Brussels is a city with a strong green profile, as evidenced by about 600 hectares of public parks and nearly 2000 hectares of woods and forests. And it is also the city of the European Union, the common home of many states, whose representatives meet in a building with unusual and curious lines, which people have affectionately nicknamed the “Caprice de Dieux” because of its similarity to the famous cheese brand.
It is not easy to visit Brussels in one day. However, in this brief guide, we try to suggest the points of interest in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
What to See in Brussels in One Day
The Belgian capital is full of beauty spread everywhere, thanks to the characteristic and sumptuous buildings; however, there are modern places that are equally special and worth a visit, such as the Atomium in Heysel Park, a true monument of Brussels. It is a molecular model made of steel consisting of 9 spheres, which is nothing other than the reproduction of an enlarged iron crystal. The structure is breathtaking, with its over 100 meters in height; admiring it in the evening, illuminated, is even more impressive. It is also possible to climb to the highest sphere, where there is even a refreshment point.
A trip to Brussels cannot be called such if you don’t stop at a beer café to sip a good glass of Belgian beer, the pride of the excellent food and wine offer of the area: here the craft beer workshops are true authorities in the production of the golden nectar. For teetotalers in search of typical flavors, there is still a good consolation: in Brussels even the chocolate is particularly tasty, so much so that it has a place of honor thanks to the organization of the Chocolate Tours of Brussels and the opening of the Cocoa and Chocolate Museum. Apparently, therefore, Brussels is a very sweet city, ironically sharp and open to new things.
Manneken Pis
The quality of life in Brussels is high, as is the warm welcome reserved for visitors. A center of cultural liveliness and cosmopolitan influences, the capital of Belgium has gradually come to be characterized as a jovial and ironic environment, well symbolized by the city’s mascot: the bronze statue of the Manneken Pis, literally “little boy who pees”.
The small statue, in the historic center of the city, symbolizes the independent spirit, sometimes cheeky in the most ironic sense of the term, of the inhabitants.
Despite its funny and cheeky mascot, Brussels is instead very refined, precious, and majestic; the city has a central area, called the Pentagon, which is divided into Upper Town and Lower Town. Grand’Place is the central square symbol of Brussels, one of the most beautiful in the world, full of architectural splendor desired by the ancient city guilds and the local institutions of the time.
Bars, Clubs, and Breweries in Brussels
Here it is hard to choose the most beautiful detail, given the majesty and importance of the buildings. The square is located within a maze of alleys that, all together, form the Ilot Sacre, where it is very pleasant to spend time in one of the many bars, clubs, and breweries. Also, Place du Sablon is very beautiful, with its richly baroque buildings full of little shops and antique stores: the goods are not offered exactly at low prices but the guarantee and quality are assured.
Flea Market in Brussels
Brussels is not only luxury but also more modest areas: an example is Marolles, a working-class neighborhood where the famous Flea Market is held, in Place de Jeu de Balle. In the Old Town a completely different atmosphere is felt: here lives the working life of international bodies, newspapers, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and multinationals. Consequently, the hustle and bustle is all on weekdays, while on weekends the area is seemingly empty.
