Travelling to Brussels

About Brussels

Brussels is well known as the capital of Belgium and also as the headquarters for the E.U. and other important European Institutions. As the capital city, Brussels is filled with activities, museums and monuments to visit, including the famous Manneken Pis. You can also walk through the streets and discover the architectural diversity of Brussels including famous examples of modern, Art Déco, Art Nouveau style. Equally, a walk through along canal or a visit the numerous libraries offers a number of great discoveries including the fact that Brussels is also the capital of European comic strips.

Walking Around in Brussels

Brussels is home to surreal art, beautiful public parks full of greenery, and medieval architecture that is bound to wow any visitor. To enjoy all the city has to offer, why not take a walk across the city and sample its tastes, sights, and sounds without a hurry in the world? A start from the old district of Place du Jeu de Balle reveals a local flea market selling tons of souvenirs and collectibles. Further south on the way to Petit Sablon Square is Rue Blaes featuring vintage and antique shops. From there, head over to Grand Sablon Square and sample what local chocolatiers have to offer, or relax in the lovely gardens at the smaller Petit Sablon Square. Next, head to the museum district, where museums such as the Magritte Museum and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts border the spacious Place Royale plaza. Continue further from the plaza and bask in the majestic reverence of the Royal Palace, with its elaborate design and history, including the Hall of Mirrors. Later, enjoy an afternoon at the picturesque Mont des Arts Gardens or catch a glimpse of the world-renowned Manneken Pis Statue.

Eating in Brussels

Apart from its numerous historical and architectural landmarks, Brussels is best known for its cuisine and gastronomy. Common Belgian delicacies include chocolate, waffles, and fries. However, eateries in Brussels provide other traditional dishes such as mussels, meatballs, Flemish stew, grey shrimp croquettes, and eel in the green. Over the years, eateries in Brussels have taken it upon themselves to satisfy the rising demand for these famous delicacies. Such eateries include Le Zinneke, with its classic mussel recipe, Maison Antoine with their crispy Belgian fries in a cone, Balls and Glory with their amazing meatballs, Café Novo serving mouthwatering Flemish stew served with fries, Mer du Nord, famous for delicious grey shrimp croquettes, and Chez Victorine's eel in the green. The Belgian food scene is flavorful, vast and diverse, featuring both traditional eateries and street food vendors for a quick fix on the go. Street food in Brussels is served from food trucks and small shops.  The Belgian friterie and frietkot remain a national favorite. Other street foods include kebab and durum, hopdog, and bia mara (fish and chips). Brussels also features a bustling vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food scene with restaurants such as FoodToGo, Vegasme, Toukoul, and the Humus Botanical Garden.

Public Transport in Brussels

Public transport in Brussels is facilitated by a network of highly efficient and reliable buses, trams, and metro lines. Four metro lines serve the Brussels city center, and run every three to five minutes depending on the day and time. The night metro service runs every 10 minutes and weekends the frequency is every five minutes. All public transit stations have maps that assist travellers in identifying the exit points to their desired destination. Buses in Brussels are among the most convenient ways to get around the city. Schedules showing bus departure times are available online and at all stops. Trams are the most popular mode of transport within the city center, as they run along the streets and have drop-off points close to most attractions including the Grand Place, Manneken Pis, the Atomium, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Trains in Brussels provide connections between the city and other European destinations such as Paris and London. Public transport tickets in Brussels can be bought from the stations, newsstands, or kiosks, and used uniformly across all platforms. Tickets have to be validated for use while onboard the different modes of transport or at the stations

Best Time to Visit Brussels

Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is a fantastic multicultural travel destination. This European capital is home to impressive attractions, such as neo-Gothic buildings, modern boulevards, and the architectural masterpiece that is the Grand Parliament Headquarters. Apart from the landmarks, visitors can also look forward to wonderful chocolate and great beer. For you to enjoy all that Brussels has to offer, you need to visit at the right time. Although it's known as an all-year-round destination, visiting during certain months will make your stay more enjoyable. The ideal time to visit Brussels is spring, between March and June. This period represents the shoulder season where the city is less clogged with visitors, and the weather is also pleasant. You will enjoy warm weather and endless outdoor activities during this time. Visitors in spring have the chance to catch Brussels' Annual Jazz Festival, which transforms Brussels into a musical city in late May. Prepare to enjoy jazz performances ranging from the classic to improvisational. Another great time to visit Brussels is between September and October. The summer heat will be wearing off as cooler temperatures settle in. Museums and other historical sites will also be less busy as people are back to work.