brussels city guide
Brussels offers a wealth of excellent shopping from designer boutiques to fashion shops, craft shops and local delicacies. Enjoy some of the hundreds of varieties of Belgian beer, sample Belgian chocolates, or relax in one of the superb restaurants or cafes that line Brussels' avenues and squares. Brussels is also home to the European Parliament.
Brussels is only 2 hours and 20 minutes from London Waterloo by Eurostar.
What to do and see in and around Brussels
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is possibly Brussels' most famous statue. Literally translated as "Pissing Boy", the statue is only 60cm high. Manneken Pis can be found at the corner of rue de l'Etuve and rue Chênet, he may even be wearing one of his 600 costumes, all of which can be seen at the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles.
Grand Place and Hotel de Ville
Grand Place is the heart of Brussels, visit the gothic Hôtel de Ville, and climb to the top of the 96 metre high tower for the best views across Brussels. Also on the Grand' Place are the elegant guild houses and the late 19th century Maison du Roi which now houses the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles.
Comic Strip Museum (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée)
The Comic Strip Museum is based in the beautiful art nouveau Waucquez Warehouses, built by Victor Horta. The museum includes a history of the comic strip, and over 5000 original drawings. There is a special section dedicated to Belgium's famous comic strip hero- Tintin.
Heysel Park and the Atomium
Heysel Park is a 200 hectare park north of Brussels. The highlight of the Heysel park is the Atomium monument, a 102 metre high model of an iron atom, made out of chrome and steel. You can go into the Atomium, travel up to the top sphere for a view of the area, and relax at the buffet restaurant.
The Atomium is closed for renovations until late 2005.
Parc de Bruxelles and Palais du Roi
Palais du Roi is the King's official residence in Brussels, although the royals have actually lived outside Brussels in Laken Castle since 1935. There is a small museum inside the palais du roi about the history of Belgian royalty. The parc de Brussels is opposite the palais du Roi, and it laid out in a formal French style, with classical statues scattered between the trees.
Avenue Louise (shopping)
Shop until you drop at Brussels' most exclusive shopping area Avenue Louise. Visit the designer shops, indoor and outdoor shopping centres, art galleries, or put your feet up in one of the restaurants and cafés. Also on Avenue Louise is the Victor Horta art nouveau designed Hôtel Solvay.
Sablon and Marolles
The Sablon area consists of Petit Sablon - a small green square filled with statues of Brussels' famous scholars and humanists; and Grand Sablon - home to antiques shops and stalls and excellent patisseries and food shops. Further out beyond Sablon is the Marolles district, with its cobbled streets, funky bars and cafés, and junk shops.
Musée de Victor Horta
Brussels' architect of art nouveau, Victor Horta, lived on rue Américaine, and his house is now a museum with the original furniture and features restored. Don't miss the stained glass windows, murals, and the elegant stair bannisters.
Classical Art Museum and Museum of Modern Art
The Classical Art Museum contains art from the 15th-19th century, including work by Bruegal, Ruben, and Hieronymus Bosch. The Museum of Modern Art is linked to the Classical Art Museum by a underground passage, it covers modern art of the 20th century, including works by Magritte, Picasso and other Belgium and European artists.
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Parc du Cinquantenaire was built in 1880 to celebrate 50 years of the independence of Belgium, the focal point of the park is the enormous Triumphal Arch, within the arch is the Musée du Cinquantenaire which contains archaeological finds and treasures. Also within the park is Autoworld Brussels containing a history of the automobile, vintage cars, carriages, and motorbikes.