The best sights in Brussels

The best sights in Brussels / Brussels offers some outstanding sights. These include u. the Grand-Place in the old town, the Atomium, the Magritte Museum, the European Quarter or the famous fountain figure Manneken Pis.

Grand Place

The Grand-Place (also known as the Grote Markt) in Brussels has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Rightly so, because the 110 meter long and 68 meter wide square with the Maison du Roi (King’s house), the Gothic town hall and the Baroque guild halls is indisputably one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.

Located in the heart of Brussels’ old town, this is also where the city’s most sought-after hotels can be found. In the side streets there are numerous shops, pubs, restaurants and confectioneries. Thousands of people stroll around here in the evenings too.

Manneken Pis – Brussels’ symbol

Manneken Pis is one of the most popular sights in Brussels. However, anyone who looks at the symbol of Brussels on the corner of Stoofstraat and Lieverouebroerstraat, the fountain figure that is only about 60 centimeters tall, should know that this is only a copy. The original of the Manneken Pis (engl. pissing little man) can be seen in the Brussels City Museum in the Maison du Roi on the Grand-Place. The sculptor Hieronimus Duquesnoy would certainly not have expected that his fountain figure, created in 1619, would be surrounded by groups of tourists.

Atomium / The best sights in Brussels

The Atomium was opened in Brussels for the 1958 Universal Exhibition. Designed by the architects Andre Waterkeyn and André and Jean Polak, the 102 meter high aluminum construction is an oversized iron crystal consisting of nine spheres. Six of the nine spheres are accessible to visitors. In just under half a minute, guests can take an elevator to the top sphere. There is a restaurant with a panoramic view of Brussels.

Magritte Museum

The Magritte Museum, dedicated to the works of the famous surrealist painter René Magritte (1898-1967), is a particular attraction in Brussels. The museum is located in the Hôtel Altenloh at Koningsplein/Place Royale No. 1-2.

With around 200 paintings, the museum has the largest collection of works by the world-renowned Belgian artist.

The exhibition is divided into three creative phases. Pictures, drawings and paintings from the artist’s early creative period can be seen on the upper floor. Magritte’s work as a commercial artist is presented on the second floor; also works from his time in Paris. Magritte lived in the French capital from 1927 to 1930 and was inspired by surrealism there. In 1930 he returned to Brussels.

Magritte’s works from 1950 until his death in 1967 are exhibited on the third floor. During this time his influence and importance grew. The artist is considered one of the pioneers of Pop Art. In 1959 Magritte took part in the Documenta in Kassel.

European district and financial district

If you are interested in modern architecture and/or politics, you should definitely visit the European Quarter in Brussels with various institutions of the European Union. The Berlaymont building, where the European Commission is based, is particularly worth seeing. The building is located on the eastern outskirts of Brussels on Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat.

A visit to the banking and business district between Nordbahnhof and the port is also worthwhile. Here, postmodern architects have closed the gaps between the skyscrapers built in the 1980s with innovative building complexes.

Other sights in Brussels / The best sights in Brussels

In addition to the Maison du Roi, the European Quarter and numerous churches worth seeing such as the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula or the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart, there is also the Musical Instrument Museum, the Kunstberg (Mont des Arts) and the trendy districts of Quartier Saint-Gery-Dansaert and Quartier Sainte-Catherine to Brussels’ sights.