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A Delightful Stroll in the center of Brussels

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.

manneken pis in brussels

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.

brussels park

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

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?

fifa world cup in brusselsAccording 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.

 

 

Shakira in Antwerpen 2017

Shakira Belgium 2017On November 12th, that is on a beautiful Sunday in 2017, Shakira will visit Belgium and the city of Antwerpen. Are you ready for a day-trip to Antwerpen from Brussels to listen to the most famous Shakira songs?

Shakira will arrive in Antwerpen from Paris, a city in which she will perform twice. In Antwerpen, she will only perform once (unfortunately), but at least she will come. There are lots of nations in Europe that Shakira will not visit (for example all the Scandinavian nations), so we are lucky just to get one concert. Antwerpen is a city that you can easily travel to with train from Belgium, thus making this a perfect day-trip opportunity.

The concert will be arranged in Sportpaleis in Antwerpen, and it will start at 18.30. That is perfect, as the concert will then end quite early, making it easy to get back to Brussels again in the evening using the railway system.

Would you like to visit Antwerpen and go to the Shakira concert? You can buy tickets for the event using the link beneath. Don’t you have the chance to visit Antwerpen on November 12th? You could consider a day-trip to Amsterdam on November 14th instead.

Shakira Antwerpen 2017

Sportpaleis
November 12th, 18.30

Tickets: Viagogo

Find out more Brussels and the most important sights and attractions in the city here in our Brussels Guide!

Andrea Bocelli in Antwerpen 2018

Andrea Bocelli concert in AntwerpenOn January 20th you can enjoy cold weather and a fantastic atmosphere in Sportpaleis if you decide to visit Antwerpen. Andrea Bocelli will come to town, and even though it might be minus degree and a cold win, your heart will get warm as you listen to the beautiful voice of Mr. Bocelli.

It is very typical for big artists to visit Antwerpen and to have their concerts their, instead of coming to Brussels. But, if you are used to traveling a bit, that should not cause any trouble. You can get from Brussels to Antwerpen in about one hour, and if you live in a big city, you probably know that you can easily spend the same amount of time in your car within your own city boundaries on a day with much traffic and lines. So, jump on the train and travel to Antwerpen and enjoy the Andrea Bocelli concert on January 20th in 2018.

Andrea Bocelli Antwerpen 2018

Sportpaleis
January 20th, 20.00

Tickets: Viagogo

Did you know that Andrea Bocelli is a real Saturday person? Almost all his concerts are arranged on Saturdays, and unlike most other artists doing concerts every day throughout the week, Bocelli normally only perform on Saturdays. If you click the ticket link above and search for Andrea Bocelli, you will soon realize this yourself.

If you would rather listen to Andrea Bocelli in Prague in May and go to the annual Czech Beer festival as well, read more about those programs in the Prague Guide.

Lady Gaga concert in Antwerpen 2017

Lady Gaga concert Antwerpen 2017On the first day of October in 2017 Lady Gaga will come to Belgium. Unfortunately not to Brussels, but at least she will visit Antwerpen.

Are you in the mood for visiting the city of diamonds? Want to listen to a lady who knows a lot about beauty and style as well? Visit Antwerpen on October 1st in 2017, but some diamonds and listen to Lady Gagy as she will perform in Sportpaleis. The concert is supposed to start at 18.30, but you should be early because of all security checks and everything.

The venue will for sure be packed, so hurry up and get your tickets in order if you want to be there. Once Lady Gaga has left the stage in Antwerpen she will prepare for her travel to Amsterdam, a city in which she will perform in the Ziggodome on October 3rd.

If you would like to be there at any of these events then you can buy your tickets using the ticket link beneath. Simply visit the website and search for Lady Gaga, and you will find the information and the ticket you look for right away.

Lady Gaga Antwerpen 2017

Sportpaleis
October 1st, 18.30

Tickets: Viagogo

For more information on how to get to Antwerpen from Brussels, or for more information in general about Brussels, look around here in our Brussels Guide.