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1. Of course you could do all of the following or just register to our cultural scavenger hunt!
2. Take a look to this map of the city, to have a real idea on how it is built and organized.
3. Stop by the Grand-place
The Grand-Place is the central square of the City of Brussels. All over the world it is known for its decorative and aesthetic wealth. The Grand-Place is surrounded by the guild houses, the City Hall and the Maison du Roi.The Grand-Place is considered as one of the most beautiful places of the world. The Grand-Place of Brussels was registered on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO in 1998. In August 1695: during the War of the League of Augsbourg, most of the houses on the Grand-Place were destroyed during a bombardment of the City by the French troops of marshal De Villeroy. Only the facade and the tower of the City Hall, which were the target, and some stone walls resisted the flaming canon balls. The houses surrounding the square were quickly reconstructed, in stone this time, by the various guilds. Among these, the house of the Brewers guild which shelters the Brewers Museum today. Nowadays, numerous festive or cultural events are organized on the Grand-Place:
- the Flower carpet (77 x 24m, event organized every 2 years in mid-August and with more than 500.000 begonias
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- the Ommegang which commemorates the tribute created in 1549 during the coming of Charles the Fifth in Brussels to present it his son, the future Philippe II
- the Christmas tree
- the daily flower market
- the procession of the Meyboom
- concerts
4. The Manneken-Pis
It was at first a fountain that played an essential role in the former distribution of drinking water since the 15th century. The system was well-known in all of Europe.
Towards the end of the 17th century, the statue became more and more important in the city life. It was also a survivor of the bombardment of Brussels in 1695. Manneken-Pis became a precious good and enjoys a ceaselessly growing glory.
During big events, we adorn him with luxurious clothes. We know that in the 18th century, Manneken-Pis was dressed at least 4 times a year. Since he lost his main function in the network of water conveyance of the City in the 19th century, Manneken-Pis gradually became an image and symbol of the Brussels folklore, the joy of the inhabitants and their capacity of self-mockery.
Get Google maps directions>
5. The atumium
The Atomium was designed by a Belgian engineer André Waterkeyn to represent a single unit of iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. There are 9 spheres representing atoms which are connected by tubes with escalators and lifts. Each sphere is about the size of a large apartment (18m diameter).
You may not notice it at first glance, but if you tilt your head sideways, you will see that the atomium resembles a cube with an extra sphere in the centre.
Created in 1958 for the Brussels World's Fair, the Atomium Bruxelles is the only structure left standing after the event ended. World's fair (or World Expo) is an international event which began as a technology exhibition and later progressed towards national propagation. Next one will be in Dubai in 2020. From 2004 to 2007 the atomium was under reconstruction and was cavered with shiny stainless steel instead of faded aluminium that was there since 1958.
Not all Atomium spheres can be visited. The three outer spheres that are below the top one cannot be. The rest of the spheres contain various attractions and can be accessed.
Inside you can see a permanent exhibition about the world's fair 1958 and the Atomium building. Also a temporary exhibition that is changed about once a year and for the year 2017 it is about a luxury commercial flight of the 20th century.
In the top sphere there is a restaurant with panoramic view. Using the telescopes that are in the top sphere you can see all the way to the city of Antwerps. Even see its cathedral and port. This Atomium restaurant is reachable by an elevator from the bottom of the structure.
The other four spheres open to the public are reachable by escalators only, which could be difficult for people with reduced mobility.
Three is also a place reserved for events, and a kids sphere for school events. However these are not part of a regular tourist visit. Get Google maps directions>
6. The Horta museum
The Horta Museum is located in the private house and studio of Victor Horta (1861-1947). Built between 1898 and 1901 at 23-25, rue Américaine in Saint-Gilles, Brussels, the two buildings are typical of Art Nouveau at its height. The interior decoration has largely been retained, the mosaics, stained glass, and wall decorations forming a harmonious and elegant whole, down to the last detail.
Get Google maps directions>
7. The royal palace
Next to the Royal Park and strategically situated across from the Palace of the Nation stands the Royal Palace of Brussels. Representing part of Belgium’s
constitutional monarchy, the Royal Palace of Brussels serves as the
official palace where the king welcomes heads of state and government
and conducts events. The history of the
Royal Palace in its current form is not very old; it was built in 1900
at the request of King Leopold II. However, the ruins under the palace,
on which it was built, are centuries old. These ruins are remnants
of Coudenberg Palace, a very old palatial complex dating back to the
11th century. It was a home of the Dukes of Brabant who together with
other successors extended and improved the palace for many centuries.
Unfortunately, this prestigious complex was destroyed by a fire in 1731.
Almost 50 years after
the disaster, there were four separate buildings built on the ruins.
Two of them were connected by a colonnade from the initiative of King
William II of the Netherlands.
It was already built in the neoclassical style with a peristyle, under
the supervision of Belgian architect Tilman-François Suys.
It's a tradition: the Royal Palace opens its doors to the public, every summer.
From 22 July to 3 September, the palace can be visited free of charge, except on Mondays. The visitors will have access to certain rooms of the palace, like the Mirror Room with the artwork 'Heaven of Delight'. The artwork consists of thousands of beetles stuck to the ceiling.
Get Google maps directions>
8. the European quarter
From 22 July to 3 September, the palace can be visited free of charge, except on Mondays. The visitors will have access to certain rooms of the palace, like the Mirror Room with the artwork 'Heaven of Delight'. The artwork consists of thousands of beetles stuck to the ceiling.
Get Google maps directions>
8. the European quarter
The European quarter in Brussels is made up of lively squares, original
shops, exceptional green spaces, world-renowned museums and, on top of
all that, the incredibly interesting and attractive offer from all the
European institutions. It’s a must! This overview with concrete tips
points visitors in the right direction.
Four important squares act as four great reference points when you are working your way around the European quarter.
The best place to start is Place du Luxembourg - Luxemburgplein.
This classic example of a neoclassical station square, nicknamed Plux,
is blessed with numerous terraces and restaurants on and around the
square making it the major meeting point for young expats from the EU
institutions, especially on a Thursday night. A good tip: order a cool
aperitif at the trendy organic market on a Tuesday or in Noordzee,
a little further along Rue du Luxembourg - Luxemburgstraat. It’s the
ideal place to experience international Brussels first hand!
Place Jourdan - Jourdanplein, which is being totally renovated as of 2017, is an international and local hub, with terraces, cafés, nice restaurants serving local and international food.
Rond-point Schuman - Schumanplein (known as Schuman roundabout) on the other hand offers an incredible view of two of the three centres of EU decision-making. Tip: at night, the latter is beautifully lit which makes for a lovely evening stroll by the beautiful Europa building. You also get a view of Cinquantenaire park’s triumphal arch thrown in for good measure.
Place Jean Rey - Jean Reyplein is the new place to be when it comes to EU squares. Gourmet events and trendy shops and businesses have recently breathed new life into the square.
Your voyage of discovery through the European Union begins at Station Europe, or - for groups – the Atrium. From there you go on to the Parlamentarium, the House of European History, Esplanade Solidarnosc, visit the European Parliament hemicycle or wonder at the impressive architecture of European institution buildings such as the Europa building, the Paul-Henri Spaak building and the Berlaymont. Groups can book visits in the European institutions’ visitors’ centres. During these visits EU officials explain in detail how the European Union or a particular institution works, sometimes even tailoring their presentations to the group. Simply turning up and hoping for a visit isn’t possible and visits must be booked well in advance. However, Infopoint Europa, which provides documentation about the EU, is open to individuals and groups with no prior booking required.
Get Google maps directions>
Place Jourdan - Jourdanplein, which is being totally renovated as of 2017, is an international and local hub, with terraces, cafés, nice restaurants serving local and international food.
Rond-point Schuman - Schumanplein (known as Schuman roundabout) on the other hand offers an incredible view of two of the three centres of EU decision-making. Tip: at night, the latter is beautifully lit which makes for a lovely evening stroll by the beautiful Europa building. You also get a view of Cinquantenaire park’s triumphal arch thrown in for good measure.
Place Jean Rey - Jean Reyplein is the new place to be when it comes to EU squares. Gourmet events and trendy shops and businesses have recently breathed new life into the square.
Your voyage of discovery through the European Union begins at Station Europe, or - for groups – the Atrium. From there you go on to the Parlamentarium, the House of European History, Esplanade Solidarnosc, visit the European Parliament hemicycle or wonder at the impressive architecture of European institution buildings such as the Europa building, the Paul-Henri Spaak building and the Berlaymont. Groups can book visits in the European institutions’ visitors’ centres. During these visits EU officials explain in detail how the European Union or a particular institution works, sometimes even tailoring their presentations to the group. Simply turning up and hoping for a visit isn’t possible and visits must be booked well in advance. However, Infopoint Europa, which provides documentation about the EU, is open to individuals and groups with no prior booking required.
Get Google maps directions>
Here is what he suggests. Don't hesitate to contact Yohan on Twitter @bigcitychase #Brussels #questionforYohan if you have questions for him, we may publish your conversation in this blog if he thinks it might be useful to other Brussels visitors.
Yohan from Brussels for Big City Chase Brussels :
"Hello BCC travelers, my name is Yohan, I was born in the French speaking part of Belgium in the Ardennes, I moved to Brussels when I was 19 as I studied at ULB university and then I started working in the capital, I never left.
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