Introducing Brussels
If ever a city could claim split personality, it’s Brussels. French versus Flemish, historic versus hip, bizarre versus boring. Full of contrasts, contradictions and intrigue, this is a multicultural equation that goes much deeper than just red tape and Eurocrats. An historic heirloom is closer to the mark. And in an age where so much is already discovered, Belgium’s capital seduces as one of Western Europe’s unknowns.
Advertisement
Brussels is a city of fine food, café culture, Art Nouveau architecture and the surreal. Pull up a chair and join laissez-faire locals who value the city’s casual atmosphere. Watch money go down on swish Ave Louise or buy dried caterpillars just blocks away in Matonge, the capital’s African quarter. Some of the world’s most enduring images of surrealist art were created in the nondescript northern suburb of Jette. And the architecture ranges from monumental edifices such as the Grand Place to organic Art Nouveau façades and the EU’s real-life Gotham City.
Constant among all this is the quality of everyday life – the shopping’s great, the restaurants fab, the chocolate shops sublime and the pub scene extraordinary. For a long time Brussels didn’t go out of its way to impress, but its stint as Cultural Capital of Europe in 2000 saw the city dusted and polished in a flurry that brought renewed life to historic buildings and decaying streets. A new spirit, just short of cockiness, emerged, flaming outside interest and inner-city regeneration. Nearly a decade on, Brussels is looking better than ever.
Ready to go?
- Visit some of Brussels' oldest cafes on a beer tasting tour
- Follow the trail of Brussels' top chocolate shops
Last updated: Jan 20, 2012
Tips & articles
-
Globetrotting for chocoholics
19 January 2012
Love chocolate? Discover how to feel full of beans on this non-stop choc-focused tour of the planet.Flanders, BelgiumBelgians love chocolate...
-
Destinations that pair well with wine and beer
19 August 2011
A glistening glass of local wine, with a tasty little snack on the side – is there anything better? It’s...
-
Belgium and Luxembourg: travel books to read before you go
1 May 2011
Few foreigners have taken up the challenge of penning travel tales about Belgium…and only one man has tackled Luxembourg. Still,...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Re: Croatia in June - good destination for us?
by laurensandsanne 28 May 2012
Hello everybody, We adjusted our itenerary, you can find it below. We decided to keep our car until we get back to the airport, which…
-
RE: Belgium & BEER Questions
by qablo 28 May 2012
Hello 3 days in Brugge (alone) it´s quite a lot. You could from there do a quick visit to the coast (oostende perhaps) or just visit…
-
RE: Food and hygene in Eastern Germany?
by european83 28 May 2012
"European83: have you really been to Eastern Germany?" Yes. For about 30 years. Since I really fear that you are not joking with your…








