By rail
Bruxelles-Midi, Eurostar and the high-speed lines
Europe · Belgium
Brussels, Belgium
The Grand-Place, comics and chocolate
Getting there
By air
Brussels (BRU), ~12 km
Best time to visit
April to September — mild
Don't miss
The Grand-Place
The Atomium
Manneken Pis
The Royal Palace
Things to do
The Grand-Place
The Atomium
Chocolate tastings
Where to eat
What to pack
An umbrella
A quieter corner
The comic-strip murals trail
Questions travellers ask
Can I reach Brussels by Eurostar?
Yes — Bruxelles-Midi is served by Eurostar and the high-speed lines. Or fly into Brussels (BRU), about 12 km out.
What are the sights in Brussels?
The Grand-Place, the Atomium, Manneken Pis and the Royal Palace. Follow the comic-strip murals trail for something different.
What food is Brussels good for?
Waffles, frites and moules — plus chocolate tastings.
Do I need an umbrella in Brussels?
Yes, bring one. April to September is the time to go, when it's mild.
About Brussels
- Inland
Where it is
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, in the centre of the country; its region of 19 municipalities is surrounded by Flanders and lies on low hills either side of the small River Senne.
History
Brussels grew from a chapel on an island in the Senne, and its official founding is usually dated to around 979; it later flourished as a princely capital of the Burgundian Netherlands. A French bombardment in 1695 destroyed the Grand-Place and some 4,000 buildings, and the square was rebuilt in ornate baroque style; Brussels became the capital of independent Belgium in 1830 and is now the main seat of the European Union's institutions.
People
Brussels is officially bilingual in French and Dutch, with French the majority language, and it is one of Europe's most international cities, home to people from all over the world. Comic strips, from Tintin to the Smurfs, and cafés serving Belgian beers are part of the city's culture.
Known for
- The Grand-Place
- The Atomium
- Manneken Pis
- Chocolate, waffles and frites
- Comic-strip art and murals
Did you know?
Manneken Pis, the small bronze fountain of a boy, has a wardrobe of around 1,000 costumes and is dressed in them several times a week.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.