Are you planning on visiting Brussels? The capital of Belgium and de facto capital of the European Union, is a bustling, cosmopolitan city and the political heart of Europe. Brussels might be viewed as a rather stuffy and dull destination. However, despite the staid impression, Brussels is known to be rebellious and mischievous, relaxed, fashionable and creative.
Home to European Union and NATO headquarters, Brussels is not only an administrative city. With many tourist attractions to visit, our personal recommendation is to go by public transport. Not only you will contribute to reduce pollution but also it’s a great way of sightseeing the city while getting from point A to point B.
What to visit in Brussels
Brussels has a wealth of museums and educational tours, from Autoworld (a haven for car devotees) to the Parlamentarium—a parliamentary visitor centre, it takes on the challenge of explaining the workings of the European Parliament in a ‘simple and sexy’ way. Design fans should make a beeline for the ADAM (Brussels Design Museum). Its permanent exhibition— Plasticarium—includes two thousand plastic objects, mixing everyday pieces, postmodern works and pop-art, in a veritable parade of all things plastic-fantastic.
Contemporary architecture aficionados will doubtless enjoy the Europa building, a huge cube constructed from 3,750 restored window frames from every EU member state. A glass lantern (with 374 LED tubes) illuminates the building at night. And no trip to Brussels is complete without a visit to the Atomium. A famous city landmark and a futuristic, sci-fi place and space, it was built originally for the 1958 Brussels World Fair.
Get some good sleep
Sleepy heads can find respite in the fun-loving Hotel Bloom, where every guest room includes a hand-painted mural by a number of young European artists. You can even choose the room whose fresco you prefer. And with its LZF lights, including the Totem, Poppy and Agatha, Hotel Bloom’s friendly lobby is flush with handmade, wood veneer blossoms.
Explore Brussels
At this time of year, Brussels prepares for Christmas with its traditional, seasonal markets, found in Grand Place (the central square in Brussels and a UNESCO World Heritage site) and across various leafy neighbourhoods. Simply grab a hot Belgian chocolate and enjoy a stroll, as the city twinkles and sparkles with magical wonder.
The European quarter in Brussels is a must for cultural enthusiasts, with its vibrant squares, individual shops, world-renowned museums and many European institutions. And if that feels rather overwhelming, then perhaps a wander around the city’s various comic strip walls will prove more appealing—discover Tintin, Spike and Suzy, Asterix and more.
Eat and drink
Famous for its chocolate and beer, Brussels is a great destination for every sweet tooth and lover of the hoppy brew. The city is home to over two hundred
breweries and 2,500 beers. In fact recognising the integral part of beer to Belgian life, in 2016 UNESCO added Belgian beer culture to the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. For chocolate connoisseurs, the city is awash with walking tours, museums, discovery workshops and chocolatiers
Like any capital city, Brussels offers a range of foodie fare. For something a little more unusual, jump on board the Tram Experience and enjoy your meal as you tour a number of the city’s sites.
Text by Gerard Mc Guickin
