10 Reasons to visit Brussels

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10 Reasons to visit Brussels

The City of Brussels or on the other hand Bruxelles-Ville is the biggest district and verifiable focus of the Brussels-Capital Region, as well as the capital of Belgium. It is likewise the authoritative focus of the European Union and is consequently frequently named, alongside the district, the European Union’s capital city.

Brussels is a city full of Art Deco taverns, unique Flemish art, towering Gothic cathedrals, and quaint guild houses. Buzzing with activities all year round, discover the parks with blooming flowers, architectural monuments, historic culture and art while filling up on the famous Belgian chocolates and the huge choice of local beers.

Brussels is also one of the best European cities to go shopping in thanks to its 19th-century shopping arcade. This arcade houses a range of high-end brands some of which have designed clothes for the Belgian Royal Family. The cobbled lanes of the city centre are lined with Michelin-starred restaurants and wood-panelled Art Deco brasseries.

When it comes to European cities to visit, Brussels isn’t always top of people’s lists but we wanted to show you some of the reasons why it absolutely should be. A true gem in the centre of Europe that has everything you could ever dream of for your next holiday.

In this article, we discuss the ten reasons why you can not go without visiting Brussels.

1. Belgian Chocolate Village

Belgians are proud consumers of chocolate (averaging 15 pounds per person every year), and visitors would be remiss to not indulge while in Brussels. Master chocolatier Pierre Marcolini has several boutiques throughout the capital. There’s also the Belgian Chocolate Village, the largest chocolate-centric museum in Belgium, which has a tasting room, a workshop for chocolate-making classes, and a tropical greenhouse to demonstrate the humid conditions needed to grow cacao trees.

2. Maison Particulière Centre d’Art

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This nonprofit art centre on Rue du Chatelain is housed in a beautiful Belgian townhouse, recreating the ambience of an art connoisseur’s private home. Unlike a gallery, the artwork isn’t for sale; Maison’s goal is to inspire artistic appreciation. Several temporary exhibitions are staged throughout the year, and it’s possible to visit without an appointment.

3. Mons 2015

It’s a year-long party in nearby Mons, which is celebrating its title as European Capital of Culture, a designation that it shares with Plzeň (in the Czech Republic) for 2015. Just one hour from Brussels, the lively town has undergone a metamorphosis with new museums and cultural venues galore. There’s a stellar line-up of events in the coming year, and don’t miss the blockbuster exhibition on “Van Gogh in the Borinage” at the Mons Museum of Fine Arts.

4. Michel Lambrecht

Design junkies will find their bliss at this store, opened by a furniture maker who is known for repurposing antiques and giving them a new lease on life. Olga Polizzi, the director of design for Rocco Forte Hotels, frequently travels to Brussels to source décor for her projects. “Michel Lambrecht is one of my favourites. I’ve bought pieces from him for our hotels all over the world.” In addition to his shop on rue Watteau, Lambrecht has a “secret shop” around the corner—a beautiful house filled with spectacular furniture. Personalized visits can be arranged.

5. The Atomium

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The Atomium, built-in 1958, is one of the most popular attractions in Belgium. The 102-metre-tall structure has 9 spheres that are interconnected, 6 of which display exhibitions on Belgian history as well as science, design, and society.

Take a lift up through the central tube of the building and walk through tubes and spheres that are designed to represent a body-centred cubic unit cell of an iron crystal – albeit magnified 165 billion times. Take the elevator to the Atomium’s topmost sphere where you will find a restaurant with panoramic views of the city skyline. Return at night to see the approximately 3,000 lights that illuminate this iconic building.

6. The Game Design store

Alexis Ryngaert, the founder of the Victor Hunt Designart Dealer gallery in Brussels, is the brains behind this shop, which is founded on the idea of showcasing 52 unique design concepts. Yes, 52: Each week, the shop debuts a new piece or design from a different brand or artist, so there’s something new to look forward to all year long. You’ll find lighting, ceramics, décor, and more from some of the leading names in design.

7. Eat Moules et Frites

Moules et Frites combines 2 of Brussels’ specialities – steamed mussels and crispy fries. It typically comes in a pot with about a dozen mussels steamed in white wine, shallots, parsley, and butter accompanied by thick-cut fries.

The best time to enjoy this Belgian staple is from September to December, but you can find it at most brasseries all year round. Locals often recommend Au Vieux Bruxelles (a historical tavern dating back to 1882), Le Zinneke (choose from 70 variations), and Le Chou de Bruxelles (for its homemade fries).

8. Pistolet-Original

What the bagel is to New York, so the pistolet is to Brussels. This small, round bread roll now has its dedicated deli at Pistolet-Original, located in the Sablon district. Choose from a bevvy of sandwich options, topped with high-quality Belgian ingredients—such as meat from butcher Hendrik Dierendonck, cheese from Julien Hazar, and Tierenteyn-Verlent mustard. Even the coffee is roasted locally by the specialists at Corica.

9. Hunting and Collecting

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Aude Gribomont and Niels Radtke launched this boutique-cum-gallery as a shopping experience for the 21st century. It’s as much immersed in culture—with an exhibition space for art and concerts—as it is a haven for the fashion-obsessed. Each season, the concept store is transformed to adapt to a new theme. This is where pop star Stromae debuted his first capsule clothing collection last April in collaboration with Belgian label Mosaert.

10. Brussels Design Market

Pick up fabulous vintage décor from the 1950s-’80s in the largest such dedicated market in Europe, which takes place twice a year (April and September). In the fall, it coincides with Brussels Design September, an annual event that has become a must-visit for design lovers. For the entire month of September, 100 events are staged across the city, and visitors can follow an urban circuit of shops and designer studios.