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VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

Known for its charm and elegance, Brussels, Belgium’s capital and European Union cultural capital, has a gigantic historical heritage reflected in its museums and buildings, in great medieval towers and modern buildings.

The capital has a population of one million inhabitants and is the most visited destination in Europe. Every year around six million tourists go to Brussels. Located in the center of the country, the cosmopolitan metropolis is the meeting point of businessmen, students

and bohemians. The official language is French and Dutch and all signs are written in these two languages.

Its museums show some outstanding works of Renaissance painters, Belgian surrealist artists of the twentieth century and some contemporary works of art from a dynamic metropolis.

Winter lasts from November to March and temperatures below 0 °C with constant snow are common. Summer, lasts from May to September. The highest temperature can reach up to 30 ºC, a great opportunity to try some of the 400 types of beer produced in the city. They are the most appreciated in the world.

The average annual temperature is around 10 ºC, ranging between 3 °C in January and 18 ºC in July. The rate of annual rainfall is 700 mm and 1000 mm, that is why the city is very damp. Most tourists visit Brussels between May and September when the weather is nicer. From November to March, the city is cold and rainy.

Visitors will find an efficient public transportation, however, the best option is always walking, because the main attractions are very close to each other.

If you like to learn about the culture, Brussels is the place to be. Take this opportunity to ride a bicycle through the streets of Brussels. Rent a bike and enjoy its medieval atmosphere. The city is for sure a good starting point for an incredible adventure in Europe.

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ATTRACTIONS

Brussels offers many attractions to the tourists. The Grand Place is the main tourist attraction of the city and considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world, it is a good place for those who like excitements. From

TRANSPORT

There are several ways to get around Brussels and public transportation such as trains, subways and buses, are a good option. There are three major railway stations: Gare du Midi, Gare Du Nord and Gare Central. They connect Brussels with the rest of Europe and other Belgian cities. The Gare Central, as the name suggests, is just minutes away from downtown, and has lockers in different sizes. The most popular destinations are Amsterdam, which is 3 hours from Brussels, Antwerp (50min), Bruges (1h), Den Haag (2:30), Ghent (30min), Cologne (3h-5h), Liege (1h10), Lille (1h), London (3h), Luxembourg (3h) and Paris (1h20).

Eurolines buses also stop near Gare Du Nord and the main destination is London. The subway is a good option for those who need to save time. Because the Museum of Contemporary Art of the city is closed, the artists exhibit their works at stations.

An alternative green transport is cycling. The distances are short in Brussels, so many roads have an exclusive track for bicycles. There are many rental options throughout the city.

The capital has two international airports: Charleroi Airport and Brussels International Airport – Zaventem, the main airport and 16 km away from the city. It is well connected by train, leaving every 15 minutes, and buses leaving every 20 minutes. Charleroi is 50 km, but also provides transportation for easy access.

coffee shops and bars with outdoor tables to the finest restaurants and chocolate shops, all of them are always crowded.

The buildings of the Grand Place are an harmonious architectural ensemble, especially at night with the lights on. Some of the ones that are a highlight is Brussels cityhall, the

Maison de Roi, where the Musée de la Ville (City Museum) is, the Maison des Ducs de Brabant and other beautiful buildings.

The statue of Manneken Piss, a boy urinating, is another tourist attraction in Brussels, just like the Cathedral of St Michel and St-Gudole, and its Gothic styles. They started to be built in the decade of 1220 and they are about 300 years old. Its sixteenth-century stained glass window represents the Last Judgement.

The Parc du Cinquantenaire is beautiful especially in the fall and spring. Opened in 1800, the park is the most pleasant green area of the capital. There are also two interesting museums, the Royal Musée d’Art et d’Histoire and the Musée Royal de l’Armée et Histoire Militaire.

If you want to run the circuit of the city’s museums there are many options, after all, Brussels has 75 museums that shows chocolate, beers, going through the comics. Some of them are the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles, Hotel de Ville, Musee de la Dinastie, Musée de la Brasserie, Musée Royal des Beaux-Arts and Musée d’Art Ancien.

Another symbol of the capital is the Atomium, a kind of atomic sphere magnified 165 billion times that you can climb and enjoy a panoramic view. Next to the Atomium is Mini-Europe, which brings together about 350 miniature landmarks from around the world.

If you want to see the city view just go to the park of Palais Royal. From there you can see the Park of Brussels. It is also where government events are hosted.

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Some people say that the best things in Brussels are beer, chocolate and arts. So if you want to be delighted with these three wonders, just go to the Museum of Fine Arts, which gathers a group of pub and chocolate shop around. There, you’ll still find works by Peter Paul Rubens, Rene Magritte and Paul Delvaux.

WHERE TO STAY

Brussels has an extensive network of hotels, but the cheapest alternative are the hostels. The independents are famous for their festive mood. Usually, breakfast is included and serves the basic bread and butter and some juice or milk. Many have billiards and ping-pong table to entertain the guests. Prices vary between € 13 and € 20, but this price can be increased by more than € 3 or € 4 if you do not have a

blanket or sleeping bag. Hotels are a little more expensive, but if you share a room with one or two people, prices wil be around € 45.

In the summer, stays are more desirable. When you book this time through the Information Center, you have the chance to get promotions and a more affordable price.

DINING OUT

Brussels also has a rich cuisine with new and hype restaurants of international and local cuisine. It does not matter how much you are willing to spend - a meal can cost from 15 to 200 euros – it is impossible to eat badly there. The city has about 1,500 restaurants and the top-rated are in the Rue des Bouchers, near the Grand Place.

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If you visit Brussels, you have to try the traditional mussels, the ribs and the famous french fries with mayonnaise, served with an excellent beer. For dessert, you can opt for the delicious Belgian chocolates and waffles sold at street stands all over town.

SHOPPING

For those who are willing to go shopping, Brussels has many shops and galleries with many souvenirs. The Galeries Royales St-Hubert is one of Europe’s oldest shopping malls. Located in metro Gare Centrale, the gallery is a great place for shopping, with boutiques and

renowned bookstores, as well as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and a theater. If you want to buy lace, one of the most popular products in Belgium, just go to the streets cross the Grand-Place. There are several choices of stores running daily from 10am to 7pm.

If you’re looking for modern articles with average prices, a good option is to go to the Rue Neuve. There are clothes, shoes, perfumes, makeup and small souvenirs. If you want to buy at lower prices a good option is Rue Du Brabant, where you find shopping gifts, clothing and many varieties. For those who are willing to spend a little more, go to the Avenue Louise to find all the major producers from the high fashion world.

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To take home the finest Belgian chocolates, do not hesitate to go to the Rue Royal and visit the shops of delicacies. If you are not sure about the quality or if the products are fresh be sure to find stores that are official suppliers of the royal court.

STREET MARKETSThere are also food and clothing fairs throughout the city. The most famous place is Clemenceau, on the weekends. The Marché aux Puces, or the flea market is the place to find the exotic and very creative products at incredible prices. Decorative objects, postcards, clothing and household items are the most common. It opens every day in the Grand-Place, from 7am to 2pm.

If you like silver, ceramics, paintings, jewelry and other relics, be sure to go to Marché des Antiquaires Du Sablon. You will need patience to get good prices, but it is worth checking out the products. The crafts fair is held on Saturdays from 9 am to 6pm and on Sundays from 9 am to 2pm.

CURRENCYAs in most other EU countries, the currency used in Brussels is the Euro(EUR). The old currency, the franc Dutch, is no longer in use. Around Grand Place there are many banks and exchange rate does not vary from one place to another. But it is important to pay attention to fees, commissions, they may have a reasonable range.

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(32) 2.208.8.454

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(+32,2) 479.18.18

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(+32,2) 426.10.26

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