When you visit Brussels (Bruxelles), you get to discover a modern city, rich in both medieval and art-nouveau buildings. The capital city of Belgium has a long history behind it and you will get to discover it through its many museums and galleries. It also has a lively cultural life.
Brussels city is also the administrative center of the European Union, which has given the city the title of capital of Europe. The business sector in Brussels is booming with foreign agencies embedded in the region, but not at the cost of rich cultural history.
The juxtaposition of past and present is evident in the Brussels capital region, with blocks lined with multinational companies and their modern steel and glass high rises, which are just a few steps away from the cobbled streets and medieval architecture that speaks of the city’s rich history.
With a mixture of French and Flemish culture and language, Brussels is steeped in history and culture, something for all to enjoy. During the day, there is a wide range of attractions for tourists and locals to enjoy, regardless of age. Families appreciate Belgium’s special culture, which supports every element of family life and socialization for adults. Then, the nightlife of Brussels, with its lively clubs and bars, contributes to the vibrant atmosphere of this fair city in Belgium.
Top places to see when you visit Brussels
Brussels boasts over a century of history that offers so many interesting sights to visit and see in the city and in the immediate vicinity. Belgium’s capital has the most beautiful market square and the highest number of restaurants in the country.
The Petite Rue des Bouchers, which is a street of butchers, is situated in the medieval center of Brussels. It’s famous for the simple fact that every building on the street is a restaurant. The street is very narrow and closed to car traffic, which allows restaurants to advertise their products in an impressive fashion while featuring outdoor terraces on the wider side of the road.
The central market square in Brussels, known as the Grand Spot, is the most beautiful square in the world. The Town Hall from the 15th century dominates this square with hundreds of small statues and an elegant tower. It is surrounded by 17th-century buildings with golden inlays that surround the entire square.
Other places to see when you visit Brussels are Manneken Pis, St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Atomium, the Palais de Justice, Place du Grand Sablon, plus a number of parks. Among the latter, you should definitely see the magnificent Bois de la Cambre and the Foret de Soignes, which is the forest to which it once belonged. There, you will find birch trees that are hundreds of years old!
When you visit Brussels, you’ll discover many fascinating sights for the entire family – business owners, friends, nature lovers, history devotees, and historians alike.
Tip to visit Brussels on a budget
Get the Brussels card to see more and spend less! Find out more at the Brussels tourism information centre in Grand Place.
Best things to do in Brussels
There is a wide range of things to do when you visit Brussels, regardless of your age or your imagination. For those who love to dine, you might spend a lifetime sampling all the great eateries and restaurants in Brussels. After all, Belgium’s capital boasts the highest concentration of restaurants in the world. The restaurants in Brussels have a wide range of food types and styles for everyone’s palate.
Those who want to take part in the rich history of Brussels can visit an abundance of museums that display the beauty and wealth of the millennium in Brussels.
With many buildings of the 15th and 17th centuries, there are many sightseeing opportunities when you visit Brussels. A beautiful setting with intricately crafted buildings from these ages, the city of Brussels promises a wonderful view in every direction. So make sure you discover charming boulevards, picturesque squares, parks, and a very vibrant cultural life when you visit Brussels!
Belgium’s capital city is steeped in more than 1,000 years of history and beauty for each person to discover whether they visit or move to the area.
Eating and drinking when you visit Brussels
It’s all about the food when you visit Brussels! Since Belgium’s capital has the highest concentration of restaurants in the world, the dining industry is literally one of the most productive in the region. The Petite Rue des Bouchers is literally lined with restaurants. Every single building on the street is a restaurant that caters to a range of tastes and flavors.
Throughout this beautiful historic area, there are many restaurants, dining rooms and chic cafés, offering a dish of enlightening flavor to please any palate. There is, of course, a lot of French food and Flemish food, but with immigrants coming to Brussels, there is an increasing range of food from many other cultures and countries around the world. When you visit Brussels, you can try Western cuisine, Lebanese, Greek, Mexican dishes – actually any ethnic food that your heart may desire!
Going to Brussels means eating healthy food in a beautiful atmosphere. Belgium’s capital is known all over the world for its fine restaurants and small, cozy eateries that are both quaint and classy.
You must try a Brussels waffle and Belgian beer while you visit the city!
The cultural life of Brussels
During the day, the museums provide a lot of entertainment for the whole family. With the rich history and past culture of Brussels, everyone in the family can find museums, galleries, and cultural centers that are fascinating and exciting.
Brussels is a city of the night. It has a very vibrant nightlife which you can enjoy in its pubs, pubs, bars and restaurants. There’s always plenty to do in Brussels after sunset!
There is also a wide range of cultural events that are often held in the city at different times of the year, ranging from family fun to adult entertainment.
There are many movie theaters, shopping malls, parks, forests, museums, cultural centers and other places of interest to discover as you visit Brussels. Boredom is almost impossible in Belgium’s capital – there’s always something to do or see here! A rich social life is just around the corner, all you have to do is go out and enjoy it!
Olivia Peeters is a sustainable travel enthusiast from Belgium. She is happiest while sailing, hiking, cycling, or doing anything else outdoors.
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