20 TOP attractions of Brussels with a guide in 5 hours

Friends!
I offer you a unique opportunity to get acquainted at a comfortable pace and see from different angles the sights of Brussels - the main TOP-20 places. We will see Brussels and sights from the height of the hills and inside the narrow old streets, car windows and on foot, and even go to especially interesting places. At the end of the day, I will always have a little surprise for you.

Be sure to look at the photos, I shot Brussels and sights especially for you! Here are the sights of Brussels we will definitely see and, if you wish, visit:

1.The Grand Place is the most important and most beautiful square in Brussels. Located in the historic center. Surrounded by a magnificent architectural ensemble, in which every building has the right to be called a masterpiece. Around the perimeter are the King’s House, the City Hall and buildings that several centuries ago were owned by the guilds of merchants and artisans. This is the Boatman's House, the Baker's House, the tailor's House and the Malyar's House. All buildings, from the Town Hall and the Bread House, ending with guild houses, are made in the Gothic style. Most of them are about 500 years old. In mid-August, the entire square is decorated with millions of begonias. Flowering and fragrant living carpet for several days in a row.

2.Atomium Atomium is a giant structure combining huge steel spheres and pipes. The design copies the iron molecule. The weight of the Atomium is about 2,500 tons. On the escalators installed inside huge pipes, you can move from one sphere to another. Inside the building there are several interesting expositions, a souvenir shop, there is a spacious restaurant and an observation room. Height 102 meters.

3. Saint-Gerie Halles Saint-Gery is the best exhibition center in Brussels, a significant architectural and historical landmark and the place where the city began its development. The building is brick, up to the middle of the last century played the role of a covered market. The building was named after the island, which was located in this place on the Senna River until it was removed underground. The architectural style of the building is Flemish Neo-Renaissance.

4. The Palais de Justice de Bruxelles, often referred to locally as the “mammoth,” is a monumental 19th-century building. Construction lasted 17 years. Not knowing what this building is, you can mistake it for one of the temples of ancient Egypt. Having conceived the construction of a luxurious palace, Leopold II did not worry that the owners of private houses that were to be demolished received at least some compensation. 52,000 sq.m. is the territory of the Palace of Justice along with all the courtyards. The height of the “mammoth” is 142 m. Today it houses the headquarters of the Supreme Court of the State.

5.The Palais Royal de Bruxelles is the official residence of the Belgian royal family and at the same time one of the most important sights of the capital. Before the Belgian Revolution it belonged to the Netherlands. It is a complex of four luxurious mansions. In August, tourists can enter the Royal Palace for free, walk through the halls with delightfully beautiful interiors. Located on Palace Square. Do not expect to see a member of the royal family, as they live outside the city. From time to time, special guests of the state and delegations are received here.

6.Rue des Bouchers is one of the favorite pedestrian roads. Passes through the center of the Belgian capital. Don’t be surprised to hear “Butcher’s Street” instead of Boucher Street, as it is translated from French in Russian. The secret of the name is simple – on the street (and there were three streets in the Middle Ages) settled those who are called butchers. Here they lived, slaughtered cattle, sold meat and trebucha. In addition to the beautiful houses of the XVII century with the original old doors, the pedestrian street is interesting with an unusual monument “Pising Girl”. From the big street of the Butchers you can go to Malaya and Dominican street of the Butchers. They are both beautiful and interesting both in architecture and entertainment.

7. The Church of Notre-Dame-de-Laquin Église Notre-Dame de Laeken is located in the Laken district, here is the tomb of the Belgian kings. The style of the temple building is Gothic, it is decorated with numerous turrets and spires. The church was built for almost 55 years. Joseph Poulart was the architect, one of his first creations. In addition to visiting the church, it will be interesting to visit a small cemetery located near the temple. The tombs and monuments are so luxurious and beautiful that they themselves deserve to be called the sights of the city.

8.The Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula is a Gothic temple structure. Brussels is divided into old and new parts. The Cathedral is active, they come to it both to kneel and offer prayers, and to admire the delightful beauty of architecture. And there is something to admire here - you can look at openwork capitals, statues of humble saints, bright stained glass windows and symmetrical towers for hours.

9. The complex of buildings of the European Parliament L’espace Leopold is famous primarily for the fact that most of the historic decisions for the EU and the world are made within its walls. The sixteen-storey building is beautiful on the outside and interesting on the inside. Under its roof there are more than three thousand offices and about a hundred conference rooms. In addition to office and meeting rooms, there are many cafes, bars and shops inside the European Parliament. We have the opportunity to pass freely inside the building.

10. St. Nicholas Church Saint-Nicolas, located near the Brussels Stock Exchange, is the oldest church in the city. No less common and its longer name is the Church of St. Nicholas de la Bours. According to the documents, it was built in 1125. The investors were merchants who received income due to the presence of a large port on the banks of the Senna. The temple was destroyed several times almost to the foundation, but each time it was completely restored. There were times of oblivion when the authorities closed the church and even put it up for auction. Local parishioners bought it in 1799 and after 5 years the fully restored church opened its doors.

11. Notre Dame de la Chapelle is another ancient temple building in Brussels. In the mid-12th century, the site chosen by Benedictine monks with the permission of Duke Gottfried I of the Beard for the construction of the temple was deserted. It was outside the city. Today, the temple is almost in the center on Chapelle Square. Repeated restorations after fires and looting allowed to preserve the temple in all its beauty. Pilgrims go to it for such shrines as a particle of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, an ancient wooden baroque pulpit decorated with scenes of the life of the prophet Elijah and an ancient font of the 15th century.

12.Manneken Pis Fountain is one of the unspoken symbols of Brussels. About the famous miniature "Pising boy" is known outside the Belgian state. The sculpture is bronze, its height is 61 cm. A miniature fountain was made in honor of a brave boy (so says the legend), who saved the city from a fire with a stream of urine. For each of the holidays or significant events, the figure is dressed in a specially sewn costume for this purpose. Sometimes Manneken Piece is completely naked, which means that holidays or interesting events are not expected in the near future.

13. The Church of St. Catherine Eglise Sainte-Catherine de Bruxelles, located on St. Catherine - one of the most beautiful squares in Brussels, is also included in the list of top attractions. The architects combined two styles - Gothic and Baroque, and did not lose. The building turned out to be incredibly beautiful. The medieval bell tower has been preserved. A little more than half a century ago, the city could lose this landmark, as in its place it was decided to arrange a parking lot, and later a market. Some miracle saved the temple from destruction, today it is open to believers and atheists.

14. Galeries royales Saint-Hubert Synergy means the interaction of several factors, the total effectiveness of which greatly exceeds the effect of each individual component. The Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert are the embodiment of synergy, a combination of commercial spirit and exquisite architectural style so successful that they are considered among the most beautiful in all of Europe.

15. The Royal Opera House Theatre Royal de la Monnaie was built on the site of a dilapidated and expired mint. Theatre "La Monnet" is famous not only for the most interesting productions, but also for the fact that it was within its walls that the Belgian Revolution began. The theater opened 300 years ago (in 1700), after a hundred years it was expanded. Unfortunately, the new building was destroyed by fire. The last time the building was overhauled in 1855. Since then, no changes have been made to its architectural appearance. The capacity of the opera house is 1150 people.

16.Park of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Parc du Cinquantenaire covers an area of 30 hectares. About 150 years ago, the Belgian army exercised there. The anniversary park was planned to open for the half-century anniversary of the independence of Belgium, which fell in 1880. At the direction of King Leopold II, the construction of the exhibition complex began. Due to the lack of money, construction was delayed. Only 30 years later, the complex was fully built, and the territory was ennobled. In the exhibition halls of the park for many years in a row exhibits of several museums of the city. There are often entertainment events in the park.

17. The royal castle of Laken Chateau de Laeken, chosen by the royal family for permanent residence, can be seen in the suburb of Laken. The territory of the park, which is the main of the three castles - Royal, is open to the public only in April. Tourists are not allowed to enter the castle itself. On the territory of the park there is a porcelain museum with a rich and interesting exposition, the Chinese pavilion, the Japanese-style Tower, the Royal greenhouses.

18. The building of the Exchange De Beurs van Brussel, towering above Burs Square, is interesting for the neoclassical style of facade decoration, its huge size and the original bas-relief on the triangular facade. Built in the late 19th century. Despite the fact that a modern business center was built at that time, the architects approached its design in such a way as if they had set a goal to prepare a project for a luxurious mansion. It is decorated with ancient sculptures and stucco.

19. The Church of Notre Dame du Sablon and the Antique Quarter. Church of the 16th century in the style of flaming Gothic. Having absorbed the unusual atmosphere of Grand Palace, you can treat yourself to the acquisition of real antique values, if we visit the antiques area “Petit Sablon”. On weekends, small shops open here, in which unique items and products are sold, proving their existence the originality and diversity of human thought. In hundreds of stores you can buy tens of thousands of things from all five continents. Interestingly, these acquisitions do not require an export permit. In the quarter there are also numerous restaurants that amaze with European cuisine. You can relax from the bustle of the market in the park, which looks great in sunlight and just magical with the onset of darkness.

20. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium Musees royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique is recommended for lovers of painting and sculpture. The huge collection of the museum contains the works of famous ancient and modern masters. Most of the works are priceless. Visiting Brussels without visiting the Royal Museum of Fine Arts is a huge omission. Especially if you are not indifferent to the works of artists from Italy, France and the Flemish region of Belgium. In the premises of the museum alphabetic numbering. I especially recommend the museum of surrealist artist Rene Magritte. Admirers of his art owe the opportunity to admire most of the artist’s paintings to both the master’s widow and one of his admirers, who for years collected his paintings.

For children - a bonus "Mini-Europe" - a beautiful miniature park, located near the Atomium. It presents miniatures of the most significant European attractions - towers, temples, cathedrals, airports, etc. The total number of miniature buildings exceeds 350. Animated models - ships and sailboats, mills, high-speed trains, cars and even Venetian gondolas, at the press of a button come into motion. Thoughtful and sound accompaniment, seagulls scream in the ports and the sound of snout is heard, characteristic signals are heard on the roads, etc. By the way, there are no inscriptions “Do not touch hands”, you can touch any of the objects.