For sure, spending just a couple of days in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium offers the ultimate Belgian experience. Do you know what Brussels means? It means a ‘home in/on the marsh’, isn’t it a great city to visit? Well, Brussels got its name from the Old Dutch name Bruocsella. You can go on a trip to Brussels, to explore the beauty of Gothic cathedrals, architectural museums, parks, quaint guild houses, and many more. So, if you are on holiday, get ready with your plans for Brussels tourism.
Grand Place
One of the attractive places that Belgium is famous for, and you will be totally in an awestruck moment when you see it, is the Grand Place in Brussels. On several occasions, the square has a flower market, and you will be mesmerized when it lightens in the night. It is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, surrounded by six majestic guild halls. No doubt, their striking architecture will fascinate you to visit the place several times during your Brussels sightseeing tours.
Manneken Pis
Brussels tourism is incomplete without a photo of the cute little cheeky man at Manneken Pi meaning ‘little man pee’. Well, it is a quirky bronze sculpture (a small fountain) and is undoubtedly the desired attraction in Brussels designed by Jerome Duquesnoy. People from all over the world visit, to catch a glimpse of the statue covered in an impressive outfit on various special occasions.
Atomium
A giant structure and an internationally recognized symbol that you cannot miss are Atomium in Brussels, Belgium, and created on the occasion of the World Fair of Brussels in 1958. It is a high model of an atom made out of chrome and steel, designed by Andre Waterkeyn. Over the years, Atomium has become the most popular tourist attraction of Europe’s Capital. Out of 9 spheres, 5 of the steel spheres are open for the public, where there is a restaurant for you to enjoy delicious food and dedicated to exhibitions with themes of Belgium arts.
Mini-Europe
Located next to Atomium, Mini-Europe in Brussels is an ideal place to wander while discovering the miniatures. From Paris’ Eiffel Tower to the chimes of London’s Big Ben, and the canals of Venice to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and many others. It is a theme park that exhibits the famous sights of the most prominent landmarks of Europe and is one of the favorite Brussels places to visit among tourists as well as locals. Mini-Europe has gardens and moving windmills, lorries, trains, and boats and is absolutely a fun-packed, educational experience for the whole family!
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Dominated by a triumphal arch with three arches and commanded by a bronze chariot in the center of the arch, Parc du Cinquantenaire should be a part of your Brussels vacation plans. It is one of the popular places to visit in Brussels, Belgium, and widely recognized for the cluster of museums that beholds stunning artifacts of art, history, military, and motor vehicles. Throughout the year, the park conducts events, celebrations, firework displays, sporting events, and many more.
Royal Palace of Brussels
Located in the heart of the European capital, it is an emblem of the most elegant part of the city and is one of the prominent Brussels, Belgium attractions. One of the rooms of the palace has a ceiling covered in the wings of beetles, which creates a beautiful mosaic worth admiring. If you are in Brussels for the summer, the palace is open for visitors, and you will be able to explore the rooms in the palace.
Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert
The first ensemble of glazed shopping arcades in central Brussels, Belgium, is the magnificent Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries. A covered gallery with a glass roof and spectacular architecture have attracted many people to experience shopping in Brussels city. The gallery comprises luxury brands, jewelry, cafe’s, restaurants, and exclusive boutiques to offer a beautiful experience while exploring the famous Belgium attractions.
St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral, Brussels
The cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula is a Roman Catholic Church, prominently dedicated to the patron saints of Brussels is a must-visit on your Brussels sightseeing itinerary. Located in the upper town of Brussels, it is among the most beautiful Belgium places to visit. Several sculptures, altarpieces, impressive archways, and stained glass windows serve as a spectacular view and pull you in for a splendid-tranquil moment. Most of the royal weddings take place here and considered as one of the most significant places in Belgium. Also, there is another one which is a remarkable Late Gothic church called Eglise Catholique Notre-Dame-du-Sablon. It is similar to the Cathedral and is a site of pilgrimage since the middle ages.
Mont des Arts
One of the best Belgium places to visit that you should include in your Brussels trip is the Mont des Arts and situated between the Place Royale and the Grand Place, which is the cultural centre of Brussels. If you don’t want to miss the cocktails in the evening or want to watch some street performance, walk through the Mont des Arts garden, go down the stairs! A treat to your eye, you will say! It houses the Royal Museums of Fine Art, the Musical Instruments Museum, and the Royal Library of Belgium. Among that, the Musical Instruments Museum’s (MIM) collection includes the Belgian musical history, European musical traditions, orchestral instruments, and many others.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Located in the heart of Brussels, it is one of the well-known art galleries in the world and is among one of the top places to see in Brussels. The museum has two parts; one is the Museum of Ancient Arts that has a collection of Flemish paintings and Dutch Old Masters. And the other one is the Museum of Modern Arts featuring fine art paintings which are created by Surrealist Belgian artists. Enjoy your Brussels sightseeing plans with all these magnificent artworks to be a part of your itinerary that will soothe your eyes!
Brussels Park
It was the first public park in Brussels and is known as the “Parc Royal” located between the Royal Palace and the Belgian Parliament buildings. It consists of various statues, fountains and the beautiful cast iron bandstand with the shady pathways uplift the beauty of the park.
Choco-Story Brussels
Not to be missed by people who like to enjoy delicious chocolates, and we all know about Brussels, Belgium city and the way how the Belgian chocolate is celebrated all over the world. Around the corner from the Manneken Pis and a few blocks south of Grand Place is the museum of Choco-Story Brussels dedicated to the history and manufacture of chocolate. It is a perfect destination for people who like to enjoy Brussels Belgium chocolate. Over here, you can discover the art of chocolate making, how cocoa turns into chocolate, Belgian praline, and many more.
Autoworld
It is one of the historic buildings in Brussels and one of the famous places in Belgium, associated with automotive history, is Autoworld. The Belgian National Automobile Museum houses vehicles of various origins such as the vintage, 20th-century cars, trucks, and motorcycles that are on permanent display. The cars are of European or US origin, and the visitors will guide you through the entire history of the cars. A specific section of the museum showcases the cars owned by the Belgian Royal Family, micro and bubble cars, sports, and competition. Autoworld is a museum holding up incredible motor-car and motor-bike exhibitions.
Train World
From the very first steam locomotives to high-speed trains, you can have all the unique experience at Train World, Brussels. It is among the popular Brussels places to visit to dive in the experience of driving a train. You can have a great time while walking among the locomotives, climbing aboard many years old trains, crossing a railway bridge, and many fascinating experiences in the interactive railway museum.
Brussels Belgium Beer and Brewery Tour
Lastly, your vacation won’t be perfect if you ever skipped on a beer tour when you are on your trip to Belgium. Belgium is most famous for its authentic variety in beers, and there are a few breweries that are spread all over Brussels. There are many beer tours in Belgium to be included in your itinerary for Belgium! A few of them are Ghent Beer Tours, Antwerp Beer Tour, 8-day Belgian Beer Tour, Bruges Beer Experience, and many others.
