BRUSSELS TRAVEL GUIDE
Often eclipsed by heavyweight northern European capitals such as Paris and Amsterdam, Brussels (Bruxelles in French; Brussel in Dutch) remains a rewarding discovery rather than an obvious choice. Far more than a hub of politics and policy, it blends international flair with architectural elegance, distinctive character, rich gastronomy and a deep cultural scene. Like the Belgians themselves, the city is unassuming and quietly confident, yet it wins over anyone who explores it.
STAY
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Cardo Brussels (hotel)
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Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels
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Hotel Amigo
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Juliana Hotel Brussels (boutique)
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Le Dixseptieme (boutique hotel)
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Made in Catherine (boutique hotel)
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Made in Louise (boutique hotel)
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Odette en Ville (boutique hotel)
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The Dominican Brussels (hotel)
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The Hoxton Brussels (hotel)
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The National Hotel Brussels (near BRU airport with golf course)
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The Standard Brussels (hotel)
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YOOMA Urban Lodge Brussels (comic)
EAT
- A Casa Mia (Italian)
- BOZAR Restaurant (**Michelin)
- Fin de Siecle (Belgian)
- Humus x Hortense (*Michelen vegetarian)
- Kamo (*Michelin Japanese)
- L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
- La Bonne Chère (modern French)
- La Buvette (French)
- Le Chalet de la Foret (**Michelin)
- Le Damoiselle (Belgian)
- Le Pigeon Noir (*Michelin, Belgian)
- Le Wine Bar des Marolles (French-Belgian)
- Les Brigittines (Belgian)
- Maison Vincent (Belgian)
- Nénu (Vietnamese)
- Taverne du Passage (Belgian)
DRINK
- Arthur Orlans (cocktail bar)
- Belga Queen Cocktail Bar
- Brasserie Surrealiste (craft brewery)
- Chalet Robinson (island bar)
- Delirium Village (beer bar)
- Floyd's (gastrobar)
- Kage (Japanese tea and cocktail bar)
- La Phamacie Anglaise (cocktail bar)
- Le Cirio (brasserie)
- Life is Beautiful (cocktail bar)
- Poechenellekelder (beer hall)
- Rooftop 58 (best views of Brussels)
- Taverne Esperance (Art Deco bar)
- Tich (café)
- Under the Stairs (cocktail bar)
- Vertigo (cocktail bar)
- Winehouse Osteria (wine bar)
SHOP
- Artisans Sans Carbone (sustainable artisan gifts)
- Coutume (made in Belgium accessories in Corinthia hotel)
- Dotspot (funny Belgian gifts)
- Ganterie Italienne (leather gloves)
- Genicot (rare books)
- La Chapelière (handmade hats)
- Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
- Manneke (souvenir crafts)
- Natan (haute couture for women)
- Rue Antoine Dansaert
- Sucré (cuberdons/Belgian foods)
- Taschen (artsy books)
- TINTIN shop (comic-related items)
- Urban Therapy (unique gifts)
- VISITFlanders shop
EXPERIENCE
- Belgian Beer Weekend, Sept
- Bel’Oeuf giant chocolate eggs, April
- BRAFA art fair, Jan/Feb
- Bright Brussels, Feb
- Brussels Intl. Fantastic Film Festival, April
- Cantillon brewery tour, daily except Wed
- Crossbow guild, Tue afternoons
- EAT Festival, Sept
- EU Day, May
- Flower Carpet, Aug 2026 (biennial)
- Meyboom, 9 Aug
- Nuit Blanche, Oct
- Ommegang, July
- Photo Brussels, Jan/Feb
- Plaisirs d’Hiver, Dec
- Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, Apr-May
- Tram Experience, daily except Mon
MUST-SEE
- Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule
- Hotel Solvay (Art Nouveau)
- KANAL art & architecture museum (Nov 2026)
- La Bourse / Belgian Beer World
- La Grand-Place
- Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
- Manneken Pis
- Mont des Arts Garden
- Musée des Instruments de Musique
- Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique
- Palais Royal (inside 22 July-Aug 2027)
- Parc Cinquantenaire
- Parcours BD comic mural route
- Parlamentarium museum
- Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie












