Many tourists come to the Belgian capital every year. They all want to see the sights of Brussels. Due to such interest on the part of travelers, today this place can rightfully be considered a modern cultural city in Europe. What to see in Brussels if you come here for the first time? Especially for you, we have compiled a list of the most interesting places in this ancient city.
What to see in Brussels first of all
When studying the list of the most famous sights, keep in mind that the city has a rather complex layout and all museums, cathedrals and galleries have their own opening hours. The guides in Brussels, who will always be with you and tell you the most interesting things about the history of the Belgian capital, will help you not to make a mistake with the time of arrival and fully enjoy the sightseeing of museum expositions, natural wonders and architecture.
1. Grand Place
Grand Place in Brussels
The Grand Place square has not only tourist, but also historical significance. It is considered the center of the city. Travelers who did not plan in advance what to visit in Brussels immediately leave here after arrival. On the square there is a market built in the Baroque style. This place is one of the attractions included in the UNESCO Heritage list.
The Grand Place is surrounded on all sides by architectural masterpieces that once belonged to local craftsmen and merchants. Two buildings stand out among them – the City Hall and the King’s House. Part of the first structure are unique statues depicting stories taken from the life of the city.
Twice a year, a luxurious floral carpet blooms on the territory of this Brussels landmark. The square is decorated with it within three days after the opening of the buds. Begonias of different colors are grown especially for the Grand Place, which give this place an amazing charm.
Official website: https://www.brussels.be
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2. Museum of Musical Instruments
Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels
The Museum of Musical Instruments, which is located in Brussels, is considered the largest in the world. At least eight thousand unique folk and traditional specimens are stored in the walls of this building. The museum was founded back in 1877. In 2000, it had to be moved to a historical building designed in the Art Nouveau style.
Visitors to this Brussels landmark have a unique opportunity to see with their own eyes musical instruments that belonged to different peoples. Each floor of the building is reserved for a separate collection. For example, on the first floor there are traditional specimens, on the second – orchestral instruments.
Guests of the museum can not only look at the exhibits, but also hear their original sound.
Official website: https://www.mim.be
3. Mannequin-Peace
Mannequin Peace Bronze Statue in Brussels
There are a lot of unique attractions in the Belgian capital, so you can see a lot of interesting places in Brussels. One of them is the world-famous fountain, which is decorated with a sculpture of a pissing boy. It is for him that millions of tourists come to the city.
For local residents, a Pissing boy is much more important than any other attraction in the capital. They saw it as a symbol of folk humor and freedom of spirit. In the souvenir shops of Brussels, you can find a huge number of different figurines with the image of Mannequins on sale.
Historians still do not know under what circumstances and on whose initiative this fountain was built. All the documents that could give an exhaustive answer to this question were destroyed.
Official website: https://www.brussels.be
4. Royal Museum of Fine Arts
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels
When asking locals about what to see in Brussels, many travelers are advised to go to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Fans of luxurious paintings will get unreal pleasure while staying in this place.
The museum houses art objects divided into two main periods. The first one includes exhibits that belong to the distant past, approximately XV-XVIII centuries. The second period houses modern paintings painted after the 19th century. The building also houses a huge collection consisting of works by the artist Rene Magritte. Thanks to the existing collections, museum visitors can have an idea of the directions and styles of artistic masterpieces.
Official website: https://www.fine-arts-museum.be
5. Fiftieth Anniversary Park
Fiftieth Anniversary Park in Brussels
The sights of Brussels include the legendary Fiftieth Anniversary Park, which is located in the east of the city. He has always been in great demand among local vacationers. Previously, a military training ground was located in the place where the park is now located. But in 1880, King Leopold II issued a decree to rebuild the territory in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the country’s independence. He plans to organize a unique exhibition, thanks to which he would be able to show the whole world the level of prosperity and development of his state.
The territory of the park occupies about 30 hectares of land. It has magnificent gardens and pristine lakes. There is even a small waterfall here. Guests of the Fiftieth Anniversary Park can appreciate the beauty of the flower beds and shady paths that are located throughout the landscape. The most popular place in the park remains the Arc de Triomphe, which can be seen at the entrance. This building is a symbol of the wealth and well-being of Belgium, as its inhabitants never tire of repeating. Feel the atmosphere of Brussels in this beautiful video!
6. Mini Europe
Mini Europe in Brussels
Mini-Europe in the Belgian capital is called the miniature park. It is visited with great pleasure by tourists who know in advance what to visit in Brussels. The grand opening of the attraction took place in 1989. Prince Philip was responsible for this event. The park features the most famous monuments of Europe, which are made in miniature. There was also a place for other layouts, for example, vehicles and mills. All of them are powered by electricity.
Next to the paths, you can see miniature people and trees. Due to this feature, many people call Mini-Europe an educational center. That’s because most of the layouts are a real miracle of technological progress. Such important historical moments as the fall of the wall in Berlin, the eruption of Vesuvius and much more are presented here in miniature.
Official website: https://www.minieurope.com
7. The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Brussels
If you are interested in what to see in Brussels, travelers should pay attention to the most beautiful building in the city – the Royal Palace. This place is officially considered the residence of the monk of Belgium, which is conveniently located in the very center of the main park.
The royal family does not live within the walls of the palace. This facility is used only during important official events.
Originally, the present landmark belonged to the Dukes of Brabant. According to assumptions, it had the appearance of a castle-residence. The structure performed a defensive function. After that, it had to be completely rebuilt. The Royal Palace appeared on the site of the destroyed building before Belgium was recognized as an independent country. In 1904, the facade of the palace was completely renovated, and its old courtyard was converted into a park, which anyone could now visit.
Official website: https://www.monarchie.be
8. Saint-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral
Saint-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral in Brussels
The Cathedral of Saint-Michel-et-Gudule is located in the capital of Belgium. It has been preserved to this day. The author of this landmark in Brussels was the architect Jean vann Ruesbrek.
Many tourists note that the cathedral resembles the famous Notre Dame de Paris in its appearance. This similarity between the two historical structures was achieved thanks to paired towers. That’s just the Brussels landmark is somewhat smaller in size than the Paris one.
In the center of the cathedral there is a large door decorated with wrought-iron reliefs and statues depicting saints. You can enter the building from the main facade through one of the four existing entrances. Each of them is decorated with portals made of durable stone. Stained glass windows and sculptures tower above the entrances. The cathedral is a must-see for every traveler who takes the road to Brussels.
Official website: https://www.cathedralisbruxellensis.be
9. The world of cars
Automir Museum in Brussels Volkswagen Belgiu
Motorists who come to Belgium for the first time know exactly what to visit in Brussels. They go to the car museum first. It can be found in the park, founded in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the country’s independence. Now there are two huge museums here: The first one is dedicated to military equipment, and the second one is dedicated to automotive equipment. This place contains dozens of unique models of pre-war cars, which you will not find anywhere else in the world.
There are small signs next to each car exhibit in the museum. The name of the exhibition model, its characteristics and year of manufacture are written on them. Also on the plates you can see a couple of interesting historical facts related to a particular car.
Official website: https://www.autoworld.be
10. Kambr Nature Reserve
Cambre Nature Reserve in Brussels Stephane Mignon
The Cambrai Nature Reserve is located in the south of the city. This Brussels landmark has a very interesting history. The reserve was created in 1861 on the initiative of Eduard Keilig, an architect from Germany.
The reserve is designed in the English style, which was used in the design of parks and gardens in the XVIII century. They tried to make the landmark of the city as close as possible to the virgin nature. This explains why some trees are planted separately. During the walk, you get the impression that you are in a real forest. There is a small lake with its own island in the center of the reserve. Anyone can get here if they agree to pay for a boat trip. The service is available only on weekends. This natural area is far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Therefore, many locals often come here to take a break from everyday worries.
Sights of Brussels: what else to visit while in Brussels
The dozen places listed above are just a small part of what this European city can surprise you with. If you look into it, there are excursions in Brussels for every taste and budget, but in order to remain completely satisfied, it would not be superfluous to look at the map of the city where the attractions you are interested in are located, and with this in mind, choose a route.
11. Sacre Coeur Basilica
Sacre Coeur Basilica in Brussels
Most travelers have a pre-prepared plan indicating the sights of Belgium that should be visited. Therefore, they know exactly what to see in Brussels. Among the important historical monuments of the city is the Christian Basilica of the Sacre Coeur. It has become a symbol of the independence of the state.
Initially, the church was conceived as a monument, which was erected in honor of the seventieth anniversary of the country’s declaration of independence. According to the idea, nine small chapels were supposed to fit in it. Each of them represented one of the provinces that existed in those years. For six decades, the construction of the present landmark of Brussels has been carried out.
The modern building is 90 m high. At the same time, at least 2,000 people can freely fit within its walls. Now the church serves as a lecture hall, exhibition center and museum.
Official website: https://www.basilicakoekelberg.be
12. Halle port
Halle Port is part of the medieval Walls of Brussels
Few people know about this landmark in Brussels. Only those travelers who had explored every corner of this city managed to reach the Halleport gate. Many of them found a historical monument by accident during their walks.
Halleport is the only part of the city wall that has managed to survive. Today it is used as a museum, where not many tourists come on an excursion. Interesting cultural and historical expositions are presented here.
Inside the building itself there is a spiral staircase, which in previous years had to be climbed by guards, soldiers and monks. Even kings walked up these steps. A staircase leads to the very top – to the observation deck of the gate.
13. Brussels Park
Fountain in the Brussels Park
Brussels is called the largest park in the city. It is located in the center of the capital and occupies an area of 13.1 hectares. In the Middle Ages, this place was a solid forest that surrounded the residence of Brabant on all sides. The palace collapsed during a fire, and no one began to restore it. In 1775, the authorities decided to improve the territory of this landmark in Brussels.
The park is made according to all the rules of the French style. It has a clear boundary of geometry, alleys and paths. Due to the unique layout of the landscape, it seems as if there is an increase in space right in front of the park’s visitors.
During the summer season, exciting parties are regularly held in the Brussels Park right in the open air.
Official website: https://www.brussels.be
14. Brussels Botanical Garden “Le Botanique”
The Botanical Garden “Le Botanique” in Brussels
Le Botanique is different from all other existing botanical gardens. From different sides, the amazing place is surrounded by huge skyscrapers. A walk through this Brussels landmark gives locals and tourists incredible pleasure.
In 1826, the botanical garden moved to its permanent location. This decision was made at the request of respected botanists. They considered it right to move this institution to a wooded area with a huge space and fertile soils. Such conditions are necessary for the normal development and growth of most plants.
The opening of the garden took place only in 1829. On this occasion, the local government organized a real celebration with a banquet and a solemn fireworks display.
15. The Belgian Royal Museum of Natural Sciences
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences The Integer Club
This landmark of Brussels has a special place. The Royal Museum of Natural Sciences is conveniently located next to the European Parliament. He introduces his visitors to the inhabitants who once inhabited our planet. The museum’s expositions also reveal to tourists the secrets of the emergence of mathematics and writing.
Children especially like visiting the museum. A unique collection of the remains of real dinosaurs has been collected here especially for them. Young visitors also have the opportunity to see with their own eyes a huge meteorite that once landed in Europe.
In the Museum of Natural Sciences, the murder of the director of this institution is staged daily for fans of detectives. The process of unraveling a mysterious case brings a lot of positive emotions to the guests.
Official website: https://www.naturalsciences.be
Read also about the sights of Antwerp and be inspired to travel further in Belgium.
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