BRUSSELS
Area: Belgium


Location:
In centre of Belgium, 70 mls E of coast. 23 mls S of Antwerp. National airport 7 mls NE of city centre.

Telephone code from UK:
32

Website:
http://www.tib.be

Position:
Lies among gentle undulations which interrupt overall flatness of Flanders. At centre of rail system connecting with rest of Europe; efficient motorway network radiates outwards like spokes of a wheel.

Description:
Surprisingly far removed from its image as Europe's bland capital, the city is in fact beautiful, romantic, lively and cultured. Its 1 million inhabitants live in 19 districts, or "communes", each with its own distinct personality. As the seat of the European Parliament, it is truly cosmopolitan, with foreign-language newspapers on sale at almost every newsagent. There are excellent French restaurants, thousands of bars and cafes, the atmospheric ethnic markets of Boulevard d'Ypres and exquisite Art Nouveau houses. The core of the city _ measuring around 2 mls from N to S and enclosed by wide boulevards _ is where most of tourist interest is found. At its centre is the impressive Grand Place, a baroque masterpiece rebuilt after the city was razed by Louis XIV's troops in 1695, but still retaining whispers of its medieval origins. The surrounding narrow cobbled streets are a delight to wander in. A few blocks to the S is the famous bronze statue, Manneken Pis, whose name says it all. Most of the best sights are within walking distance: the Stock Market building (La Bourse), Palace of Congress, Parliament building and the formal gardens of Warande Park. Then there's the Cathedral, Palace of Justice, museums and art galleries _ works by Rubens, Van Eyck and Breughel are particularly worth seeing. The commercial hub of the city is 1 ml to the E, among broad avenues and green parks. Farther out (to the N) is the Atomium (a huge stainless-steel landmark), Royal Palace of Laeken, the Chinese Pavilion and lacquered Japanese Tower.

Suitability:
Appeals to broad spectrum of people, particularly those who enjoy culture, like a wide choice of restaurants, bars and cafes, and relish streets full of history and atmosphere. Large and ever-increasing number of business visitors, as Brussels continues its development as the centre of European affairs. As a rule, business customers predominate during week, with tourists at weekends and holidays.

Accommodation:
Mainly 3- to 5-star properties, with smattering of lower-rated offerings. Most interesting selection (from seedy to magnificent) found in the old centre; other groupings around Place Rogier, Avenue Louise and Place Schuman tend to be more bland. Reduced rates often available at weekends and holidays, when business customers aren't so thick on ground.

Shopping:
Grand Place for souvenirs, including Belgian chocolates and lace. Blvd Adolphe Max and Nieuwstraat for department stores; Avenue Louise and Gulden Vlieslaan for top-quality goods. Weekend antique market on pretty Grand Sablon; flea market on Vossenplein, in neighbourhood of Marollen.

Entertainments:
Daytime: sightseeing, museums, art galleries. Walking tours (leaflets available from tourist office). Open-top sightseeing bus. Cafe society. Nightlife: centres on Blvd Adolphe Max, with bars on Grand Place also worth visiting. Plenty of nightclubs, theatres and opera; shows include anything from jazz performances to transvestite show.

Eating:
Belgian cuisine matches, and even surpasses, that of France; many dishes are French and focus is on fish and seafood. Appealing pedestrianised rue des Bouchers is wall-to-wall with excellent, if touristy, places offering great-value set menus. Best hotels have good _ if expensive _ restaurants and area around Grand Place is full of eateries of practically every category. For something different, "Matonge" _ a predominantly African district near Porte de Namur _ is full of places serving high-quality, interesting African food. Wine is good, but beer is not to be missed (400 varieties from 125 different breweries). Restaurant guide (charge) is available from tourist office.

Public-transport:
Excellent modern Metro system covers central area and reaches out to suburbs to N and W. Many Metro stations have bus and tram connections. Day travel cards valid for all 3 networks available from stations. Regular train services depart at 20-min intervals from North and Central stations. Worth getting hold of transport map from tourist office.

Local-excursions:
Half day: Mechelen, a medieval town; Waterloo, site of Napoleon's defeat; university town of Louvain. Full day: Knokke-Heist for beach, bird-watching, casinos; Namur, Dinant and the Ardennes for hilly scenery and interesting towns.