As the political heart of the European Union and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brussels is one of the most charming capitals in Europe famous for its chocolate, waffles, and beer. Enjoy a fascinating introductory tour taking in this historic city's major highlights.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
- Take a stroll down the Grand Place or Grote Markt, one of the most stunning squares in the world with a history that dates back to the 12th century surrounded by Baroque guildhalls;
- Be amazed by the grandiosity of the City of Brussels Town Hall, a majestic Gothic edifice of the 15th century and the only medieval building remaining in the main square;
- Hear about the iconic comic book history tied to Brussels and Belgium as you see the Tin Tin mural;
- Learn about the Maison du Roi, the former royal household of the King of Spain which now houses the Museum of the City;
- See the Brussels Stock Exchange building built between 1868 and 1873, decorated with stunning ornaments and sculptures, which is being turned into a cultural, tourist and cultural centre with the “Belgian beer Experience” taking pride of place;
- Admire St. Nicholas Church, the oldest church in Brussels dating back to the 12-century named after the patron saint of traders;
- Enjoy a small Belgium chocolate tasting, the best in the world;
- Walk under the Renaissance-style arcade of Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a mesmerizing place for some window shopping;
- Discover the Manneken Pis statue, the most popular attraction in the city and hear the many tales about its origin;
- Walk past The Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, home to the National Opera of Belgium and a cultural centre for people to enjoy theatre, ballet, and classical music;
- Discover a spectacular city view from Mont des Arts (Mount of the Arts).
Brussels is a city of history and modernity, seriousness and quirkiness intertwined. It is a political heavyweight, the home of many a famous cartoon strip - and evidence of Tin Tin and the Smurfs can be found everywhere - on murals throughout the city.
Founded back in 979 AD, Brussels is a grande dame of Europe where you’ll see incredibly well-preserved medieval architecture alongside the more modern glass structures housing Europe’s politicians and civil servants, as today the city is the Headquarters of the European Union.
Situated between London and Paris, Brussels is often overlooked for culture, art, and music - but because of this, its gorgeous art museums are rarely crowded and often empty, offering a wonderful chance to see art from Rubens to Magritte in solitude.
Brussels was popular with the French who escaped the Napoleonic era; luminaries such as Victor Hugo lived here, indeed he would walk to and fro from his mistress in the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert to his intellectual friends in the Cafe du Vaudeville - later a popular hub with the likes of Karl Marx and Auguste Rodin.
As well as its Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolates, and other delicious gastronomy, Brussels is also surprisingly famous for its Jazz scene - Miles Davis and Nat King Cole have played at L’Archiduc and there are many jazz clubs throughout the city, making Brussels a popular destination for the European Flaneur - someone who simply likes to stroll through lovely parks, sit at bars and watch the world go by whilst sipping a delicious Belgian beer.
So you too can become a Belgian flaneur, your tour includes a delicious chocolate tasting on us!