Although it is small in size, it offers a wide range of activities and places to visit.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, located in the center of the country, making it a great option for planning a trip that includes other Belgian cities. Additionally, due to Belgium’s location, the distance to France, the Netherlands, or Germany isn’t very far, and you can plan various routes with multiple destinations on bus or train trips lasting just a few hours.
Grand Place and its architecture
One of Brussels’ main attractions is the Grand Place; thanks to its aesthetics and ornamentation, it’s a place where you can spend time admiring every detail of its buildings. It is surrounded by guild houses, City Hall, and the King’s House, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Today, it is possible to rent an apartment on the Grand Place.
In addition to the Grand Place, there is a wide variety of buildings scattered throughout the city that stand out for their architectural beauty. The Palais Royal (Royal Palace), the Place Royale (Royal Square), and the Palace of Justice are must-sees, and the complex comprising the Arc de Triomphe along with the Museums of Art and History, the Navy and Military History, and Autoworld is also worth a visit.
Atomium and Laeken Park
Located on the outskirts of Brussels, in the Laeken neighborhood, the Atomium is one of the symbols of the city (and the country). The structure represents a magnified iron atom and stands over 100 meters tall; it was built for the 1958 World’s Fair. It is a must-see in Brussels due to its uniqueness as an architectural masterpiece; viewing it from the outside is a marvel, though you can also go inside and explore it
Across from the Atomium lies Laeken Park, home to both the Royal Castle of Laeken (the kings’ residence) and the Royal Greenhouses. Beyond these two structures, located almost at the far end of the park, the park itself is a marvel and features original pavilions from the 1958 World’s Fair, such as the Chinese and Japanese pavilions, and is well worth a visit.
Brussels
Brussels is considered the institutional capital of the European Union, as it is home to most of the EU’s administrative headquarters. Within the so-called European Quarter (European District) are the Council of the European Union, the European Council, and the European Commission, among others. All these buildings are located on Rue de la Loi, along the stretch from Brussels Park to Cinquantenaire Park.
Belgian beer is famous and known throughout the world, and its tradition reaches every corner of the country—no matter where you are, you can sit down and have a beer at a bar. Brussels combines its beer tradition with a distinctive touch: its nightlife.
Not only is it one of Belgium’s most populous cities, but it also attracts many exchange students from all over the world, making it a great city for partying. In addition to several nightclubs, you’ll find many bars offering beer for €1 or €2 until midnight as part of happy hour—a more than tempting offer for anyone looking to grab a drink.
Bruges and Ghent
Some people spend a few days in Brussels and then head to Bruges or Ghent, staying one or two nights in each city. There are also travelers who opt for full-day tours that take them from one city to the other by bus. But for anyone under 26, one-way train tickets within the country cost €6, so perhaps the best option is to put together your own tour of Bruges or Ghent and return to Brussels to sleep.
Where to Stay
To start with, it’s best to stay in the central area of Brussels, avoiding Laeken, Haren, or Ixelles, but the closer you are to the Grand Place or the European Quarter, the more expensive the accommodation will be. Distances in Brussels are short and public transportation is excellent (a special mention for the metro stations, which are works of art), so a few extra blocks won’t make much of a difference.
A good option might be to stay in one of these neighborhoods: Quartier des Quais, Kaaienwijk, Dansaert, Anneessens, or Stalingrad; together, they form a sort of horseshoe shape that skirts the city.
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