Take a city break in Brussels
The unique mix of French and Flemish culture has created a fascinating city with amazing architecture and wonderful museums and galleries. With countless tourist attractions, and located less than 2 hours from London, Brussels is the perfect place to take a city break.
Explore the streets
Staying in self-catering Brussels accommodation will give you the chance to explore the attractive medieval streets. The old city center is easily explored on foot. Here you’ll find the Grand Place, a World Heritage site that is a blaze of colour in August during the annual Flower Carpet. You’ll find the square is surrounded by gorgeous guildhouses in Flemish baroque style. On the west end is the Gothic Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and opposite that is the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles. Eat waffles and Belgian chocolate while you people-watch at one of the many cafés that surround the bustling square.
When you’ve seen all that you want to at the Grand Place, a short walk away you’ll find Brussels’ famous mascot, the cheeky “Manneken Pis”. Tourist information and possible walking routes around the city are available from the Brussels Tourism Office at the Grand Place. Daily bike tours allow you to see the main sights in approximately 3.5 hours.
On a city break in Brussels you should also make time to see some of the fantastic collection of art in the city. When you’re touring the city you’ll get to see the Art Nouveau Horta Museum, the Museum of Fine Art, and Surreal art at the Magritte Museum, to name just a few.
Other attractions you won’t want to miss are the Comic Strip Centre, St Michel’s Cathedral, the Royal Palace and Parks, the Parc du Cinquantenaire-Jubelpark, the unique Atomium, and the Brussels Beer Museum. The real beauty of Brussels though, lies in small cafés, charming chocolate shops and undiscovered gems that await visitors around every corner.
Fill your bags
A Brussels city break is the perfect opportunity to fill your bags with goodies. The fashion-conscious can buy trendy clothes at fashion boutiques on rue Antoine Dansaert. The Belgians are master-chocolatiers so you can’t stay in a Brussels holiday apartment and not come home with some tasty chocolates. And don’t forget about the fabulous antiques. There is no better place to shop for antiques than the cobbled streets of the Sablon district. Round off your Brussels city break with a trip to the Jeu de Balle weekend market.
Spend an afternoon out
Although there is plenty to see and do in Brussels, cities like Ghent and Bruges are an easy train ride from the city and worth a visit if you want to spend an afternoon out. In Ghent you can visit Saint Bavo Cathedral, St. Nicholas’ Church, the Museum Voor Vormgeving and Gravensteen (Castle of the Count). In beautiful Bruges you can cruise the canals, amble through the Beguinage gardens or enjoy the view from the Church of Our Lady.
Whether you’ve come to enjoy the local brew, to buy antiques, to indulge in chocolate or just to enjoy the delightful blend of French and Flemish culture, Brussels is a great destination for a short city break in Europe.