Brussels has such a variety of things to see and do that it can sometimes be overwhelming. There are more than 75 museums dedicated to just about every special interest under the sun, in addition to impressive public buildings, leafy parks, and interesting squares. History is just around every corner. Fortunately, numerous sidewalk cafes offer respite for weary feet, and there's good public transport to those attractions beyond walking distance of the compact, heart-shaped city center, which contains many of Brussels's most popular attractions.
Arc de Triomphe The Arc de Triomphe is situated in parc du Cinquantenaire and dominates the view from both rue de la Loi and avenue de Tervuren. Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Mérode.
Atomium Originally built for the 1958 World Fair, the Atomium is Brussels' equivalent of the Eiffel Tower, except it is located in the suburbs and isn't as famous. You get a great view from the top of this 102 metre tall steel and aluminium model of the nine atoms in a molecule. Admission: ˆ6. Open Apr-Aug 9am-8pm daily; Sep-Mar 10am-6pm daily. Website: www.atomium.be. Boulevard du Centenaire, 1020 Brussels. Métro: Heysel.
Centre Belge de la Bande Dessineee The Belgian Comic Strip Centre is housed in an art nouveau building designed by Victor Horta and contains original art from the great Belgian comics, including Tin Tin, Lucky Luke, Spirou, the Smurfs and Gaston Lagaffe. Admission: ˆ5, ˆ15 including entrance to Mini Europe. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. 20, rue des Sables, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Botanique, De Brouckère or Rogier.
Grand Place/Grote Markt Described by Victor Hugo as "the most beautiful square in Europe", the Grand Place (Grote Markt in Flemmish) is the heart of Brussels. The square contains a number of impressive baroque and gothic buildings including the Hôtel de Ville (town hall). Every night between May and September there is a free sound and light show. Grand Place, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Bourse or Gare Centrale.
Hotel de Ville This gothic masterpiece began construction in 1402 and was the only building to survive the 1695 bombardment during the French occupation of Brussels. Nowadays there are guided tours which take you into the art-adorned rooms inside the town hall. Guided tours: Apr-Sep Tue 11.30am & 3.15pm, Wed 3.15pm, Sun 12.15pm; Oct-Mar Tue 11.30am & 3.15pm, Wed 3.15pm. Grand Place, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Bourse or Gare Centrale.
Manneken Pis & Janneken Pis This tiny statue of a boy taking a leak is one of Brussels most famous landmarks - and one of the most disappointing. The Manneken Pis has numerous legends and a collection of more than 500 costumes which are on display in the Musée de Ville de Bruxelles. In 1985 the Manneken Pis got a female counterpart known as Janneken Pis which is located nearby. This squatting and slightly vulgar statue has failed to inspire civic pride in the same manner as the Manneken Pis. Manneken Pis: corner of rue de l'Etuve & rue du Chêne, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Bourse or Gare Central. Janneken Pis: Impasse de la Fidelite, 1000 Brussels. Metro: Bourse or De Brouckère.
Mini-Europe A touristy and kitsch collection on replicas of European landmarks spread over 2½ hectares. Admission: €11, €15 including entrance to the Atomium. Open 23 Mar-30 Jun 9.30am-5pm; Jul-Aug 9.30am-7pm; Sep 9.30am-5pm; 1 Oct-5 Jan 10am-5pm. Website: www.minieurope.com. 20, boulevard du Centenaire, 1020 Brussels. Métro: Heysel.
Musee de l'Art Anciene This art museum contains a diverse range of art with an emphasis on the Dutch and Flemish masters. Admission: €3.75, students €2.50. Open: Tue-Sun 10am-noon & 1pm-5pm, closed 1 Jan, 1 & 11 Nov & 25 Dec. 3, rue de Régence, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Gare Centrale or Parc.
Musee de l'Art Moderne This art museum concentrates on Belgian art from the 20th century including the surrealists René Magritte and Paul Dalvaux. Admission: €3.75, students €2.50. Open: Tue-Sun 10am-1am & 2pm-5pm, closed 1 Jan, 1 & 11 Nov & 25 Dec. 1-2, place Royale, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Gare Centrale or Parc.
Musee Bruxellois de la Gueuze This museum includes a brewery tour which allows you to taste the uniquely Belgian gueuze and lambic beer. Open: Jun-Sep Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-1pm; Oct-May Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-5pm. 56, rue Gheude, 1070 Brussels. Métro: Gare du Midi; bus: 20, 47; tram: 18, 52, 55, 56, 81, 82.
Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles The city museum is located in the King's House on the Grand Place. this is a good place to get a good overview of Brussels. The exibits include the entire wardrobe of over 500 costumes designed for the Manneken Pis. Admission: ˆ2. Open: Apr-Oct Mon-Thu 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-1pm; Nov-Mar Mon-Thu 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-1pm. Grand Place, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Bourse, De Brouckère or Gare Centrale.
Palais de Justice This huge building dominates the Galenburg hill and features an equally impressive interior. You get a great view of the city from the terrace. Admission free. Open: Aug-Sep Mon-Sat 9.30am-noon & 1.30pm-3pm. Place Poelaert, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Louise.
Palais Royal The official residence of the Belgian royal family is an imposing building where you can watch the changing of the guard daily at 2.30pm. Admission: free. Open: 25 Jul-8 Sep Tue-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm. Place des Palais, 1000 Brussels. Métro: Parc.
Royal Museum for Central Africa Established in 1897 by King Léopold II as an exhibition of the Belgian colonies in the Congo. Often referred to by its Flemish name, the Museum voor Midden-Afrika contains a number of exhibits on various aspects of central Africa with particular emphasis on the former Belgian colony of the Congo. Admission: ˆ2. Open: Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. Website: www.africamuseum.be. 13, chaussée de Louvaine, Tervuren. Tram 44.
Before Disneyland opened outside Paris, this was Europe's biggest theme park. There's the usual assortment of roller coasters and other fun rides. The adjoining water park (Aqualibi) has a great set of waterslides. Open: May-Sep daily 10am-6pm. Website: www.walibi.be. Located in Warve, take the train from Schuman station to Gare de Bierges.
