There’s a certain confidence and quirkiness to Brussels. And yet, with its manageable size and friendly inhabitants, there’s nothing intimidating about the place in scale or attitude. It’s sleek and modern, yet rustic and medieval in places. That contrast just adds to the charm of the city, a place where you’ll never run out of things to see and do.
The palace is the place
When you arrive into a new European city, there’s always a strong urge to find a square, sit down outside a café, order a coffee and just take it all in. Appreciate the architecture, statues and monuments and do a spot of people watching. There’s no finer way to while away the time.
In Brussels, you’ll head to the utterly magnificent Grand Place if this is what appeals. This UNESCO World Heritage Centre and former marketplace is about as impressive as town squares get, with its decorative and historic Town Hall and guildhalls looming over the area. It’s lined with restaurants, bar and cafes where you can sample hearty Belgian fare.
A few minutes stroll away is one of Brussels’ most iconic landmarks, the strange and tiny Manneken Pis. A bronze sculpture that stands just 61cm tall, it depicts a naked little boy relieving himself into a fountain. Order an authentic Belgian waffle from a nearby stall and wander the cobbled streets nearby.
The atomic age
Continuing the theme of unusual sights, after the Manneken Pis you can plot a journey over to see the Atomium. An unmissable 100-meter-tall structure, it was originally built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. This jaw-droppingly peculiar structure is, apparently, based on the shape of an iron crystal cell that's been magnified some 165 Billion times.
Now a museum, the Atomium is one of Brussels' most popular tourist attractions. The museum has no set theme, preferring to alternate exhibitions and themes throughout the year. You can also walk between the huge tubes that connect the giant spheres and look out on the city. Once you've checked out the exhibits and stunning views, you can even enjoy a spot of lunch up there. Our recommendation? Moules-frites, of course.
Pay your respects in Flanders Fields
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was inspired to write the now-famous war poem, In Flanders Fields after attending the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier. Flanders was the name given to the area of northern Belgium and parts of France where so many battles were fought in World War One. Between 1914 and 1918, over one million men were killed, went missing or were wounded there. In Ypres, where so many of those lives were lost, stands an award-winning museum in honor of them.
Visitors to the In Flanders Fields Museum can watch audio visual presentations on touch screens and video projections, experience unique soundscapes and let their interactive Poppy Bracelet guide them around the place. The museum, in Ypres itself, is less than a two-hour drive west from Brussels on E429 and is a fantastic way to learn about the recent history of this significant place.
Enjoy everything Brussels has to offer and more with car rental in Brussels, and discover why Belgium is such a fascinating place for visitors from around the world.