Brussels what to see: from the Grand Place to the Royal Palace

If stereotypes often represent an effective vehicle for getting to know a place, those of are welcome Brussels, capital of Belgium and headquarters of the European Union. The city is shaped like a pentagon and is divided into an upper part and a lower part below, where the Grand Place is located. Here are some ideas for visiting Brussels.

1 Brussels today

Brussels it is famous for lace, sprouts, the Smurfs, Tintin; for master chocolatiers; for the warm voice of Jacques Brel; for Magritte's paintings. All very true things, to discover, admire, try, taste during a countryside house. or a short break in Brussels. One of those city breaks, which allow you to understand its hospitable and not at all cold character, open to many cultures, to many influences. Because, after all, history and its position as a crossroads between the north and south of Europe have forged Brussels Like this. The region of him, the Flanders, is one of the richest and most picturesque of the Old Continent, surrounded by countries such as French, Germany, Netherlands; from cities like Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam. It was therefore inevitable that Brussels (Brussels) took the best from everyone.

A At Christmas, like many northern cities, Brussels is filled with colours. It is one of the recommended periods for a visit to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and queen of the country.

What to see Brussels

2 Brussels places of interest

A classic starting point for visit Brussels in one day and the Grand Place, a magnificent square with its fifteenth-century layout, with a string of buildings so richly decorated that they leave you speechless. The most eye-catching is that of the town hall with spectacular Gothic lines.

But the cathedral of thirteenth-century origins is also beautiful, but with a facade that reflects the spirit of the fifteenth century. What makes it so impressive are above all the towers, which on sunny days seem to touch the blue sky. Also unmissable are the Royal Palace, seat of the current monarchs, and the array of wonderful Art Nouveau buildings, many of which bear the signature of a master such as Victor Horta, whose house the city retains.

Other highlights are the St. Huber Gallery, very lively with its bookshops, clubs, boutiques, cafés and praline shops that keep the fame of the Belgian master chocolatiers high. The Template, a small mecca of antique dealers, character shops, irresistible markets, and the areas of Rue de Namur, Avenue louise, Waterloo Boulevard and Galerie de la Toison.

3 Grand Place Brussels

La Grand Place in Brussels it is certainly one of the major attractions of the Belgian capital. The very large square is full of palaces and attractions. It is on this square that the Brussels City Hall which is characterized by a Gothic style. In this square there is also the Palace of the Corporations, in baroque style. The Grand Place also suffered serious injuries during the reign of Louis XIV which completely destroyed the buildings in the square with artillery charges in 1695. However, the citizens managed to completely rebuild it in just four years and today we are all with our noses up, admiring the architectural beauties of this space of Brussels.

4 Ilot Sacred

All around the Grand Place there are many small streets that intersect and run parallel. We are in theIlot Sacred and here the streets take the name of Butchers' Street, Via dell'Arringa, Via dei Maniscalchi. An authentic testimony of the city's commercial center. And it is here that you will find a large number of clubs, shops, trattorias and activities of all kinds. We are in the shopping area, certainly not cheap (you can find better and cheaper in other places in the city). And that's where it's at St. Hubert Gallery, a well-known shopping center which also houses a café, a cinema, restaurants and a theatre.

5 Mannekes Pis

Let's say it out loud: a tour of the Belgian capital cannot ignore a visit to the most famous Brussels monument in the world: the Mannekes Pis. It is a small statue of a child peeing. It is not clear why it is so successful, yet the Mannekes Pis it is one of the city's major attractions. Located in one of the streets leading from the Grand Plaza, this monument is among the most photographed in the Belgian capital. If kitsch doesn't scare you, a selfie here is a must.

6 Royal Palace of Brussels

Il Royal Palace of Brussels still today hosts the Royal family of Belgium who, however, do not live here on a daily basis given that the official residence is that of Laeken Castle, near Brussels. However, it is precisely in the Royal Palace that the official visits of the Belgian royals are held. The structure of the Royal Palace, which we admire today, dates back to the end of the XNUMXth century, and is in the style of King Louis XVI at the behest of Leopold II, but over the centuries it has been rebuilt and completed. The building can be visited by appointment and is flanked by a large park that has various points of attraction. It is open to the public during the Belgian national holiday and can be visited for about two months and during the summer.

7 Museum of Fine Arts and Modern Art

Within the same building as Place royale two cultural venues in Brussels are hosted: Fine Arts Museum e of Modern Art. In the first museum there are paintings by Rubens and early Flemish artists. In the Museum of Modern Art, however, is the collection of Rene Magritte, works of Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Bacon and several local artists. The museums are open every day except Monday, from 10am to 17pm. The price of the entrance ticket is quite low.

Place Royale, Brussels

What to do in Brussels

8 Brussels Comics Museum

Staying on the topic of things to see in Brussels we also find the Cartoon Museum, for fans of the genre. The appointment is in Sand Street, at number 20, from Tuesday to Sunday (entry time 10,00 am to 18,00 pm). The Museum is housed in an old warehouse and it is here that you can discover the origins of Smurfs and the adventures of Tintin.

9 Museum of Musical Instruments

If you are still wondering what to see in Brussels, another interesting container is the Museum of Musical Instruments. In this museum you can find valuable pianos but also not too conventional instruments, often the result of the imagination of folk artists. On the top floor of the Musical Instrument Museum you can stop for lunch or dinner, at the restaurant which offers an excellent panoramic view of Brussels. placed in Rue Montagne de la Cour at number 2, this museum is open (like most of the Belgian capital) from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays). The entry cost is quite cheap and includes an audio guide.

10 Brussels Flea Market

Il Brussels Flea Market is located inside the Ball Game Square and is open every day from the early hours of the morning (7,00 am) until the early afternoon (14,00 pm). Inside the market you can find everything. You'll have a bit of luck in recovering unobtainable or incredibly unique pieces.

11 European Quarter

Inside the European Quarter of Brussels is headquartered there Commission of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, as well as many other European bodies and lobby offices. The neighborhood features modern buildings with classic and sober architecture. During working days the neighborhood is very populous unlike the days when the offices are closed and the area becomes depopulated. The neighborhood is certainly not synonymous with architectural beauty but it is very efficient and essential.

12 How to get to Brussels and how to get around

The Belgian capital is well connected by international trains (Eurostar). Brussels is connected with London in just over 2 hours and equally briefly with other important European cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne. Brussels' main airport (Brussels International) has a very efficient train line. It is from here that 4 trains depart which, with a travel time of 20 minutes to about an hour, connect the airport to 4 railway stations. The Brussels South it is a connection reserved for low cost airlines, while taxis have an average cost. The city, however, is accessible on foot. And this is how we recommend visiting Brussels with the help of Brussels City Card available at infopoints, hotels and museums.

13 Where to eat in Brussels

Let's start by saying, what to drink at Brussels. And here the answer is quite obvious - Belgian beer. The variety of Belgian craft beers that competes with those of equally noble German and Czech beers is undoubtedly a strong point. Locals such as pubs and bars in the Old City are preferable to those of greater prestige for the natives, in the European quarter. Around the Grand Place the streets are full of places where you can taste a good Belgian craft beer but also eat local delicacies. You can find a good beer, without a doubt, at Chez Moeder Lambic a St. Gilles and is open until late at night. To eat well we recommend: brasseries, while for a frugal lunch or dinner, cafes where you can find good prices for portions that are not exactly concentrated are also good.

14 Where to sleep in Brussels

Brussels it is a city where there are many lodgings for businessmen who travel to the Belgian capital for work. This suggests that, precisely on weekends, hotels are more free and offer greater convenience. The hotels in Brussels they are of different categories with a varied offer but even the non-hotel facilities, such as Bed and Breakfasts, are of a reasonable level.

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