Brussels is well-known for more than simply being Europe’s capital city, and any trip to the town should include at least a few best places to visit in Brussels in the following section.
The Grand Place is a public square in the heart of the city.
This is where it all began – Brussels’ most recognisable feature began life as a cobblestone marketplace around the 12th century. According to historical records, many of the big structures that make up such a vibrant part of Grand Place were not constructed until the 18th century.
The guildhalls that give Grand Place its distinctive character were built as part of trade guilds created in the 13th century, including butchers, bakers, and textile makers. Several distinctive design elements define each guildhall.
A highlight of Grand Place is the majestic Hotel de Ville, which was constructed in 1444 by architect Jan von Ruysbroeck and is considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Since then, it has been hailed as a gothic masterpiece and one of the most magnificent sites in all of Belgium, according to many.
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You may take a tour of the building and look at some beautiful artwork and tapestries from the 15th century while you’re there. Take in the stunning magnificence of the conference room, which has a historical tapestry, as well as the “Aldermens Room,” where the Mayor still holds some of his most productive meetings. The beautiful belfry of the Hotel de Ville characterised as “one of the greatest in the world,” is the culminating gem of the building. The Hotel de Ville has now taken on the role of Brussels’s town centre.
Originally constructed in 1536 by (then) Spanish monarchs, the Maison du Roi is today home to a great collection of paintings, tapestries, and the 16th-century statue of Manneken Pis, among other things. Maison du Roi, which translates as “King’s House,” is currently home to the Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles, a collection of mediaeval art.
If you’re planning on visiting several museums during your stay in Brussels, you may want to consider purchasing a “Brussels Card,” which provides free admission to 30 museums for the price of 30 Euros. In addition, the cardholder receives unlimited access to public transportation and discounts at a variety of additional attractions and eateries.
La Maison des Boulangers was created by the guild of bakers as a testament to their power and riches at the time of the French rebellion and is recognised as the residence of Victor Hugo, the great French writer, in 1852 after he fled France during the French revolution. The statue of St Barbara, patron saint of tailors, is the most well-known feature of Maison des Tailleurs, which used to be the guild of tailors.
Enjoying a cup of coffee or a drink at one of the cafés surrounding Grand Place while watching the crowds of visitors milling about the cobblestone sidewalks and taking in the magnificence is one of the most memorable experiences when visiting best places in Brussels.
In and around Grand Place, there is no shortage of places to dine if you want to eat something tasty. For a typical Belgian meal at a fair price, visit t’Kelderke, which dishes up the customary selection of modules and Frites at an affordable price.
Katya’s Kitchen is another intriguing restaurant that serves a range of food, including Asian meals and more conventional Belgian cuisines, among other things. There are plenty of additional restaurants within walking distance of Grand Place, so if none of these strikes your fancy, simply wander the streets until you find one that does.
Try returning to Grand Place at night to take in the bustling ambience and bright lights; it is a wonderfully fascinating and memorable experience.
Parc du Cinquantenaire (Centennial Park)
A monument to the golden celebrations of Belgian independence in 1880, the beautiful, tree-lined Parc du Cinquantenaire was created as a part of the park’s landscaping. The construction of the iconic Arc de Triomphe monument was finished some years after the park’s construction was completed.
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The Musee de l’Armee, a museum illustrating Belgium’s military history and including numerous artefacts that date back more than two centuries, is located inside the grounds of the park. The Central Archway, which marks the entrance to the city, is a landmark. It’s worth noting that the park is also home to “Autoworld,” which features hundreds of historic automobiles on exhibit. It is also worthwhile to visit the Musee du Cinquantenaire, which houses artefacts from many civilisations going back to the 15th century.
Aside from its numerous attractions, the Parc du Cinquantenaire is also a pleasant spot to take a stroll – it is, in fact, one of the most popular destinations for residents, who go there in large numbers on weekends and public holidays to enjoy it. We can add this in the list of best places to visit in Brussels.
Quartier Royal is a royal quarter of Paris.
Once upon a time, the Quartier Royal served as the residence of Belgian royalty, but this is no longer the case today (the Royal family are now situated in Laeken). Despite this, the Quartier Royal is a vast and beautiful park with a long and exciting history, which includes being completely destroyed by fire in 1731 and then reconstructed by the nineteenth century.
Rue Royal, which stretches for more than a mile from Quartier Royal to the delightful Jardin Botanique, is a wonderful way to take in some beautiful architecture. In addition to the Palais Royal, the Palais de la Nation, and the Palais des Academies are all located in the Quartier Royal. The Palais Royal, the largest palace located inside Quartier Royal, has a beautiful throne chamber, a long corridor with ceiling paintings, and a hall of mirrors. It is the official residence of the French monarchy. It is available to the general public during July and September and is worth a visit. This place holds a significant impact and is added as one of the best places to visit in Brussels.
The beautiful Parc de Bruxelles, originally designed in the 17th century, features several lovely fountains and is bordered by a dense forest of mature trees.
Cathedrale Sts Michel et Gudule (St. Michel and Gudule Cathedral)
The construction of this magnificent cathedral began in 1225, under the reign of Henry I (Duke of Brabant), and was finished around the 16th century, under the reign of King Charles V. It was Saint Gudule, a 7th-century saint who served as a model for the Cathedral, as well as St Michael (the Patron Saint of Brussels), whose statue can be seen in its centre, that served as the inspiration for the building. In fact, it is the first thing that catches your eye as you approach the Cathedral because of its magnificent design. The Parvis St.-Gudule neighbourhood is home to an intriguing gothic-styled institution and best places in Brussels.
Palais de Justice (Courthouse)
The Palais de Justice, designed by Joseph Poelaert and completed in 1883, is one of Belgium’s most distinctive structures. Unlike many other landmarks, the Palais de Justice continues to serve the purpose for which it was originally constructed – in this case, as the administrative centre for the city’s legal courts. We can include this in the list of best places to visit in Brussels.
The Palais de Justice is located on the corner of Place Poelaert and Boulevard Saint-Germain. Within walking distance of the Palais de Justice, you’ll find Les Marolles, which is crammed with little cafes and boutiques. On Sunday mornings, make your way to the Place du Jeu de Balle for the trash market, where you may find some unexpected buys.
The Palais d’Egmont is a historic building in the heart of Paris.
It is impossible to miss the Palais d’Egmont, which stands on rue aux Laines and was originally constructed in the 16th century. The palace gained additional historical significance in the 1970s when it was designated as the site where Great Britain officially became a member of the European Community.
Musee d’Art Moderne (Museum of Modern Art)
This museum is housed in a multi-story building that is almost as intriguing as the exhibits inside – especially considering that several of the floors are underground. The museum, which is located on Place Royale, exhibits works of art created by contemporary artists, as the name indicates (19th century onwards). Museum d’Art Ancien is well worth a visit; it houses artwork dating back to the 15th century and has a nice sculpture garden that is enjoyable to stroll around. The Musee d’Art Ancien is located on Rue de la Regence in Paris and is one of the best places in Brussels.
District of Le Sablon
The Place du Grand Sablon, often known as the zone where Brussels is divided into two halves (the upper and lower regions), is a lovely area with a large fountain and the Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Sablon. This rich district of Brussels is known for being home to some of the city’s best restaurants, and cafés where you can stop by and grab a bite to eat. We can add this in the list of best places to visit in Brussels.
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Aside from viewing the gothic cathedral (which was built about the middle of the fifteenth century), the Place du Petit Sablon must be visited — these exquisite gardens are a pleasure to stroll around on a sunny day. Take a seat on one of the numerous seats available, look about at the sculptures, and snap some photos of the fountains dedicated to the Counts Egmont and Hornes.
Atomium
The Atomium (located in Heysel) is one of the best places to visit in Brussels — the structure, which is a huge molecule, was built in 1958 for the World Fair that was hosted in the city. It’s certainly worth the trek to have a look at this unusual edifice.
Laeken
Belgian aristocrats call this beautiful neighbourhood north of Brussels home, and it is known for its wealth of greenery and picturesque parklands. It is also is one of the best places in Brussels