Brussels
Top tourist attractions, sights, and places to visit in Brussels make the city one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. As the capital of Belgium and the political heart of the European Union, Brussels combines historic charm with modern culture.
General information
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the administrative heart of the European Union, home to the European Commission, Council and Parliament. It is officially bilingual (French and Dutch), and English is widely spoken. Despite its political weight, the centre is compact, green and easy to explore on foot, blending grand historic squares and Art Nouveau architecture with a lively café, chocolate and beer culture. Its central location also makes it an easy base for day trips to Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp.
Transport and how to get there
The nearest airport is Brussels Airport (BRU, Zaventem), about 12 km north-east of the centre, with a direct train to Brussels-Central in roughly 20 minutes. Budget airlines also use Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), around 50 km south, linked by shuttle bus. High-speed trains connect Brussels-Midi with Paris, London (Eurostar), Amsterdam and Cologne in a few hours. Around town, the STIB/MIVB metro, tram and bus network reaches everything, though the historic core is best explored on foot.
Prices
Brussels is moderately priced for a Western European capital. Expect roughly 70–150 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel and 80–130 EUR for a central short-term rental, with hostels from about 30 EUR. A meal at a casual restaurant is around 18–22 EUR, a local beer 4–5 EUR and a coffee about 3 EUR. Public transport is cheap: a single ride costs around 2.10 EUR and a 24-hour pass about 7.50 EUR. Museums typically run 10–15 EUR, and several offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month. Prices are approximate and change over time.
Main attractions
The showpiece is the Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage square framed by gilded guild houses and the Gothic Town Hall. Nearby stand the cheeky Manneken Pis, the elegant 19th-century Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert and the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. Culture lovers head to the Mont des Arts, the Royal Palace and the Magritte Museum, while the futuristic Atomium and Mini-Europe sit to the north. Along the way, look out for the comic-strip murals and, of course, Belgian waffles, fries and chocolate.