A Delightful Stroll in the center of Brussels

Posted on October 9, 2023October 9, 2023 by worldcityguides

Brussels, the vibrant capital of Belgium, is a city that blends rich history, stunning architecture, and a lively atmosphere. One of the best ways to explore its heart and soak in its unique charm is by taking a leisurely walking tour through the center. In this article, we’ll guide you through a delightful stroll, highlighting the streets to wander and the captivating sights to discover along the way.

Starting Point: Grand Place (Grote Markt)

Begin your journey at the iconic Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the central square of Brussels. Marvel at the opulent guildhalls, most notably the stunning Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) and the King’s House (Maison du Roi). The square is a sight to behold, with its ornate facades and vibrant flower market if you visit during the warmer months.

1. Rue de l’Étuve

From Grand Place, take Rue de l’Étuve towards the world-famous Manneken Pis statue, a charming Brussels landmark. This statue of a little boy urinating into a fountain has captured the hearts of visitors for centuries.

2. Place du Grand Sablon

Now it is time to do a little bit of walking as you head in the direction of Place du Grand Sablon, a picturesque square surrounded by quaint cafes and antique shops. Admire the elegant Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon (Église Notre-Dame du Sablon) with its stunning Gothic architecture.

You need to walk about 600 meters, but you can enjoy the architecture of Brussels while doing so. Keep walking on Rue de l’Etuve until you Rue des Bogards. Walk towards the left and just keep walking straight ahead until you reach a big roundabout. On the other side of the roundabout you have Place du Grand Sablon.

3. Mont des Arts

Heading uphill from Grand Sablon (on Rue Lebeau), you’ll reach the Mont des Arts, or “Hill of the Arts. This beautifully landscaped area offers breathtaking panoramic views of Brussels and is home to the Royal Library and several museums. Stroll through the tranquil gardens and enjoy the art installations along the way.

4. Brussels Park (Parc de Bruxelles)

Descend from Mont des Arts along the avenue Cantersteen. As you reach Galerie Ravenstein, enter the building and you will walk inside a beautiful building with stores and cafes on the inside. This walk will take a while, but as you finish the walk on the other side, you will almost be by the entrance of the fantastic Brussels Park. This serene green space provides a peaceful contrast to the bustling city streets. You can relax by the fountains, admire the statues, or simply enjoy the natural beauty.

5. Place des Palais

At the southern side of the park, you find the magnificent Place des Palais where you find the Royal Palace, the residence of the Royal Family. It is an impressive neoclassical building that is particularly stunning in the evening when it’s illuminated.

6. Rue de la Loi and European District

Walk down Rue Ducale, and walk onto Rue de Luxembourg after some hundred meters. As you keep on walking, you will soon find yourself in the heart of Brussels’ European District. This area houses important EU institutions, including the European Commission and the European Parliament. Marvel at the modern and architecturally impressive EU buildings.

7. Parc Leopold and Cinquantenaire Park

If you have more time, walk along the avenue Rue Belliard. After a while, you can see the awesome Parc Leopold on your right side. If you have a lot of energy in your legs, take a stop there, have a short picnic, look at the Medieval Tower, and enjoy the sun. If not, keep walking straight ahead until you see Cinquantenaire Park in front of you on the left side. It is a gigantic park with vast green spaces, stunning arches, and museums to explore, making for a perfect relaxation stop.

Ending Point: Schuman Metro Station

There is a metro station on both sides of Cinquantenaire Park, so depending on where you end your tour, travel by metro from the Schuman Metro Station or from Merode station back to the center of Brussels.

This delightful walking tour through the center of Brussels encapsulates the city’s rich history, diverse culture, and captivating beauty. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply looking to soak up the ambiance of this charming European capital, this journey will leave you with unforgettable memories of Brussels. So put on your most comfortable walking shoes and set off to explore the heart of this fascinating city.

Public screening of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Brussels

Posted on May 31, 2018 by worldcityguides

The FIFA World Cup is approaching, and in a football-loving country like Belgium, people are getting excited. But, where can you watch the World Cup outdoors in Brussels?

According to an article posted on April 2018, there will be no public screenings of the FIFA World Cup in Brussels. Due to fear of terrorist attacks, they do not want large crowds to gather together on locations hard to secure for the police. But, there are some exceptions. The Edmond Machtens Stadium will be a place people can go to watch the football matches outdoor. This facility is easier to control, and thus people can watch the FIFA World Cup matches on a giant screen inside the stadium. Another place deemed suitable for the FIFA World Cup is Place du Miroir. The square is a bit outside the city center, but you can easily get there using public transportation.

Belgium is one of the big outsiders in front of the tournament, and the people of Belgium hope that their players can make it all the way to the big final. Belgium will play in Group G, and they will play against Panama (June 18th), Tunisia (June 23rd), and England (June 28th). This is considered an easy group, and everyone expects the last match against England to be the match that decides which nation will win the group, England or Belgium. You can see a full FIFA World Cup schedule and information on how to stream the event online here.

We will cheer for Belgium, and hopefully, De Bruyne, Lukaku, and the other Belgian heroes will bring gold and glory back to the nations as the World Cup is finished on July 15th.

Belgium vs Israel

Posted on September 2, 2015October 3, 2016 by worldcityguides

On October 13th the last matches will be played in the Euro 2016 qualification stage, and this might be a very important evening to Belgium. There will be played some matches before that so the table might change before then, but in this match against Israel the team from Belgium might need 3 points to get a secure spot in the Euro 2016.

That is why Belgium needs all the support they can get at this match, so if you want to be there at the King Baudouin Stadium on October 13th to watch this match, you better grab hold of your tickets as soon as possible. Israel will also come to this match probably knowing that three points can give them either a spot in the Euro 2016 or at least a spot among the teams getting to the qualification matches, so this will be a tense match where Belgium will enter as big favorites with stars such as Fellaini, de Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard and Kompany in their team, all stars from the top leagues in Europe such as the Premier League and the German Bundesliga.

The match will start at 20.45 local time, so if you want to watch Belgium live, then go ahead and get ready. After all Belgium is one of the best football teams in the world at the moment according to the FIFA ranking, so have fun watching them!

Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo

Posted on June 1, 2015May 26, 2017 by worldcityguides

In June 2015 the Battle of Waterloo celebrates its anniversary and in this occasion a grandiose reconstruction of the battle will be shown in Waterloo.

To celebrate the bicentenary of Battle of Waterloo, which had a great impact of the history of many nations, different shows will be presented to the visitors. It is a great opportunity for everyone to have a closer look on the history and to follow its greatest moments as well. Over 300 horses, 100 canons and 5000 re-enactors will bring the Battle of Waterloo back to life for the visitors.

The first show will be on 18th June 2015 from 22.30, the next performance will be on the following day on 19th June 2015 from 20.00, the third one will be held on 20th June 2015 from 20.00 and the last show of the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo will be shown from 18th to 20th June in 2015. Tickets for the shows are already available.

Waterloo

For more information on the tickets and the shows please visit the official site.

Salon du Chocolat 2015

Posted on January 19, 2015 by worldcityguides

The Salon du Chocolat will take place again this year in Belgium, in Brussels in the beginning of February in 2015. This will be the second year Brussels gives home to this special event again.

The Salon du Chocolat is the largest and most known event dedicated to chocolate in the whole world. The Salon du Chocolat takes place every year in several cities such as Paris, Tokyo, Moscow, New York, London, Zürich, Beijing, Shanghai and so on. At the 3 days long festival visitors will have the chance to discover and taste a wide range of various chocolate. The Salon du Chocolat is one of the most visited events in the life of the city which attracted last year over 30.000 people from all over the country. It is a perfect program for everyone from big families through small families to friends.

During the 3 day long event visitors can explore the different tastes and forms of chocolate along side with countless programs and activities such as conferences, workshops, children’s, festive and educational activities as well. One of the highlights of the Salon du Chocolat will be the famous Chocolate Fashion Show with various outfits made out of chocolate. This year the second Salon du Chocolat will be held from 6th February 2015 to 8th February 2015 in the heart of Brussels at Brussels Expo.

Ticket for adults, students and seniors is € 8.50, ticket for children from 3 to 12 years is € 5 and it is free for under 3 years olds.

Brussels Expo
Place de Belgique 1, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium

For more information on the Salon du Chocolat chcek the official site.