Over the centuries, brussels expanded beyond the old city walls, gradually absorbing neighbouring towns and villages. These outlying communes – such as Ixelles, Saint-Gilles and Anderlecht – still retain their distinctive characters. As a result, there is huge variety across Outer Brussels. An excellent public transport system makes it easy to scoot around these suburbs, and the highlights listed here are definitely worth the journey.
Be sure to see the medieval church treasures in the Salle aux Trésors of the Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire For more on Belgian artists (see Belgian Artists)-
Morning
Put on your best walking shoes, because you’re going to cover at least 5 km (3 miles) of pavement and take in half a dozen museums. You don’t have to do them all, of course, and don’t try this on a Monday, when most of the museums are closed. Start at the Schuman métro station in the heart of the European Quarter, close to the Justus Lipsius Building. If you’re feeling energetic, stride up Rue Archimède to admire the weirdest Art Nouveau building of them all – the Hôtel Saint-Cyr in Square Ambiorix (see Hôtel Saint-Cyr). Otherwise, head into the Parc du Cinquantenaire (see Parc du Cinquantenaire) and take your pick of the museums. To refresh yourself, go to Place Jourdan, where there are cafés and restaurants to suit all pockets.
Afternoon
Cross the Parc Léopold to visit the wacky Musée Wiertz, then walk about 1km (1000 yd) to the delightful Musée Communal d’Ixelles. If you’ve had enough already, you could slink into the trendy Café Belga in the 1930s Flagey radio building (see Café Belga (Flagey building)); otherwise, push on down the Chaussée de Vleurgat to the Musée Constantin Meunier. Now you’re only 10 minutes away from the Musée Horta (see Musée Horta, Brussels). From here you can get a tram home, or wander around the Art Nouveau houses in the vicinity (see Art Nouveau Buildings in Brussels) and finish the day at the super-trendy Salons de l’Atalaïde (see Les Salons de l’Atalaïde).
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The largest Art Deco building ever built? Remarkable view from its copper-green dome.
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Tiny béguinage (see Bruges) – now a museum showing how the béguines lived.
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One of Brussels’ finest. Chef Jean-Pierre Bruneau has earned three Michelin stars.
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Family leisure park.
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Trendy café that draws a young arty crowd. Small wonder, given its setting in the extraordinary 1930s Art Deco Flagey radio building. Also a thriving music venue.
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A welcoming pub devoted to beer, with 450 kinds listed in its menu.
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An outpost of the Colmar chain in a 16th-century building that was once a Spanish prison.
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Sophisticated Art Nouveau restaurant, serving French-Belgian food.
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The Royal Museum of Central Africa represents a grandiose enterprise: the huge and elegant Neo-Classical palace built in the early 1900s to promote the wonders of Belgium’s greatest colonial possession, the vast tract of Central Africa called the Congo. The original purpose – education and glorification – has been sorely compromised by the uncomfortable re-evaluation of Belgium’s colonial history in recent years. There are numerous anthropological exhibits, including a vast canoe hewn from a single tree trunk, plus mementos from the history of exploration, such as Henry Stanley’s cap.
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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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