The centre of brussels is neatly contained within a clearly defined shape called the Pentagon. Nowadays this outline is formed by a busy ring road called the Petite Ceinture. The road follows the path of the old city walls, a huge 14th-century construction 9 km (6 miles) long. Few traces of the walls have survived, but one old city gate, the Porte de Hal, still stands, and gives a fair indication of just how massive the fortifications must have been. Most of historic Brussels is contained within these bounds, including both the commercial and popular districts of the Lower Town, and the aristocratic quarter of the Upper Town, which includes the Royal Palace. The result is that Brussels is still a very compact city. You can walk right across the Pentagon in about half an hour. As well as monuments and cultural gems, you will find a concentration of excellent places to stay and eat, good shops, and vibrant cafés and bars.
For Brussels tourist information (see General Information) For more Brussels churches (see Churches)-
Morning
Start off with the essentials: a stroll around the Grand Place and a trip to the Manneken-Pis , stopping for a waffle at the Dandoy shop in Rue Charles Buls on the way. Now head back to the Bourse (see La Bourse), and go west along Rue Dansaert, the street for cutting-edge fashion. Turn right at the Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains and walk up to the Église Sainte-Catherine, a church designed in 1854 by Joseph Poelaert, who was also responsible for the colossal Palais de Justice. It stands on reclaimed land at the head of a canal now covered over by the Place Sainte-Catherine. This was the site of the old fish market, and is still famous for its fish restaurants. It could be the place to stop for a spot of lunch.
Afternoon
Walk back east, stopping at the Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule before heading up the hill to Rue Royale. Take a stroll in the pleasant Park de Bruxelles, then walk south to the Palais Royal (see Palais Royal and Les Musées Bellevue)and the elegant 17th-century Place Royale, with its statue of the 11th-century crusader Godefroi de Bouillon. You’re now a stone’s throw from both the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts and the Musée des Instruments de Musique . Take your pick. After this, you’ll probably need some refreshments, so continue down the Rue de la Régence to the cafés and chocolate shops of the Sablon district.
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The decor may not be as authentic as its history, but this is a good place to sample traditional brews and authentic pub food.
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“Sudden Death” may sound alarming, but this famous bar, redesigned in Rococo style in 1926, is named after a dice game. It is also the name of a gueuze beer (see Types of Belgian Beer).
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Founded in 1921, Aux Armes de Bruxelles is an institution: white-linen elegance and impeccable Belgian cooking.
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Top-name international couturiers cluster around the Place Louise, while more boutiques lie within a covered arcade that connects the Avenue de la Toison d’Or to the Avenue Louise.
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A popular Art-Nouveau brasserie with Magritte-esque murals, offering good-value Belgian and French cooking.
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Located in the Comic Strip Museum, Horta offers a daily menu of Belgian dishes. Closes at 6pm.
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An Art Nouveau tavern, popular with a young crowd. It’s good for snacks of filled pitta, and the daily lunch dishes are chalked up on the board outside.
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Brussels’ largest and finest church, built over three centuries from 1225 onward, has recently been renovated. Now, the honey-coloured stone of its 15th-century twin towers glows from the cathedral’s raised pedestal, especially in the evening light. It is a fine example of the light and flowery style called Brabantine Gothic. The soaring space of the interior is impressive. It contains some fine 16th-century stained glass and a wonderful Baroque pulpit (1699). Dedicated to St Michael, patron saint of the city, the cathedral’s name also acknowledges St Gudule, a local 8th-century saint who outfoxed the Devil.
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Reflecting the huge popularity of comic-strip books in Belgium – and, indeed, most of continental Europe – this unique “Belgian Centre of the Comic Strip” is a shrine to the art form. Archive material and other exhibits focus above all on Belgian contributors to the genre – most notably, of course, on Hergé, the creator of Tintin (see Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée).
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Restaurant price categories
For a three-course meal for one with with half a bottle of wine for (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
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Brussels Beer WeekendBeer tents are erected on Brussels' historic Grand Place for this festive weekend of tasting. More than 30 Belgian breweries present a selection of their best brews. Read more
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Royal Palace OpeningBelgium's royal family now lives in Laeken, in northern Brussels, but the royal palace in Brussels is used as official offices and to host state functions and can be visited during summer months. Read more
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Waiter RaceAllez garçon! Watch the waiters go at Brussels' annual race in the Parc du Cinquantenaire and you'll never complain about slow service again. Read more
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Brussels Roller ParadeBrussels' roller-blading fanatics get their skates on every Friday during the summer for a head-spinning two-hour tour of the city. Read more
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