Information
City: BrusselsCountry: Belgium
Continent: Europe
Brussels, Belgium, Europe
Overview
Brussels is Belgium’s capital, the EU’s unofficial headquarters, and a major political and cultural crossroads, where diplomats fill cafés and debates spill late into the night.Brussels blends centuries-old history with global clout and a buzzing cultural scene, where medieval squares meet sleek glass towers.Brussels traces its roots to the 10th century, when it began as a small fortified settlement with wooden walls and narrow gates.Perched along the winding Senne River, the city drew settlers and traders alike.By the 12th and 13th centuries, Brussels was buzzing with markets and official halls, its influence spreading across the region.In the 15th century, it joined the Burgundian Netherlands, adding to its growing influence.By the 1500s and 1600s, Brussels was rising as a major city in the Spanish and Austrian Netherlands, its politics molded by Habsburg rule and the steady weight of their power.In this period, the city’s buildings and streetscapes blossomed, with ornate facades catching the sunlight.In the 19th century, Brussels’ influence swelled as it became Belgium’s capital after the nation won independence in 1830.The Industrial Revolution pushed Brussels into a new era, turning it into a thriving hub where factory whistles and political debates filled the air.By the 20th century, Brussels had become the hub of European politics, its grand squares and glass-fronted buildings home to the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Council.Brussels sits at the heart of EU decision-making and is often called the “capital of Europe.” As Belgium’s capital, it houses the monarchy, the Federal Parliament, and the Royal Palace, where guards stand watch at the wrought-iron gates.Beyond the EU, the city hosts NATO and other major international bodies, reinforcing its status as a global political hub.It’s also a powerhouse for international business, finance, and trade.Right in the heart of Europe, the city draws a steady stream of international conferences and summits, while housing a host of multinational companies and major financial players.Tourism adds another boost, with visitors flocking to its cobbled squares, grand museums, and the imposing buildings of the EU.Brussels draws professionals from across the globe with its role as a hub for business and politics, while its efficient transport links-from the buzzing Brussels Airport to the rumble of trams, buses, and the Metro-keep the city and its surroundings well connected; wander its streets and you’ll spot everything from towering Gothic spires to the flowing curves of Art Nouveau and sleek glass-fronted modern buildings.The Grand Place, lined with gilded guildhalls and the towering Town Hall, ranks among Europe’s most stunning squares.The Atomium, an extraordinary steel-and-aluminum landmark built for the 1958 Brussels World Expo, stands as one of the city's most recognizable symbols.Brussels also brims with world-class museums and galleries-wander through the Royal Museums of Fine Arts to see Rubens’ rich, glowing canvases, step into the Magritte Museum for surreal dreamscapes, explore the Musée des Instruments de Musique with its rows of gleaming violins, or catch a cutting-edge show at Bozar.And for comic lovers, this is hallowed ground-the birthplace of Hergé, who gave the world Tintin, and Peyo, creator of The Smurfs.The Belgian Comic Strip Center keeps the tradition alive, while bright murals of beloved characters splash across city walls.In Brussels, you’ll hear both French and Dutch-they share equal status here.Brussels’ mix of languages mirrors Belgium’s wider multilingual character, giving the city its own distinct charm.And even with all the concrete and bustle, you’ll still find leafy parks and open lawns tucked between the streets.Parc du Cinquantenaire ranks among the city’s best-known spots, marked by soaring stone arches and a museum complex that hums with quiet footsteps.Bois de la Cambre gives you a quiet escape among shady woods and still lakes, while the Brussels Botanical Garden offers calm paths perfect for reading or reflection.Canals wind through the city, their rippling water catching the afternoon light.Once essential to the city’s growth, the Canal du Centre and the Senne River now invite strolls, bike rides, and quiet moments by the water; in Brussels, you can follow those with moules-frites or rich stoofvlees, sample creamy local cheeses, and step into a chocolatier’s shop where the scent of dark cocoa drifts from counters lined with treats by Neuhaus, Godiva, and Pierre Marcolini.The city’s famous for its waffles-especially the airy, crisp Brussels style that snaps lightly when you bite in.Its beer scene is just as celebrated, with everything from rich Trappist ales to tart Lambics and cloudy, citrusy Witbier poured in cozy bars across town.Cantillon Brewery stands out for its traditional Belgian beers, brewed the old-fashioned way, their malty scent drifting through the air; the city also bursts with festivals, from the world-class Brussels Jazz Festival drawing performers from across the globe, to the sprawling Brussels Summer Festival filling streets with concerts and art, the colorful Ommegang parade retracing history with costumes and music near Sainte-Gudule Cathedral, and Winter Wonders turning the heart of Brussels into a glittering Christmas market; in the modern scene, Brussels thrives as a contemporary art hub with venues like WIELS and La Bellone hosting bold, experimental shows, while its fashion and design world flourishes with an ever-growing community of imaginative designers and ateliers.Flagey’s especially known for its burst of cultural life, from tucked-away art galleries to bright, modern design studios.In recent years, major urban renewal has reshaped spots like Place Flagey, Tour & Taxis, and the Canal Zone into lively neighborhoods where sleek apartments rise beside old brick façades.
Landmarks in Brussels
