One might have thought the title of Capital of Europe would go to its head, but nothing could be further from the truth. Rather than playing the prima donna, Brussels prefers to invest in a friendly welcome and encouraging people to get to know it better. It is a city rich in history, art and surprises which enjoys developing these assets and qualities to offer great experiences full of emotions. To be able to say you have "done Brussels ", you need to visit as many as possible of its 100 museums, from the majestic to the incongruous; lose yourself in its distinctive and even exotic districts; laze on a terrace with a good local beer in front of you, and savour its culinary specialities in pleasant bistros, warm brasseries or sitting in a restaurant run by a great chef.
Brussels is an essential destination for any tourist. The city is a leading cultural, historic, culinary and tourist centre.
In the centre of Brussels, you must certainly visit the Grand-Place with its large number of historic mansions, the magnificent 15th-century Town Hall and the well-known Maison du Roi Museum. There is also the Galeries St Hubert, which is the oldest covered shopping arcade in Europe. The fifteenth-century Saint Gudula and Saint Michael Cathedral is also worth a visit. You can relax in the Parc de Bruxelles facing the Royal Palace.
You can also go for a walk along the Place du Grand Sablon, with its large number of antique shops. The daily flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle is certainly an attraction. Other sights include Sablon Church with its Gothic interior and the Palace of Justice on the Galgenberg. The European quarter, which is the centre of government for the European Union, surrounds Place Schuman. Just outside the city centre, you will find the Atomium, a steel molecule enlarged 165 billion times.
Our suggestions:
Châtelain: A quarter full of independent boutiques and laidback restaurants: the square itself hosts a popular Wednesday evening food market.
Dansaert: There are always things happening – and a new boutique to explore – in the Dansaert quarter, the fashion heart of the city.
Louise: Upmarket Avenue Louise is where all of Brussels heads at the weekend: the area has a real buzz and the city's best shopping.
St. Gilles: Multicultural St. Gilles is full of hidden treasures: wonderful architecture; great restaurants and quirky boutiques.
Flagey: Laid-back bars, an excellent weekend food and flower market and the beautiful Ixelles Ponds to stroll around.
Sainte Catherine: From the ultra-tradition fish restaurants on the square to the hip shops and bars of Rue de Flandre, Sainte Catherine is packed with distractions.
Uccle: Leafy Uccle has sweeping Art Deco avenues, pretty squares full of shops and cafés as well as acres of surprisingly wild forest to discover.
Ixelles: Lively Ixelles has a bit of everything: beautiful parks, great restaurants, street markets and terrific shopping.
De Brouckère: The area around this historic square has been reinvigorated with a wave of new openings and the renovation of the excellent Muntpunt library.
Place Brugmann: The streets around this pretty square are bursting with independent boutiques and relaxed cafés and restaurants.
Marolles: The popular heart of the city is packed with vintage treasure, from elegant antiques to the anarchic bric-a-brac of the daily Jeu de Balle market.
Mont des Arts: You'll find all the culture you could wish for at this extraordinary cluster of museums and galleries on one city hillside.
Sablon: With the arrival of Ladurée and Louboutin on the beautiful square, the already chic Sablon is the place to be.
Midi: The area around the station is a fascinating melting pot of creativity and tradition, with a great Sunday food market.