As the Institutional and cultural center of Europe, Brussels has a lot more to offer than what people think. Apart from its famous beers or chocolates, there are more than 80 museums, extremely serene parks, beautiful architecture, lively bars and so much more. So, whether you are a history lover, a music enthusiast, a shopaholic, a nature lover or a beer fan, you will have everything you need while visiting this beautiful place.
Best time to visit: Best time to visit Brussels is from March to May and September to October, the spring and fall weather is absolutely amazing and will definitely satisfy your wanderlust.
How to reach:
By Air: Brussels is connected by a strong network of buses to major European cities and has three main train stations, namely the Midi-Zuid, Central-Centraal and Nord-Noord. The Brussels International Airport, also known as the Brussels National or Zaventem is the major airport of Brussels and is well connected to major cities across the world, including most European cities. Together with Turkish Airlines, we at IndiGo can connect you from India to Brussels with multiple flights to Brussels as well as to several other European cities from Istanbul.
By Tram or Bus: Taking a tram or a bus is the most convenient way to travel in Brussels. As, they stop on request only, hence don’t forget to raise your hand to hop on a tram or a bus to travel around at ease.
By Taxis: You can easily spot the yellow-and-blue signed taxis in Brussels, they are the safest mode of travel here.
Getting around: It is easy to roam around the capital city of Europe. The city center itself is compact so there are good walking trails to take when you are touring the city's main attractions.
Belga Queen is a restaurant that is designed by the most popular artist, the Antoine Pinto, and is a landmark building for centuries now. Its stately pillars and incredible glass ceiling is an eye catcher for locals and visitors. So, just get seated on a comfortable armchair at their lounge area to grab your breakfast, lunch, and dinner option along with your choice of wine.
One of the famous restaurants in Brussels is Comme Chez Soi that offers delicious French cuisine. Its Chef Lionel Rigolet is known to prepare season delicacies that is the main source of attraction for both locals and visitors. Along with comfy seating space, the restaurant features eye catching decor.
Vincent is an age-old restaurant in Brussels that holds a real charm among people. Its palatable food along with amicable waiters is something you can’t afford to miss. Their Belgian and French specialties are a must try. So, plan your visit with your friends and family to cease your day.
City 2: City 2 is the ideal place for shopping in Brussels. It is one of the biggest shopping malls in Brussels and has more than 150 stores. This mall has everything you need to buy from clothes to souvenirs.
Marche du Midi: Set up on a Sunday, the Marche du Midi is the market where the local people flock to do shopping in Brussels. The market is the perfect balance of culture and cuisine, where you also get the opportunity to sample these great foods right away. Plan to be there as early as possible as the entire market closes by afternoon.
Avenue Louise: For people looking for luxury brands, this is a one-stop shop with luxury retail stores including Prada, Louis Vuitton, Nespresso, Chanel, Sarah Pacini, and many other boutiques and bespoke fashion outlets.
Grote Market: Your trip is incomplete if you don’t buy some of the best chocolates, the country has to offer from the grote market. You can find most of the chocolate shops near the Grand Palace. You can also buy other souvenirs such as Belgian beer, honey, and more.
Delirium Cafe: A bar and a cafe, Delirium is a place that boasts more than 2000 types of beers for you to enjoy all around the world. This huge collection of beer can confuse on what to choose? Well, don’t worry. Just share your preferred taste and their staff will help you make the right choice. Their high-quality beer, won’t disappoint you.
Bazaar: An underground bar, Bazaar is the place to enjoy the nightlife of Brussels. It will give you an experience like no other place. Sip your favourite drink and dance all night on the beats of international DJs that play deep house music. So, be here for an enticing and chilled out nightlife experience.
Fuse: If you are a techno music lover then Fuse is the place for you. Along with friendly crowd, enjoy your time with lively techno music and delicious food. Rebuilt into a bar from old movie theatre, this place is a spot not to be neglected.
ibis Brussels off Grand Place Situated at a distance of around 150m from the Grand Palace, ibis Brussels off Grand Place is a just a few walks away. The hotel for your comfy stay is well-equipped with a flat-screen TV set, an air conditioner, and a private bathroom area. Opened on all, the bar days offers a wide variety of drinks. If looking for a place in the city then, plan your stay here.
Novotel Brussels City Centre Hotel Featuring modern and spacious rooms, Novotel Brussels City Centre Hotel is a place that features an on-site spa centre, a 24-hour room service, as well as a fitness centre. Its rooms feature additional amenities, such as desk to work along with ergonomically designed chair, a bathrobe and slippers. Located in the heart of Brussels, the place is perfect for a luxurious stay.
9 Hotel Central If you are looking to stay near the Brussels Central Train Station, then plan your stay at 9 Hotel Central. The hotel’s lounge features comfortable seating area along with some lively music. It also serves breakfast buffet every morning for all the guests. It is also situated close to some of the city’s main bars and best restaurants. It also gives you the access to enjoy city’s nightlife along with multiple eating options.
Sleep Well Youth Hostel Sleep Well Youth Hostel is a pocket-friendly place to stay at. The hostel’s fully equipped rooms offer 1 to 6 beds in dormitories, not only this, they also provide private rooms for your comfortable stay. This affordable facility is a highly recommended place for budget travellers.
Hôtel de Ville – Town Hall: Arduously built somewhere during 1444 and 1480, the stunning, somewhat topsy-turvy Hôtel de Ville was nearly the main structure on the Grand Place to get away from the 1695 French siege – unexpected thinking of it as was their essential target.
Mini-Europe: This theme park located in the north of central Brussels features scale models of Europe's biggest landmarks and monuments. Starting from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Seville's renowned bullfighting ring, London's Big Ben and Paris' biggest landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Sacre-Coeur are few examples of what you can expect to see there.
If you’re an Indian passport holder travelling to Brussels, then you have to apply for Schengen visa online. The Schengen visa is a short stay visa issued to visit the Schengen countries; the visa is issued to tourists that are planning to visit their friends, family or other travelling on non-business trips for up to 90 days from the date of entry. Your visit can be either continuous or several, depending upon the visa type; single entry or multiple entry. Another essential point to note while applying for the visa is that your passport should be valid for 6 months from your date of travel.
To ensure a hassle-free and seamless travel, here is a detailed information about the Belgium visa – www.goindigo.in/information/visa-information/belgium-be-visa.html