World Travel Guide

Home -  City Guide  - Brussels  - Sightseeing
Sightseeing

With the exception of Grand-Place and the narrow streets nearby, sightseeing in Brussels is relatively crowd free. From a choice of some 70 museums, the visitor can view a favourite Rubens or Magritte, free from queues and crowds. All museums have bilingual labelling (French and Flemish). English is not always used, but English-language leaflets are often available.

The historic centre around Grand-Place, easily covered on foot, is home to a cluster of alluring museums, including museums dedicated to beer, chocolate and lace-making. Certain sights and sensations are obligatory, such as glimpsing the trickle of water flowing from the Manneken-Pis and stroking the bronze statue of the ghoulish Charles-Everard de T'Serclaes - said to bring good luck.

However, the city has much more to offer. The public transport system works well enough to safely deposit the walk-weary tourist in Brussels' distinct districts - the modern Quartier des Institutions EuropÉennes; aristocratic Sablon near the Place Royal; vibrant working class Marolles south of Grand-Place; St-Gilles, with its splendid examples of Victor Horta's Art Nouveau architecture; and Heysel far out to the northwest, with its memories of the triumph of the 1958 Exhibition and the tragedy of the Heysel stadium disaster.

Visitors should not miss the newly opened Museum of Musical Instruments in the splendid Victor Horta-designed Art Nouveau Old England Building, at the Place Royale, Montagne de la Cour 2 (tel: (02) 545 0130).

Tourist Information

Office de Tourisme et d'Information de Bruxelles (TIB)
Hôtel de Ville, Grand-Place, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (02) 513 8940. Fax: (02) 513 8320.
Opening hours: Daily April-Dec 0900-1800, (closed Sun from mid-Dec to Mar).

Passes
The Tourist Passport, available for BFr300 from Brussels tourist offices, offers cut-price admission to selected museums and popular attractions and two one-day travel cards. The Musts of Brussels is also available for BFr600 and offers discounts to nine top attractions, including the Atomium, Brewery Museum, Comic Strip, Auto World and Mini-Europe.



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
History
Language
Accommodation
 
GETTING THERE
Air
Road
Rail
 
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife
Sport
Shopping
Culture
Special Events
Food and Drink