Brussels
Visited in May 2008
At a glance
- Country
- Belgium
- Region
- Arrondissement of Brussels-Capital
- Population
- 195,546
- Best time to go
- April to June, September
- Main airport
- Brussels Airport (BRU)
- Coordinates
- 50.85°N, 4.35°E
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Overview
Brussels is a capital of two languages, many nationalities and a famously relaxed attitude. Behind the European institutions lies a city of Art Nouveau houses, comic-strip murals and some of the best beer cafés anywhere.
The centre is compact. Start at the Grand-Place, one of Europe's most beautiful squares, then wander uphill to the museums of the Mont des Arts and out to neighbourhoods like Saint-Gilles and Ixelles, where the city's everyday life happens.
Things to see
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Photo: Celuici, CC BY-SA 4.0 Grand-Place
A gilded square of guildhalls and the Gothic town hall, best seen early in the morning or lit up after dark.
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Photo: iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0 Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert
An elegant nineteenth-century glass-roofed arcade of chocolatiers, bookshops and cafés just off the Grand-Place.
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Photo: EmDee, CC BY-SA 3.0 Magritte Museum
The largest collection of the surrealist's work, part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts on the Mont des Arts.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0 Atomium
A giant steel model of an iron crystal built for the 1958 World's Fair, with views from the top sphere.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Luc Viatour, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula
A light-filled Gothic cathedral on the hill between the upper and lower town, with fine stained glass.
Things to do
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Photo: Trougnouf, CC BY 4.0 Follow the comic strip route
Track down dozens of large murals of Tintin, Lucky Luke and other Belgian comic heroes painted on walls across the centre.
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Photo: Rroemers, CC BY-SA 3.0 Beer café crawl
Settle into a wood-panelled café such as À la Mort Subite and work through Trappist ales, lambics and krieks.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Parc du Cinquantenaire
A grand park with a triumphal arch and museums of art, history, cars and the army around its edges.
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Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Bruges
The canals and medieval squares of Bruges are about an hour away by direct train.
Where to stay
Centre and Îlot Sacré
Right by the Grand-Place and walkable to everything, though busy with visitors.
Hotels in Centre and Îlot SacréSablon
Elegant and quieter, with antique shops, chocolatiers and easy access to the museums.
Hotels in SablonSaint-Gilles
Art Nouveau streets, local bars and good value, close to Brussels-Midi station.
Hotels in Saint-GillesIxelles
Leafy and lively, with ponds and a strong café scene.
Hotels in Ixelles
Getting around
The centre is walkable, and the metro, trams and buses cover the rest; you can tap in with a contactless bank card.
Trains from Brussels Airport reach Brussels-Central in about 20 minutes. Eurostar trains from London arrive at Brussels-Midi.
When to go
Late spring and early autumn bring mild weather and long evenings. Summer is pleasant and fairly quiet once the institutions empty, and every other August the Grand-Place is covered by a giant flower carpet. Winters are grey but brightened by a Christmas market.
Plan your trip to Brussels
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.