City break in Brussels: recommendations for tourists

Brussels is not only the political capital of Europe, but also a holiday destination for young people, families and retirees. How to spend time in the city with maximum pleasure, what places and establishments are worth visiting? We will talk about this in this article. We hope that the information will help in organizing a city holiday in Brussels for everyone – from young couples and children to the elderly.

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Where to stay in Brussels

The first thing you need to take care of is finding a place to stay in the capital of Belgium. To do this, we advise you to take into account the budget, location of the hotel or hostel. Consider catering arrangements. The closer to the center, the higher the prices in restaurants and bars. An alternative is to cook your own food. But this can distract from a full-fledged city holiday in Brussels with your family or on your own.

For tourists and independent travelers, we recommend considering the following types of accommodation in Brussels:

• The most expensive options, Marivaux Hotel, Le Plaza, Chambord, are located in the city center. The cost of living is from 110 Euro per night. Usually the price includes breakfast, All programs No inclusive. You can find cheaper hotels for a city break in Brussels in the areas of Saint-Jean-Molenbeek or Vorst. They offer from 60 Euros per day.
• The standard of living in city hostels is often no lower than in hotels and inns. Cost per day – from 50 Euro. Many offers have a shared or private kitchen, which is convenient for organizing meals.
• Apartments, apartments. Realtors offer different types of apartments – from modest studios to luxury apartments. The difference is the price. It ranges from 30-3000 Euros per day.

Another way to find accommodation in Brussels for a city break is to enroll in a program to share with a Belgian family. This will help you get to know the country’s culture, its traditions, and national cuisine better. Be sure to contact your family to discuss all the rules for living together.

Important: check-in time for hotels and hostels starts from 14:00 or 15:00. You must leave before 12:00.

City public transport

To plan a comfortable city holiday in Brussels, we recommend exploring the city’s public transport system. Traveling by taxi or private car is difficult here due to congestion on the streets. The solution is to use the public transport system. It includes the metro, bus and tram lines.

What and how you can get around the Belgian capital:

• The first stations were opened in 1976, at the moment there are more than 60 of them. There are 4 branches that connect all areas of the city. The cost of travel on the Brussels metro is 7 Euros when paying with a contactless card.
• Bus routes. Walloon and Flemish companies are responsible for this direction – (TEC) and (De Lijn). This approach made it possible to connect different municipalities of the capital into a single network. The bus network is over 360 km. Payment for travel is also made with a contactless card, which can be purchased at bus stations and in stores.
• The peculiarity lies in the three underground routes, analogues to the metro lines – 3, 4 and 7. This allows you to move around the capital relatively quickly during a city break in Brussels, which is convenient for independent travelers and tourists.

In addition, there are several taxi services in the city. However, you need to be prepared for heavy traffic jams during rush hour. The solution is to use the metro or tram system. The average taxi fare in Brussels is 3 Euros per 1 km, which is inconvenient for a budget city holiday.

Important: after boarding a tram or bus, use a contactless travel card. The card must be activated to charge the fare.

Sights of Brussels

So, you are planning a holiday in the capital of Belgium. The first thing to do is find out about local museums and attractions. This city with a great historical past, architectural monuments, cathedrals, churches and unique buildings are the golden backdrop of the metropolis. We advise you to find out more about the most famous of them.

Grand Place

The market square began to form in the 12th century on the site where there had previously been swamps. In the 13th century, a new building appeared here – the Bread House, which was used to store ready-made bread. Over time, it became known as the King’s House. It is noteworthy that in Dutch the old name “Bread House” has been preserved, while in French it is called “House of the King”. Between 1402 and 1455, a Gothic town hall was built here, which can be seen during a city break in Brussels. Tourists are allowed to go up to the balcony of the town hall.

After the end of the war, the area was quickly rebuilt within four years thanks to the efforts of wealthy guilds. The reconstruction gave the square an appearance that has largely been preserved to this day. The guild houses were built in the Baroque and Louis XIV style. At the end of the 19th century, the Belgian king Leopold II planned to demolish the square along with the entire medieval center of Brussels, considering it dilapidated and provincial. However, the mayor of Brussels, Charles Buels, managed to preserve the square; a monument to him was erected in the city center.

Each house on the square has its own unique architecture and history. We recommend hiring a tour guide, joining a tour group, or purchasing a Brussels guidebook to better understand the history of the place.

Royal Palace

This is the official residence of the Belgian royal family. The palace is located in the center of Brussels and is one of the city’s most famous historical landmarks. It was built at the end of the 11th century, but was destroyed in 1731 by fire. The modern architectural complex was erected at the beginning of the 19th century century.

Most of the territory is available for urban recreation in Brussels for tourists free of charge. You can also explore part of the palace premises. However, during the stay of the royal family, the entrance to the historical complex is closed.

You are recommended to explore the mirror and imperial rooms, the throne room. Their interior corresponds to the style of the 18th century – luxurious bas-reliefs, hand-made stucco, mosaics and drawings on the walls. Free admission hours are from 10:00 to 17:00 every day of the week from July to September.

Cathedral of St. Michael and Gudula

In 1047, Count Lambert II of Louvain transferred the relics of Saint Gudula to the Church of Saint Michael in Brussels. This was necessary for the founding of the chapter. Later it was given the name Church of Saints Michael and Gudula. Since then, these patron saints have become the official protectors of Brussels and its inhabitants.

The first reconstruction began in 1200 by Henry I of Brabant. The facade took its final form only in 1450, and the interior was completed in 1485. Subsequently, minor restoration work was carried out, the task of which was to maintain the appearance and decoration of the cathedral at the proper level.

From the modern history of the architectural monument, one can note the large restoration work that lasted from 1983 to 1999. In the latter period, the cathedral was visited by Pope Jonah Paul II. Interesting fact: the wedding of King Philip and Mathilde d’Oudekem d’Acoz took place here in 1999. Later, in 2003, Prince Laurent and Claire Combs visited the cathedral for the same purpose.

During a city break in Brussels, we recommend paying attention to the architecture of the building. The exterior consists of two towers, located symmetrically, built in the Gothic style. At an altitude of 64 meters, each of them has viewing terraces that tourists can access.

Brussels food: cafes and restaurants

And, of course, what would a city holiday in Brussels be without national Belgian cuisine. Here you can try European classic dishes, native food from North Africa or Asia. Food prices are more than affordable. Our advice is to avoid the classic tourist routes. Many cafes and restaurants are located on the outskirts of the city, but you can also find options in the center.

Review of popular cafes and restaurants:

• Bia Mara. A small cafe located in the center of Brussels. Here you can order a classic Belgian dish – potatoes with aromatic sauce. There is also a large selection of fish. The average cost of lunch per person is 10 Euro.
• The cafe is located in the central tourist part of the city. We recommend ordering the meatballs, which come with 6 different sauces. The establishment is suitable for family meals. Children love local desserts, and adults love real Belgian beer.
• Maison Antoine. Located on Place Jourdan. The special feature is the well-cooked French fries. They offer several types of sauces for it.
• Family restaurant where you can enjoy Belgian cuisine during a city break in Brussels. Features: classic interior, good service, affordable prices.

Remember that organizing a city holiday in Brussels depends on your goals – to spend time exploring local attractions, just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city. The capital of Belgium offers tourists and independent travelers holidays for every taste and budget.