Brussels

Brussels was the first stop of our winter trip in February 2025: the capital of Belgium and of the European Union, with one of the most beautiful squares in the world, art nouveau buildings and chocolate shops on every corner.

Where to Sleep?

We stayed at Hotel des Colonies Brussels by Mercure, close to the center.

Tip: The prices and opening hours here are the ones we noted when we planned the trip. Check them before you go.

1. Brussels Cathedral

The Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula, which took 300 years to build. Entry to the church is free. The treasury, crypt and archaeological site have small separate tickets of €1 to €4.

2. Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

An elegant 19th-century shopping arcade with a glass roof, home to the great Belgian chocolatiers like Neuhaus and Leonidas, boutiques and cafés.

3. The Grand Place

The heart of Brussels, surrounded by guild houses covered in gold. It is beautiful by day and even more so at night, when it is lit up. Look out for:

• The Town Hall: the oldest building on the square and a masterpiece of Brabantine Gothic.
• The Maison du Roi, the King's House, now the Museum of the City of Brussels, with the original Manneken Pis statue. Entrance was €10 (€4 for students), closed on Mondays.
• The House of the Dukes of Brabant: seven houses behind a single façade.
• Le Pigeon, where Victor Hugo lived in exile in 1852.
• Le Renard, Le Cornet and Le Roy d'Espagne, old guild houses. Le Roy d'Espagne is now the square's most popular bar.
• The Broodhuis, the Bread House, where the city's bread market was held for centuries.

Just off the square is the bronze statue of Everard t'Serclaes. Touching his arm is said to bring good luck.

4. Manneken Pis

The famous little bronze boy, from the early 17th century, much smaller than everyone expects.

5. The Old England Building

An art nouveau department store from 1899, now the Musical Instruments Museum, with more than 2,000 instruments. The café on the roof has a great view over the city.

Tip: The Art Nouveau Pass (€20) gets you into the Musical Instruments Museum and two other art nouveau buildings.

6. The Royal Palace and the Mont des Arts

The official palace of the Belgian king, on Brussels Park, only open to visitors in summer. Next to it is the church of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg.

7. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts

Three museums in one: the Old Masters (Bruegel, Bosch, Rubens), the Fin-de-Siècle Museum and the Magritte Museum, dedicated to the Belgian surrealist.

8. The Palace of Justice

When it was finished in 1883 it was the largest building in the world. Poelaert Square, at its entrance, has one of the best views of Brussels. Free to enter on weekdays.

9. Notre-Dame du Sablon

A Gothic church famous for its stained glass, in the elegant Sablon district. Free to enter.

10. The European Quarter

The European Commission and the European Parliament. The Parlamentarium visitor center and the House of European History are free and open every day, but book online.

11. Parc du Cinquantenaire

A park with a monumental arch, built for the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. Autoworld, inside, is one of the best car collections in the world.

12. Le Botanique

The old botanical garden with its beautiful greenhouses, now a concert venue.

13. The Atomium

A model of an iron atom 100 meters tall, built for the 1958 World Fair in Heysel Park. Tickets were €16 (€8.50 for students).

Where to eat

Rue des Bouchers, near the Grand Place, is a lively street full of restaurants serving traditional Belgian food.