Brussels City Guide
The city of choice for Eurocrats, Brussels is sumptuous, historic and luxuriously cosy. With artistry richer than chocolate, architecture as graceful as its cuisine and diversity frothier than the beer, Brussels is an heirloom of northern culture at its best. What makes Brussels special? Seafood in great restaurants, the smell of hot waffles on a cold winter's day, cafes and pubs that never close, the cosmopolitan but neighbourly feel, forests practically on the doorstep, pheasant and truffles in autumn, comic strips, designer shops...
Brussels Sights and Museums
Get lost in a dense circuit of cobblestone alleys before emerging suddenly into the magnificence of the Grand Place with its baroque guildhalls, splendid Gothic town hall and ringside gaggle of pavement cafes and intimate restaurants. Then see what else the backstreets of Brussels have to offer.
Brussels Entertainment
The most prestigious annual event in Brussels is Ommegang, a 16th-century-style procession staged within the illuminated Grand Place in early July. Just as popular is the biennial flower carpet that colours the square in mid-August (even-numbered years). Immerse yourself in music at the annual Brussels Jazz Marathon (last weekend in May) or get down to some African beats at the Couleur Café's celebration of local diversity. The Grand Place , together with the Sablon and Place Ste Catherine, also host free open-air concerts throughout summer.
Brussels Transports
Brussels' modern and efficient public transportation system includes the metro, trams, premetro (trams that go underground for part of their journey) and buses, all run by the Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB in French, MIVB in Flemish). Tickets are available at metro stations, STIB kiosks, some newsagents and on buses and trams. You can purchase single-trip tickets, five/ten-journey tickets or day passes. Metro stations are marked by rectangular signs with a white 'M' on a blue background. Tram and bus stops have red and white signs. There's no central hub for buses, so you'll want to pick up the STIB's free transportation map. Premetro trams run mainly between Gare du Nord and Gare du Midi. Trains are of minimal use within Brussels for visitors, except for getting to the airport. There are car rental companies at Gare du Midi, Brussels airport and around the city; the latter offer the cheapest prices. Driving in Brussels is not for the lily-livered - think aggressive drivers, potholes, cut-throat traffic loops and parking hassles. Taxis are metered and expensive; the tax and tips are figured into the meter price. Generally, you'll find taxis at all three major train stations, around the Grand Place and at place Stéphanie on Ave Louise. You can also call for a taxi from anywhere in the city.
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