Attractions

Fondation Jacques Brel or the Jacques Brel Foundation is a museum dedicated to the singer Jacques Brel, who had his heyday in the 1950s in Paris. Although in America he was known as the 'singer from France' he was actually born in Belgium, something he never denied. The museum is located in the centre of Brussels close to the Central Station, and is open Tuesday to Saturday.

The Museé d'Art Ancien is a Brussels attraction well worth a visit. The Collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts starts here, with works by the Flemish Primitives, including those by Dirk Bouts, Hans Memling and Roger Van der Weyden. Later works include those of a Flemish Renaissance style as well as paintings by Pieter Breugel the Elder including 'The Census at Bethlehem', dated 1566. Rubens' 17^th and 18^th century sketches and masterpieces are also on show here. The gallery is open daily, and is located in the centre of Brussels.

The Museé Magritte houses works by Belgium's famous surrealist, and is located in the house that Magritte shared with his wife Georgette from 1930 to 1954. The museum is open from Wednesdays to Sundays, and is close to the centre of town on Rue Essengham.

The European Parliament is obviously a must see when in Brussels. The Parliament sits in an impressive blue-domed building, next door to Parc Leopold. It is the only institution in the EU which meets and has public debates. Visitors can take tours which start at the European Parliament Visitor's Centre - and it's possible to sit in on parliamentary sessions which take place in the 'hemicycle' - the massive debating chamber. The European Parliament is a short bus ride from the city centre.

Belgium is synonymous with chocolate and chocoholics will enjoy taking a walking tour and workshop which follows the trail of Brussels' many chocolate shops. During the tour visitors will find out more about the history of Brussels and why it became so famous for its chocolate. There are free samples and tastings with demonstrations by a 'Master Chocolatier', as well as a walk which takes in the 'Mannenken Pis' - the famous Brussels statue which was crafted by Jerome Duquesnoy. Sablon Square is another highlight which is packed with antique shops, as well the oldest chocolate shop in Brussells - Neuhaus. The tour takes four hours and starts in central Brussels at 9.am.

The Palais de Justice is a gigantic law court which was built by Leopold II, and is situated on a hill overlooking the Marolles quarter of Brussels - designed to intimidate the working class people below. Its architect, Joseph Poelaert, died during its construction - a death which legend has it was caused by witchcraft by the many people who were evicted to make way for the colossal edifice. Visitors get a spectacular view of the city from a nearby viewing platform. Open Monday to Friday.

Another museum worth taking in if you have the time is the Museé d'Art Moderne which is located in the heart of Brussels, and houses a collection of 19^th and 20^th Century art, in a gallery which occupies six floors below ground. Visitors can view paintings by local artists such as Leon Spilliaert and Rik Wouters, as well as some by renowned international artists such as Francis Bacon.

Events

The Europalia Festival is a huge arts festival which is held every two years in Brussels, with one country invited to participate in order to celebrate its cultural heritage. There is a full programme of music, cinema, theatre, dance and fine arts over three months from October to February in a number of venues across Brussels.

The Brussels Flower Show takes place at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, in the suburb of Koekelberg every October. The grounds around this magnificent building are taken over by spectacular flower displays, water features and plants, and visitors also have the opportunity to take in the beautiful panoramic vistas over the city centre.

ArtBrussels attracts experts and art buffs from all across the globe - an event which is run by the Belgian Association of Contemporary Art Galleries at the Brussels Expo. The world class event takes place in April over four days.

Leisure and Recreation

Culture lovers will find plenty to occupy themselves in Brussels on an evening. For opera. the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie will not disappoint. A performance here by the Auber Opera is thought to have been the instigation behind the Belgian revolution in 1830. Since then the RSC and the Comedie Francaise have performed here. The Palais des Beaux Arts features classical music, and is renowned for being the venue for the Queen Elizabeth music competition. The Cirque Royal is another place to head to for classical music, dance, opera and dance.

Brussels has over 30 theatres, the leading French language one being the Theatre National, and for Finnish theatre, the Kaaitheatre. The Theatre le Public, The Theatre Royal del la Monnaie and The Studio Theatre are other venues worth a visit.

For shopping the Rue Neuve has all the main branded stores, but more interesting is the Galeries St Hubert, built in 1840 which is thought to be Europe's first shopping arcade, now featuring designer shops. For chocolate gifts Wittamer and Godiva, as well as Leonidas are good, and for some traditional Belgian beer Beermania on the Chaussee de Wavre is recommended.

Weather

Brussels has a mild temperate climate with warm summers and winters which are chilly but with average temperatures tending to stay above freezing. Like much of Europe Brussels can experience rainfall at any time of year. There are four distinct seasons and summer falls between July and September when average temperatures are around 25 ^o C, at night they are 12-13 ^o C. During a heat wave temps can rise in the 30s.

Getting There and Around

Brussels Airport is located eight miles northeast of Brussels, and the Airport Line bus service runs three or four times each hour into the city centre, a journey of around 40 minutes. Express trains also run into the city centre to the Gare Centrale, Gare du Nord and Gare du Midi.

Eurolines and TEC run coach services into the city centre from major European destinations, but the Belgian National Railways - SNCB/NMBS is a fast and efficient way of getting to the capital from one of the three main railway stations. Eurostar trains and the TGV all stop at Brussels' main stations.

Getting around Belgium is straightforward, with both underground and overground public transport in the form of trams and metro systems. Transport tickets can be bought from most newsagents.

Bicycles can be hired on the Rue de Londres - which also offers guided tours.

Top 6 Free Things to Do

The Grand Place is at the social and economic centre of Brussels - and has been since the Middle Ages. The Hotel de Ville has a 96 metre high spire with a statue of St Michael at the top, and opposite is the Maison du Roi, used by the Hapsburg Royal family, and now home to the Museé de la Ville de Bruxelles. Other buildings of interest in the square include the Guild of Brewers and the Maison de L'Arbre d'Or. Visitors can watch the frequent events and festivals held in the square too.

The Mannekin-Pis is a famously irreverent statue by Jerome Duquesnoy which depicts a young boy urinating. Located in the Rue de L'Etuve this bronze figure is frequently adorned in clothes supplied by companies, and charities aiming to promote their name and brand.

The Notre dame du Sablon is free to enter, and open all week. The building dominates the Place du Grand Sablon, a building which started life as a chapel in the 13^th Century.

The Palais Royal or Royal Palace is one of Brussels' most impressive buildings, located around the Parc de Bruxelles. Another stately building located at the park is the Palais des Academies - former Royal residence of the Prince of Orange. The Royal Palace with its tapestries, ornate furniture and chandeliers is open to the public from the end of July to the end of September.

The Cathedrale des Sts Michel & Gudule - Brussels' patron saints is located on the hillside to the north of Central Station. Work started on the cathedral in 1226 and continued for 300 years, so the church has elements of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The Atomium is a giant model of a molecule of iron. Build for the World Fair in 1958 by the Belgian metal industry the model has been enlarged by 165 billion times its original size. The stainless steel spheres now house a collection of displays. Heysel metro station is the closest station to the attraction.

Money and Costs

The majority of the ATMs and exchange facilities are located in and around the Grand Place, and at the Gare du Midi. Almost all ATMs accept European credit cards, which are also accepted in shops and restaurants. The Euro is the unit of currency in Brussels replacing the Belgian franc, and the Euro is divided into 100 cents, with notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.

Restaurants often include a service charge, as do taxis, so tipping is not usually expected. Porters, doormen and room service usually expect around 50 cents to one euro as a gratuity.