What To See And Where To Stay When You Visit Brussels

Brussels is Europe's most underrated capital. Visitors often treat it as a stopover between Paris and Amsterdam, spending a few hours at the Grand Place before moving on. This is a mistake. Given two or three days, Brussels reveals itself as a city of extraordinary depth, with world-class museums, stunning Art Nouveau architecture, the best chocolate and beer anywhere on earth, and a sardonic local humour that makes it genuinely fun.

The Grand Place is indeed magnificent, considered by many to be the most beautiful square in Europe. The guildhalls that surround it, rebuilt in ornate Baroque style after French bombardment in 1695, are best seen illuminated at night. From here, explore the surrounding streets where Belgium's famous chocolate shops cluster: Pierre Marcolini for the purist, Frederic Blondeel for the adventurous, and Mary for the traditionalist.

The art museums are Brussels' secret weapon. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts combine Old Masters with a dedicated Magritte Museum, housing the world's largest collection of the surrealist's work. The nearby BELvue Museum tells Belgium's complex history with engaging exhibits, and the Musical Instruments Museum, housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building by Paul Saintenoy, combines an extraordinary instrument collection with rooftop views of the city.

Art Nouveau is Brussels' great architectural gift. Victor Horta, the movement's pioneer, left his mark across the city, and four of his buildings are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Horta Museum, his former home and studio, is the essential visit, but the Cauchie House, the Old England Building and the Solvay Hotel all reward the architecture enthusiast. Pick up a map from the tourist office and spend a morning exploring the Saint-Gilles and Ixelles neighbourhoods where Art Nouveau townhouses line the streets. If you are planning your next trip, you might also enjoy exploring pet-friendly hotels and accommodation.

Belgian beer deserves serious attention. With over 1,500 distinct beers produced in the country, Brussels is the ideal place to begin your education. Delirium Cafe near the Grand Place holds the Guinness record for the most beers available, but for a more refined experience try Moeder Lambic on Place Fontainas, specialising in craft and lambic beers, or Cantillon Brewery for a tour of the only remaining traditional lambic brewery in the city.

For accommodation, consider staying in the Saint-Gilles or Ixelles areas south of the centre. Both offer better value than the tourist zone, are well-connected by tram and metro, and provide access to the authentic Brussels of neighbourhood restaurants and Art Nouveau architecture that most visitors miss entirely.