48 hours in . . . Brussels, an insider guide to the comic capital of Europe

Cherry-picking in a city like no other

There is plenty about Brussels that makes it like no other city. It’s the capital of the European Union for a start (but you wouldn’t necessarily sense it), operating in two native languages (French and Dutch/Flemish). The historic centre is like a reverse donut, with the imposing Grand Place in the middle, surrounded by mundane, often tawdry streets that in any other European city would be prime real estate. In among these, all within walking distance, are sublime and surreal art collections (Brueghel, Rubens, Magritte), impressive churches, alluring shops, high-quality eateries (including the legendary chip stands), and splendid eccentricities such as the Manneken-Pis and a comic-book museum (Tintin et al.)

Beyond the centre there are streets lined with Art Nouveau buildings, a museum packed with world treasures, and one of the best train museums in the world. There’s so much to choose from and be surprised by, as you sip the uniquely local lambic beer flavoured with cherries.

Day One

MORNING

All new visitors to Brussels should begin at the Grand Place, the historic central square, a magnificent coronet of guildhouses and joyously decorative civic buildings. Stand and gawp in wonder, and perhaps have a coffee (or early beer) on the terrace of the Roy d’Espagne (Grand Place 1; 00 32 2 513 08 07), a celebrated tavern in the old bakers’ guildhouse.

Now swallow your tourist pride and join the throngs heading down the Rue de l’Étuve to see the Manneken-Pis, the tiny bronze statue of a little boy weeing, dating back originally to the 15th century and often clothed in elaborate fancy dress, that has become the city’s self-mocking icon. For the full monty, visit the selection of his 960 or so costumes at the GardeRobe MannekenPis (Rue du Chêne 19).

After heading back across the Grand Place, walk through splendid 19th-century shopping arcade, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, lined with the exquisitely high-end window displays of luxury brands such as local leather-goods manufacturer Delvaux and the top chocolate manufacturers, such as Mary. Then pop into the Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule (Place Sainte-Gudule; 00 32 2 217 83 45), a fine 13th-century Gothic church.

Continue up the hill to reach the Parc de Bruxelles, the biggest green space in central Brussels, laid out formally with tree-shaded avenues. Walk south through the park to see the grand early 19th-century Palais Royal, the official headquarters of the King (usually open to the public late July and August), before entering the Place Royale to reach the Musée des Instruments de Musique (Rue Montagne de la Cour 2; 00 32 2 545 01 30), a wonderful collection of historic musical instruments in an old Art Nouveau department store. You could start with a spot of lunch here, at its top-floor restaurant (terrace outside in summer), which offers soups, elaborate salads and Belgian classics such as chicons au gratin (endive and ham gratin) and raw beef tartare, or Sunday brunch, along with fine views over the city.

AFTERNOON

Now visit the Musées Royaux des Beaux Arts (Rue de la Régence 3; 00 32 2 508 32 11), just a short walk along the Place Royale. This is Belgium’s premier art collection, and you could easily spend a whole afternoon here in the company of the Flemish Primitives, Bruegel and Rubens, and in the adjoining Musée Fin-de-Siècle (Rue de la Régence 3; 00 32 2 508 32 11), with its wonderfully weird work by the Belgian Symbolists, and some fabulous Art Nouveau treasures. And then there’s the Magritte Museum, occupying another wing.

After this, walk back to the centre of town via the Place du Petit Sablon, the lovely late-Gothic Eglise Notre-Dame du Sablon, and the chocolate shops of the Place du Grand Sablon.

LATE

Drop in for some early-evening jazz and a drink at L’Archiduc (Rue Antoine Dansaert 6; 00 32 2 512 06 52), where the style is Art Deco, and the mood elegantly smooth. Then dine at one of the many restaurants in the now-trendy food hub of the Rue de Flandre/Place Sainte-Catherine area, such as amiable fish specialist La Marée (Rue de Flandre 99; 00 32 2 511 00 40), where the simple décor of seascape paintings and marine mementoes sets the scene. Look for Belgian classics here, such as croquettes aux crevettes grises (shrimp croquettes) and moules-frites (mussels and chips), and you’ll be hard put to find plaice better cooked.

• The best restaurants in Brussels

Day Two

MORNING

Today you’ll dip a toe into south Brussels, which mushroomed as Belgium industrialised during the reign of King Leopold II (1865–1909). First stop is the Musée du Cinquantenaire (00 32 2 741 73 31), located in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, created for and named after the 50th anniversary of Belgian nationhood in 1880. Inside is a world-class collection of Belgian and international artefacts in the mould of the British Museum.

Leaving the park, head west to the Rond-point Robert Schuman, gateway to the EU district flanked by several of its key institutions, such as the European Commission in the Berlaymont Building. To the south is Place Jourdan, at the centre of which stands Maison Antoine (Place Jourdan 1; 00 32 2 230 54 56), a good place to sample the famed Belgian chips, along with traditional meal-sized snacks, such as carbonnade flamande (beef stew cooked in beer).

• The best free things to do in Brussels

AFTERNOON

A walk through Parc Leopold leads to the wonderfully bizarre Musée Wiertz (Rue Vautier 62; 00 32 2 648 17 18), the grand studio of Antoine Wiertz (1806–65), who fancied himself as the new Rubens but – as his elaborate, moralistic works demonstrate – his talent did not match his ambitions, often to laughable effect. But the afternoon’s principal destination is the Horta Museum (Rue Américaine 23-25; 00 32 2 543 04 90), just over a mile to the south west. You can walk, or take buses 80 or 34 (to Porte de Namur) and then 54. Victor Horta (1861–1947) was the pioneer and supremo of Art Nouveau architecture, and this was his exemplary house and studio.

Now take a wander through this area to spot the influence of Art Nouveau, in Rue Defacqz and Rue Faider for instance. At No 6 Rue Paul-Emile Janson is the Hôtel Tassel, the first ever Art Nouveau house, designed by Victor Horta and completed in 1894.

The top end of the Avenue Louise, with the adjacent Boulevard de Waterloo, is the centre of Brussels’ luxury shopping (Cartier, Hermès and the aforementioned Delvaux). Many of the shops here stay open to 6 or 6.30pm.

LATE

Admire the megalomaniac archictecture of the Palais de Justice (built 1866–83) before an early dinner nearby at Colonel (24 Rue Jean Stas; 00 32 2 538 57 36). This is the kind of restaurant Brussels does so well: a specialist in high-quality, carefully aged beef (see their display cabinet of the marbled raw product), but where everything on the menu – such as the cured meats, scallops and skrei (Norwegian Arctic cod) – is worthy of attention. Then head back into the centre for a beer or two at Moeder Lambic (Place Fontainas 8; 00 32 2 503 60 68), where you’ll find several hundred to choose from.

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Luxury Living

Short of being actually in the Grand Place, Hotel Amigo is as close to the historic centre of Brussels as you can get. Olga Polizzi, sister of Sir Rocco Forte and designer for the Rocco Forte chain, has a subtle and distinctive style: unfussy, coolly stated luxury. The close attention to detail includes locally sourced fixtures and fittings, with a distinctive Belgian touch.

Double rooms from €269 (£236). Rue de l’Amigo 1-3; 00 32 2 547 47 47

Boutique Beauty

The core of Made in Louise dates from 1911, and the hotel still retains its historic charm with an original six-storey stairwell (there is also a lift), but everything has been upgraded with the flourish of a designer’s eye mixed with beguilingly ‘homemade’ touches: white, black, cream and grey contrast with the bold wallpapers and calligraphy directions on the walls.

Double rooms from €99 (£76). Rue Veydt 40; 00 32 2 537 40 33

Budget Bolthole

A former brewery is the industrial setting for MEININGER Hotel Brussels City Center, a novel property that is part of a dynamic German chain that aims to bring hotel standards to hostel culture. The result is good, flexible accommodation, an easy-going atmosphere, effective catering and highly competitive prices close to the heart of the city. 

Double rooms from €45 (£38). Quai de Hainaut 33; 00 32 25 88 14 74

• A complete guide to the best hotels in Brussels

Belgian chocolates, of course. There are numerous outlets for the excellent high-street brands such as Godiva and Neuhaus, and the even more upmarket Pierre Marcolini and Mary. The Place du Grand Sablon has become a centre for a number of high-quality chocolate shops, and includes one of the landmark outlets of Pierre Marcolini (Rue des Minimes 1/ Place du Grand Sablon; 00 32 2 514 12 06).

The Belgians also specialise in delicious dry, buttery biscuits such as speculoos and sablés. The leading Brussels brand is Dandoy (established 1829), with its beautiful little flagship shop close to the Grand Place (31 Rue au Beurre; 00 32 2 540 27 02).

Summer is particularly agreeable: when the sun shines the pavement cafés throng with life, and Brussels is quickly into party mode. Life in Brussels centres around friends and conviviality: on a summer’s evening head down to the now-trendy area around the Place du Châtelain in Ixelles to get a measure of it.

This is also the season of classic Brussels events, notably the Ommegang pageant (July) and the “Carpet of Flowers” or, in alternate years, “Flowertime” (August) in the Grand Place. Be warned, however: it rains frequently in all seasons – pack an umbrella, whatever the forecast.

Essential Information

British Embassy: 00 32 2 287 62 11; 10 Avenue d’Auderghem, 1040 Brussels. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

Emergency services: Dial 112

Brussels Tourist Office: 00 32 2 513 89 40; visit.brussels; counters at Grand Place (at the front of the Hôtel de Ville) and 2 Rue Royale (Place Royale), Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-6pm

The basics

Currency: Euro

Languages: French and Dutch are the two main native languages of Brussels (all street signs and most notices are written in both); English is widely spoken, especially among people engaged in the tourist industry

Telephone code: dial 00 32 for Belgium, then 2 for Brussels, when telephoning from the UK

Time difference: + 1 hour

Travel times: Flights to Brussels from the UK take about one hour; the Eurostar train from London to Brussels takes two hours

Author bio

Antony has loved Brussels and its people since he married one of them in 1980. Because the city is modest about its charms, visitors come away surprised and happy. He likes that.