Brussels Guide
Welcome to our Brussels Guide
Our handy Brussels guide is here to help you plan a wonderful getaway to the Belgian capital. Full of sublimely beautiful monuments, fascinating museums and world-renowned food, Brussels has a lot to offer on your short break; go for the culture, stay for the beer, and come home with lots of superb chocolate.
Start exploring Brussels in all the usual places – the stunning Grand-Place is unmissable, and seeking out the cheeky Manneken Pis is a must. The mighty impressive Atomium, with little models of Europe’s most famous monuments at its feet, is also well worth a visit. A wealth of fascinating museums should also feature high on your to-do list; the Royal Museums of Art and History have wonderful Ancient monuments ready for you to marvel at, and the Natural Science Museum and the terrific collection at the Magritte Museum deserve to be seen too. Take a day trip out of the capital and see the battlefields and cemeteries of World War One in Flanders Fields, the perfect way to commemorate the Great War’s centenary.
When the evening rolls around, you’ll want to sample the best of the Belgian cuisine. Whether you’re after mussels or fries, there are plenty of fine restaurants and fashionable eateries in the centre, or otherwise in the trendy district of Sainte Catherine & Antoine Dansaert. No trip to Brussels is complete without becoming better acquainted with the delicious beer that Belgium is famous for – take a walking tour of the best bars in Brussels and toast your short break away in this magical city.
Must do's by day
Check out the vibrant and pretty central square of Grand-Place
Go cultural at the fabulous Royal Museums of Art and History
Seek out the impressive Atomium and the cheeky Manneken Pis
Must do's by night
Discover the best food in Brussels on a Gourmet Walking Tour
Catch an intimate Jazz gig at the fabulous Music Village
Experience the divine Le Cirio - a popular grand café dating from 1886
Travelling to Brussels
Brussels Overview
Whether you travel on the Eurostar or take a flight to the Belgian capital, getting to Brussels is incredibly simple – with regular services, both are quick and easy options.
By Rail
It’s quick and easy to reach Brussels on the Eurostar; it takes just over two hours from London’s St Pancras Station, where the checking-in process and passport control is much more efficient than at the airport.
By Road
It’s fairly easy drive to Brussels – if you’re confident on the wrong side of the road! About 130 miles of motorway awaits between Calais and the Belgian capital.
By Air
Cheap, regular, quick – flights to Brussels are a really easy way to travel to the Belgian capital. The flight time from London is just over an hour and there are a number of services from other major UK airports including Birmingham, Manchester & Edinburgh.
Getting Around in Brussels
Brussels Overview
It’s incredibly easy to get around the Belgian capital – brave the cobblestones of the old town and all the major sights and attractions are within walking distance. For longer journeys and exploring further afield, the great public transport and easy bike hire are superb options too.
By Bike
Bike tours are great, but if you like to strike out on your own the fabulous Villo bikes at 180 locations around the city offer cheap, short-term rentals.
By Public Transport
Between the buses, trams and metro, the public transport in Brussels is fairly extensive and easy to navigate – validate passes in the little orange boxes and use the different kinds of transport interchangeably.
By Foot
It’s fairly easy to get around the main sights, museums and attractions in the centre of Brussels, as they’re all fairly close together.
Crowne Plaza Brussels
Fantastically located, right in the heart of the Belgian capital, the Crowne Plaza Brussels is an excellent option for your short break on the continent. The four star luxury and comfort of the hotel’s accommodation offers a welcome retreat after a long day of shopping, sightseeing and soaking up the sublime culture that characterises Brussels. Plush and contemporary, the Crowne Plaza is a real gem.
There are loads of great events & reasons to visit Brussels and here are just a few!
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1
Art Brussels - April
Popular Art Exhibition held every year since 1968 encompassing 150 different galleries.
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2
Brussels International Fantastic Film Fest - April
This annual event has a great reputation for showing the best creepy, horror movies.
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3
Ommegang Festival - July
This historical procession, celebrated since 1549, is held at Place du Grand Sablon.
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4
Innova Fair - November
The World Exhibition of Innovation, Research and New Technologies at Brussels Expo.
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5
Brussels Christmas Market - December
As special as any in Europe, stock up on Belgian Chocolate for the festive period.
Out and About in Brussels
Shopping
The Maasmechelen Village of designer stores is a great place to pick up beautiful clothes, and Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is worth seeing – it’s the world’s oldest shopping mall.Eating Out
The must-try foods in Brussels are the mussels, waffles, fries and chocolate – served near enough everywhere; find some great restaurants in the Sainte Catherine & Antoine Dansaert quarter.Nightlife
Being the Belgian capital, there are loads of great places to dance the night away in Brussels – Fuse and Recyclart are well-established clubs, whilst Ancienne Belgique has fab live music.Bars
Heading on a Beer Tour in Brussels will give you a broad overview of the bars and famous Belgian beers on offer – if you’re after just the one place, we recommend Moeder Lambic.Sign up now and you could win a break!
IE: € 
UK: £
