Brussels - what to see in the capital of Belgium. What to see in Brussels? The main sights of Brussels on the map

As the capital of Belgium, the city of Brussels is the main center of the country and the entire European Union. Not surprisingly, Brussels offers many exciting attractions, including street markets, a stunning royal palace, over a dozen fantastic museums, many breweries and shops. All of these places will guarantee you maximum enjoyment. When visiting Brussels, do not forget that there are also very interesting places outside the city. These day trips from Brussels cover not only Belgium but neighboring countries as well. So let's start our exciting journey around Brussels.

About an hour's drive west from Brussels is the Belgian city of Tournai with a unique history. For a short period of time, the city was under British rule, which was reflected in its architecture and culture. Today, many visitors head to Tournai to see its magnificent cathedral. Be sure to climb the bell tower for stunning views of the entire city center. Much of the architecture around the cathedral dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, so even a short self-guided tour can be a fascinating dive into the history of the Middle Ages. The Museum of Fine Arts of Tournai is significantly underestimated and houses works by Rubens, Monet and Van Gogh. Thus, after sightseeing in Brussels, you can diversify your vacation and visit other cities in Belgium.

Even if you do not consider yourself a history buff, you probably still heard about the Battle of Waterloo. It was in this historic battle that Napoleon lost his final battle against the Duke of Wellington. Today you can visit the field of this epic defeat of 1815. The site is marked by a man-made hill and is known as the Lion Embankment. Climb the steps to the top of the embankment where the adorable lion sculpture is located. The observation deck offers a 360-degree view of the entire battlefield. On the weekend closest to the anniversary of the battle (June 18), large-scale reconstructions are being carried out, to see which tens of thousands of spectators come. Waterloo is located just 30 km south of Brussels, making it ideal for an exciting day trip.

A 2-hour train ride north of Brussels takes you to Amsterdam. The Dutch capital is a breathtaking city of incredible scenic beauty. Dubbed the Venice of the North, Amsterdam has many canals that stretch along the entire city and far beyond. If you are here for just one day, then it is better to spend it in the medieval city center. This part of Amsterdam is famous for the 17th century Royal Palace as well as the home of the legendary painter Rembrandt. Also don't miss the slightly touristy but undeniably beautiful floating flower market on the Singel Canal.
Dinant

Located in southwestern Belgium, Dinant is located in the French-speaking region of Wallonia, just 90 minutes from Brussels. Dinant is located on the banks of the Meuse River, and among its main attractions is the striking Citadel of Dinant. The citadel was built in the 19th century on the coastal cliffs, offering breathtaking views. To get to the Citadel of Dinant, you will have to overcome several hundred steps carved into the cliff, or take a cable car. Don't miss the chance to visit the adjoining museum with medieval exhibits and interesting art from the region. Dinant is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium worth visiting.

A short 45-minute train or car ride north of Brussels will take you to Antwerp. This city is known as the center of trade and economy in Belgium. Antwerp is a thriving fashion and jewelery industry, but there are also many cultural attractions to visit. If you love art, then by all means take the time to visit the so-called Rubenshuis. Baroque painter Rubens once lived in this house. Also don't miss your chance to visit the Antwerp Art Museum. For souvenirs, head to Meir, one of the most famous shopping destinations in all of Belgium.
Maastricht

To the east of Brussels is the Dutch region of Limburg, where the extremely interesting city of Maastricht is located. The city is a true melting pot of architectural styles and culture thanks to its location just a few kilometers from Germany and Belgium. While walking around Maastricht, you should definitely visit the two largest squares: Markt and Vrijthof. In addition to the historic architecture and world-class museums, guests can be intrigued by the caves. These caves were created as a shelter in the past centuries, and during the Second World War, famous works of art were hidden here.
Luxembourg

Luxembourg is just two hours southeast of Brussels. The capital Luxembourg is divided into different districts. If you are interested in medieval architecture, then you should focus on the High City, or Ville Haute. Be sure to visit Bock, a series of natural fortifications dating back to the 10th century. They were designed to protect the city from invasion and have survived to this day. Fans of something more modern will love the Grand-Duc Jean Museum of Contemporary Art, known among the locals simply as MUDAM. Here you can find many outstanding works from famous masters of our time.
Ghent

To the north of Brussels lies Ghent, a city with a unique blend of history and modern attractions. During the Middle Ages, Ghent was the main center of Belgium, and this influence can be clearly seen when walking around the city. Ghent is also famous for its beautiful 15th-century Ghent Altarpiece, or Van Eyck's painting The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Today this marvelous piece of art is housed in the Cathedral of St. Bavo. Ghent canal cruises are also incredibly popular. This is a great way to see more of the city's attractions on a day trip from Brussels.
Bruges

Heading northwest from Brussels towards the North Sea, you will reach Bruges in about one hour. Bruges is a lovely Belgian city that has retained much of its past charm. The predominantly pedestrianized historic city center is best explored on foot. Bruges is surrounded by a circular canal, which makes it easy to navigate the city. The central square of the Grote Markt is home to the famous bell tower. You can climb to the top and be rewarded with amazing panoramic views of the city.

Capital of Belgium - Brussels city- located on the river Seine, and the first mention of it dates from the records 966 of the year. The city began to acquire its modern look during the great restructuring. Xviii century, when successful townspeople began to build their palaces around the king's house. The final appearance of the city took shape in the second half of the XX century, after Brussels became the center of the united.

Attractions of Brussels (Belgium) with photos and descriptions

The main sights of Brussels are located in its historical center, which in turn is divided into the Lower and Upper Towns. Well-to-do artisans lived in the Lower City and there was a Stock Exchange and a House of Justice. And the Upper City belonged to the aristocracy. The tourist will be met here palace and park ensembles.

Did you know? Most of Brussels' highways have been moved to underground tunnels, so nothing will prevent you from enjoying a walk around the city.

Architectural landmarks

Brussels- a city with very beautiful architecture. Most of the buildings are built in the Gothic and Baroque style. The best of the architectural monuments:

Brussels town hall on the Grand Place - erected in 1420 in the Gothic style, and in 1455 its bell tower was crowned with a statue of Michael defeating the serpent. Today the building is recognized as a UNESCO site, and, as before, is the reception of the mayor of the city.

Royal Palace- the residence of the rulers of Belgium, erected at the end of the 11th century. The building is located between Brussels Park and Palace Square in the heart of Brussels. Previously, the royal family lived here, but today only audiences are held.

King's house- built in the Gothic style in the 13th century and has changed many roles during its history. The building served as a warehouse, tax office and even a prison, until it became the seat of governors who enjoyed royal privileges. The current appearance returned to the palace in the 19th century, for which they used drawings from 1515.

Atomium- a modern architectural landmark and a symbol of scientific progress. The model was installed for the World's Fair in 1958 and symbolizes the pursuit of a "peaceful atom". The pipes of the statue are equipped with escalators and lead to the observation deck.

The capital of Belgium also has many monuments of religious architecture:

Basilica of the Sacre Coeur;
st michael's cathedral;

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
abbey of Cambrai.

Of modern buildings, tourists will be interested in skyscrapers such as Central Plaza or Twin Towers, as well as buildings of various services of the European Union.

Monuments

In Brussels, there are a lot of monuments and sculptures dedicated to both prominent residents of the city and literary characters and even comic situations. The most famous, of course, Peeing statues:

Manneken pis- a sculpture of a peeing boy. Established around the 16th century, but the exact date is unknown, and today there is information that builds the foundation to 1388 year. Around the monument, there are many funny legends, as if the boy saved the city from a fire or extinguished enemy ammunition burning under the walls of the city by urinating on them. The fountain itself is small (only 61 centimeters) and has more than 2000 outfits in its collection.

Jeanneke pis- a fountain dedicated to a pissing girl, quite young, it was built in 1985 year sculptor Denis-Adriano Debouvry. The sculpture, measuring only 50 centimeters, is a parody of a peeing boy.

Zinneke pis- the monument to the peeing dog was erected in 2000 and, according to the author's idea, symbolizes the unification of cultures in Brussels. The bronze mongrel is made, in contrast to the monuments to the boy and girl, in full size.

Did you know? All three sculptures of the "writing composition" are not as chaotic as it might seem at first glance. They are located at the edges of the historical part of Brussels and form an isosceles triangle with sides of 500 meters.

Other interesting monuments:

Column of Congress;
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza;
monument to van gogh.

monument to Gottfried of Bouillon;
sculpture "The Abduction of Europa".

City parks

Brussels is rightfully called one of the greenest cities in the world, because within the metropolitan region there are more than 100 park facilities, the best of which are:

Park Miniature Europe, which features 300 miniature copies of the best attractions in Europe. Located at Bruparck, 1020.
50th Anniversary Park was founded in 1880 year to the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Belgium. The park complex includes a number of architectural structures and museums that will be of interest to tourists.
Petit Sablon Garden Is one of the most attractive holiday destinations in Brussels. The garden has 48 statues, a fountain and a Gothic-style fence.
Brussels park- the largest in the city, with an area of 13.1 hectares. It was founded in 1783 year in style - with clear geometric proportions.

Park Miniature Europe

Brussels museums

In addition to museums dedicated to natural history or art, there are many places in Brussels that display unusual exhibits. Here are the most interesting ones:

Beldverhal Center- will tell you the history of the development of Belgian comics. It features all the best examples of comics in various languages from 650 artists.

Celebrity Lingerie Museum- a rather unusual place, which presents wardrobe items of famous politicians and show business figures, as well as their photo collages. The collection includes several dozen items, and its obligatory condition is that underwear must be worn.

Brewing museum- dedicated to the famous Guez beer. The museum is open in 1978 year by Cantillon Brewery to educate consumers of this product.

Autoworld- a museum dedicated to old cars. There are several hundred rare items in his collection.

What a tourist can see in Brussels in 3 days

It is very difficult to see all the sights of Brussels in one day. Therefore, if you have two or three whole days left for the excursion, you are incredibly lucky!
What to see in Brussels for the 1st day of stay

And yet, what to see in Brussels in one day if you came to this city for a short time? Of course, you need to take a must-see walk through all the "peeing monuments" of this city!

Start with Monument to the pissing boy, in the city center at the corner of Rue du Chêne / Eikstraat and Rue de l'Étuve / Stoofstraat.
Next find pissing girl monument in the lane Impasse de la Fidelite.
The third sculpture is dedicated to pissing dog at the intersection of Rue des Chartreaux and Rue de Vieux-Marche.
After visiting the most famous sights of Brussels, relax and dine at one of the restaurants of the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert where you can also buy keepsakes.
The afternoon is best spent at famous park Mini-Europe.

Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert

What to see in Brussels for the 2nd day of stay

On the second day, you should turn to a storehouse of useful information about the city - his museums.
Start your walk from the heart of the city - Grand Place.
On the square to the left of the town hall, you will see a building brewing museum.
Also in an alley in the southwest of the square you will find cocoa and chocolate museum.
Next be sure to visit Royal museum of fine arts at the address: Rue de la Regence, 3.
The last point in your exploration of the city - Rene Magritte Museum.

M Uzey cocoa and chocolate

Important! All of the listed museums are open from 10:00 to 17:00, Monday is a day off.

After 17:00 stroll the evening streets of Brussels and enjoy original cuisine in one of its restaurants.

What to see in Brussels for the 3rd day of stay

Surely on the third day in Brussels, you will get a little tired, and the parks of this city will be the best place to relax.

Start your tour with Place Flagey.
Continue along La Petit Rue Malibran to ponds Etangs d'Ixelles.
The next point of your journey is abbey Abbaya de la Cambre- located 15 minutes walk from the ponds.
Take a walk a picturesque park this abbey.
End your day with a visit Royal Opera House in Brussels, where you will admire the magnificent architecture of the old building, and if you are lucky, attend an unforgettable opera performance.

Royal Opera House Oceade Waterpark

Younger guests of the city will also love parks such as butterfly garden or bird sanctuary.

Video tour of Brussels

In this video, you will learn in detail about the sights of the city. Happy viewing!

When traveling in an unfamiliar city, the question "where to eat deliciously and inexpensively" often arises? Share in the comments which of the two thousand cafes in Brussels you like the most.

Chocolate, pissing boy, European Union - associations with strong ties to Brussels. The capital of Belgium does not often welcome Russian tourists. Meanwhile, this city is interesting not only for its sights and museums, but also for the special, international atmosphere that fills it. Several factors contribute to this. First, there are two officially equal languages in Brussels: French and Dutch. On the streets, it is immediately striking that all stops and stations of public transport are duplicated in two languages. However, most often on the streets of the capital you can hear French speech. In addition to French and Dutch, German and several dialects are spoken in Belgium. Sometimes this linguistic abundance creates communication difficulties for residents. Therefore, I am no longer surprised when a Belgian talks about the "difficulties of translation" in his native country, or when I hear stories about Flemings and Walloons communicating with each other in English.
The second factor that brings significant diversity to the image of Brussels is ethnic. Arabs and blacks, as in many other European countries, are already a familiar part of city life.
Thirdly, Brussels hosts the institutions of the European Union and NATO, attracting diplomats from all over the world and representatives of all European countries.
By combining all these factors and adding to them numerous tourists, you can imagine all the diversity of faces and languages in Brussels.

General country information

Belgium is a small state. The population of the country is about 11 million people. The country has access to the North Sea and common borders with the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg.
The formal head of the country is King Albert II, but the real power belongs to the government. Or ... should belong. The problem is that at present Belgium is breaking all records for the duration of "anarchy", i.e. all attempts to form a new cabinet since June 2010 have been unsuccessful and the country is now ruled by an interim cabinet. This does not prevent Brussels from remaining the capital of the European Union. By the way, Russians can, if they wish, visit the European Parliament and listen to debates. To do this, you need to know one of the European languages and register in advance on the official website of the European Parliament.

Visa and currency

The currency in the capital of the European Union is, of course, the euro.
To visit Brussels you need, which can be arranged through a travel agency or on your own. The list of required documents for a visa is as follows (the current document requirements should be checked with the embassy):

a foreign passport valid for at least 3 months after the expiration of the visa and 2 blank sheets on both sides. It is also advisable to bring an old passport with visas (if available);
documents confirming the purpose of your trip (invitation, hotel reservation);
2 photos;
a questionnaire completed in English, French, Dutch or German;
certificate from work on letterhead indicating the position, salary and date of admission to the position. For students: a certificate from the educational institution;
financial guarantees: certificate of currency exchange, bank statement, checks, etc .;
medical insurance with coverage of at least 30 thousand euros;
documents confirming that you will leave Belgium and the Schengen area upon the expiration of the visa: confirmation of the presence of real estate, permanent work, close relatives, financial resources in the country of permanent residence;
transport tickets.

The consular fee is 35 euros.

How to get there, transport

The flight from Moscow will take 3.5-4 hours and will cost about 500 euros.
From Brussels National Airport, you can get to the center by train, bus or taxi in just 15-20 minutes. There are three metro lines in Brussels. A single trip ticket will cost 1.7 euros. In addition to the metro, the city has two underground tram lines, buses and ordinary trams. It is worth noting that the city center is small and the main attractions are within walking distance.

Weather

Due to its proximity to the North Sea, Belgium has a temperate maritime climate. In summer, it is rarely hot, it often rains. Therefore, it is better to stock up on jackets and umbrellas.

Accommodation and meals

For accommodation, you can choose a hotel from 50 euros to several hundred euros per night. If you are traveling in a group of several people, you can rent an apartment with a kitchen and thus significantly save on food. For 3-5 euros on the streets of the city you can buy a Turkish kebab or baguette. In a Chinese, Thai or modest Belgian restaurant, the price of the main course will cost about 10 euros.

Brussels landmarks

Grand Place is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and the main attraction of Brussels. It is located in the city center and can be reached from the Bourse or Gare Centrale metro stations. The square has a rectangular shape and is surrounded by medieval narrow houses that once belonged to different trading guilds.

The attention is attracted, first of all, by the Gothic Brussels City Hall (or Hotel de Ville, as the Belgians call it). It is a cathedral with a high spire, on top of which there is a statue of the Archangel Michael.
Another dominant feature of the square is the so-called "King's House". This building was never actually used by kings, but for some time there were bakers' warehouses, which is why the building received another name - "Bread House". Today it houses the City Museum, where, in addition to paintings and tapestries, you can see a collection of several hundred costumes of the famous pissing boy.

Pee sculptures. One of the symbols of Belgium - Manneken-Pis - can be reached from the square in just a couple of minutes along Rue de l'Etuve. The flow of tourists and signs will help you find the right direction. The boy's figurine is small, only about 30 cm. It first appeared in the 17th century and since then has become an object of interest on the part of robbers more than once. However, the figurine has been rebuilt every time, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to see her dress up in one of her many outfits.
The local population actively uses the famous Belgian symbol. On every corner in the center there are sold things made in the form of a boy. Or, with his provocative appearance, he attracts the attention of buyers in shop windows.

In addition to the pissing boy, on the streets of the city you can find sculptures of a pissing girl and a pissing dog. The figurine of a girl (Jeanneke Pis) was installed in 1987 as a playful couple to a boy and is located on the opposite side from the square at the end of the Impasse de la Fidélité alley.
In 1999, a life-size pissing dog (Zinneke Pis) was added to this pair. A figurine of a mongrel with a raised paw is located at the intersection of Rue des Chartreux and Rue du Vieux-Marché.

Brussels Cathedral, or Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, rises next to the Gare Centrale metro station. The construction of the cathedral was carried out from the 11th to the 15th century in the Gothic style. Two towers of impressive size rise on the sides. Four doors are decorated with three pointed portals, sculptures of saints and a huge stained glass window above the central entrance. Inside the cathedral, you can admire the 16th-19th century stained glass windows for free.

Atomium Is another famous landmark of Brussels. This building is located away from the center, but you should not be lazy and get to this symbol of our era, which is causing great concern especially after the Japanese tragedy. The atomium is made up of nine atoms, which together form an iron molecule. It was designed for the opening of the world exhibition in 1958 and is 102 meters high. An observation deck and a restaurant are located upstairs. A regular adult ticket costs 11 euros, discounts are available for children and students.
Museums. If you are not a fan of art, you can go to the museums of beer, chocolate or even comics. However, I would recommend the readers of MirSovetov not to miss the opportunity to enrich their artistic horizons and visit the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, especially the Museum of Old Art and the Rene Magritte Museum. The collection of the first museum is based on works of Flemish masters, as well as Dutch, French and Italian paintings. The Museum of the surrealist Rene Magritte, the "Belgian Dali", is located in the next building. The unusual combination of the most common objects in his paintings makes an unforgettable impression.
The museums are close to the Gare Centrale metro station and the city park at Place Royale Koningsplein. A ticket to the Museum of Old Art costs 8 euros, but if you buy a combined ticket to both museums, you will pay only 13 euros. However, it should be borne in mind that such a ticket is valid only for one day.

Fast food and beer

It is unlikely that you will be able to indifferently walk past the stalls with mouth-watering Belgian waffles, which can be decorated with ice cream, chocolate or whipped cream if you wish. Another popular Belgian fast food is French fries. The Belgians believe that it was in their country that this method of cooking potatoes was first used.
While in Belgium, you can't help but allow yourself to relax with a glass of real Belgian beer. According to various sources, from 400 to 600 types of beer are produced in Belgium! The Belgians drink their beer from small glasses, savoring each sip slowly. I liked the cherry Kriek and the wheat Hoegaarden, which are served in almost all restaurants and cafes.

Finally, a few more photos of the streets of Brussels.

One final tip: if you find yourself in Brussels, visit other Belgian cities as well. It takes less than an hour to drive to Antwerp, the largest port city in the world. And just a couple of hours drive from the capital is beautiful medieval Bruges.

What to see in Brussels in 1, 2 and 3 days. How to get to the city, where to stay, interesting places and sights.

It is best to combine a trip to Brussels with a visit to the neighboring ones, which can be reached by train in an hour and 10-15 €. At the same time, you can spend the night in Brussels to save money, you can also buy a Russian-speaking one.

How to get to the city of Brussels

: buses of the Stib and De Lijn companies go to the city for 3-4.5 €, as well as trains for 8.8 €. Tickets are sold at, for purchase we enter Brussels (BRU) - Brussels.
: You can go from here to the capital by direct buses for 5-14 € or with a change at 15.5 €. Tickets are on sale.

Where to stay in Brussels

Hotels: A search engine will help you not to overpay when booking. The site compares hotel prices in booking systems and shows where to book cheaper without sacrificing comfort. Including compares sentences and with. Do not forget about allowing you to return 10-20%
Apartments: If you prefer an apartment, then search at. Private housing gives you the opportunity to cook and cut costs. Using you can get a good discount.

Brussels landmarks

Here are some links to tickets and excursions that will help you plan your vacation and not waste time on the spot.

— 25€
(30 museums + city transport pass) - 31.5 €
— 12€
— 15,3€
in Russian - 20 €.

What to see in Brussels in 1 day

The first day in Brussels is best to devote to the standard tourist route and explore its historic center. In order not to interfere with everything in one heap, the walk can be divided into 3 parts. For each part, I wrote a separate story.

First part includes the most important sights of Brussels and its symbols such as Grand-Place (Market Square),Atomium and Basilica of the Sacre Coeur (Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) .

Second part the route is very short and is dedicated to one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, the Royal Palace. After visiting the palace, it is best to go to Brussels Park (Royal Park) and, if you wish, have a bite to eat there, surrounded by greenery and fountains.

Who wants to know more about the monarchy and the Belgian kings can visit a thematic excursion -.

Royal Palace

The third and the last part- one of the most unusual, this is a route through the famous pissing sculptures of the historic center. The most famous is Manneken Pis, followed by the lesser known Manneken Pis, and for a snack you can find the Manneken Pis.

But this is not all the amusing sculptures, not far from the center you can find a very funny sculpture "A Joke on a Policeman".

What to see in Brussels in 2 days

When the tourist route is over, it is worth going to the remote areas of Brussels. To do this, we go down into the metro and go to the building, which is shown in almost all news about the European Union.

This, and in addition it will be possible to look at EU Parliament,Fiftieth Park and Maelbeek Metro Station where the terrorist attack took place, and as a bonus there are two more beautiful squares located nearby.

To get to all this, you need to get off at the already mentioned metro station Schuman or Maelbeek where the tragedy occurred and the explosion thundered. We were here only 2 months after the events, but the memorial wall still existed at this station, maybe it is still there.

Leaving Maelbeek station on the surface, there is a walking route of 4-5 km approximately as on the map shown below.

At first, we are heading to a not the most interesting place, but since we have arrived here and there is time, why not visit two squares Marie louise square and Ambiorix square .

Many historic houses can be seen between the two squares. If you look at the detailed tourist map of Brussels, there will be a lot of marks next to these squares, apparently these houses have some kind of historical significance for the city or even for the whole of Belgium.

Old buildings of Brussels

Between themselves two squares are united by a small alley and Palmerstonlaan street, it is worth crossing the road and in front of us square Ambiorix .

European village

From the park Ambiorix there is a straight street Archimedesstraat to European Commission building ... Just 200-300 meters on foot and in front of us is modern Brussels again. Now, every time you see news about Brussels or the EU on TV, you will have fits of nostalgia, and news with this building is shown very often.

On the history of the development of the European Union, with reference to the purpose of most buildings in this quarter, there is a thematic tour in Russian -.

Fiftieth Anniversary Park

From the building of the European Commission we go to Fiftieth Anniversary Park, founded to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence in 1880.

A big plus of the park is the almost complete absence of tourists and the opportunity to relax like on the Champ de Mars in front of. Heading here, be sure to grab a couple of sandwiches, they will be very appropriate.

Part of the time in this park can be devoted to visiting Belgian Museum of the Royal Army and Military History ... The entrance to the museum is located behind the arch on the left side.

Working hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00.
Entrance ticket: 26-65 years old - 5 €, 6-26 years old and after 65 years old - 4 €.
Is free: Every first Wednesday of the month from 13:00 to 17:00.
Directions: Metro - lines 1 and 5, stop Schuman; Bus - 22, 27, 80 stop Merode; Tram - 61, 81, stop Merode.

Parliament of the European Union

After the museum, it remains to visit only Parliament of the European Union ... To do this, you need to go back from the park and walk about 2 km, or take bus 27 or 80 to the Luxemburg stop.

Parliament is not one building, but a whole complex and it is impossible to photograph everything at once, so below are a couple of photos.

And a sign on the wall of the building for those who doubt where he is, that this is the European Parliament. Inscription in many languages, including Russian.

What to see in Brussels in 3 days

If after two days you are still wondering “What to see in Brussels”, then move on. Today we will go to the outskirts of Brussels to the Laeken / Laken quarter. The Atomium is located in the same area, but this time it will not be the target, and the current sights of Brussels will be far from it.

The first place where we go will be a piece of Asia in Brussels. This Japanese Tower and Chinese Pavilion ... The easiest way to get here from the center is by 3rd tram, it runs through the historic center and Bruxelles Nord train station. Take the tram about 25 minutes to De Wand stops ... If you look at the map, you can see stops and much closer to these attractions, but they do not have access to them, although they are located nearby.

Chinese Pavilion

The Chinese Pavilion will be the first on the way from the stop. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century. This is a complex of a building, a gazebo and a Chinese garden behind the building.

On our visit, most of the garden was closed for restoration and very little was possible to photograph, and the building itself was partially surrounded by scaffolding.

Even the gazebo was locked due to renovation, it was surprising that one of the entrances was open. We even had a suspicion that the workers had simply forgotten to close the entrance and we were very lucky, because the front door was closed with a chain.

Japanese tower

The following object can be seen directly from the China Pavilion Japanese tower ... But the entrance to these buildings was tightly closed and there was no information on how to get there, and it was not possible to find it on the Internet either. If anyone knows how to get there, then share in the comments.

Japanese tower

After the Japanese Tower, you will have to walk for several kilometers, because there is practically no transport here, and even if it fits according to the schedule, it will not work much and will help by taking only 1 stop to Laken Palace ... To get on the bus you have to go back to the tram stop, so it will take even longer in time, so I recommend walking.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the unspoken capital of Europe. The European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO headquarters and the offices of world corporations are located here. But in terms of tourism, this is not the most interesting Belgian city. A few days will be enough to see the main sights of Brussels and go to more interesting places, for example, in or in.

The Grand Place is the central square of the Belgian capital and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. This is the first place in Brussels that every tourist should visit. The Grand Place simply amazes with the luxury of its architectural decorations. Each knowledge is unique and unlike any other. The tallest and oldest building in the square is the town hall. Opposite it used to be the King's house, but now there is the city museum of Brussels.

Every two years, in mid-August, the Grand Place is covered with a carpet of flowers. It is the photographs of the "square of flowers" that flaunt on the postcards of Brussels, as one of the main attractions of the city. The next time the Grand Place will be decorated with flowers in 2018.

Parliamentarium is an interactive museum at the European Parliament. Here they talk about the past and present of Europe, as well as what awaits us in the near future.

Free admission. You can also take an audio guide for free in the language of one of the countries of the European Union. As you already understood, there is no audio guide in Russian or Ukrainian.

Address: Rue Wiertz 43

Opening hours: Tue. - Fri. 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sat. and sun. 10:00 - 18:00, Mon. 13:00 - 18:00

Manneken Pis is included in the TOP 10 most disappointing sights in the world. Nevertheless, he collects millions of prying eyes around him. Everyone wants to feel disappointment and resentment for the time spent. How many people write that there is nothing to look at, but this does not stop tourists.

Sometimes the boy can be seen in clothes. He has over 600 different costumes for festivals and holidays in his wardrobe.

Address: Rue de l'Etuve 46

Pissing girl

Since 1984, there has been a statue of a peeing girl in Brussels, but it is not as popular as a boy. She is not dressed up in costumes, and the attraction is hidden behind bars. What the girl was guilty of, no one knows.

The statue is located opposite the Delirium pub, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest collection of beer, more than 2,000 varieties in one place.

Address: Impasse de la Fidelite 10-12

Chocolate Museum

Belgium is famous for its chocolate, which is why almost every Belgian city has a sweet drug museum. The Chocolate Museum in Brussels is not as big as in Bruges, but it is also quite interesting. On the ground floor, a master class on making chocolates is held, where you can learn a lot of interesting things. For example, how milk chocolate is prepared, what products are included in white chocolate, and how to make filled candies. The master class is held in English, French or Dutch.

On the second floor, there are exhibits that tell the history of chocolate: what beans are used, from which countries they are brought, why chocolate and cocoa drinks deserve such popularity, etc.

I really liked the museum, it is worth the money and deserves the attention of tourists. However, if you are planning a trip to Bruges, then I recommend visiting the chocolate museum there. Firstly, it is larger in Bruges. Secondly, they show an interesting documentary about cocoa beans - how they are harvested, fermented, transported to Europe and made into chocolate.

Address: Guldenhoofdstraat 9

Many cities have their own business card. For Paris, this is the Eiffel Tower, for London - Big Ben, for New York - the Statue of Liberty, and Brussels has its own, called the Atomium.

The Atomium is a huge monument (102 m), which is a model of an iron molecule magnified 160 billion times. The structure consists of nine spheres connected by pipes. You can go from one sphere to another, you can use the stairs or on the escalator. Within the spheres are exhibitions, both temporary and permanent. The expositions are dedicated to world peace, a breakthrough in the field of nuclear energy and the Sabena airline.

Personally, I didn’t like the Atomium, because of the word “in general”. When you pay 12 € for an admission ticket, you expect something more interesting. The unusual structure of knowledge - yes, beautiful, but that's where it ends. The exhibition is so-so, not for everybody, but to me it seemed boring. Even the observation deck does not help the situation.

Groupon.be often offers discounts on the Atomium entrance ticket. Instead of 12 €, you can pay 8.40 €.

Address: Avenue de l'Atomium

Not far from the Atomium there is an interesting Mini-Europe park. In just 2 hours you can see the most famous sights: Big Ben, wind farms, the Athenian Acropolis and many others. The park's exposition numbers 80 cities and more than 300 buildings.

Europe in miniature is one of my favorite places in Brussels, the park is really very entertaining. And to make your visit even more joyful, here are some tips:

On the site groupon.be, there are sometimes promotions for the entrance ticket to Mini-Europe. By purchasing a coupon, you will pay not 15 € for entry, but 10 €.
It's no secret that visiting the sights is better on weekdays. There are many more tourists here on weekends or on holidays.

Coordinates: 50.8941610, 4.3387620

Working hours: 9:30 - 18:00

50th Anniversary Park

The park of the 50th anniversary acquired its tourist attraction thanks to the triumphal arch, which almost completely copies the Parisian one. During the warmer months, the Sancantener lawn becomes a huge picnic area. Lying on the grass, drinking wine and chatting about the eternal is one of the popular ways to spend your leisure time in Brussels. Also, concerts and festivals are often held here.

There are two popular museums right next to the arch: the Royal Army Museum and the Autoworld. When planning a route to the sights of Brussels, here you can do several things at once: take a walk in the park and visit a museum.

Musical Instrument Museum

The Museum of Musical Instruments somehow does not excite the imagination at all. Which one of you can be surprised by them ?! We saw most of the instruments in music lessons, at friends' houses or at concerts. But, believe me, you will like this museum!

The Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels is a huge four-story building, in the rooms of which instruments from different parts of the world are collected. The main feature of the museum is that you can listen to the sound of each of the instruments with the help of an audio guide, which is given at the entrance. As if enchanted, you move from exhibit to exhibit, wrapped in a blanket of incredible melodies. My rating for this museum is 5+, it is completely worth the money. It will be interesting for both adults and children over five years old.

Entrance fee 8 €

Opening hours: daily from 9:30 to 17:00

Address: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2

Comic book museum

Walking around Brussels, it's easy to guess that the Belgians love comics dearly. Many buildings in the central part of the city are decorated with colorful drawings by local artists. How has Belgium contributed to the development of comics? How, when and by whom were the world famous characters created? All this can be learned from the Comics Museum in Brussels.

We put off the trip to the museum for a long time and, apparently, not in vain. I didn’t like it, but it’s me, Dima is delighted. Why is that?

The Comic Museum is good for those who know English, French or Dutch, because its essence is to walk from stand to stand and read about the history of the comic, a character or an artist.
You need at least a little love / understanding of this art genre. If not, you, like me, will be bored.

My discovery: I did not know that the Smurfs and Asterix were the work of Belgian artists. I learned something useful after all!

Entrance ticket - 10 € adult, 7 € for young people 12-25 years old, up to 12 years old - 3.5 €

Address: Rue des Sables 20

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00

Monument to Charles Buls

In the center of Brussels, on the Grasmarkt square, there is a fountain with a monument to the former burgomaster - Charles Buls (1881 - 1899). Thanks to his active position in the preservation of the historical part of Brussels, today we can admire the main square of the city - the Grand Place. Charles Buls was an ardent opponent of all kinds of restructuring and allocated a considerable sum for the restoration of old buildings, for which we are very respected by the townspeople.

Of all the places described in Brussels, in my opinion, are really worthwhile - the chocolate museum, mini-Europe, parliamentarium, the museum of musical instruments and the Grand Place. I recommend that you pay attention to them first, and only after that you can explore other sights of Brussels.

Good weather and delicious waffles :)

If you have any questions - ask in the comments!