The Belgian capital is one of Europe’s most surprising short breaks. Here’s our insider guide to getting the most out of a visit..
. Belgian waffles at Grote Markt. Photo: Jesse Warren / Getty Rues de Bruxelles Philippe Baudot, Dominique Brynaert Marolles.
Photo: Visit Brussels / Jean-Paul Remy Rue du Chevreuil, on Brussels Comic Strip Trail. Photo: Visit Brussels / Eric Danhier Views of Brussels. Photo: Piet De Kersgieter / Visit Flanders Brussels may be one of the smaller kids in the class when it comes to European city breaks, but this versatile city does not disappoint.
Our travel tips are designed to help you deviate from the beaten path, without missing any of the city's most famous attractions. Dig in! Rues de Bruxelles Philippe Baudot, Dominique Brynaert Marolles. Photo: Visit Brussels / Jean-Paul Remy De Grote Markt De Grote Markt (“big market”) is one of the most beautiful squares in the world, lined with beautiful Baroque and Gothic buildings that reflect the splendour of yesteryear.
The ideal time to take a look? In the late afternoon or evening when the lights are on. Take the time to wander quietly through the many alleys around the market square to the Grasmarkt, where the oldest cafes in the city are located – and don't forget to greet Manneken Pis (the famous little bronze sculpture depicting a boy peeing into a fountain) along the way. There are also plenty of chocolate shops in this area.
In the Boterstraat, Herman Van Dender's chocolate mousse bar is recommended, as are Elisabeth's delicacies and Maison Dandoy's artisan cookies. elisabeth.be , vandender.
com , maisondandoy.com The Magritte Museum & Museum of Abstract Art Two museums in one. Here you can admire the largest collection of art by Belgian surrealist René Magritte, along with the masters of Belgian abstract art.
Reservations are required during the weekend. magrittemuseum.be The Marolles district There’s an addictive atmosphere and conviviality in Brussels’ oldest working-class district.
In the morning, stroll around the daily flea market on Vossenplein, moseying past the numerous antique and vintage shops in Blaesstraat and Hoogstraat, before enjoying an unpretentious meal in one of the many authentic city brasseries in the area. A post shared by TUBE Brussels (@tube.brussels) The Horta Museum Brussels is the cradle of Art Nouveau.
Streets are full of beautiful facades designed by architects such as Victor Horta or Henry Van de Velde – so you don't necessarily have to enter a museum to marvel at it all. The former home and studio of Victor Horta is a must, however. With the Art Nouveau Pass you can visit a total of three buildings or temporary exhibitions.
Other tips? The Solvay House and the Eetvelde House. hortamuseum.be , hotelsolvay.
be The Dansaert district In the trendy Dansaert district, the facades house vintage shops, clothing boutiques, jewellers, coffee houses, restaurants and cocktail bars – there’s somewhere for just about every foodie and fashionista to indulge themselves. Locals like to stock up on coffee at Mok, and in the evening restaurants such as Night Shop, Kline and Henri are real hotspots. TrainWorld Take a seat in an old steam locomotive or 'drive' a train yourself in the Train World railway museum in Schaerbeek, where you can become acquainted with Belgian railway technology from the past to the present.
Appropriately, travel by train to Train World, next to Schaarbeek station, and receive a 50% discount on your transport ticket. Be sure to purchase your ticket in advance to avoid the long queue. trainworld.
be Rue du Chevreuil, on Brussels Comic Strip Trail. Photo: Visit Brussels / Eric Danhier Closed on Mondays Many museums, restaurants and boutiques are closed on Mondays, but there is still plenty to do in Brussels. Take advantage of the peace and quiet in the city to explore popular attractions such as the Grote Markt, the Atomium or the Planetarium - or follow the comic strip route (a trail of murals featuring Tintin, Astérix, Spike & Suzy, Lucky Luke and many more.
..) or one of the street art trails.
Dining out? Be sure to check in advance which establishments are open on Mondays. Explore Brussels on foot Almost everything in central Brussels is within walking distance (bikes are also a practical solution thanks to Villo's (electric) shared bicycles on every street corner). There is an extensive network of trams, buses and metro, too.
If you prefer not to go through the city on foot or by bike at night, there are night buses from 'Noctis' that run until 3am, and the collective night taxis from 'Collecto' available until 6am. villo.be , stib-mivb.
be , collecto.be A brewery tour Looking to quench your thirst in the Belgian capital? There is no shortage of beer cafés, but the canal banks near Tour & Taxis, Anderlecht and Sint-Gillis are the perfect place to discover real 'craft beers' in the local breweries. Cantillon brewery and Brasserie De La Senne in particular are hotspots.
Prefer to sample multiple beers in one place? Visit the Belgian Beer World beer museum – it has a tasting room with more than 30 beers on tap. belgianbeerworld.be , cantillon.
be , brasseriedelasenne.be A post shared by Cocoon | Unique stay Brussels (@cocoon.brussels) €€€ Hotel Le Plaza Grandeur and class from times long past – that’s what the five-star Hotel Le Plaza radiates.
It was inspired by the George V in Paris, and has hosted many famous faces, such as Brigitte Bardot and Winston Churchill, throughout its glorious history. leplaza-brussels.be €€ Cocoon Brussels Rooms with a view (and that includes the Grote Markt).
Cocoon Brussels furnished the top floors of a historic building as two cozy apartments with glamping allure. On the attic floor you even sleep in a spherical, transparent tent. Talk about Instagram-worthy .
€ Vintage Hotel Brussels This affordable boutique hotel comes with comfortable rooms, wine bar and lobby decorated in a trendy vintage style, and is located near the chic Louisalaan. A cozy Airstream caravan in the courtyard has also been converted into a room. vintagehotel.
be A post shared by WOLF BRUSSELS (@wolf.bxl) Wolf Food Market Tacos, sushi, dims or pizzas. Near the Grote Markt, you can satisfy a small appetite in Wolf Food Market, where 17 street food restaurants, two bars and a microbrewery are housed under one roof.
No reservations, so be quick! wolf.be Belga Queen The Belga Queen restaurant is scheduled to reopen in the autumn after large-scale renovation works. It’s the place to be for lovers of fine Belgian gastronomy with a twist.
Insta: @belgaqueenbrussels Bagheera This intimate restaurant turns into a dance club late at night, but the cocktails and sharing dishes are the real stars of the evening. When the weather is nice, ask for a seat on the cozy, green terrace. Reservations necessary.
bagheerarestaurant.com A post shared by spiritobrussels (@spiritobrussels) Fuse There is no shortage of clubs and discos in Brussels - although there is one real standout in the Marolles. The iconic dance temple Fuse has been the perfect place to dance to cool techno beats until the early hours for 30 years.
Expect tunes by the best DJs of the moment. fuse.be Jalousy Well hidden in the Marolles district is Jalousy, a secret cocktail bar with a private club in the basement where limited parties take place during the weekend.
A catch? You need the password of the week to get in...
Spirito Brussels For an exclusive club in an equally eccentric setting, visit Spirito. This former Anglican church is home to four bars and a dance club for a night out until the early hours. spiritobrussels.
com A post shared by EllesBrussels (@ellesbrussels) @cem.pictures - Brussels through the lens of a local photographer @ellesbrussels - the nicest places in the city selected by two Brussels sisters @brussels.from.
above - Brussels photographed from the air If grey weather doesn't bother you during a city break, Brussels is recommended all year round. From May to September the city is home to many concerts, events and festivals, and in July and August hotel rooms are even slightly cheaper. Ryanair flies from Dublin Airport to Brussels (about 20 minutes by train from the city centre) and Brussels Charleroi (about 50 minutes by bus), and from Cork Airport to Charleroi.
Aer Lingus flies from Dublin to Brussels. from The city is easily reached by train from every corner of Belgium, too. ryanair.
com; aerlingus.com For more information, see visit.brussels Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
