Travel Guide Brussels - The heart of Europe
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Travel Guide
Brussels
The heart of Europe
02 Quick view 05 Getting around Brussels 09 Calendar of events
02 Belgium 05 Top 10 sights 11 Hotels
04 Travel etiquette 07 Shopping in Brussels
04 Health 08 Restaurants
05 Phone calls & Internet 08 Nightlife
© Fotolia
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Quick view
Brussels: The heart of Europe
Brussels’s apparently scattergun approach to architectural design has even given
the world a word for haphazard urban planning: ‘brusselisation’. But the
randomness of the styles, from the Gothic masterpiece City Hall, via the many
Horta-inspired art nouveau buildings, to the ultra modern European Parliament, are
just another part of what gives the Belgian capital its charm.
And the local love of good living has filled the city with a plethora of bars, cafés
and clubs, creating a buzz that will perhaps surprise, and certainly delight, those
expecting the stereotyped (but incorrect) image of ‘boring Belgium’ and its army of
Eurocrats.
Belgium
General Information
Country overview
One of Europe's most underrated destinations, Belgium has so much more to offer
than just beer, chocolate and chips.
Forget the clichés: Belgium is anything but 'boring'.
Geography
Belgium is situated in northwestern Europe, bordered by France to the south,
Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast and the Netherlands to the
north. There is 60km (37 miles) of North Sea coastline to the northwest. The
country is divided into three regions: southern French-speaking Wallonia, northern
Dutch-speaking Flanders and Brussels nestled between the two. Both Flanders
and Wallonia are then subdivided into ten provinces: within Flanders they are
West Flanders, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Antwerp and Limburg; within
Wallonia they are Hainaut, Walloon Brabant, Namur, Liège and Luxembourg (not
to be confused with the neighbouring country of Luxembourg).
Flanders’ landscape is characterised by low-lying polders near the coast,
changing to
rolling hills and fertile farming grounds in the Flemish Brabant and finishing with
the wooded Hoge Kempen − Flanders’ only national park − in the east. Flowing
across this landscape is the country’s largest river the Scheldt, which enters
Belgium near Tournai and flows out to sea at Antwerp.
In contrast, landlocked Wallonia is dominated by intensive farming in its northern
provinces, watered by the Sambre and Meuse rivers, with the terrain rising to form
the hills and gorges of the Ardennes in the south. Belgium’s highest point is Signal
de Botrange, at 694m (2280ft), located in the far east.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 10444268
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Population Density (per sq km): 342
Capital: Brussels
Language
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Dutch is spoken
Flanders, the northern half of the country, and French is spoken in the southern
Wallonia region. German is spoken in an eastern enclave. English is widely
spoken in Flanders, but less so in Wallonia.
Currency
Belgium switched from the Belgian Franc to the Euro (EUR; symbol €) in 2002.
Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in
denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the round two-pin type.
General business opening hours
Mon-Fri 0830-1730
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Easter Sunday: 12 April 2020
Easter Monday: 13 April 2020
Labour Day: 1 May 2020
Ascension Day: 21 May 2020
Whit Sunday: 31 May 2020
Whit Monday: 1 June 2020
Independence Day (Republic Day): 21 July 2020
Assumption Day: 15 August 2020
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2020
Armistice Day 1918: 11 November 2020
Christmas Day: 25 December 2020
2021
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2021
Easter Sunday: 4 April 2021
Easter Monday: 5 April 2021
Labour Day: 1 May 2021
Ascension Day: 13 May 2021
Whit Sunday: 23 May 2021
Whit Monday: 24 May 2021
Independence Day (Republic Day): 21 July 2021
Assumption Day: 15 August 2021
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2021
Armistice Day 1918: 11 November 2021
Christmas Day: 25 December 2021
All information subject to change.
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Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Knowing which language to speak where can be tricky. Avoid speaking Dutch in
Wallonia and French in Flanders. Most locals are laidback, but it can cause
offence if you get it wrong in some circles. If in doubt, speak English.
Outside of business transactions, it’s customary to kiss three times on alternate
cheeks. Guests should bring flowers, or a
small present, for the hostess if they’re invited for a meal and it is customary to
wish everyone bon appetit/eet smakelijk at the start of a meal.
Dress is similar to other Western nations: jeans and a smart top suffices for most
occasions, including nights out. Smoking is banned in venues where food is
served.
Health
Health
Food & Drink
Restaurants and cafés adhere to the highest standards of food preparation − even
the famous fritkot chip stands are well maintained. The tap water is potable, but
locals do prefer to buy Spa − the local bottled variety available in still and
sparkling. Eating mussels is often a concern for travellers, but it’s very rare to
contract food poisoning or stomach complaints after eating a pot.
Other Risks
If walking in long grass check yourself for ticks afterwards; they may carry Lyme
disease which manifests as a rash, fever, headache and painful muscles. If you
think you’ve been bitten, seek medical advice immediately.
If you’re cycling long distances, or hiking in the Ardennes, in warm weather, it’s
advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing.
Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking
shoes are being worn across a long distance. Ideally footwear should be worn in
before the trip.
If you’re spending time on the coast in summer, be sensible about how long you
spend in direct sunlight. It’s often windy along the long stretches of beach and the
breeze can sometimes mask high temperatures. The usual precautions apply: use
a generous amount of sunscreen and wear a hat.
There have been incidences of pick-pocketing in large markets, and around
Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid train station, as well as the European Union district. In
these areas, keep your handbag zipped up, a wallet in a jacket pocket rather than
your back pocket, and only take small amounts of cash with you.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Martens, Jean-Paul
Akker 13
1930 Nossegem-Zaventem
Belgium
Tel. +32-2-759-43-78
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
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Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +32
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your
country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the
new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or
security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Getting around Brussels
Getting around
Public Transport
Brussels has an extensive network of buses, trams and metros operated by
STIB/MIVB (tel: 070 23 2000; www.stib-mivb.be). Tickets can be bought from
kiosks in metro stations, vending machines in stations and at most tram and bus
stops, and come valid for one, five or 10 journeys – 24, 48 and 72-hour passes are
also available.
Taxis
Brussels taxis cannot be hailed on the street. Go to a designated taxi rank, or
phone a reputable company such as Taxis Verts (tel: 02 349 4949) or Taxis Bleus
(tel: 02 268 0000). Fares are reasonable and tipping isn’t normally expected.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Brussels
Grand-Place
Dominated by its magnificent, wedding-cake-like 15th-century Gothic Hôtel de
Ville (City Hall), and surrounded by elegant guild houses, the city’s main square
rivals Piazza San Marco in Venice as the grandest in all of Europe.
Grand-Place
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Musical Instruments Museum (MIM)
Housed in an art nouveau Old England building, former department store, this
interactive collection of over 1,000 instruments will literally serenade you as you
stroll about.
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Rue Montagne de la Cour 2 Opening times:
1000 Brussels Tue-Fri 0930-1700
Belgium Sat-Sun 1000-1700
Tel: 02 545 0130
www.mim.be
Horta Museum
The house Victor Horta designed and built for himself has been transformed into a
period-furnished monument to the main who defined the early 20th-century Art
Nouveau movement.
Rue Américaine 25 Opening times:
1060 Brussels Tue-Sun 1400-1730
Belgium
Tel: 02 543 0490 www.hortamuseum.be
Magritte Museum
Filled to the brim with over 200 of his most iconic and sometimes head-scratching
works, this museum is dedicated to the life and work of the Belgian master of
surrealist art, René Magritte.
Place Royale 1 Opening times:
1000 Brussels Tue-Sun 1000-1700
Belgium
Tel: 02 508 3211 www.musee-magritte-museum.be
Museum of Fine Art
This sprawling collection covers two extensive wings: one dedicated to the
country’s best collection of modern art, and the other to the Old Masters.
Rue de la Régence 3 Opening times:
1000 Brussels Tue-Sun 1000-1700
Belgium
Tel: 02 508 3211 www.fine-arts-museum.be
Royal Palace
Throwing its doors open to the public each summer, the sumptuously decorated
ceremonial home of the Belgian royal family is one of the grandest buildings in the
city. Fit for a king, in fact.
Rue Brederode 16 Opening times:
1000 Brüssel Tue-Sun 1000-1700 (Jul-Sep)
Belgien
Tel. +32 2 551 20 20 www.monarchie.be
Atomium
Built for the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958, the nine interlocking spheres of this
giant metallic ‘molecule’ are as unique a building design today as they were on
day one, and have become a symbol of the city. Take the lift to the observation
deck for a panoramic view.
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Avenue de l'Atomium Opening times:
1020 Brussels Daily 1000-1800
Belgium
Tel: 02 475 4775 www.atomium.be
Belgian Comic Strip Center
This entertaining museum pays tribute to Belgium’s fine contribution to the art of
the comic strip, and in particular to its most famous fictional creation, Tintin.
Rue des Sables 20 Opening times:
1000 Brussels Tue-Sun 1000-1800
Belgium
Tel: 02 219 1980 www.comicscenter.net
Galeries St-Hubert
Whether planning to buy or not, this 200m-long glass-roofed arcade is one of the
world’s oldest shopping malls, and worth checking out for its magnificent neo-
Renaissance architecture.
Galerie du Roi 5
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Mannekin Pis
Depending on your viewpoint, the iconic statue of the urinating little boy is either
an amusingly cheeky dig at authority, or disappointingly tiny and overrated.
Whatever your opinion is, it’s a must-see nonetheless.
Corner of Rue de l'Étuve and Rue du
Chêne
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Shopping in Brussels
Shopping in Brussels
Key Areas
Rue Antoine Dansaert has become a hub for up-and-coming young fashion
designers. Avenue Louise and the area surrounding it is the more upmarket centre
for designer clothing, jewellery and antiques. Other antique stores are located
around Place du Grand Sablon. Those looking for art at reasonable prices should
try Boulevard Barthélemy. Rue Neuve is the main drag for everyday items.
Shopping Centres
Besides being a tourist attraction in its own right, Galeries St Hubert is also home
to around 40 exclusive designer boutiques.
Markets
You’ll find a general flea market every day on Place du Jeu de Balle. Grand-Place
hosts a daily flower market. There’s an antiques market on Place du Grand Sablon
every Saturday and Sunday, while the city’s largest general market sets up around
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Gare du Midi every Sunday morning.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Brussels
The Belgians love eating, and there is no shortage of excellent choices to suit
every budget, from world-class haute cuisine to down-to-earth pub grub.
Comme Chez Soi
This two-Michelin-starred ultra-exclusive restaurant has been one of the city’s
finest for decades.
Place Rouppe 23 Price: Expensive
1000 Brussels
Belgium
La Truffe Noire
Elegant Michelin-starred restaurant with an innovative menu based on truffles.
Boulevard de la Cambre 12 Price: Expensive
1000 Brussels
Belgium
De La Vigne A L'assiette
French-inspired international cuisine served in a relaxed modern restaurant.
Rue De La Longue Haie 51 Price: Moderate
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Le Chou de Bruxelles
Informal traditional bistro, the perfect place for those hankering for moules frites.
Rue de Florence 26 Price: Moderate
1050 Brussels
Belgium
Frit Flagey
The locals claim this snack bar serves the best frites in Brussels. Worth queuing
for.
Place Eugene Flagey Price: Cheap
1050 Brussels
Belgium
Nightlife
Nightlife in Brussels
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Brussels nightlife revolves around bars and cafés, many of which remain open
until the early hours.But there are also plenty of top nightclubs for those who prefer
a DJ.
Moeder Lambic Fontainas
Brussels has dozens of great beer bars, but those who really know their stuff head
here.
Place Fontainas 8
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Le Poechenellekelder
One of Brussels’s many quirky bars, stop here and you’ll likely share a table with a
life-sized mannequin.
Rue du Chêne 5
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Au Bon Vieux Temps
This atmospheric old bar down a narrow alley is like stepping back in time.
Impasse Saint-Nicolas 4
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 217 26 26
Skylab
Chic cocktail bar with modern music and a large picturesque terrace.
Quai au Bois a Bruler 9
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Fuse
Nightclub aficionados say this is the place to dance away to the best techno beats.
Rue Blaesstraat 208
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 511 97 89
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Art Brussels
Since it was first held in 1982, Art Brussels has established itself as a leading
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European platform for contemporary art. Many international artists have taken up
residence in the Belgian capital which is fast becoming a creative laboratory, with
a dynamic fusion of artistic talents and ideas. This show gives foreign galleries and
artists an ideal platform to present themselves to Belgian collectors, and gives
young Belgian talent an opportunity to introduce itself to the international market.
Both a contemporary art fair and a meeting place for collectors, curators and art
lovers, it features 125 galleries from over 20 countries, carefully selected by an
international committee to ensure a sound representation of all contemporary
trends.
April 23 - 27, 2020
Venue: Tour & Taxis
Kunsten Festival des Arts
This arts festival covers a lot of ground. Not only are 20 diverse venues employed
all around the city, but the scope of the festival embraces theatre, music, dance,
film, visual arts and all imaginable combinations thereof. Kunsten describes itself
as a resolutely forward-looking festival. 20 artistic and technical teams are drawn
together in May in a single project producing some 30 events. Besides Belgian
talent, the festival also invites a good number of performing arts companies from
abroad, who find a platform for expression before an attentive and generous
audience. Many first productions are performed, using this as a testing ground for
future creative work. Theatres, arts centres, cinemas and exhibition rooms are
used to provide a great variety of performance spaces.
May 8 - 30, 2020
Venue: Various indoor and outdoor venues
Lesbian and Gay Pride Day
Lesbian and Gay Pride Day in Brussels attracts around 15,000 participants and
visitors to a full programme of events, running way past midnight. In amongst it all
there is a church service, a political debate, and city tours on foot and by bicycle.
The four main events though are a street party, with bars, stalls, music, and
entertainment in the Bourse area; a parade through the streets of the city centre,
beginning and ending at Boulevard Anspach; the Pride show and concert and,
finally, the Pride Party itself. The latter includes music in four rooms with 15 DJs
which keeps revellers on their feet well into the early hours of the following day.
May 22 - 24, 2020
Venue: Ancienne Belgique and various venues
Couleur Café
This world music event is a highly atmospheric, vibrant and multicultural affair
which brings a touch of the tropics to Brussels. Apart from stage performances by
leading musicians from the developing world, their wider cultures come together in
the 'Global Village', where exotic restaurants offer eclectic menus representing
cuisines from all over the world. The growing popularity of Couleur Café may be
attributed to its exciting programming, with 50 concerts introducing the sounds of
Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and more. Performing across four stages, the
shows begin during the day and continue late into the night and parties often run
through to the early hours.
June 28 - 30, 2020
Venue: Tour and Taxis Building
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Ommegang Royal Pageant
Each summer the Ommegang Royal Pageant lights up the magnificent Brussels'
Grand Place. It is a colourful reconstruction of the spectacle originally held in 1549
to honour Emperor Charles V and the royal family. Festivities begin at the Grand
Place where guests of honour (including many descendents from those present in
1549) sit at the ornate windows of the Town Hall to watch the procession in the
square below. Once the peasant dancers and performers have led the way, the
Emperor follows them through the streets past the Gothic and Renaissance
façades of the old guildhouses followed by horses, dogs, flagbearers, ladies-in-
waiting and falconers. The participants dress in elaborate costumes, faithful
reconstructions of the originals. The procession makes its way through the streets
and ends at rue Charles Buls.
July 1, 2020
Venue: City and Grand Place
Belgian Beer Weekend
Beer drinkers beat a path to Brussels' Grand Place for this cultural, boozy weekend
celebrating the amber (and various other shades) nectar. Belgium boasts the
biggest range of different beers and labels in the world and over 50 breweries are
represented each year. Belgian breweries of all sizes bring their best selections of
beers and offer them for sale at reasonable prices in the agreeable surroundings of
'the most beautiful square in the world'. Apart from the actual drinking, the
attractions include the Consecration of the Beer by the Knighthood of the Brewers'
Mash Staff, the Solemn Inauguration of the Beer Stands by the Grand Master of the
Knighthood of the Brewers; a gathering of vintage brewery carts and beer wagons
and a Brewers' Parade through the centre of the city.
September 4 - 6, 2020
Venue: Grand Place and other locations
Plaisirs d'Hiver
Festive Christmas market stalls and open-air ice skating are some of the activities
that mark the annual Winter Wonders, which animates the heart of Brussels during
the Christmas period. The event takes place at the Grand-Place and around the
Bourse, the Place Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons. It includes a
Christmas market with approximately 250 stalls, fairground attraction, an ice rink
and a Christmas tree and light show on the Grand-Place.
November 2020
Venue: Various Brussels venues
Hotels
Hotels in Brussels
Hotels in Brussels cover every price range from luxury to backpacker.Prices even
in the most expensive places can drop agreeably at weekends, when the business
guests head for home.
Amigo Rocco Forte
Classily glamorous luxury with modern amenities, a stone’s throw from Grand-
Place.
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Rue de l’Amigo 1-3 Category: Expensive
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Manos Premier
Elegant refinement close to the boutique shops of Avenue Louise.
Chaussee de Charleroi 100/106 Category: Expensive
1060 Sint-Gillis
Belgium
The Hotel
Fashionably refurbished tower block with stunning views.
Boulevard de Waterloo 38 Category: Moderate
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Novotel Brussels Centre Tour Noire
Modern and well-appointed central business hotel built around a medieval tower.
Rue de la Vierge Noire 32 Category: Moderate
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 620 04 28
Condo Gardens
Fully equipped apartments in a former factory – an affordable option in a northern
suburb.
Rue Jolly 141 Category:Budget
1030 Schaarbeek
Belgium
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