Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a city that at first we had no enthusiasm for and added as an afterthought to an itinerary filled with more storied and exciting locations. But Brussels sprouted from the the dirt into which we had cast it and grew into a city that we look back on with great amusement and very much plan to visit again one day.
Money
Belgium is a part of the European Union and uses the Euro. Cards are accepted everywhere. Make sure your credit card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees!
How to Get Around
In Brussels, we walked. Everywhere. But you don’t have to! As in so many other European cities there is excellent public transportation here. You may want to purchase what is called a BRUPASS. The BRUPASS is for an individual traveler and grants access to buses, trams, trains, and the metro in the Brussels Capital Zone. You will need a physical, plastic, MOBIB card which will serve as your pass onto Brussels transportation. Purchase a MOBIB card for BRUPASS, or single use tickets if you’re only in town for a day or two, at ticket offices and kiosks at train or metro stations.
Follow the above link for additional information on Belgium’s state transportation site. Once you know how, it’s very easy to use and get around. We love Belgium’s train system. Note: for trips outside of the Capital Zone (Brussels city proper) there is a BRUPASS XL. Where you’re going, where you’re coming from, and how long you’re staying will all factor in to which ticket options are most cost effective, so do a little homework before purchasing.
BRUPASS is a great option because transportation in Brussels is operated by several companies that operate in different languages, making the acronyms and names, as well as the actual use of transportation confusing. BRUPASS cuts through a lot of this confusion by using a single method of payment for multiple companies.
Don’t want to take public transportation but want to go faster than your own two legs can take you? Rent a bike! There are plenty of places that will rent you a bike, just whip out that smart phone and take a look around your accommodations. Most places rent by the hour though by the day may be available.
We do not suggest renting a car in Brussels. Gas can be hard to find, expensive, and parking is… not fun for similar reasons. Renting a car is superfluous when there are so many ways to get around and spend less money. Uber and similar apps/companies are available though. Uber has an on/off relationship with Belgium, and Brussels, though they still operate there to the best of our knowledge.
Whether you arrive at the airport (BRU) or by train to Gare du Midi you’re going to want to head downtown and start doing what you came to do. There is a vibrant culture in Brussels, even though it was hard for us to see at first glance.
The European Parliament meets here in Brussels which serves as both the capital of the EU and the country of Belgium.
Where to Go and What to Do
1. The Manneken Pis is a delightfully deranged little fountain statue of a small boy relieving himself. This little guy is very popular. There is constantly a crowd around him, taking pictures, and he even has his own line of merchandise which you can find in many of the shops around the city. A neat feature of the notorious statue is that the city dresses it up in different costumes from time to time. When we visited, the lad was attired as a beekeeper, though still had the freedom to take his ease if you know what we mean.
Mannekin Pis has two other matching fountains in the city. Jeaneke Pis and Het Zinneke, or Zinneke Pis, are fountain statues of a girl and a dog respectively. Zinneke is a play on words as it meant was a word used for stray dogs and a slang term for the people of Brussels. Though less popular these two are still notable and worth the walk to see.
2. The Triumphal Arch or the Monument du Cinquantenaire in the Parc du Cinquantenaire is an awesome sight to behold. A massive construct to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence was began in 1880 and completed in 1905, on the 75th anniversary. It is truly a magnificent and massive monument. It also serves a further purpose of housing several organizations. The Royal Army and Military History Museum, the Royal Art Museum, and Autoworld.
3. The Grand Place is a large square near the center of the city that dates in part back to the 14th century. Its boundaries are formed of large, ornamented buildings that combine different architectural styles. Admiring the edifices from the cobblestone square is entirely enjoyable. At night in December, the square is lit by Christmas lights and a Christmas tree and there is music playing. Large crowds gather to take in the sight.
4. The Royal Palace of Brussels is an administrative center for the monarchy, as Belgium is still nominally ruled by a king. The royal family does not live at the Palace in Brussels, they only have offices there. It is possible to visit and tour the palace for a short period in summer, usually July-August, and there is no charge at this time. You do need to book your visit ahead of time.