Brussels may not be among the very first locations that come to mind when the topic of traveling to Europe is brought up. Brussels get only 10 million visitors per year, which is still significant however much lower than the 30 million tourist arrivals that tourism juggernauts like Paris as well as Rome record annually.
But Brussels is worth inspecting out, too! As the funding of Belgium, it is a well-developed as well as progressive metropolis that offers iconic landmarks, practical transportation systems, as well as unforgettable experiences. as well as oh, not to mention the finger-lickin’ fries, mouth-waterin’ waffles, as well as mind-blowin’ beer!
If you’re planning a Euro tour as well as thinking about a stop in Brussels, right here are a few of the very best things to do as well as locations to go to here! In this post, we’re including links to Klook guided tours as well as tickets for your convenience.
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
THINGS TO DO1. Brussels City Tour
2. Belgian Chocolates Sampling
3. Beer Tours
4. Fries Tasting
5. Belgian Waffles
6. Mussels in Brussels
PLACES TO VISIT7. Grand Place
8. Palais Royal
9. Atomium
10. Notre Dame Du Sablon
11. Notre-Dame de Laeken
12. Manneken Pis
13. Tintin Murals
14. Autoworld
15. Mini-Europe
16. Choco-Story
17. Le Botanique
18. Musee Royaux Des Beaux Arts
19. Parc Du Cinquantenaire & Triumphal Arch
20. Palais de Justice
Top hotels & Apartments in BrusselsSearch for more Brussels Hotels!
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THINGS TO DO
1. Brussels City Tour
Brussels boasts a multitude of storied structures as well as monuments, most of which are clad in Gothic or Art Deco architectural styles. a few of the notable landmarks are the Grand location (city hall as well as guild houses), St. Michael as well as St. Gudula Cathedral, the royal Palace, the King’s Castle, as well as the Congress Column.
Aside from the historical attractions, you can likewise go to the contemporary tourist attractions like the Atomium.
You can definitely pull a D-I-Y if you are more comfortable checking out on your own or if you are on a budget. however if you want to get more insights into each attraction, think about joining a guided tour. free walking tours usually begin at the Grand location as well as take visitors around the surrounding area to inspect out close-by landmarks. As is usually the case, although it is free, you’re expected to tip the guide depending upon exactly how much you enjoyed the tour.
If you’d rather join a smaller group as well as pay, Klook is offering a half-day city tour which takes about three hours. This is inclusive of a multilingual guide. The stops include the abovementioned notable attractions.
✅ RESERVE A SLOT HERE!
2. Belgian Chocolates Sampling
Your Brussels itinerary is not total without trying the country’s world-famous chocolates! The term Belgian chocolate has ended up being synonymous with the very best choco treats in the world. You mention Belgium as well as more frequently than not, it will be the very first one to pop in mind. (Well, at least in my mind. LOL.) Belgian chocolate is one of the major contributors to the country’s economic climate as well as deeply integrated into the culture. There are about 2,000 chocolatiers in the country.
Image via Klook
Cacao, the raw component in chocolate-making, is not locally created however the Belgians handled to own the industry, rivaling the Swiss in creating the very best chocolates in the world. The market dates back to the 17th century however started to flourish as an market in the 19th century.
Its worldwide reputation started when Belgium invented its own version of praline in 1912. The Belgian version has soft filling wrapped in a chocolate shell, different from the pralines discovered in France as well as the United States. Belgian chocolates are stated to have higher cocoa material than other producers.
If you want to discover more about the history as well as the very best chocolate shops in the city, you can join a guided chocolate tasting walking tour. aside from visiting shops as well as sampling, other guided tours include a chocolate-making workshop in the package. right here are two choices from Klook.
✅ book chocolate tasting tour HERE!
✅ book chocolate tour + WORKSHOP HERE!
3. Beer Tours
Raise your glass (or bottles), beer lovers! You’ve set foot in the land of UNESCO-inscribed Belgian beer culture. Judging from the number of beer celebrations in the country, you will understand that beer is big here. In fact, the Belgians likewise incorporated beer in a few of its dishes. The country has over 200 breweries — worldwide as well as traditional — making it one of the top producers of beer in Europe.
Image via Klook
The beer brewing history in the country can be traced back to the 12th century. The religious orders were the pioneers of beer brewing in Belgium as well as had akey function in the development of the brewing technique with the years. one of the famous beer types in the country is the Trappist beer, created by monks in, well, the Trappist monasteries.
The majority of beers in Belgium are offered in bottles as well as special ones are mainly served in their specific glassware.
If you want to understand more about the other kinds of beers in Belgium, the beer-making methods, as well as the history of beer brewing in Belgium, you can join a guided beer tour. Your expert guide will lead you to the very best beer locations as well as even the hidden taverns as well as oldest pubs. Klook has two choices inclusive of beer tastings as well as beer snacks samplings.
✅ book BRUSSELS BEER tasting tour HERE!
✅ book GHENT BEER + SIGHTSEEING tour HERE!
4. Fries Tasting
The British phone call ’em chips. most of us phone call ’em French fries. however in this part of Europe, where some insurance claim this universally-loved potato snack originated, it is understood as frites. as well as boy do the Belgians like their frites!
It is stated that frites started in the fishing settlements along the Meuse River in Belgium. The fisher people were believed to substitute potatoes for fish during the winter season. According to a national geographic feature, term “French” fries likely came about during world war I when the Belgians served the fries to the English-speaking troops who associated it with the French language spoken by the Belgian Army.
At its core, fries are extremely simple: potatoes cut into strips as well as deep-fried. There are different versions of fries across the globe, diverse in thickness, shape, texture, seasoning, as well as dips. however the Belgians take pride in their double-frying method.
Currently, Brussels has a great deal of fries stalls; the most prominent are Maison Antoine, Fritland, Frit Flagey, as well as Fritkot Bompa. Our team tried the last three. For us, hands down, the very best was Fritkot Bompa. as well as the owner was extremely charming as well as warm. He even showed us his tattoo of fries as well as took our camera so he might film exactly how he fried the potatoes. (He offered. We didn’t ask.) Maison Antoine was closed when we visited.
5. Belgian Waffles
The Belgian waffle has established itself as a essential snack in the country. It is not only prominent in Belgium however likewise abroad, like the united states with its own version of the snack as well as is likewise served as a breakfast meal.
There are two famous kinds of waffles in Belgium: Brussels Waffle as well as Liege Waffle. The larger rectangular-shaped Brussels waffles utilize beaten eggs as leaveners as well as are sprinkled with powdered sugar, while the smaller however thicker round-shaped Liege waffles utilize yeast as the leavener as well as contain sugar grains. Some waffles in Belgium are thought about street food as well as are eaten with hands.
6. Mussels in Brussels
Considered a bad man’s meal in the past since of the abundance as well as affordability, however now regarded as a valued ingredient, mussels (moules) have heated the dining tables of Belgian households, particularly in the winter season.
One of the famous mussel dishes in Belgium is the moules-frites, the country’s national dish. To prepare, the mussels are cooked (or steamed) with onions (or shallots), celery, as well as other fresh herbs in white wine sauce as well as butter, as well as lastly served with fries.
Other mussel dishes to try are moules à la bière (with beer) as well as moules à la crème (with cream). If you are pressed for time however want to taste Belgian cuisine staples, you can have the moules-frites, beer, as well as waffle in one of the restaurants. We had our share at Chez Leon restaurant, just around the Grand Place, as well as we liked it!
PLACES TO VISIT
7. Grand Place
The Grand location (Grand Square), likewise called Grote Markt (Grand Market), is the primary square of the city. Its history dates back to the 11th century as an open-air market. It utilized to be the location for public executions. later on, buildings mushroomed around the square, especially the guild houses.
Strategically found along the industrial road, it ended up being the hub for business as well as commerce, establishing parallel to the increase of vendors as well as guilds in Brussels.
The town Hall as well as the King’s home are the most prominent buildings. This is a UNESCO world Heritage Site; hence, this is one of the key attractions as well as the most visited in Brussels.
Nearest Train Station: Brussels central Station
Nearest Tram Station: Beurs station (Tram 3, 4, 32)
Nearest Bus Stop: Beurs stop (Bus 33, 48, 95)
Opening Hours: 24/7
Entrance Fee: FREE
8. Palais Royal
Built on the site of the former palace of the Dukes of Brabant, which was destroyed in the 18th century, Palais Royal’s original structure dates back to the very first half of the 19th century. The structure we see today is mainly the product of King Leopold II’s adjustment jobs at the turn of the 20th century.
Today, it serves as the official palace of the Belgian monarchs however not their official royal residence. This is the seat of power where most of the specify duties are accomplished, the state’s guests are welcomed as well as entertained, royal wedding event banquets are hosted, as well as royal interment are held. however it has been available to tourists during the summertime season since 1965.
The Palais royal faces Brussels Park. It features an archaeological site as well as museum (Coudenberg).
Nearest Metro Station: Trône/Troon Station
Nearest Tram Station: Royale/Koning station or Palais station (Tram 92, 93)
Nearest Bus Stop: Troon stop (Bus N11, 27, 38, 54, 71, 95)
Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Tuesday – Sunday), closed (Monday). The palace tours are offered only in summer, usually from the third week of July as much as the very first week of September.
Entrance Fee: FREE
9. Atomium
Conceived in the 1950s, the Atomium has ended up being one of the most iconic landmarks in Brussels as well as a national sign of Belgium. developed for Expo 58 (1958 Brussels world Fair), the Atomium shows the high regard provided to science at the time of conception. It was ultimately converted into a museum.
Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn, together with two designers André as well as Jean Polak, the contemporary practical structure towers over 100 meters, featuring balls as well as tubes.
Out of the nine spheres, six can be accessed by the public. These balls bring temporary as well as long-term exhibits, while the tubes enclose stairs, escalators, as well as an elevator (central tube). The lift shuttles tourists to the top ball which homes a restaurant as well as an observation deck that provides a 360-degree view of the city.
Nearest Metro Station: Heizel Station
Nearest Tram Station: Heizel station (Tram 7, 19)
Nearest Bus Stop: Heizel stop (Bus 14, 83, N18, T7)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Friday – Monday), closed (Tuesday – Thursday)
Entrance Fee: €16 (Adult), €14 (Senior), €8.50 (Children, Students, PWDs0, free (Children 115cm as well as below)
This is one of the primary tourist attractions in the city, so expect long lines for the tickets. however if you don’t want to wait inline, you may want to inspect Klook’s skip-the-line ticket offer which includes admissions not only to the Atomium however likewise the close-by ADAM – Brussels style Museum.
GET SKIP-THE-LINE TICKET HERE
10. Notre Dame Du Sablon
The 15th-century Notre Dame Du Sablon is found in the historic center of Brussels, especially in Sablon (Zavel) district, a short walk past Palais Royal. Its proximity to the nation’s official palace made it a preferred among the nobility as well as the affluent society.
Its exterior, Gothic in style, commands attention. The interior is similarly stunning with stained-glass windows. Some fascinating features are the Baroque pulpit, the two Baroque chapels, as well as the crypt.
Nearest Tram Station: Princesse Clementine station (Tram 62, 93)
Nearest Bus Stop: Kleine Zavel stop (Bus 33, N06, N08, N09, N10)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Monday – Friday), 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Saturday – Sunday)
Entrance Fee: FREE
11. Notre-Dame de Laeken
Commissioned by King Leopold I, the Notre-Dame de Laeken was developed in memory of his wife, Queen Louise-Marie. The building started in the mid 19th century as well as completed in the early 20th century. found near the official royal residence, royal Castle of Laeken, the neo-Gothic church holds the royal Crypt where the tombs of the Belgian royal household are housed.
Aside from the crypt, the church likewise features three elaborate spires. The tombs of a few of the prominent figures in Belgium are discovered just a stone’s throw away from the church in the Laeken Cemetery.
Nearest Tram Station: Petit Sablon (Kleine ZavelStation) station (Tram 92, 93)
Opening Hours: January 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Tuesday – Saturday); February to November 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Tuesday – Sunday); closed (Mondays as well as December). The opening routine for the royal Crypt varies each day however on Sundays, it’s open from 2PM to 5PM.
Entrance Fee: FREE
12. Manneken Pis
This statue of a bit boy urinating into a fountain spews volumes not just about the city’s art however likewise sense of humor. It is one of the most visited as well as most photographed statues embellishing the city.
There are a number of legends surrounding the statue however one of the most famous is the success of the two-year-old fight it out Godfrey III of Leuven as well as his guy against their enemies with the assist of his urine during the battle.
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