Waffles & World Heritage Sites: Brussels’ Whirlwind of Style and Shopping

Brussels is a European city that has something for everyone, from historic architecture and traditional breweries to eye-catching futuristic structures and stylish Michelin-starred restaurants.

The capital of Belgium has a plethora of must-visit sights, including the Atomium, the Grand Place, the Cathedral of St. Michel and Gudula, and the infamous Manneken Pis. When discovering Brussels with GuruWalk, you can learn about the city’s history and its main sights from expert local guides.

This article will explore why you should take a trip to Brussels.

Five Reasons To Visit Brussels

You will get a chance to try some tasty local food

Belgium is well known for its cuisine and gastronomic offerings, and Brussels is the best place to try some of the famous sweet and savoury delights, including:

• Waffles. Belgian waffles are thicker than their American counterparts and have extra-deep pockets, which are ideal for filling with various toppings such as whipped cream, fresh fruit, ice cream, and chocolate sauce.
• Chocolate. Belgian chocolate uses a high quantity of cocoa beans in its production process, which results in the distinctive taste that makes Belgian chocolate known across the world.
• Fries. From side dishes in fancy restaurants to paper cones from street vendors, fries are seen everywhere in Brussels. To eat your fries like a local, top them with one or more sauces of your choice.

In addition, Belgium offers a vast selection of local beers that can be sampled at long-standing breweries, atmospheric bars, and stylish taverns. In fact, the beer culture in Belgium is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

You can tick off the ‘capital of the EU’

Although the European Union (EU) has no official capital, Brussels has long been considered its de facto capital, as its home to the Place du Luxembourg – a bustling square known as the all-important European Quarter of Brussels.

In the square, the Parlamentarium is open seven days a week, allowing visitors to learn about the rich history of Europe, the challenges faced by the EU, and the visions of the Members of the European Parliament.

You will get a great shopping experience

Brussels is known as one of the best European cities to go shopping, mainly thanks to the elegance of Les Galeries Royal Saint Hubert. This 19th-century shopping arcade features a range of high-end brands, some of which have designed clothes for the Belgian Royal Family, as well as sophisticated cafés.

(Image Source: Les Galeries Royal Saint Hubert)

 

In addition, you can get a taste of New York City’s Fifth Avenue on Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo or enjoy vintage treasures and custom-made creations in the neighbourhood of Saint-Jacques.

You can visit five UNESCO sites at once

Brussels is home to five world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Place and the four major townhouses designed by 1890s architect Victor Horta.

The Grand Place is the city’s main square and is home to one of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe. It has a fascinating mixture of Baroque, Gothic, and neo-Gothic architecture.

The four major townhouses of Victor Horta – now known as Hotel Tassel, Hotel Solvay, Hotel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta – are why Brussels is often considered the birthplace of the international architecture style Art Nouveau. The townhouses are among the best examples of Art Nouveau architecture, a unique architectural movement that emerged in Europe at the end of the 19th century.

You can get there easily

From the UK, you can get to Brussels by boat, train, and plane. If you live in southern England, you can board a direct train from London St Pancreas to Brussels, which takes under two hours. If you live in northern England, you can take the overnight ferry from Hull to Brussels.

For those who prefer to travel by plane, be careful which airport you fly to. Brussels has two international airports, which both welcome daily flights from airports across the UK. From Brussels Zaventem Airport, you can reach Brussels city centre in just 17 minutes. However, from Brussels Charleroi Airport, you must take a 55-minute bus journey to reach the centre.

Ready To Witness Brussels’ Whirlwind of Style and Shopping?

Now that you know all the main reasons to visit Brussels, from its architectural style to its impressive shopping facilities, it’s time to start planning your trip. As mentioned above, it’s super easy to get to Brussels from the UK, and we recommend staying between 2 and 4 days.

However, the city centre has excellent connections to other European highlights, such as Amsterdam and Paris, if you want to extend your trip.