Brussels Travel Guide

Browse 294 travel reviews, 237 travel blogs and 9,860 travel photos from real travelers to Brussels. Also known as: Bruxelles
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Brussels Overview

As the artistic heart of the EU, Brussels is necessarily multicultural, a vibe that’s only accentuated a feeling that the city’s always been divided – half French, half Flemish - though both halves seem to enjoy their mussels and take their ‘pomme frites’ with an unusual and hefty side of mayonnaise.

The Belgian capital even has an African quarter where you can snack on dried caterpillars, though the more obvious features are in the winding medieval alleyways of the lower city and the stately buildings and boulevards of the upper half. The famous Manneken Pis (a staturead moree of a little boy engaged in endless urination) is the lower half’s primary attraction, while you’ll also find the ornate columns of the Grand Palace highly picture-worthy, and the multiple artistic museums (incorporating anything from cartoons to renaissance portraits) are world class. The new Magritte-museum is worth visiting.
Don't miss the unique statue a few kilometres out of town centre: The Atomium. A futuristic monument that was built for the World Exposition in 1958.

The upper half, on the other hand, hides numerous parks, the glorious Royal district (which hides the Palace of Justice) and eventually leads to the bustling ambience of the ‘European District’, home to all things EU and a businesslike ambience to suit. The whole thing was polished to a glimmering shine as part of Brussels successful bid to become the European capital of culture in 2000, and to date the city’s aging buildings manage to look as shiny and new as they have in years.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Belgium without a huge array of succulent smelling chocolate shops, each home to its own long-practiced specialties and selling what invariable amounts to the richest and most addictive chocolate you’re ever likely to try. The chocolates play their role in Brussels addictive café culture, too, appearing next to your coffee on the riverside, while Brussels beer customs – another of Belgium’s alluring exports – are strong and vibrant, too.

Belgium’s Europe-wide reputation is that the country’s boring, and somehow less worthy of visiting than nearby Holland or romantic France. While Brussels certainly has a slower pace to it, there’s no denying that it’s now at the heart of European progress, and the city centre and its highly personalized products are as alluring as anywhere.

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The Crowne Plaza Brussels Le Palace has a superb location at the Rogier Square, very close to the Brussels North Railway station and accross…

Stayed here on my recent trip to Brussels and it's very close to the North Train Station. A convenience when you want to go to the airport …

I had stayed many times in Brussels at the other Radisson hotel which is situated close to the city centre but it was the first time for me …

The hotel is in a great location, just 2 blocks from the Grand Place and a block from the Brussels Central Train Station. Rooms are nice bu…

Atomium Brussels
7 reviews

The Atomium in Brussels was originally created for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. I had to write a little report on it after visiting it s…

Brukselbinnenstebuiten ("Brussels turned inside out") is a Flemish non-profit organisation that, among other things, runs tours of Brussels.…

Winter Pret
1 review

The Winter Markets have opened up in Brussels. We spent a delightful afternoon wandering through them. There are tiny stalls selling Belgian…

Hallepoort
1 review

De Hallepoort (or La Porte de Hal for French speakers) is the last remaining remnant of the once impregnable outer wall of Brussels. Built i…

Chez Leon
1 review

If you're in Brussels and you are looking for a fantastic place to eat, you must.. and I stress MUST head to Chez Leon. It's located in a li…

Situated in Marollen and in the shadow of the Palais de Justice; not far away from the Grand Sablon, you can easily miss this extremely nice…

Chez Oki
1 review

It was my first time at Chez Oki which is located in Rue Lesbroussart 62 and to my mind one of the best areas in Brussels to eat and party. …

Houtsiplou Cafe
1 review

During our visit to Brussels in early July 2009 we stayed at a hotel that was Southwest of the major tourist attractions such as the Manneki…

Belgian Waffles
1 review

You have to try Belgian Waffles if you are going to Brussels! They are really delicious~ They are prepared with a yeast-leavened batter. …

Belgian festivals in 2009 The Sunday before Shrove Tuesday (22nd Feb, 2009) Cwarme, in Malmedy. The Haguete, covered by masks, wander ar…

Once a year every August you can find the Fiesta Latina in Ixelles. The Fiesta brings out all the Latino's in Brussels to on giant party tha…

One of the joys of staying in Belgium is their fantastic beers which are something special. The number of beers and the magnitude of differe…

Delirium Café
8 reviews

I live in Brussels so have been going to Delirium for many years now, but I still never get tired of it. There are over 2000 different b…

La Mort Subite
2 reviews

I was reminded about La Mort Subite by Christian (Chokk), who told me it is one of his favorite café's in Brussels. And yes, it is a really…

Canoa Quebrada
1 review

Became a regular there. Great music. On fridays you have live band with nice pagode and samba music and after midnight a dj starts with hi…

Ricotta & Parmesan
2 reviews

This is a really well known place in downtown Brussels. Famous indeed for a lunch but it is also really enjoyable in the evening. Don't e…

2GO4 Hostel
12 reviews

I've stayed for 2 days in Brussels. For accomodation I picked 2GO4 Hostel. Before I booked, I heard this hostel awarded 'The Best Youth Host…

Albert Inn
1 review

I totally recommend this guesthouse. Cecil is really friendly and try to help in everything he can. The breakfast was really nice and the ro…

Q-Park Belgium
1 review

We came to Brussels by train very late and tried to find a cheap hostel for many hours and many kilometres, but with no luck. Until we heard…

If you are looking for a place to stay, then look no further! Youth Hostel Jacques Brel was made just for you! I've stayed here last year, a…

Feb 24, 2006 – May 12, 2012
This was actually the first picture I took of a couple of beers on the table in Belgium; in the beginning I had never thought a…
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This blog was featured on Monday July 13th, 2009
Feb 23, 2006 – Jan 14, 2012
Since early March 2006 I have travelled back and forth to Brussels every Monday and Friday from Copenhagen. I didn’t know tha…
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This blog was featured on Monday April 21st, 2008
Manneken Pis Dutch for Little Pee Man
May 01, 2009
Manneken Pis Dutch for little pee man, also known in French as the Petit Julien, in the Florida Cracker Vernacular-Bubba the Pe…
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