Brussels is a small city, full of life, night and day, and it’s easy to get around on foot, by the metro, tram, or bus. That makes seeing some of the most amazing sights this city offers dead simple, but where do you start? Here are some of the must-visit places you should include on your visit to this amazing city.
- Grand Place
Best known as one of the most social places, Grand Place is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to plenty of restaurants, markets, and wonderful buildings. The Grand Place rose from the ashes after Louis XIV defeated the city in 1695. Today, you can see several grand buildings, including the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall), Maison des Ducs de Brabant, and the King’s House, not to mention plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely meal while you take in the sights.
- Atomium
The Atonium is one of the most popular places for tourists and is a stunning city landmark. It houses a museum, art center, and cultural center and is also one of the tallest structures in the entire city. Built in 1958, the Atomium has 9 spheres coated in stainless steel, each 18 m round. It is 102 m tall, and half of the building is allocated to permanent and temporary exhibitions. More than 60,000 people visit annually and it is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.
- Place Royale
A historic site, Place Royale is a neoclassical square found in the city’s Royal Quarter and is one of the oldest public squares with amazing city views. Set on a hillside, Place Royale offers plenty for all visitors, including a walk through the royal chambers and the amazing hallways. Place Royale is sited where the Palace of Coudenberg used to stand and it was built between 1775 and 1782. Admission is completely free, and a tour will take approximately an hour.
- Mini-Europe
Mini-Europe is a miniature park and open-air museum next to the Atonium. The park contains miniature monuments from all over Europe and is a popular place to visit, with more than 350,000 visitors annually. It represents over 350 buildings in over 80 European cities, and a detailed guide explains each in depth. Entrance is daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, and prices start at 12.30 Euros.
- Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert
This is a 230 m long series of arcades, the first enclosed retail arcade of its kind in Europe, featuring theaters, luxury stores, cafes, libraries, and several luxurious chocolate stops. The gallery roof features an iron framework and arched glass, and the entire arcade is the place to go for all-in-one entertainment in historic surroundings. It is open 24/7 and is free to enter.
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart was built on Koekelberg Hill as a tribute to the independence movement. It is the fifth biggest church worldwide and the largest in Brussels, and construction began 75 years after King Leopold 11 declared independence. It is 167 m wide and is a fusion of Art Deco and neo-Gothic styles, built of red terracotta stone with a green dome and featuring an observation deck at 53 m. The Basilica is open daily, 8 AM to 6 PM in the summer and 10 AM to 5 PM in the winter, and entrance starts at 3 Euros.
- Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is a famous sight in Brussels, a fountain around five minutes from Grand Place. It is a bronze statue depicting a naked child urinating in a fountain basin and has been there since 1619. Originally designed as part of the city’s water system, the statue is now one of the most visited tourist sites.
There you have it, 7 of the best sights to see on your visit to Brussels. It is a beautiful city, and it’s well worth staying long enough to see everything it offers.