Highlights: Wondering through the streets of Brussels, with the smell of waffles wafting through the air, and catching glimpses of the city’s cartoon obsession on random backstreets and building walls. 

Lowlights: You’ve really got to search out the best Belgian food as there are a lot of choices, but not all are equal. 

Wardrobe: The best part of Brussels is strolling through the streets, so anything goes, but be prepared for a lot of walking.

Wares: Belgian chocolates – eat some and be sure to take some home. Pierre Marcolini’s treats are delicious.

Brussels

Brussels is a city that engulfs all senses, romanticizing its visitors through the sights of old, beautiful buildings, the sounds of cars dashing through cobblestone streets and the smell of chocolate and waffles drifting through the air. This city also has a playful side, portrayed through some of the attractions like Mannekin Pis, and is home to comics like the Adventures of Tintin. Walking through the Brussels streets, you’ll find glimpses of comic book characters hidden behind walls here and there. 

City Centre

North of the Brussels Central Train Station – Brussel Centraal – you will find the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. Even if you’re not an avid shopper, this shopping area so easily captures the imagination with its long arcade, arched shop front windows and high, glass ceiling that filters the light through the walkway. Try some Belgian chocolate while passing through at one of the many boutique stores.

A short walk away from the Galeries is the Grand Place – a city square with astounding and extravagant architecture everywhere you look. The square is surrounded by the Town Hall which was built during medieval times, the King’s Palace, a more gothic style building, and the Grand Palace with its associated baroque style guild and private houses.

The square itself is a sea of activity and life, leaving plenty of space for visitors to admire their surrounds, including the architectural details and gold trimmings of the buildings. 

As you weave through the cobblestone avenues of Brussels, so much will surprise and delight – cosy courtyards like La Fontaine Charles Buls surrounded by cafes serving des frites and meatballs, fresh food markets with decades old churches as a backdrop, hidden artwork and cartoons on building walls, boutique chocolate shops, street side waffle carts and even La Boutique Tintin – a little shop dedicated to the legend and adventures of Tintin. Perhaps the most peculiar attraction in Brussels is Manneken Pis – quite literally meaning little pissing man. This tiny sculpture is situated in all its glory on the corner of a small but busy intersection and depicts a small naked boy urinating into a basin below, creating a fountain of sorts. Although small, the boy draws quite a crowd. The sculpture has been the subject of legends, stories, thefts and unique costumes, and the real sculpture can be found safe in the City Museum.

Quartier Royal

The Mont des Arts is the arts precinct of Brussels – walk up the hill and enjoy the view of Brussels below. The area is home to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Magritte Museum, Musical Instrument Museum as well as the Palace of Charles of Lorraine, the Royal Library of Belgium and much more. This area is best visited at dusk so you can enjoy the sunset and the city views. 

Further atop the hill is the Place Royale Bruxelles, and behind it, the Eglise Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg, featuring stunning columns and a bell tower. A short distance away is the Parc de Bruxelles – a large green park where there is space to stroll, relax, and enjoy the fountains and music. The park turns delightful shades of orange in autumn, and sits across from the grand Royal Palace of Brussels. This palace is the not the residential but administrative home for the King, his staff and guests.

South of the Royal Palace is Le Palais de Justice, which stands tall and imposing in Place Poelaert. The building is one of the largest in Europe, and the animated skyline of Brussels can be viewed from the square. The dome was damaged during World War II, so a new one sits in its place, however the palace is currently under a renovation that is set to last some decades still. 

Quartier NORD

The Botanical Gardens and Le Botanique are a lovely spot to escape to in the midst of the busyness of the city. Visitors can walk through the peaceful gardens and admire the fountain, before visiting Le Botanique – a cultural centre – with many events and performances, a café and an atrium. 

Heysel Plateau

Further afield is a unique structure called Atomium – a giant modernist depiction of an atom that was initially built for the World Expo of Brussels in 1958. Similar to the Eiffel Tower, the structure was due to be dismantled. However, it ended up becoming a popular icon of Brussels and therefore is now a permanent feature of the landscape.  

Atomium comprises of nine spheres, five of which are accessible and overall, the structure contains a restaurant, hall, stairs, escalators and a lift. Atomium is a quirky structure to visit and is located quite a distance from the main city. It can be accessed by the metro/tram. There are parks and gardens, a theme park, a planetarium and ‘mini-Europe,’ close by, but the large atom is the most interesting to see…

With its charm, humour and decadent food, it’s easy to see how Brussels might just be the perfect destination for an indulgent weekend away.