Brussels, belgium
Attractions Guide
Introduction
The capital city of Belgium is known for its stunning architecture representing various time periods from the medieval era to the neoclassical and present.
Grand Place & Brussels City Hall
The UNESCO listed Grand Place Square is the city's most iconic sight and is surrounded by strikingly elaborate and opulent medieval buildings. Many of these buildings are highly embellished with intricate details including sculptures and gold. Brussels's Grand Place is regarded as one of the finest and most beautiful squares in Europe.
Among the most impressive structures on Grand Place Square is the gorgeous Brussels City Hall and the extravagant King's House (now the Museum van de Stad Brussel). Be sure to also visit this square at night when all the buildings light up.
Just southwest of Grand Place is the famous Manneken Pis fountain, which some may find inappropriate while others find it funny.
Just northeast of Grand Place is the historic Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, an elegant 19th century shopping mall featuring decadent arcade shopfronts covered by an arched glass and iron ceiling. This extraordinary mall is reminiscent of the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade mall in Milan, Italy.
Mont des Arts
Just east of Grand Place is the Mont des Arts (Hill of Arts), a sloped urban complex containing several impressive historic structures built around a park and gardens. The Mont des Arts is best known for its views overlooking the park and city, which you can enjoy from the top of the hill near the Whirling Ear fountain.
Royal Palace of Brussels
Southeast of the Grand Place Square and Mont des Arts is the grandiose neoclassical Royal Palace of Brussels, an 18th century palace with opulent interiors. Unfortunately the palace is only available for tours from the end of July to the beginning of September, however the structure is still quite impressive when admired from outside.
Museums near the Royal Palace
Nearby the Royal Palace you'll find the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, a lavish museum hosting a massive collection of fine art, mainly consisting of Flemish masterpieces and sculptures.
Also nearby the Royal Museum and Royal Palace is the fascinating Musical Instruments Museum, displaying a large collection of historic instruments in a lovely art nouveau structure featuring an important historical collection housed in a lavish structure.
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Among the most iconic and impressive sights in Brussels is the Parc du Cinquantenaire, a park which hosts a massive Triumphal Arch structure surrounded by grandiose colonnades. The entire structure is extremely opulent and also hosts a rooftop deck from which you can enjoy amazing views over the park and city.
Museums of the Parc du Cinquantenaire
The park also hosts several great museums, including the Art & History Museum displaying Belgian artifacts along with ancient Iranian and Egyptian artifacts. Behind this museum is the park's most popular museum, Autoworld, which hosts a wide array of classic vehicles including race cars, vintage cars, luxury vehicles, and much more.
Also popular in the park is the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces & Military History, which hosts an outstanding collection of modern and historic military aircraft. This museum also contains the royal armory, as well as a massive collection of weaponry and military artifacts representing Belgium's long history.
Atomium & Mini-Europe
On the outskirts of Brussels is the popular Mini-Europe, a large park containing intricate scaled-down models of many famous European monuments and buildings.
Adjacent to the Mini-Europe miniature theme park is the iconic Atomium, a massive stainless steel structure rising over 330 feet (100 m) tall which represents the structure of an iron crystal. The Atomium was built for the World Fair in Brussels in 1958 and is among the most famous sights in Belgium.
Churches of Brussels
Just southeast of Mini-Europe and the Atomium is a magnificent royal church, the Eglise Notre-Dame de Laeken. This towering church showcases a stunning and intricate neo-gothic style. Within the church is the Royal Crypt containing the tombs of the Belgian royal family.
Nearby Grand Place and the Royal Gallery is the landmark St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral, a marvelous gothic medieval church with many beautiful stained glass windows.
Another noteworthy church is located near the Royal Palace, the beautiful 15th century Eglise Notre Dame du Sablon, an ornate gothic church with a striking interior.
Espace Leopold
Between the Parc du Cinquantenaire and Grand Place is Espace Leopold, a massive futuristic complex housing the legislative chamber of the European Union. You can tour the European Parliament buildings if you like.
Nearby Espace Leopold you'll find the city's striking Museum of Natural Sciences hosting visually stunning exhibits, most notably its dinosaur fossils and preserved taxidermic displays.
Southwestern Brussels
Museum of the Geuze Brewery
In the southwestern portion of the city center you can visit the Brussels Museum of the Geuze, a popular brewery founded in 1900 which also serves as a living museum of the historic brewing process.and museum.
Halle Medieval Gate
Also in this area is the majestic castle-like Halle Gate, a towering 14th century gate to the medieval city. Within the tower you'll find a small museum of historical objects as well as a rooftop offering striking views over the city.
Palais de Justice
For even better far-reaching views over Brussels you can visit the massive and imposing Palais de Justice, an imposing neoclassical courthouse with astonishingly opulent interiors. This courthouse hosts a rooftop observation deck which offers amazing views over the city.
Greater Brussels
Waterloo
To the south of Brussels near the town of Waterloo you'll find the Lion's Mound, a massive conic hill topped with an impressive lion statue. The Lion's Mound commemorates the early 19th century Battle of Waterloo in which Napoleon's army was defeated, which marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars. From atop the mound you can enjoy excellent views over the countryside.
Below the mound is the underground Memorial 1815 Museum, which contains excellent exhibits related to the battle. Also below the hill is a vast 360 degree mural painted on the wall of a large round building (the Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo) which depicts the battle scene.
You can reach the mound and museum easily from Central Brussels via public transportation (50 minutes) or car (30 minutes).
Gaasbeek Castle
Just west of Brussels near the suburb of Lennik is the grand Kastel van Gaasbeek, a 16th century brickwork castle. Within the castle's interiors you'll find elaborately decorated and furnished medieval rooms you can tour. The castle is surrounded by ponds, woodlands, and quaint gardens which provide a relaxing atmosphere.
This castle can be reached easily via public transportation (45 minutes) or car (30 minutes) from Central Brussels.
Google Maps Attraction Lists
Save Brussels Attraction Lists to your Google Maps Account:
1. Click Link above while logged into Google account on your device.2. Click Follow, and the attraction pins will be saved in your Google Maps.
