Brussels
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A city teeming with history, architectural marvels, culinary delights, and a vibrant cultural scene. Known for its warm hospitality and unique character.
Approximate flight time:
1hr and 20mins (total distance 288miles)
Airlines that fly direct:
Airport in Brussels
Brussels (BRU)
Seasons:
High: May - August
Low: November - March
Currency:
Euro (€)
Arriving at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is located around 6 miles north of Brussels city centre, making it easy to travel to and from.
Travelling by train is a great way to continue your journey to your final destination. The train station is located at level 1 of the terminal building, directly underneath the Departures and Arrivals Hall. There are up to six trains an hour to and from Brussels and you will also find direct routes to major cities in Belgium. You can either travel to neighbouring countries like The Netherlands, Germany or France.
There are also local and long-distance buses available from the airport at level 0. If you’d prefer to relax in a taxi, you will find a line of taxis waiting outside the Arrivals Hall which run off a metre. There are also car hire options, should you prefer to drive yourself around.
What to expect in Brussels
As the headquarters to the European Union and NATO, the capital city of Belgium is also often referred to as The Capital of Europe. This multicultural city offers much more than government buildings and business.
A small compact city centre means you can easily travel between tourist attractions on foot. With stunning architecture and captivating history packed into every street and alleyway, you’ll not be short of things to see and do.Brussels is a bilingual city, and people speak both French and Flemish.
Due to the international nature of the city, most people do understand a bit of English. However, it's a good idea bring your French phrasebook. The best time to visit Belgium is April – June or September – October. The weather in the Spring and Autumn is very pleasant, with mild temperatures and little rain. Since these are not peak seasons, you will find less crowds and cheaper flights and hotel prices.
Culture in Brussels
Brussels is multicultural to its roots, providing a wealth of activities for any tourist. Start at Brussels’ historic heart: the magnificent Grand Palace, which was built as a merchants’ market in the 13th century. Right in the city centre, it’s beautiful to admire and plays host to numerous festivals and concerts year-round, like the Belgian Beer Weekend and Carpet of Flowers Festival. Look out for the tiny Manneken-Pis, a somewhat peculiar symbol of the city.
The city has many museums and art galleries for you to explore; check out the art at the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts and the rich antique treasures at the Musée du Cinquantenaire. It would be a shame to travel to Brussels and not sample some Belgian beer. Many of the city’s best beers are brewed by Trappist monks and there are loads of brewery tours available.
When you think of Belgian food, what springs to mind? Probably Belgian chocolate, waffles and beer! But Brussels cuisine is so much more than that. Moules-frites/ mosselen-friet (mussels with fries) is a classic Belgian dish, usually served steamed in white wine, in a big black mussel pot. You can find this dish at just about any café or brasserie in Brussels. Don’t leave without tasting speculoos - a flat, spiced shortbread so beloved that you can even get speculoos-flavoured spread and ice cream!
