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Top ten things to do in Brussels, Belgium
A couple of weeks ago I was chatting with some fellow travel writers and the conversation turned to Brussels. The general consensus seemed to be that Belgium's capital isn't worth visiting.I disagree. While it can't compete with London or Paris, it has its own charm and can easily fill up three or four days of a European tour. The mixture of Flemish and Walloon culture makes for a distinct city with an interesting history. A large immigrant population is livening things up too, with Ethiopian cafes, Asian restaurants, and a string of Congolese shops in the Matonge area.
Here are ten reasons not to skip Brussels.
Beer!
Belgian beer is justly famous for its variety and flavor. From the rich Trappist and Abbey beers to the more secular but equally tasty Lambics and Saisons, Belgium is a beer snob's paradise. There are plenty of fine bars in Brussels serving up this lovely brew. A Gadling favorite is the centrally located Delerium Cafe, which sells more than 2000 varieties from around the world, and of course a huge selection of Belgian labels.
Chocolate!
Like Belgian beer, Belgian chocolate needs no introduction. Hey, it's so good you can even snort it. Chocolate shops abound in Brussels and most cafes will serve you a piece along with your coffee.
Peeing statues!
Ah yes, the famous Manneken Pis. Has anyone gone to Brussels and not seen this? There are several stories about how this little guy came into being. The one I heard was that a sculptor's son went missing back in the seventeenth century. A frantic search ensued and the sculptor swore he'd make a statue showing his son exactly as he found him. Take a look at this photo courtesy Jim Linwood to see what the kid was doing when he finally turned up. In the spirit of affirmative action, a female counterpart was erected in 1987 in Impasse de la Fidélité/Getrouwheidsgang (Fidelity Alley) showing a little girl squatting and doing her business. She's called Jeanneke Pis.
Art Nouveau!
Brussels is justly famous for its many Art Nouveau buildings dating to the early part of the last century. The best way to savor the scene is to go to one of Brussels' many Art Nouveau cafes where you can enjoy a coffee and a piece of Belgian chocolate while admiring the architecture. One of the greatest of Art Nouveau architects was Victor Horta whose house museum is a classic of the style.
Gallery: Sights of Brussels
Classic Films!
Belgium was an early innovator of film back during cinema's infancy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The best place to learn about this is the Musée du Cinéma/Filmmuseum, where you can see artifacts from the birth of motion pictures. The museum's two cinemas show arthouse classics and silent films with live piano accompaniment.
Tanks and Swords!
The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History is one of the best war museums I've ever visited, and I've probably visited too many. The land that now comprises Belgium has been fought over for centuries and this museum's collection reflects that bloody past. It has an excellent tank collection from both world wars as well as an extensive armory of medieval weapons to slice, dice, chop, hack, and crush your enemies. Why is this cool? It just is.
Fine Art!
Museums are the best way to stay dry when the Belgian weather gets wet, which it does frequently. Brussels has several art galleries and museums. The most prominent are the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. Together they boast some twenty thousand paintings, sculptures and drawings. They include the Ancient Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum, the Wiertz Museum, the Meunier Museum, and the Museé Magritte Museum.
The Historic Center!
Much of medieval Brussels was leveled to make way for new construction in the nineteenth century. Luckily, a classic core survives around La Grand Place/Grote Markt, where centuries-old mansions and churches still survive. This is the most photogenic part of Brussels and while it can get overrun with tourists, it's still worth a look. A little further out, visit the Basilique du Sacré Coeur/Basiliek van het Heilig Hart, an Art Deco basilica that's the fifth biggest church in the world, and La Cambre Abbey, a 12th century abbey.
Comics!
Besides film, beer, and chocolate, the Belgians have always been big into comics. At the Belgian Comic Strip Center you can learn all about this with a variety of comics on display and a big gift shop if you want to bring some home. Belgium's most famous comic artist was Hergé, creator of Tintin, who of course has his own museum.
Day trips!
Belgium is a small country with a good rail system. This makes it a good base for day trips. The lovely countryside is dotted with several castles and rustic villages. Regular trains go to several historic cities such as Antwerp (one hour), Ghent (30 minutes), Bruges (one hour), and Liege (one hour). For more information on day trips, click here.
So head on over to Brussels. You won't be sorry!
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Food and Drink, Europe, Belgium, Nightlife
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Hotel Brussels Mar 6th 2012 4:21PM
There is also a 3rd peeing statue in Brussels: Zinneke Pis, a dog: http://ow.ly/7EIMP
rebec caherr Mar 6th 2012 11:13PM
I am a 16 year old. How much would it cost round trip to fly from Charlotte, NC to Brussels, Belgium since I am a minor. I would be there for about 2 months.
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pietrojackson Mar 8th 2012 1:40PM
Food - you forgot the food. Probably the best in Europe. Local, fresh, and ultra competitive so standards are all round high. Lots of great little restaurants which specialize in one dish or style.
Richard Schmoyer Mar 9th 2012 10:35AM
I agree that Belgian food is very good! You did not mention flea markets , waffles and the Atomonium
VaderPa Mar 11th 2012 11:15AM
Moral of the story: don't get stuck in Brussels. They have a nice airport - use it.
sly Mar 12th 2013 3:05AM
it's okay it's really cool there bathrooms nice.