful Grand Place.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stunning cobbled market place is lined with wonderfully ornate buildings of national power, importance and influence, most of them dating back to the 17th century. They include the city's Town Hall, and the King's House – or Breadhouse building – which contains the Museum of the City of Brussels.
This delightful square is alive with flower stalls, chocolate shops, street performers and often plays host to fairs, concerts and events – all of which can be enjoyed with a café au lait while sitting outside one of the many coffee shops.
During the festive period, the Grand Place is home to a huge Christmas Market. There’s nothing quite like strolling around the stalls and grottos while tucking into a hot chocolate and a moreish Belgian waffle.
Dive into Brussels’ best museums
Brussels is big on museums – and you’ll find a dizzying array of options in the city, covering a wide range of tastes and interests.
As the home of the European Union, you’d expect at least one dedicated to the continent’s past. Sure enough, you’ll find it at the House of European History, located in the leafy Parc Leopold. There are six fascinating floors to explore here, recapping centuries of history with a focus on the post-war period.
Youngsters in particular will love the dinosaur exhibits at the Museum of Natural Sciences on Rue Vautier, including the virtually complete iguanodon skeletons discovered in a coal mine in the Belgian town of Bernissart at the end of the 19th century.
Check out too the Halle Gate – or Porte De Hal. This medieval gate was once part of the city’s defensive walls and now hosts historical exhibitions and displays. Meanwhile, Schaerbeek railway station is home to Train World, which showcases all things rail from the past, present and future.
Another must-see is the Belgian Comics Art Museum on Rue des Sables, where characters created by Belgian cartoonists including the Smurfs and Tintin are immortalised in a delightfully quirky setting.
From Brussels to Bruges
Brussels is perfectly placed for travelling to some of Belgium’s other top destinations. For instance, a 90-minute drive north-west via the E40 will take you to the charming medieval city of Bruges, which makes for a perfect day trip or longer stay.
With its cobbled streets, canals and medieval architecture, Bruges looks for all the world as if it’s just stepped out of of the pages of a fairy tale. A UNESCO World Heritage City, its vast central square – The Markt – is a good place to start exploring.
Here you’ll find the city’s most famous landmark – the Belfry, an ornate tower that dates all the way back to 1240. If you’re feeling energetic you can clamber up the 366 steps to the top for stunning views out across the city.
Just a stone’s throw from The Markt is Burg Square, which houses one of the grandest medieval palaces Belgium has to offer, as well as the gilded Town Hall. The Groeningemuseum is Bruges’ most famous art gallery, showcasing a dazzling array of Flemish Primitive and Renaissance works.
Look out for masterpieces stretching across the centuries in this compact gallery’s six rooms, including those by Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling and Hieronymus Bosch.
Bruges is renowned for its moules frites – steaming pots of mussels served with crispy French fries. Bag a table at two of the city’s best spots for this traditional fare – Poules Moules and Breydel De Coninck, the latter offering no fewer than nine different varieties of mussels to pick from.
Car hire from Brussels Airport puts the best of the Belgian capital within easy reach while also allowing you to make more of your trip with visits to other destinations in this rich and fascinating country.
