Updated February 2020.

Capital of Europe

It is considered the "Capital of Europe" for the seat of the European Union (EU) is located in the historic "European Quarter", and it partakes in  international governance and business.

The origin of the name "Brussels" stems from one of the Old Dutch words of Bruocsella, Broekzele or Broeksel, meaning "marsh", "home", or "settlement", as the first settlers first built upon the marshy land.
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Tips

Brussels into four places worth visiting: Eastern Parks, Downtown, Northern Atomium, and Western. You can start in whichever area you’d like, but I would recommend the order set forth. However, depending on timing, it may also be good to end with Downtown since some of the other attractions close earlier in the winter months.
Getting Around​
It is easy to walk around the entire town, but it is recommended to take the metro and tram. They work quite efficiently and a 24-hour pass costs 7.50€.

Travel Tip: The red dots on the signs on the metro station indicate where each metro train is at, NOT which stops it will stop at.
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Metro Sign on the Metro stand

Eastern Parks

Visited in winter, so I don't have the best photos since it was cloudy and in winter, but I hear they are beautiful in summer.

Start at the Merode metro station and walk through
  • Square Ambiorix and Parvis Marie Louise: Beautiful pond, fountain, and small garden.
  • Parc du Cinquantenaire: Park with arch and buildings to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. The Royal Military, Cinquantenaire, and AutoWorld Museums can all be found here as well.
  • Parc Leopold: Pond fed by the Maelbeek stream with rare birds, trees, and the occasional ancient building siting.
  • Brussels Park: First public park in Brussels between the Federal Parliament and the Royal Palace, the former palace of the Royal Family. The park reminds me of the Jardin de Luxembourg.
  • Square du Petit Sablon: Charming, hidden park right by the church Église Notre-Dame au Sablon that is surrounded by a fence 48 bronze statuettes, manicured garden, and a beautiful fountain at the back.

Downtown

From Square du Petit Sablon, you can make your way to either the Palais de Justice which is right down the street, or you can head northwest towards downtown. You may also end up downtown later in the evening, so do not feel obligated to see everything in this list when you are there, since the Atomium and the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg are both time-sensitive and require daylight hours to see the views.
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  • Palais de Justice: Law court that is still under repair after many, many years
  • Musical Instruments Museum: Located within a quaint Gothic building that houses collections of old musical instruments.
  • Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium: Group of art museums that showcase art from the 15th century to modern day.
  • Mont des Arts: Urban complex and historic site in the centre with the public library, the national archives, the square, and a public garden.
  • Saint Michael and St. Gudule’s Cathedral: Medieval Roman Catholic Church consecrated by to the two patron saints of Brussels.
  • Belgisch Stripcentrum – Museum: Comic book museum that details rotating comic book artists and authors. While the descriptions are in French and English, all the comics strips displayed are shown are in French.
  • Grand Place:
    • Brussels City Museum: Neo-gothic building that tells the history of the Brussels and the original location of the Mannekin Pis. The building is called the King's House or Bread House building, based on the language.
    • Hôtel de Ville (City Hall): The only remaining medieval building of the Grand Place and a masterpiece of civil Gothic architecture.
    • Belgian Brewers Museum: Brewery museum that's only open on Fridays and Saturdays.​
  • Saint Catherine Church: Catholic church with a Victorian-style interior and light shows on the outside during holidays.
  • Peeing Trio: Brussels is strange because they have three bronze statues of a girl, a boy, and a dog peeing on the street, yet the fine for public urination is 120€. Mannekin Pis (the boy) is the most well-known and replicas can be found in shops all over. He is also dressed up during different holidays.
    • Jeanneke Pis (near Delirium café): statue of a young girl peeing.
    • Mannekin Pis (near good waffle stores): statue of a young boy peeing.
    • Het Zinneke (near Saint Catherine Church): statue of a dog peeing.

Northern Atomium

  • Atomium: Iconic building resembling an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. It was originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World Expo.
  • Parc and Château de Laeken: Château de Laeken is official residence of the Royal Belgian family, but it is closed off to the public (of course), but one can explore the beautiful gardens around the area.
  • Église Notre-Dame de Laeken: Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic church
Picture
The Atomium

Western

  • National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg: A Roman Catholic Minor Basilica and parish church dedicated to the Sacred Heart based off the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur in Paris.
    • The viewing area from the top of the Basilica is supposedly incredible. In winter months, the lift closes at 4:00 PM and in summer, it closes at 6:00 PM.
  • Belgian Chocolate Village Museum: Chocolate museum with exhibits, samples, history, and workshops.

Restaurants

  • Brasserie de la Ville: Authentic Belgian cuisine. Highly recommend their cherry beer, La Kriek.
  • Chez Patrick: Cozy little restaurant for beers and Belgian food as well.
  • Tonton Garby: Sandwich shop for quick foods
  • Delirium Café: Popular bar for beer
  • Le Gaufrier: Place for Brussels-style waffles, but the whole street by Mannekin Pis has some great looking waffles.
  • Neuhaus: Delicious Belgian chocolates

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