Why is Brussels worth a visit?

Brussels is by no means only worth a visit for Europe-enthusiasts and those interested in politics. The capital of Belgium and, de facto, of Europe has much more to offer than just EU institutions. At first sight, Brussels may not appear to be a particularly beautiful city. But the colourful mix of extraordinary sights, buildings from various eras and unusual museums always makes visitors discover something new. For those who like to eat and drink, the city is worth a visit anyway. Belgian fries, waffles and chocolate and Belgian beer make Brussels a culinary paradise. And Brussels’ gastronomic scene is also one of the best in Europe.

Here are our top 5 reasons to travel to Brussels

1. Brussels has exceptional sights. The Atomium as a gigantic replica of an iron molecule and the peeing male Manneken Pis are only the two most famous in a whole series of incomparable sights.

2. Brussels is de facto the capital of Europe. Those interested in European politics and contemporary history will find Brussels the hub of the continent. In Brussels you can not only see the most important institutions of the European Union, but also the most important sights of the EU in miniature.

3. Brussels has beautiful squares. The unique Grand Place in the heart of the city is undoubtedly not only the most beautiful square in the city, but one of the most beautiful in the world.

4. Brussels has an interesting and unconventional museum landscape. Where else can you go to a museum about comics or musical instruments?

5. Brussels is a great place to eat and drink. French fries, waffles, chocolate and beer are just the tip of the culinary iceberg that awaits you in the Belgian capital.

For whom is Brussels worth a visit?

Fans of exceptional sights: 

A more than 100-metre high replica of an iron molecule called Atomium, a peeing male called Manneken Pis, a peeing girl called Jeanneke Pis and a park with miniature models of European monuments called Mini-Europe – fans of exceptional sights will see many things in Brussels that do not exist elsewhere.

Europe-enthusiasts and people interested in politics:

As the seat of the main institutions of the European Union, Brussels can be confidently described as the capital of Europe. Anyone who wants to can take a look at the Berlaymont building where the European Commission resides (only from the outside), visit the European Parliament (also from the inside) and pay a visit to the Parliamentarium, the EU Parliament’s visitor centre.

Museum visitors:

Brussels is known for its diverse museum landscape, which covers a very broad and sometimes unusual range of topics. Among other things, there are museums about Belgian comics, musical instruments, chocolate, trains and cars.

Lovers of beautiful squares:

Brussels has a multitude of beautiful squares, each with its own charm. Not only the world-famous Grand Place with its Gothic Town Hall and its closed baroque façade, but also the Place Royale with its beautiful ensemble of neoclassical buildings are worth a visit.

People with a sweet tooth:

For those with a sweet tooth there is hardly a better city than Brussels. The capital of Belgian waffles and Belgian chocolate and praline production is a paradise of delights for all lovers of sweet things.

French fries fans: 

French fries are the Belgian national dish and can be enjoyed nowhere in the world in such perfect preparation as in Brussels. Fresh potatoes are thickly sliced here, fried twice and poured over with an incredible variety of different sauces that make the heart and belly of every French fries lover beat faster.

Beer drinkers:

When it comes to beer, even every German must enviously admit that Belgium is ahead (at least when it comes to the number of different types of beer). In a Brussels pub, it is not uncommon to find more than 50 different kinds of beer in different flavors on the drinks menu. Those who like to drink the barley juice with unconventional flavors will get their money’s worth in the Mecca of beer drinking.

Gourmets:

Brussels does not only make french fries, chocolate and waffle lovers happy. Gourmets also get their money’s worth in the city’s countless restaurants. Brussels people love to eat out, which is reflected in both the extraordinary variety and the excellent quality of the Belgian capital’s gastronomic scene.

Royalists:

Belgium is still a monarchy today. As the residence city of the Belgian royal family, there are two royal residences to admire in Brussels, namely the Royal Palace (as a working residence) in the heart of the city and the Castle of Laeken (as a residence) on the outskirts of the city.

Families and children:

And last but not least, Brussels is also a great place to visit with children. The Autoworld car museum, the Belgian Comic Strip Center, the Choco-Story chocolate museum, the Mini-Europe miniature park, the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Train World railroad museum will make children’s hearts beat faster.

Best time to travel

The best time to visit Brussels is from May to September. This is when the temperatures in the Belgian capital are at their most pleasant and when the sun is most likely to shine. From June to August it can be quite oppressively hot in the city. So if you prefer to explore the city in moderate temperatures, it’s better to visit in late spring or early fall. Due to the proximity of the Atlantic and North Sea, it can rain in Brussels at any time of the year. The weather in late fall and winter is uncomfortably cool and wet, when the rainfall is accompanied by temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Getting there

By car:

Brussels is located just over 150 kilometers west of the German border and is very well connected to the European highway network. The Belgian capital can be reached by car from Cologne, Düsseldorf and other cities in North Rhine-Westphalia in only about two and a half hours.

By train:

The train is an excellent alternative to car and plane for a trip to Brussels. Thalys high-speed trains run from North Rhine-Westphalia to Brussels. The journey from Cologne to Brussels takes only two hours.

By plane:

Brussels has an international airport with daily connections to all major airports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In Germany, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich and Stuttgart have several daily flights from Brussels. In Switzerland there are connections to Basel, Geneva and Zurich. And in Austria, Vienna is connected to Brussels.

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Food and drink

Brussels is a true Mecca for all lovers of culinary delights. There is hardly any other city in Europe where you can eat as well and, above all, as varied as in Belgium’s capital. The culinary spectrum ranges from (supposedly) simple dishes like French fries and waffles to truffles and haute cuisine in all its variations. And last but not least, the incredible selection of Belgian beers alone is a reason to visit Brussels.

If you’re immersed in the Brussels gastro scene, you should start with the Belgian national dish: French fries (or “frittes,” as they’re called in Brussels). After all, the most popular presentation form of the potato was also invented in Belgium. It’s no wonder that frites are not only the classic Belgian street food, but also the number one side dish in upscale restaurants. Brussels frites stalls have perfected the preparation of potato sticks over the years. They are deep-fried twice and are golden and crispy on the outside, but fluffy and floury on the inside. Belgian frites are (mostly) different from German fries in two ways: first, they are made from fresh potatoes and are usually cut relatively thick. Second, they are not just served boringly with ketchup and mayo, but consumed with an incredible range of sauce creations, such as aioli, curry, peanut, and tartar sauce.

A second culinary reason to travel to Brussels is the waffles, which are famous far beyond the city’s borders. The creations made of soft batter are served with a wide variety of toppings and sauces, such as cream, chocolate, bananas or strawberries. Purisitic waffle lovers, however, swear by eating them dusted only with powdered sugar. It is important that the waffle is freshly made and still warm.

Brussels is also worth a trip for those with a sweet tooth for another reason: Belgian chocolate. Even the Swiss will be envious of the variety and creativity of the chocolates and pralines in the stores of the Belgian Maîtres Chocolatiers. Belgian chocolatiers are internationally renowned for their love of experimentation. The flavors of chocolates and pralines are correspondingly diverse. The craftsmanship and the exceptional taste do come at a price. However, it helps you to enjoy the chocolate creations even more. By the way, the Belgians’ love of chocolate does not stop at drinks. It is also gladly enjoyed in the cafés of the city in the form of a hot chocolate. In contrast to Germany, Brussels often does not put a ready-made drink on the table, but serves a glass of hot milk and the chocolate in the form of leaves and drops, which then slowly melt in the liquid. The eye drinks along.

The gastronomic spectrum of Brussels is very wide against the background of the internationality of the city. The many people from all corners of Europe who work for the EU institutions and the many immigrants from southern Europe and Africa who have been coming to Belgium for decades have made Brussels’ restaurant scene one of the most diverse in Europe. Here you’ll find cuisines from all corners of the globe. Of course, you can also enjoy excellent typical Belgian cuisine in Brussels. One of the country’s specialties is mussels, which are served in all variations (with French fries on the side, of course).

As far as beverages are concerned, Belgium, as a country of brewing art, is a true paradise for all beer drinkers. Whether there are 1,000 or even 5,000 different flavors has not yet been clarified. And it doesn’t really matter. What really counts are the extraordinary flavors of Belgian beers. While the emergence of craft beer breweries in Germany has only recently brought diversity in taste, beer has been consumed in Belgium in a wide variety of forms for centuries. It is absolutely not uncommon for the barley juice in Brussels to taste of spices or fruit. Particularly well-known and popular is the so-called “Kriek beer,” which has a slight cherry note.

Sights