Brussels
Belgium
- Safety rating
- 7.8/10
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October for mild weather. December for spectacular Christmas market at Grand Place. July for the Belgian National Day on Grand Place (free concerts, fireworks).
- Population
- 1.2M
Overview
Brussels is an underestimated gem — a city of extraordinary Art Nouveau architecture (Victor Horta's masterpieces), the Grand Place (one of Europe's most beautiful squares), 2,000+ varieties of Belgian beer, hand-made chocolates, the original Manneken Pis, and an unexpected street food scene of frites and waffles. As the EU capital, it's one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities.
Top attractions
Grand Place, Atomium, Manneken Pis, Mini-Europe, Horta Museum, Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Musée Magritte, Place du Châtelain, Sablon antiques district, Comic Strip Route, Bruges (day trip)
Getting around
Metro, trams, and buses cover the city well. The STIB app for navigation. Brussels is Schengen's de facto hub — Thalys/Eurostar trains reach London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne quickly. Walking around the Ilôt Sacré area is rewarding.