e-travel-to Brussels

Fast Facts Brussels

• Area 161 sq km / 62 sq miles
• Population 1,000,000 (2005)
• Time Zone GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
• Languages
  • Dutch (official)
  • Belgium's tangled tongues date back to when Christ was a toddler and Franks were forcing Celts and Gauls into the land's southern regions, making an early form of Dutch the norm in the north. And so it remains, with French the accepted language in the south. Brussels, stuck in the middle, is one of the world's few officially bilingual capitals.
  • French (official) French speakers live in Wallonia in the south.
  • German (official)
• Currency Euro (Euro)
• Electricity 230V 50HzHz
• Electric Plug Details European plug with two circular metal pins

Brussels Travel News

Technically the region is bi-lingual, one of the only truly bi-lingual cities in the world. Over half the population is thought to be French-speaking, with a hefty chunk speaking both French and Dutch. In fact, almost every nation is well-represented here and the city is multi-cultural and multi-lingual.

Of course, most of the coverage of Brussels in the UK focuses on the politics. Understandable considering the European Commission and Council of the European Union have their head quarters here. The European Parliament also has a parliamentary chamber in the city and houses the political seat of NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

Although Belgium reached its 175th anniversary of 'statehood' last year, there has been some form of important trade centre here since at least the middle ages. Before independence was won by Belgium in 1830, Roman, Spanish, Austrian, French and Dutch occupiers have all been in control of this small country at one stage or another.

Unfairly depicted as boring, Brussels was the original home of Surrealism, pioneered by adopted son of Brussels, René Magritte.

Every year, the BLGP (Belgian Lesbian and Gay Pride) organizes Brussels' Gay Pride. The street festival attracts over 20,000 visitors.

The Berlaymont building, the home of the European Commission headquarters, sits on the site of a former convent, the Dames du Berlaymont.

The elegantly named Pis Mannekin is one of the most famous sights in Brussels. The sculpture features a small boy urinating.

Hergé's Tintin, he of spiked quiff, is one of Brussels' most famous exports, alongside, of course, Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Where to go

First things first, any new visitor to Brussels must head for a bar. The locally-made Belgian gin (“genie”) is a the perfect pick-me-up. Seafood too, is a speciality of many restaurants here and with the number of dignitaries and big wigs that pass through the city, you can be sure the quality of the food will be top-notch.

The city is split into 19 districts, each with their own personality. The city centre is divided into two sections: Lower Town and Upper Town. The Lower Town features the gorgeous Grand Place and has some fantastic original medieval buildings. The cobbled streets are narrow and labyrinthine.

The Upper Town, which sits higher and overlooks the Lower Town, is grander and more spacious.

The municipality of St-Gilles (“Sint-Gillis” in Dutch) attracts an arty, bohemian crowd with offbeat shops and restaurants. The tradition of art and architecture is strong. Victor Horta, the famous architect, built a stunning Art Nouveau building here which is now the Horta Museum. Neighboring area, Ixelles (“Elsene” in Dutch) continues the 'artsy thinker' theme, with two universities.

Those with a penchant for offbeat fashion and cutting edge design will already know that Martin Margiela, one-time protege of Jean-Paul Gaultier, is a local lad. That Raf Simons, of the super-cool one-time industrial designer turned menswear aficionado is a son of Belgium and the uber-chic Veronique Branquinho also calls Belgium home.

For those looking to flex some retail muscle, head to rue Antoine Dansaert, the high fashion strip of Brussels. Local and independent labels stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the internationals and you're bound to pick up a one-off piece.

Brussels has two international airports, the largest of which is Brussels National, a few miles outside the city centre. Some budget airlines still fly to Brussels South Charleroi.

Brussels is a relatively small city and it's fairly easy to walk around the main centre without the need for public transport. Alternatively, bikes are available to hire from Pro Vélo in rue du Londres or at Bois de la Cambre in the park.

The public transport system is well-run and efficient. Buses, trams and an underground service run from early morning until around 1am and you can buy a 10-journey multi-pass for around £5.

There are four mainline train stations in Brussels, each is well connected to the bus, tram and underground system. During summer there are many guided bus tours which are well worth it for first time visitors. The buses are hop-on, hop-off but to grab one at the start of the journey head to the central station.