BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Beautiful, charming, and historic, Brussels is a wonderful city to experience some of the best of Europe. Rich in architecture, history, and scenery, as well as regional culinary specialties, Brussels makes for an ideal visit packed with places to see, things to do, and foods to indulge in. It's a very walkable city and what makes it especially ideal is that it is equally enjoyable in Spring as it is in Winter, with plenty to offer in both seasons.
TO STAY
THE HOXTON: Within walking distance to the historic hub of Brussels, The Hoxton is an ideal place to stay close to the centre with a bit of seclusion from the crowds. A young and hip hotel with a retro look and a laidback atmosphere; ideal for solo travellers, couples and friends. They offer a variety of room sizes but if you're looking at a longer or more comfortable stay, I would recommend the bigger ones (The Corner or The Biggy). The hotel also sits across the Botanic Gardens, which makes for a lovely morning stroll, and just a short walk to major landmarks like Galeries Royales Saint Hubert and the St Michael & Gudula Cathedral.
FOOD & DINING
CAFÉS & BAKERIES
KHOBZ: In the trendy neighbourhood of Ixelles, this sourdough-speciality bakery serves some of the best baked goods in the city. Everything from croissants to whole loaves, Khobz's weekly line-up is always excellent. Deep in flavour and baked to perfection. Notably the best croissant we've had in Brussels. It's a grab-and-go bakery but they serve excellent coffee and you can enjoy your baked goods just across the street on a park bench.
BROOD: Another Ixelles hotspot for sourdough bread and pastries, Brood serves a weekly line-up of staples like croissants, pain au chocolat, and pain suisse, as well as a range of seasonal specials and loaves sold either whole or by weight. Excellent pastries, especially if you catch them warm from the oven, good coffee, and a small seating area inside. Go early to avoid sell-out.
BATCH: This café-by-day, bistro-by-night in Ixelles is one of the trendiest spots in Brussels right now with sleek, minimal interiors and small-plates style dining. They serve a breakfast & lunch menu throughout the day (with Scandi inspired classics like bread, butter & cheese plates), alongside pastries from Brood, and a seasonal evening menu for dinner.
AUX MERVEILLEUX DE FRED: Though this is a French-born patisserie, Aux Merveilleux de Fred's speciality brioche (known as cramique) is absolutely worth a try, as well as their classic butter croissants and Belgian gaufres. Not to mention their world-famous Merveilleux meringues for dessert. There are two locations in the centre - the one on Rue du Marché aux Herbes is take-away only, whereas the one on Rue Auguste Orts offers table seating.
RESTAURANTS
AU VIEUX SAINT MARTIN:
AU REPOS DE LA MONTAIGNE:
IN'T SPINNEKOPE:
SPECIALITIES
MAISON DANDOY:
NEUHAUS:
MARY:
ELISABETH:
GALET:
CAFÉ GEORGETTE:
ATELIER FRITES:
FRITLAND:
PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO
GRAND PLACE:
GALERIES ROYALES SAINT HUBERT:
ST MICHAEL & GUDULA CATHEDRAL: Garden Square, Place Royale, Palais & Parc Royal
MONT DES ARTS & QUARTIER ROYALE: Garden Square, Place Royale, Palais & Parc Royal
ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS:
MAGRITTE MUSEUM:
PLACE DU SABLON: Grand Place and Petit Place, Eglise Notre Dame du Sablon, antique & boutique shopping
BOURSE:
ART NOUVEAU HOUSES
HORTA MUSEUM:
MAISON HANNON:
HÔTEL SOLVAY:
HÔTEL VAN EETVELDE:
MAISON AUTRIQUE:
CAUCHIE HOUSE:
DAY TRIPS
BRUGES:
ANTWERP:
SHOPPING
GALERIE SAINT HUBERT
AVENUE LOUISE
SABLON ANTIQUE CENTRE
MAYFAIR BXL:
HETERODOXA:
GRAND PLACE: The biggest square in Brussels, Grand Place is practically the heart of the city, adorned with architectural beauty everywhere you turn. There are so many shops and cafés to keep you busy, as well as several attractions to see/visit (such as the beautiful Hotel de Ville). Grand Place is also an ideal starting point if you’d like to spend the day walking around from sight to sight; you’ll easily find your way around, and will probably discover new things as well. Just pick a side street or alley, start walking, and you’ll find one thing after the other.
ST HUBERT’S GALLERY: This is another very famous center-point in Brussels – a long shopping gallery lined with designer boutiques, small shops, and some of the best Belgian chocolatiers. You can take a walk through the gallery, go shopping, or relax in one of the cafés.
ST MICHAEL & GUDULA CATHEDRAL: Walking distance from the St Hubert’s Gallery, this Gothic cathedral is hauntingly beautiful inside out. It’s also one of Brussels biggest and most important cathedrals.
ROYAL QUARTER: This is another important area that is full of things to do and sights to visit. It’s also walking distance from Grand Place and St Hubert’s Gallery. You can capture the famous picture of the colorful garden from the steps above, overlooking the city. You can also walk to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Instruments Museum, the Magritte Gallery, and many more.
ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS: If you’re in the Royal Quarter, walk forward to the biggest fine arts museum in Brussels. It’s divided into four different museums that all lead to one another. Start off with Magritte, followed by the Temporary Exhibitions, the Old Masters, and the Modern Gallery to finish. You can skip what ever does not interest you, but if you want to tour the whole thing then keep in mind it will take no less than 1-2 hours.
PALAIS ROYAL: Probably Brussels’ biggest and most well known architectural sight to visit (you’ll find it a street away from the Royal Museums). The architecture is beautiful, with a particularly big salon lined with dozens of gorgeous chandeliers at the end of the tour (similar to the Palace of Versailles). The palace shouldn’t take you long, after which you can walk through its huge gardens.
PLACE DE PETIT SABLON: The palace itself is nothing special, but there is a pretty garden to walk through or enjoy the weather on a sunny day. It’s also very close to Grand Place, so you’ll probably pass by it anyway.
NOTRE DAME DU SABLON: This is another gorgeous Gothic cathedral, just opposite Place de Petit Sablon, after which you can walk on forward to the Royal Quarter and/or Grand Place.
