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Gracious architecture, international style, dozens of museums and, of course, beer in Brussels

As European capital cities go, Brussels might be the most underrated. The cosmopolitan city, rich with international flair due to its status as the EU capital, offers a variety of historical and cultural attractions.

We can arrange a walking tour of the historic district, where you’ll see the arches and spires of the Grand Place and stroll along tree-lined avenues ringing rows of gabled houses. Or, you can tour the European Quarter, with its wide green parks, architecturally mixed governmental buildings and fine museums. Brussels is, in fact, home to dozens of museums, from the standard art and history offerings to one of the world’s foremost automotive exhibits to museums dedicated to beer, bookmaking and Braille.

You can also take tasting tours of Belgian cuisine and, of course, Belgian beer, for which the region is renowned. And, from Brussels, you can visit smaller towns like Namur, Dinant and Mons, or tour nearby World War II sites.

Things to see and do in Brussels

Grand Place

This gracious city square is the heart of Brussels, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city’s most-visited destination. Dating from the 10th century, the wide cobblestone plaza is surrounded by arches, gables, spires and patinated domes, the intricate architectural stylings of buildings from the medieval period onward.

Originally serving as the main hub of local merchants, today the square holds the Brussels Town Hall, the 12th-century Maison du Roi or King’s House and a number of gabled guild houses. The enormous plaza plays host to many city celebrations and festivals, as well as seasonal light and sound shows.

Royal Saint Hubert Galleries

Constructed by Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar for King Leopold and his sons in 1846, this covered shopping arcade is lined with some of the most exclusive stores, from clothing to leather shops and chocolatiers. The long, arched galleries have wide, slate walkways and towering skylights that bathe them in natural light.

The most impressive, King’s Gallery, has arches fashioned from pink marble, with semi-circular ornamented windows. Originally a way for royalty and bourgeois society to avoid the common people, today locals and visitors enjoy the delicate cast-iron arches and intricate shopfronts.

Royal Palace, Brussels Park and museums

Some form of royal residence has been on the site of Brussels’ Royal Palace since the late 11th century, but the current structure dates from the 18th, and its grand pillared façade and other embellishments were only added in the early 20th, by King Leopold II.

The neoclassical front stretches 50% longer than that of Buckingham Palace, but while it’s impressive, it’s not the residence of the royal family. Instead, it’s now used as a reception building for foreign dignitaries and heads of state, and is open for tours from late July to late August, displaying ornate rooms and extravagant furnishings.

Across the street is the Parc de Bruxelles or Brussels Park, originally a hunting ground for the Dukes of Brabant in the medieval period but now a public green. Also in the immediate vicinity, you’ll find several museums that are worth a visit, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum and the BELvue Museum, which is focused on Belgian history.

European Quarter

Stretching from Cinquantenaire Park in the east to Brussels Park in the west, the European Quarter is home to the European Union, with dozens of parliament and council buildings making up one of the most international districts in the world. The exterior architecture alone is worth making a visit to see, since the district’s four main squares feature buildings from the Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Belle Époque eras, plus glassy modern buildings and the curved wings of the European Parliament.

Cinquantenaire Park spans 30 hectares (74 acres) and houses the Art & History Museum, The Royal Military Museum and Autoworld, one of the largest car collections in the world.

Belgian beer

Brussels is one of the beer hubs of the world, with a few must-tries for visiting beer lovers. We can arrange a trip to some of the most notable brewers, including The Cantillon, which focuses on gueuze, a sour, wild-fermented beer made by blending an aged lambic with a newer lambic that’s still actively fermenting. The nearby L’Ermitage microbrewery, while much less known, is equally impressive for weekend tastings.

In the historic district, you can follow the pink elephants to Delirium Village, a complex of eight different bars offering over a dozen options from the Delirium brewery itself, along with several dozen more rotating beers from Belgium and abroad.

Best time to visit Brussels

The months of March through May and September through November are the best times to visit, as temperatures are comfortable, trees and gardens are in full bloom and cultural events abound. These are the busier months for domestic travel, however, so expect crowds.

The summer sees a reduction of visitors, since temperatures increase and many Europeans head to more beach-focused destinations. December is quite lively as the Christmas Market kicks off the holiday season. January and February offer minimal crowds and while attractions are closed outside the city, many museums and attractions remain open in Brussels.