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An Introduction To Visiting Brussels – A City Of Stylish Architecture, Vibrant Culture & Exceptional Chocolate!


Brussels Text
Brussels Text
Brussels Text
Tagged as the capital of Europe, Brussels boasts a number of attractions to lure the most fussy of travellers. From fine dining and quaint architecture to a vibrant nightlife and it’s many landmarks, there’s something to appeal to everyone in Brussels.

Look around the streets of Brussels and you’ll see people from a wide variety of backgrounds and culture – a testimony to the cosmopolitan nature of the city. Aside from the many ex-pats posted here from around the world, Brussels also plays host to immigrants from Turkey, Greece and North Africa.

The dominant language in Brussels is French, but Flemish is also spoken in certain pockets of the city as is a unique mix of the two languages (called Marollien or Brusselse Sproek).

So what’s Brussels characterised by?

Fine food and tasty beers. You can’t help but be impressed by the wide variety of food options open to the Brussels visitor. The national dish is “moules et frites” and must be sampled but the city also offers a magnificent choice of ethnic foods including Turkish, Chinese, Moroccan, Vietnamese, Tunisian, Italian and more.

The vibrant “Grand-Place” is the very heart of Brussels and should be the first port of call for the newly arrived visitor. Many believe it to be among the finest town squares to be found anywhere in the world.

Brussels is the EU capital, and as such is the location of an increasing number of European Union buildings.

Brussels gave birth to the “art nouveau” architectural movement in the late 1890’s. This was to spread to many other countries who embraced the bold new combination of materials such as stone, iron and exquisite tiles. Some examples of famous landmarks you can visit that are a testimony to the movement are the Hotels Metropole & Solvay, Musee horta and Maison Saint Cyr. The Art Nouveau movement was spearheaded by Belgian architects Victor Horta and Henry van de Velde.

Lovers of architecture, museums and cathedrals will be satisfied by the good mix on display. Aside from the wide range of museums, there’s the “Cathedrale des Sts Michel et Gudule” who’s origins can be traced back to 1072.

Chocolate. Belgian chocolate is reputed to be the best in the world and Brussels offers many chocolate shops where you can stock up on fine chocolate to take home.

Whether you come to Brussels for the culture, architecture or just the heavenly chocolate, you’re certain to have an enjoyable time.

 
When To Visit Brussels – And Special Events Throughout The Year.

Brussels hosts a mild climate where summers do not get exceptionally hot and winters do not get exceptionally cold. December and January are the coldest months when temperatures can drop to just slightly above zero while June to August bring temperatures touching 20 degrees c.

Interestingly, rainfall is higher in the summer months than during winter, and unfortunately, always an imminent possibility in Brussels.

One of the best times to visit Brussels is during September when the number of tourists drops dramatically when compared to the peak summer months, but when the weather is still warm and pleasant.

However, if the special events below interest you, you may wish to co-incide your visit accordingly.

Summertime Events

May sees the Brussels Jazz Convention which is performed at various destinations throughout the city. You can also catch the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the Kunsten Festival des Arts which is a mix of opera, theatre and dance (in Flemish and Wallonian). Lovers of sport may be interested in the Brussels Half Marathon when thousands of runners swarm through the streets of Brussels.

June entertains the City of Brussels Summer Festival where a wide range of classical musicians gather to perform in some of the cities most extravagant locations. Another opportunity to catch a music festival is provided in the last week of june when the Fete de la Musique comes to town.

July offers a wide variety of events, kicking off with the opening of the Palais Royal, when the Royal residency is opened up to visitors for a couple of weeks. There are also an entertaining mix of cultural musical events including Festival de Midis Minimes and Coleur Café Festival. Carnival lovers will want to check out Foire de Midi which offers funfair type rides. The colourful Ommegang can be found in the Grand Place where countless people take on the role of clowns, jesters, soldiers and such. This is quite a sight and approximately 2,000 people are thought to participate every July. On the 21st is Belgian National Day – celebrated by a lavish fireworks display.

August sees the Tapis des Fleurs (a colourful flower exhibition) and the Plantation du Meiboom (a giant free for all puppet show) come to town.

Autumn, Winter, Spring…

September and October affords you the opportunity to check out the Lucky Town Festival & Les Nuits Botaniques (musical concerts)as well as the Audi Jazz Festival.

December is characterised by Marche de Noel. In this Christmas fair you’ll find various festive stalls.

January & February are renowned for the Fete des Rois and Brussels Film festival. Towards the end is the highly popular International Comic Strip And Cartoon Festival (you may remember the most famous Belgian comic strip hero – Tintin and his white dog snowy who went about solving various mysteries).

March/April – The Ars Musica festival is a celebration of contemporary music (March) while the Serres Royales is an elaborate and attractive flower show. You can also take in the International Fantasy Film Festival & Eurantica which is a grand antiques fair (typically towards the end of March).

April entertains the Sablon Baroque Spring where 17th century music is performed by some of the country’s finest young musicians. Keeping to the tune, Flanders Festival is an international music festival that specialises in classical music.
  
How To Get To Brussels – Airports, Bus & Rail Travel

As you might expect from a city that’s dubbed “capital of Europe”, Brussels enjoys strong transport links – not only within Belgium and Europe but throughout the globe. Brussels has strong rail links with other European countries (including Eurostar which even links to London) and the city has an efficient internal public transport system that uses underground, trams and buses.

Getting To Brussels By Air

Brussels most prolific airport is “Brussels International Airport” (located in Zaventem) and is 13km away from Brussels city centre. The majority of airlines fly to this destination and as you would expect it has the features & facilities you would expect from a major international airport. From Brussels International, you can reach your ultimate destination by train, taxi or bus.

Alternatively, Brussels second airport is Brussels Charleroi, which is significantly further away from the city centre. The airport is linked to Brussels midi train station.

Getting To Brussels By Bus

Brussels is well connected to various European destinations including the United Kingdom by Bus. Most coaches terminate at Bruxelles Nord, after which the traveller can take a train or taxi onto their final destination.

Getting To Brussels By Train

The Eurostar operates a full service to Bruxelles Midi, and the Thalys Express also runs between Brussels and destinations including Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne.

Getting Around Brussels – Trams, Trains, Buses & Taxis

It’s fairly easy and inexpensive to move about within Brussels.  A single ticket can be purchased for under 2 euros and can be used anywhere on the STIB network (metros, trams and buses). The network is quite comprehensive so it’s fairly easy to hop from one location of Brussels to another. Once you purchase a ticket, you’ll need to stamp it using one of the machines located at the station, tram or bus. Don’t forget to stamp your ticket – if you’re caught without a valid ticket there are hefty fines of up to 55 Euros imposed. There are various options for discounted tickets depending on your length of stay – for around 30 Euros you can grab a “Brussels Card” which allows unlimited public transport travel for three days as well as free admission to various landmarks.

Public transport in Brussels is made up of a comprehensive yet easy to navigate train system that’s well supported by a further network of trams and buses.

The Tram network is a good way of navigating around the city centre. Trams are quite frequent and not only meander through Brussels town centre but also reach much of the deeper suburban areas. Pick up a free map/timetable from the information point in Gare du Midi, Porte de Namur and Rogier.

The STIB also operates a bus network throughout the city and this operates at night-time (with less regularity).


Getting Around Brussels On Foot

For the active tourist, navigating through the city on foot is a distinct possibility. Many of the interesting landmarks are located fairly close together which makes walking a pleasurable way of seeing the town, particularly in the warmer months. Be sure to grab a map before setting out.

Brussels “Gastronomical” Attraction -  Tasty Food, Fine Beers & Exquisite Chocolate

You could be forgiven for wanting to visit Brussels for the eating choices alone. The city centre has a sprawling medley of restaurants serving up fine cuisines and ales and no trip to Brussels is complete without visiting a speciality Belgian Chocolate Shoppe and stocking up on sweet treats for the journey home.

Food & Restaurants In Brussels

From the traditional Belgian & French fare in and around Grand Place to the more exotic ethnic options such as the enjoyable Italian fare offered by the string of restaurants in “Little Italy” (along rue Franklin), Brussels is choc-a-bloc with engaging dining opportunities.

Of course, we all know that Belgium is associated with Moules (mussels) et Frites (Chips) but it’s also regarded for a number of additional dishes that have been shaped by a variety of influences including the French, Spanish and Dutch who all ruled over the land at some point in History. In fact Belgians culinary history can be traced back to the middle ages.

You can enjoy starters such as Croquettes aux Crevettes Grises (shrimp) and Fondues au Fromage (a type of cheesy croquette). A speciality Belgian bread that is sweet is Choesels and Ardennes pate is a pate comprised largely of pork and garlic. Then there are main dishes such as Filet American (served minced and raw mixed with onions and several spices). The Belgians do enjoy their red meat and it can form the basis of many a meal. Ragout d’agneau is a braised lamb dish that’s marinated with herbs. Pheasant and rabbit are also used in some speciality dishes like Faisan a la Brabanconne and Lapin dishes.

Anguilles au vert is an eel based soup and Andouillette a type of sausage.

You may expect to see Brussels Sprouts somewhere – and you would be right (Choux de Bruxelles). Chicory is one of the most used vegetables in Belgian cuisine, featuring in foods such as Witloof where it’s wrapped in cheese and ham.

You can round things up with Damme Blanche – vanilla ice cream served with a thick chocolate sauce. Or opt for other sweet delights like Profiteroles or Tarte tartin (apple pie served with cream).

There’s no shortage of quality restaurants in Brussels – you can feast on fresh fish in the Lower Town, enjoy dinner at any one of the high-class offerings along rue Antoine Dansaert – in fact you can venture to practically any part of the city and be within five minutes of a good place to eat.

For Tradional Belgian Food…

For pleasant food at reasonable prices, Chez Leon in Grand Place delivers – As you may expect it offers the Moules et Frites type menu and children under the age of 12 eat free.

Similarly, Chez Patric (Rue des Chapeliers) is popular with the tourists who want to sample traditional Belgian fare as is Brasserie de la Roue d’Or which is on the same street. La Rose Blanche (Grand Place) is known for its stews or you can opt for La Brouette for grander Belgian fare.

Italian

Noted for its warm atmosphere and exquisite food, A’mbriana (Rue Edith Cavell) serves up quality Italian fare are reasonable prices. Nearer to Grand Place is Rugantino and Senso (rue Franklin) offers well presented food but is somewhat on the pricey side. Also along Franklin are Pappa e Citti and Napoli.

Asian

While Brussels has a fairly high number of Chinese & Vietnamese restaurants, Indian fare is not as widely available and one of the best options is La Porte des Indes Avenue Louise).

La Cantonnaise (rue Tenbosch) and Hong Hoa (rue du Pont la Carpe) are among the favoured Chinese options while La Citronnelle is an interesting Vietnamese restaurant along Chaussee de Wavre.

Spanish

Tapas Locas (Grand Place) draws in a younger crowd and tends to be pretty good, cheap fare and Casa Manuel (also in Grand Place) is also a nice place which serves Portugese fare as well as Spanish.

Other International Restaurants

Le Forcado (Chaussee de Charleroi) is one of the few pure Portugese restaurants in Brussels. Along Rue des Grands-Carmes is Canita Cubana, which as you might suspect offers a wide range of Cuban cuisine. In the mood for African? Try Gri Gri located on Rue Basse.


Beers In Belgium

Belgium is the beer producing capital of the world, and offers a variety of hundreds of different beers. In fact, bars in Belgium often have a separate menu just for their beers. Depending on who you talk to, Belgium produces anywhere between 400 to 750 different varieties of beer.

Brussels also hosts the “Beer Weekend” which is on for three days every September. With reasonable beer prices and free entry, this is a must for beer lovers everywhere.

Some of the different types of beers include:

Blanche Beers – The most prolific blanche is Hoegaarden, which aside from being light in colour have a distinct citrus flavour and have a low alcohol content.

Trappist Beers – such as Chimay go back to the Middle Ages and are strong, yeasty beers with up to 11% alcohol.

Lambic Beers – are the most common in Brussels. Non-malted wheat beers, Lambics have around 5% alcohol strength. A derivative of Lambics are Gueuze beers which are a blend of Lambic beers. You’ll also come over Kriek beers which are Lambics that have a fruity flavour (very popular in summer).

If you’re really into your beer then consider a visit to Musee Bruxellois De La Gueuze – one of the best breweries in Belgium. Here you can take a tour of the beer production process (and taste a pint or two on the way).

It’s not just the staggering variety and flavours of beers that’s interesting in Brussels – equally, the ambience where you can enjoy your liquid nectar can and should be part of the whole Brussels experience. Having your pint in an old brown café or within one of the many historic Art Nouveau buildings is simply a joy to experience.

Must-See Landmarks & Attractions Of Brussels

Grand Place
It all begins here – Brussels most distinguished feature started life as a cobbled marketplace in around the 12th century. Many of the grandeur buildings that make up such a vivid part of Grand Place today weren’t erected until the 18th century.

The guildhalls that give Grand Place it’s identity were part of trade societies formed around the 13th century – notably butchers, bakers and cloth makers. Each guildhall is distinguished by certain unique designs.

Perhaps the most admired part of Grand Place is the magnificent Hotel de Ville, which was completed in 1444 by architect Jan von Ruysbroeck. Since then, it’s been described as a gothic masterpiece and one of the most splendid sights in Belgium. Inside, you can take a tour and browse over some wonderful artwork and tapestry from the 15th century. Take in the breathtaking majesty of the conference room boasting ancient tapestry and the “Aldermens Room” where even today the Mayor holds certain prolific meetings. The final masterpiece of Hotel de Ville is its exquisite belfry – described as one of the finest in the world. Now, the Hotel de Ville is the town centre of Brussels.

The Maison du Roi was built in 1536 by (then) Spanish rulers and now houses a fine collection of art, tapestries and Manneken Pis from the 16th century. Meaning “Kings House” Maison du Roi is now the setting for Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles – a collection of medieval art. If you’re planning on seeing a number of museums during your stay in Brussels then you may benefit from a “Brussels Card” which offers free entry to 30 museums for 30 Euros – the holder also gets unlimited access on public transport and discounts on various additional attractions and eateries.

Le Pigeon is known as being the home of Victor Hugo, the famous French writer in 1852 after he fled France following the French insurrection and La Maison des Boulangers was built by the guild of bakers – a testimony to their power and wealth at the time. Maison des Tailleurs is made famous by the statue of patron saint St Barbara – this was the guild of tailors.

One of the best experiences of visiting Brussels is to enjoy a coffee or beer at one of the cafes set within Grand Place and watch the bustle of tourists potter along the cobbled streets while viewing the grandeur.

If you intend on having something to eat in and around Grand Place then there’s no shortage of options. If you’re in the mood for traditional Belgian fare, try t’Kelderke which serves up the usual offering of moules et frites at reasonable prices.  Katya’s Kitchen is also an interesting establishment serving up a variety of cuisine including Asian and more traditional Belgian dishes. There are other restaurants within a stones throw of Grand Place so if these don’t take your fancy simply take to the streets until something does.

Try coming back to see Grand Place at night – the busy atmosphere and night lights make it a truly enriching experience.


Parc du Cinquantenaire
Beautiful, tree-lined Parc du Cinquantenaire was built as a tribute to the golden celebrations for Belgian independence in 1880. The famous Arc de Triomphe landmark was completed several years after the park was built.

The park houses the Musee de l’Armee which is a museum describing Belgiums military history and includes various artefacts stretching back to over two centuries. The gateway into the city is marked by the Central Archway. Interestingly, the park is also home to “Autoworld” which has hundreds of classic cars on display. Also worth a visit is Musee du Cinquantenaire which has international artefacts from civilisations dating back to the 15th century.

Aside from the many features of Parc du Cinquantenaire it’s also a very plesant place to take a relaxing stroll – indeed it’s one of the most loved places by the locals who come in droves during weekends and public holidays.

Quartier Royal
Once upon a time the Quartier Royal was the home of Belgian Royalty, though this is no longer the case (the Royal family are now situated in Laeken). Even so, the Quartier Royal are grand and handsome grounds with an eventful history – including being utterly destroyed by a fire in 1731 before being rebuilt by the 19th century.

Stretching over a mile long, Rue Royal runs from Quartier Royal to the pleasant Jardin Botanique and is a pleasant way of seeing some fine architecure. The Quartier Royal also houses the Palais Royal, Palais de la Nation and Palais des Academies. The Palais Royal remains the largest of the palaces set within Quartier Royal and boasts a fine throne room, long gallery displaying ceiling paintings and the hall of mirrors. It’s open to the public between July and September and is well worth the visit.

The attractive Parc de Bruxelles has some elegant fountains and is lined with trees – the park was originally conceived in the 17th century.

Cathedrale Sts Michel et Gudule
This grand cathedral took over three centuries to complete – work actually began in 1225, under Henry I (Duke of Brabant) and was completed around the 16th century under Charles V. Saint Gudule was the 7th century saint who the Cathedral was inspired after along with St Michael (Patron Saint of Brussels) who’s statue can be seen in the middle of the structure. The “Last Judgement” window is an exquisite feature of the Cathedral – indeed, it’s the first sight that stands out as you approach. This interesting gothic styled institution is located on Parvis St.-Gudule.

Palais de Justice
Completed in 1883, the Palais de Justice was designed by Joseph Poelaert and remains one of the distinctive constructions in Belgium and unlike many other landmark still functions as it was originally built for – in this case the capital of Brussels’ legal courts. The Palais de Justice is situated along Place Poelaert. Very near the Palais de Justice are Les Marolles which are stuffed with little cafes and tiny shops. For some unusual bargains make your way to the junk market on Sunday mornings on Place du Jeu de Balle.

Palais d’Egmont
On rue aux Laines is the unmistakable sight of Palais d’Egmont – originally built in the 16th century, the palace took on further historical significance in the 1970’s as the place where Great Britain officially became a member of the EEC.

Musee d’Art Moderne
The multi-storey building that houses this museum is almost as interesting as the exhibits inside – as many of the levels are underground. The museum is located on Place Royale and as the name suggests, includes works of art from modern talent (19th century onwards). Also worth a visit is Musee d’Art Ancien -  displaying art dating as far back as the 15th century and includes a pleasant sculpture garden that’s a delight to visit. Musee d’Art Ancien is on rue de la Regence.

Le Sablon District
Known as the region where Brussels splits into two (the upper and lower region) the Place du Grand Sablon is a pleasant area with a prolific fountain and the Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Sablon. This prosperous region of Brussels is noted for housing top restaurants, bars & cafes to stop by and enjoy a bite. Aside from visiting the gothic church (completed around the mid 1500’s) the Place du Petit Sablon must be seen – these delightful gardens are a pleasure to amble along. Sit on the many benches available, peruse the statues and take some pictures of the fountains built to honour Counts Egmont & Hornes.

Atomium
The Atomium (located in Heysel) is one of the most distinguished landmarks of Brussels – the structure – a giant molecule was constructed in 1958 when Brussels held the world fair. It’s well worth a trip to see this interesting structure.
Laeken
This leafy suburb situated north of Brussels is the Belgian equivalent of Windsor – it is the residence of the Belgian royalty and is noted for it’s abundance of greenery and picture-perfect parklands.

Day Trips From Brussels
Antwerp
A little over half an hour by train from the very heart of Brussels is the busy city of Antwerp. If you have a longer stay in Brussels, you’ll want to experience a day here to enjoy it’s interesting fashion shops and nice mix of good value restaurants. If you fancy a stay overnight then the abundance of good, clean hotels will be a welcome sight – particularly as they charge significantly less than you’ll pay in Brussels. You can book a hotel from the tourist office in the town centre of Grote Markt.

The equivalent of Grand Place for Antwerp is it’s pleasant Grote Markt square. Here are some of the must-see sights in Antwerp if you’re only about for a short stay:

After checking out Grote Markt amble over to the Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal – one of the most impressive medieval churches to be found anywhere in Belgium, Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal dates back to the 15th century.
Museum lovers will enjoy Maritime Museum, Rockoxhuis Museum, Momo (a museum dedicated to fashion), Plantin-Moretus Museum and Museum voor Schone Kunsten (art).
Quite similar to Brussels, there are no shortage of restaurants and cafes in Antwerp – however it is significantly cheaper to eat.


Bruges
Bruges is slightly farther away from Brussels than Antwerp, but still conveniently placed for a day-trip. It takes about an hour to reach Bruges by train and it’s well worth the effort when you consider the beauty this well preserved medieval city has to offer. Because of this, Bruges can often be packed in peak season and it can be difficult to obtain accommodation so be sure to book a place in advance if you plan to spend the night. Being a tourist hotspot, eating out in Bruges can be somewhat more expensive than other places in Belgium, and the food tends to cater to the mass number of tourists that flood the city during peak times.

Once you step into the heart of Bruges, it’s not surprising to know that it’s one of the most visited places in Belgium – there’s wonderful medieval charm here, including ancient building, narrow winding streets and a quaint network of criss-crossing canals.

Make sure you take a romantic boat ride along the cities beautiful canals. You can get a ticket for under six Euros.
Bruges has two segments to it’s centre-square – the Markt and the Burg. The latter has some of the most interesting buildings in Bruges including the Heilig Bloed Basiliek, the upper & lower chapel and the Stadhuis (town hall).
Bruges offers a choice of worthwhile museums such as Groeninge (displaying a fine collection of Flemish art from as early as the 14th century). The Gruuthuse Museum is another that museum lovers will enjoy – set amidst a grand medieval mansion Gruuthuse offers an exquisite collection of art & tapestry.
St Salvatorskathedraal is a gothic cathedral that dates back to the 13th century.
Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk took over two hundred years to build and this sprawling church of our lady dates back to the thirteenth century.
Two of the grandest sights in Bruges are the Stadhuis (possibly the grandest town hall in Belgium, initially built in 1376) and the Belfort (also dating back to the 13th century) which towers over the Markt in the grandest of ways. It is here that the towns charter is kept.
The Markt is one of  the two central squares of Bruges city centre – an open market has been held here as long ago as the tenth century.
In case you didn’t pick up enough chocolate in Brusses don’t fret – Bruges has more than enough Belgian chocolate shops to keep your cravings satisfied.
 
Ghent
Ghent is severely under-rated as a tourist spot. With it’s quaint town centre comprising narrow canals, cobbled traffic-free streets & a fine castle and cathedral it’s a very alluring place to plan a day-trip to. It’s also just a half hour train ride from Brussels.

Here are the must-see sights in Ghent if you happen to come for a short stay:

The fabric of Ghents town centre was built in the 13th and 14th century. Like Brussels It’s easy to navigate through Ghent thanks to a comprehensive and well run public transport system. Your first port of call should be to the impressive Stadhius (the largest town hall in Belgium) which dates back to the early 15th century. Close-by, the Belfort was built in the 14th century and offers stunning vistas over the city.
It took approximately six hudred years to complete St Baafskathedraal – Ghents most prolific and oldest Cathedral and some parts of this gothic masterpiece stretch back to the twelfth century.
Ghent has some stunning listed buildings (many of which are a thousand years old) and you can see many of them in and around the area that runs from St Michielsbrug to St Baafskathedral.
Gravensteen Castle was constructed in the eleventh century and it’s one of the most prolific landmarks of Ghent. Closeby are the Museum voor Sierkunst en Vormgeving (with various displays depicting Ghent life over the past couple of centuries)  and the fish market (Vishmarkt). There are alternative museums to visit – Museum voor Schone Kunsten has a large display of art dating back to the 14th century while the Bijlolemuseum is held in a building that was first built in the 13th century.
Pop in to Vrijdagmarkt, a pleasant market & restaurant area peppered with market stalls and quaint cafes/bars.
Stroll along the river Leie for one of the most pleasant walks available anywhere in Belgium.
Ghent has a large selection of restaurants, cafes and bars and they range from pokey student type affairs to more elegant and expensive offerings. The south of the city is known for its student population so you’re more likely to find a youthful crowd here. There’s a reasonably wide selection of choices throughout the city – from traditional Belgian fare to Thai, Italian and Asian.
If you’re planning on staying the night you should be able to find a room that meets your requirements. Accommodation is typically fairly easy to secure (except for July when the town hosts Gentse Feesten). It’s possible to secure a basic room from as little as 25 euros – or if you’re able to afford something more extravagant you could kip in style for 400 euros.

Accommodation In Brussels
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious five star where you can be pampered and enjoy fine dining, or you’re looking for a cheap place to squat, you’ll find something to appeal to you in Brussels. The city is peppered with hotels & hostels – you only need to determine how much it is you wish to spend & how close to the heart of the city you wish to stay.

The Brussels tourist office (www.brusselsinternational.be) provides a full listing of accommodation.

There are clusters of Brussels hotels & other various accommodation dotted around Grand Place, the upper & lower towns, the EU district, St Gilles & various other locations.

So what type of prices can you expect to fork out? For very basic accommodation it’s possible to secure a room for under 80 euros, while at the other end of the spectrum you can splurge 400 Euros or more for more opulent surroundings. The latter tend to offer plush services including 24 hour room service, state of the art fitness facilities, business areas and even baby sitting services. Generally, the city has a good reputation for providing good clean rooms and fair service at all price levels. Some of the lower end hotels do not provide in-house eateries (they tend to offer breakfast but that’s it) although the glut of cafes and restaurants spread throughout the city means this is not a major drawback. In fact it’s a plus as it gets you out to explore the city.

Fussy travellers will find places to stay that cater to their individual tastes – you can enjoy hotels offering splendid vistas (such as the exquisite Amigo along the lower town) while Welcome for instance is known for it’s interesting architecture. Gourmet lovers can visit Radisson SAS which has a 2 Michelin Star restaurant.

There are a couple of notable B&B’s in Brussels such as Taxistop Bed & Breakfast and tourists on a strict budget can reserve a room at the tourist office. There are also hostels for those who wish to spend even less – with private rooms available for as little as 20 Euros.

If you’re planning to visit Brussels during its peak times then be smart and book your accommodation ahead of arriving. As you might expect, places become very full during these times and you may not get the hotel or location of your choice unless you plan ahead. Sometimes, it’s possible to secure weekend discounts or get Eurostar hotel & train deals from various places in Europe including England.

It’s also possible to secure private apartments to rent within Brussels – expect to pay anything between 300 to 1000 Euros per week depending on the type and location of the property you wish to rent.

Below is a brief listing of accommodation – various hotels & other places to stay according to location.

Hotels & Accommodation Close To Grand Place

Le Dixseptieme Hotel Brussels (Expensive)

Novotel Hotel Brussels (Expensive)

Royal Windsor Hotel Brussels (Expensive)

La Legende Hotel Brussels (Expensive)

Hotel Saint Michel (Mid Range)

Aris Hotel Brussels (Budget/Mid Range)

La Vieille Laqnterne (Budget)


Hotels In & Around The Lower Town

Radisson SAS (Expensive)

NH Atlanta (Expensive)

Metropole (Expensive)

Ibis Brussels Centre Ste Catherine (Mid Range)

Noga (Budget)


Hotels In & Around The Upper Town

Jolly Hotel du Grand Sablon (Expensive)

Hilton (expensive)

Stanhope (expensive)

Meridien (expensive)

Sofitel Astoria Brussels (Expensive)

Le Sablon (Expensive/Mid Range)

Sabina (Budget)


Hotels In Other Areas In Brussels

Conrad Brussels – Ave Louise (Expensive)

Hyatt Regency Brussels Barsey – located in ave Louise (Expensive)

Leopold – located in EU district (Expensive)

Les Bluets – located on rue Berckmans (Budget)








Nightlife & Entertainment In Brussels

Brussels can be a bustling and vibrant city at night offering a wide selection of clubs, bars, theatre, cinema and cultural events. Whether you fancy dancing the night away at the hip Montecristo nightclub near Grand Place, take in some  opera at Theatre de la Monnaie or just watch a mainstream film at Kinepolis, there’s always something to do in Brussels when the sun goes down.

When you’re out and about in Brussels at night, bare in mind that the public transport system only runs till 12.30 – it’s replaced by a night bus service which isn’t remotely as regular.

The Club Scene
Most club/bars in Brussels have free entry, and even those that charge tend to be fairly reasonable to get in. There tends to be a wide selection of music types - live music and various genres including indie, rock, techno, salsa, dance and more.

Drinks tend to go for similar prices in most places and as you would expect, shots and cocktails tend to fetch fancier prices.

Around Grand Place there’s the notable Montecristo offering a mix of latin, salsa and mainstram music. Also nearby is You which plays techno and house style music and is spread over two levels. If you’re looking for live music in and around Grand Place there’s the lively Canoa Quebrada and Soixante.

In the Upper Town, the Palais des Beaux Arts holds a variety of live musical events and Botanique often hosts rock concerts. The Lower Town has a larger variety of clubs and bars including Le Bodega, The Fuse and Café Central.
There are several additional bars, cafes & clubs dotted around Brussels, notably in the St Giles, avenue Louise and Ixelles locations.


Cinema
If you’re into major Hollywood blockbusters then Brussels has a good selection of cinemas that will appeal. There are also a number of vintage & art cinemas showing classics & art-type presentations. In short, there’s probably something here for you, no matter what type of films interest you.

The major Hollywood type films run at UGC De Brouckere & Kinepolis. If independent Art features is more your style, there’s Actors Studio on petite rue des Bouchers as well as Vendom along chaussee de Wavre. Additional cinemas are available too showing a range of contemporary, classic & independent films – these include Arenberg Galleries, FlageyStudios and Nova .


Opera & Theatre
There’s a rich choice available to those who enjoy classical music. Brussels is the home of three impressive opera houses – Theatre de la Monnaie along place de la monnaie is Brussels most famous opera house. The city also has the Conservatoire Royal de Musique and Palais des Beaux Arts.

Brussels also enjoys a vibrant theatre scene – the city enjoys several fine theatres that show a wide variety of plays, musicals and dances. Theatre 140 (along ave Eugene Plasky) offers a variety of English performances as does Kaai Theatre (place Sainctelette) and perhaps the most English of all – The Warehouse (located on rue Waelham).

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