Travel to Brussels
The capital of both Belgium and the European Union and also the headquarters for NATO, Brussels is a very prominent city with a long and varied history. The city has rebuilt itself again and again after wars in both medieval and modern times, and it has always bounced back due to the optimism and creativity of its residents. While much of Brussels architecture is of more recent centuries, the workmanship is superb, and there are dozens of world-class museums and galleries to explore.
Transportation to Brussels
Brussels Airport is an extremely convenient gateway to the city, located just 14kms outside of the centre and connected by fast train and bus services. The airport serves hundreds of regular scheduled flights daily to dozens of cities worldwide including several UK destinations.
Brussels is also well served by long-distance rail and bus services and the city is on the Thalys high-speed rail network, which links the city with Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne, and there is also a direct Eurostar service to London. Long-distance buses are operated by Eurolines, which has services departing three times daily from London.
Driving to Brussels is made fast, safe and comfortable, with the E40 leading in from the Bruge direction and the A12 from Antwerp. Both of these motorways link up with Brussels Petit Ring expressway, which encircles the city centre.
What to See
Attractions in Brussels are generally divided between the historically-rich Upper Town district and the historically poor Lower Town area. However, it is the Lower Town which attracts the most crowds, with its wonderful Grand Place, down to earth shopping, nightlife districts and eclectic museums. Highlights include the Grand Place collection of old buildings, Place Ste Catherine, Chocolate Museum and Costume and Lace Museum.
The Upper Town is filled with gorgeous architecture and the citys best art museums and galleries. The centrepiece is the magnificent cathedral, while the Place Royale is well worth exploring. Museums of note include the world famous Muses Royaux des Beaux, Palais de Charles V, Palais de Charles de Lorraine, Belvue Museum and the Jewish Museum of Belgium.
Daytrips
Brussels sits at the heart of Belgium and almost every city and town in the country is only an hour or so away by car. This makes Brussels a perfect base for daytrips to nearby towns such as Ghent, Beersel, Gaasbeek and Vlezenbeek. Farther away lie the historic cities of Antwerp, Bruge and Zeebrugge, while the battlefield of Waterloo also attracts hordes of tourists.
Activities and Leisure
Shopping, eating and drinking are favourite pastimes for locals and visitors alike, and Brussels has hundreds of stores, restaurants, cafs and nightspots to satisfy this national obsession. Brussels also has numerous parks, which are great places to stroll, jog or cycle. Spectator sports such as motor racing, football and cycling are very popular, while during the winter many people lace up their ice skates and glide around the temporary rink set up in the middle of Grand Place. The performing arts scene is second to none, with a full programme of events scheduled throughout the year.
