Brussels, the heart of Europe and the capital of Belgium, is a city steeped in history, culture, and modern European charm. It’s not only the administrative center of the European Union but also a place where various cultures converge, offering visitors a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or planning an extended stay, be sure not to miss these top 10 attractions in and around Brussels.
1. **Grand Place (Grote Markt)**
The Grand Place is Brussels’ central square and perhaps its most memorable landmark. Surrounded by opulent guildhalls and two larger edifices: the city’s Town Hall and the King’s House or Maison du Roi, it is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The square is especially magical during the bi-annual Flower Carpet event in August when it’s covered with nearly one million begonias arranged in stunning patterns.
2. **Manneken Pis**
This small bronze statue, depicting a little boy urinating into a fountain’s basin, has become an iconic symbol of Brussels’ irreverent spirit. Visitors are often surprised by its size but charmed by the lore and numerous costumes it dons throughout the year.
3. **Atomium**
Originally constructed for Expo ’58, the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, the Atomium remains one of Belgium’s most fascinating architectural landmarks. Representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times its normal size, this structure offers panoramic views from its upper sphere as well as exhibits dedicated to science, design, and society within its other spheres.
4. **Royal Palace of Brussels**
While not always open to explore its lavish interior (it opens to the public during summer), you can marvel at its exterior anytime or stroll through the adjacent Brussels Park (Parc de Bruxelles). The Changing of the Guard also makes for an impressive watch.
5. **Magritte Museum**
Dedicated to Belgium’s famous surrealist painter René Magritte, this museum houses more than 200 of his works including paintings, drawings and sculptures across several floors – a surreal journey into artistic genius.
6. **Belgian Comic Strip Center**
Celebrating Belgium’s rich history in comic art – home to famous characters like Tintin and The Smurfs – this museum is housed in an eye-catching Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta. It provides insights into comic creation from concept through to completion alongside original plates and drafts.
7. **The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken**
Open for just about three weeks each spring when flowers are in full bloom; these vast ironwork-framed greenhouses house thousands of plant species both native and exotic – testament to Belgian horticultural prowess over generations.
8. **Mini-Europe**
Located at the foot of the Atomium, Mini-Europe features scale models (1:25) of major landmarks from across Europe – from Big Ben to Venice’s Grand Canal – making it perfect for families or anyone interested in architecture.
9. **Cantillon Brewery**
For those interested in beer – arguably Belgium’s most famous export – Cantillon Brewery offers guided tours that finish with tastings of traditional lambics and gueuzes brewed using ancient methods that have been passed down through generations.
10. **Day Trip to Bruges or Ghent**
Both cities are just a quick train ride away from Brussels and offer picturesque medieval streets lined with ancient buildings along with their own unique set of canals, museums and historical sites worth exploring.
From delightful historical tours through architectural gems like Grand Place to light-hearted excursions around Comic Strip Center or gastronomic adventures at local breweries like Cantillon Brewery; there truly is something for everyone in Brussels! This vibrant capital city serves as both a reminder of Europe’s complex past as well as its hopeful future through engaging attractions suitable for every traveler.