Brussels Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Brussels

Not much to do I am afraid, apart from the Grand Place and a few other sights down that way, we struggled to fill our time. One day in Brussels is more than enough. As for nightclubs, Fuse is recommended although it was quite a bit away from our hostel.. there are no clubs of real note around the...more Not much to do I am afraid, apart from the Grand Place and a few other sights down that way, we struggled to fill our time. One day in Brussels is more than enough. As for nightclubs, Fuse is recommended although it was quite a bit away from our hostel.. there are no clubs of real note around the area of the Grand Place. close

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by David-Rangers1873 – posted on Mar 7, 2008

7

It\'s probably located inbetween Brussels-Noord station and the heart of the city, but even then walking to the city takes like 5 minutes and it\'s conveniently placed near trains + metro. I stayed in \"The White Room\" which was quite the experience. There\'s free...more It\'s probably located inbetween Brussels-Noord station and the heart of the city, but even then walking to the city takes like 5 minutes and it\'s conveniently placed near trains + metro. I stayed in \"The White Room\" which was quite the experience. There\'s free internet, but the catch is that there\'s lockout of the reception which is connected to the lounge, so if you come after 11pm there won\'t be anywhere to hang out. Other than that, I\'d recommend it. The staff were nice and helpful, SUPER clean and the lockers were really large. =)close

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by screamingacorn222978 – posted on Dec 11, 2007

5

I loved brussells, it is a city like no other, a total contrasting city, you have a crumbling old fort between massive glass high rises, and a massive church in the middle of a ghetto, massive abstract wooden THING in the shopping strip! It is a mix of different cultures and people, and expect...more I loved brussells, it is a city like no other, a total contrasting city, you have a crumbling old fort between massive glass high rises, and a massive church in the middle of a ghetto, massive abstract wooden THING in the shopping strip! It is a mix of different cultures and people, and expect the unexpected. close

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by everythingis-peachy7191 – posted on Dec 7, 2007

22

christmas markets and holiday decorations made the city really charming and festive. loads of great restaurants, though i\'d stear clear of the rue des bouchers,, restaurant busker/hawkers really give me the creeps. buy the art nouveau map from the tourist office and wander around the whole...more christmas markets and holiday decorations made the city really charming and festive. loads of great restaurants, though i\'d stear clear of the rue des bouchers,, restaurant busker/hawkers really give me the creeps. buy the art nouveau map from the tourist office and wander around the whole city with a pseudo-purpose, stopping off in cute shops, and cafes as you like.close

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by courtney – posted on Nov 24, 2007

4

I ADORED Belgium. We went to Brugges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels in three days. Both of us were a wee bit museumed out from being in London, so we just took our time roaming around the cities and really just loving it. It wasn\'t crowded at all, you could never find a bad meal, the people...more I ADORED Belgium. We went to Brugges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels in three days. Both of us were a wee bit museumed out from being in London, so we just took our time roaming around the cities and really just loving it. It wasn\'t crowded at all, you could never find a bad meal, the people extremely friendly, the chocolate was amazing, the beer incredible... I could go on and on and on about how amazing this country is. If you want a lax vacation to another country with the opportunity of lots of art or just appreciating the city, Belgium has it ALL.close

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by Shannoop – posted on Nov 15, 2007

1

It is a good place to relax and spend a couple of days. From either chilling in the palace park, or feeling minute in the city hall, to being a kid again in the comic museum, to learning the Belgian beer brewing process, to strolling down an Moroccan street, Brussels has a fair bit to offer, you...more It is a good place to relax and spend a couple of days. From either chilling in the palace park, or feeling minute in the city hall, to being a kid again in the comic museum, to learning the Belgian beer brewing process, to strolling down an Moroccan street, Brussels has a fair bit to offer, you just have to explore a littleclose

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by ak79 – posted on Oct 7, 2007

13

Brussels is a schizophrenic sort of place. It has an upper town and lower town, for example. The lower town includes the old city centre (incl. the Grand’Place) and a shopping area based around the Rue Neuve. The upper town includes the museum quarter, the EU quarter and the chic shops of the...more Brussels is a schizophrenic sort of place. It has an upper town and lower town, for example. The lower town includes the old city centre (incl. the Grand’Place) and a shopping area based around the Rue Neuve. The upper town includes the museum quarter, the EU quarter and the chic shops of the Avenue Louise and Chaussée de Waterloo. The city is divided into 19 communes, each with its own character, budget and level of services. So a very well-heeled area can sit side-by-side with a poor commune, heavily populated with immigrants. The immigrant population, although located mostly in certain communes, is also very noticeable: it is estimated that more than half of the population of Brussels under 25 is of immigrant, mostly North-African origin. Keeping with the schizophrenic theme, about 70% of the local population speaks French and 30% speak Dutch, with both being official in the Brussels Region. Shop assistants and public officials are supposed to be bilingual and are to varying degrees. Brussels being home to the EU institutions, with their multinational staff, means that English is rapidly making inroads everywhere. This schizophrenic dual aspect to the city means that one usually has a decision to make that might be more straightforward elsewhere: Will I take a chance and find what I want here, or will I not do so and have to traipse miles across the city to find it there…? Should I say "Bonjour" when I walk into a shop or am I expected to know in advance they are Dutch speakers and so go with "Dag"? While these are perhaps more issues for the locals, I think visitors will get a sense of it too. These issues aside, Brussels is well worth a visit, for its splendid Grand’Place, its Art Deco and Art Nouveau architecture, its excellent museums and art galleries, it vibrant cultural scene and top-quality restaurants. Its transport system is also very efficient relative to many other cities of its size. On the downside, regardless of where you go, the pavements are often badly maintained and seem specially designed to sprain ankles, so it is advisable to wear sturdy flat shoes. The local population also seem to think nothing of letting their dogs crap all over the place, another reason for wearing sensible shoes… A cultural note. The Bruxellois are quite reserved and there is an etiquette about walking into a shop or restaurant. You are expected to offer a general greeting open entering, to no-one in particular and everyone in general. Not to do so is considered quite bad manners and can influence the way you are subsequently treated.close

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by Donal – posted on May 18, 2007

127

There's a lot more to Brussels than one might think, its not just the administrative capital of the EU! There are loads of historic sights and museums, some excellent restaurants and happening bars! It's not all that expensive either. Combine it with a trip to Bruges which is only an hour away on...more There's a lot more to Brussels than one might think, its not just the administrative capital of the EU! There are loads of historic sights and museums, some excellent restaurants and happening bars! It's not all that expensive either. Combine it with a trip to Bruges which is only an hour away on the train from Brussels.close

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by grainne – posted on May 1, 2007

46

Many people asked why we were going to Belgium because there is not much to do...Are they kidding!!??!! The museums may not be the Louvre or Prado but there are several very good ones..The only thing I found distasteful was the I'lot Sacre area with the people grabbing at us to go to their...more Many people asked why we were going to Belgium because there is not much to do...Are they kidding!!??!! The museums may not be the Louvre or Prado but there are several very good ones..The only thing I found distasteful was the I'lot Sacre area with the people grabbing at us to go to their restaurants...We did not! and found a wonderful one outside the area...Please try to get them to stop this, it is very distracting and annoying!!!close

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by yhanze500 – posted on Apr 19, 2007

2

Dingy area with an average cityscape. You have to really be into architecture to enjoy it. The layperson gets tired of it quickly. Mannekin-pis (that pissing boy statue) is tiny and can be missed with no regrets. Some of the souvenirs of it where bigger than the actual fountain! If you go to...more Dingy area with an average cityscape. You have to really be into architecture to enjoy it. The layperson gets tired of it quickly. Mannekin-pis (that pissing boy statue) is tiny and can be missed with no regrets. Some of the souvenirs of it where bigger than the actual fountain! If you go to Brussels, check out the Grand Market in the center for really good food and reasonable prices.close

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by crayoneyes2160 – posted on Apr 16, 2007

4