Brussels: In The Heart Of Europe

A mix of arts and cultures

Located right in the center of Europe, Brussels is the beating heart of Belgium.

Seat of the European Parliament and other important diplomatic institutions, Brussels is a melting pot of cultures and languages.

Gran Place

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In fact, three languages are officially spoken: French, the official language, Flemish and German.

The diverse cultures are mixed as well as the aesthetic quality of the city, which is a real mélange of different styles. From the Gothic cathedral, to the neo-Baroque Royal Palace, to the Art Noveau Music Museum.

St. Michael ans St Gudula Cathedral

Art lovers should not miss the Museum of Fine Arts (Beaux Arts), with a section dedicated to the incredible surrealist painter Magritte. Cinephiles must stop by the famous Cinematequè which, every day, projects a wide variety of different films, old and new.

In Brussels ART is in every corner!

Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert

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Tin Tin and Peeing Kid

Not many people know that Brussels gave birth to one of the most creative arts, les bande dessinées, the comics.

If you are a fan of the legendary Tin Tin or the Smurfs (in French Les Schtroumpfs), then the Comic Museum is your Mecca, where the history of Belgian comics is recreated with its main representatives.

And that's not all.

Gran Place

If you’re walking through the streets of the center, make sure to keep your eyes well open. Lots of graffiti are painted on the wall, with the most famous characters of the comics!

Even taking the underground will become an art experience: at each stop you will find colorful murals and graffiti.

In addition to the eye-popping graffiti, there is another thing that hides away the historic center of Brussels. It may seem a bizarre attraction, but it is one of the most famous.

It is the statue of a peeing child, the famous Manneken Pis, whose dress is changed every day. There is also a museum entirely dedicated to the clothing of the little brat, the Garderobe Manneken pis.

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Mannken Pis

The legends told about this small bronze statue are different. My favorite one says that one day a child peed on the fuse of a bomb that was about to burst, saving several people from death. Excellent reason to visit a statue of a peeing child, isn't it?

Waffles and other sin of gluttony

If there is one thing that distinguishes Brussels from other cities of the world, that is a sweet aroma that you will miss for the rest of your life, after leaving the city. It’s the smell of delicious waffles!

Don’t forget that there are two types of waffles: the rectangular Brussels waffles and the rounded Liège waffles. Which one is the best? Just try both and find it out!

Belgium Chocolaterie

You can also combine and choose among different toppings, like cream, ice cream, fruit, chocolate etc… It's worth trying them with the Speculoos cream, made of the famous cinnamon biscuits.

Near the beautiful main square, called Grand Place, you will certainly fall into temptation at the sight of the chocolatiers’ windows, such as Lady Godiva, Leonidas, Cote d’or.

Oh yes, chocolate is another sin of gluttony that is difficult to resist in Belgium, as well as les frites, the famous French fries. Their peculiarity is that they are fried twice, in oil and animal fat, so the taste is definitely different.

Belgium Chocolate

The typical dish is the Moules-frites, mussels and fries, a culinary combination that, at first glance, may turn your nose up, but which is actually really good. Usually the french fries are served in a separate bowl and eaten together with the mussels soup. Give it a try!

You can’t leave Brussels without having drink the right amount of beer!

Waffles, picture from https://famr3.staticflickr.com/

Belgian beers are notorious all over there world.

The huge variety of beers in Brussels will leave you speechless, especially if you go to the famous 3 floors pub called Delirium where they sell 3162 of beer!

Recommended brand of beers to try: Mort Subite, La chueffe, Le gueze, Chimay.

Mussles and frites. Image from https://www.sbs.com.au/

Treats not to be missed

Brussels is a city that reserves not few surprises, with its atmosphere steeped in art, colors and culture.

Be enchanted by the Festival of Lights in October, when the city lights up at night with thousand colors, music and performing arts events. During Christmas jump on the ferris wheel in Saint Cathrine square, where you can also drink the best mulled wine.

Atomium

Don't miss Brussels from the top of the famous Atomium, the renowned steel construction built for the 1958 Expo, visible from every part of the city.

If you want to experience something less touristy, go to the top of the De Brouckère car park to enjoy the view of the city.

For those who love antiques and second-hand market, Brussels is the perfect city. In Place Jeau de Ball thee is a huge flea market, opened every morning, where street vendors use to shout their best prices.

If you like retro clothing and items, don’t forget to check out the unique Vintage Market, held every first Sunday of the month, at the Place Saint-Géry, right in the city center.

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Gran Place

Looking for some fun at night? You should definitely grab a beer at Le Corbeu, an incredible pub where, after midnight, you can dance on the tables!Crazy, right?

If you stay in the city a few more days, buy a travel card (Carte 10 voyage) so you can save some money and have 10 trips in the surrounding area. Bruges and Ghent, two charming cities, are at the top of the list.

What do you think? Are you craving already any waffles?

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