What to do in Brussels

Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is a vibrant city full of close-knit neighbourhoods with a rich history and beautiful houses. Off course, in a big city like Brussels, there’s plenty of things to see. But Brussels is also wonderful when you’re into good food or when you like going out for a drink. In terms of food, Belgium is well-known for its excellent chocolate. Smooth, silky and offering a variety of exquisite flavours.

A visit to the Chocolate Museum is well worth your time (and tastebuds!), offering you some insight into world favourite piece of candy. Visit Choco-Story Brussels. Whenever your sweet tooth hasn’t been saturated yet, going out for a Belgian Waffle is highly recommended. Close-off your food tour with a Belgian Beer and some mussels and fries (Friet Atelier) or a classic Belgian beef stew and you’re almost Belgian.

Whenever you visit Brussels, you’d likely end up in the city centre sometime. For those who are into architecture, the Grand Place is the first recommended stop. The square surrounded by the city’s guildhalls is actually on UNESCO’s world cultural heritage list. Other remarkable buildings are the Musical Instrument Museum or the Koekelberg Basilica, offering a stunning ceiling, for example.

The Atomium is a popular tourist attraction in the city. The monument made up out of nine silver domes is well photographed and one of the landmarks of the city. When walking around the city centre, getting lost in the labyrinth of streets is the best you can do. Discover the unique collection of building in this city on your own and don’t forget to bring your camera.

Cities like Brussels are excellent for some shopping. Stores are open every day of the week, except on Sundays. Stores can be open, but most stores in the city centre are still closed on Sundays. But to make up for this inconvenience, there are some markets open on Sunday that are worth a visit.

On the Grand Place, there’s the ‘vogeltjesmarkt’ (or little birds market) and close to the train station Gare du Midi, it’s all about food. You’ll find lots of vegetables and Belgian and North-African products. Find yourself in Brussels on a Saturday? Do visit the big shopping streets whenever you’re in need of some new clothing items. Recommended streets include: ‘De Kleerkopersstraat (Rue de Fripiers), de Nieuwstraat and ‘De Louizalaan.’