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A Delightful Stroll in the center of Brussels

Posted on October 9, 2023October 9, 2023 by worldcityguides

Brussels, the vibrant capital of Belgium, is a city that blends rich history, stunning architecture, and a lively atmosphere. One of the best ways to explore its heart and soak in its unique charm is by taking a leisurely walking tour through the center. In this article, we’ll guide you through a delightful stroll, highlighting the streets to wander and the captivating sights to discover along the way.

Starting Point: Grand Place (Grote Markt)

Begin your journey at the iconic Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the central square of Brussels. Marvel at the opulent guildhalls, most notably the stunning Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) and the King’s House (Maison du Roi). The square is a sight to behold, with its ornate facades and vibrant flower market if you visit during the warmer months.

1. Rue de l’Étuve

From Grand Place, take Rue de l’Étuve towards the world-famous Manneken Pis statue, a charming Brussels landmark. This statue of a little boy urinating into a fountain has captured the hearts of visitors for centuries.

2. Place du Grand Sablon

Now it is time to do a little bit of walking as you head in the direction of Place du Grand Sablon, a picturesque square surrounded by quaint cafes and antique shops. Admire the elegant Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon (Église Notre-Dame du Sablon) with its stunning Gothic architecture.

You need to walk about 600 meters, but you can enjoy the architecture of Brussels while doing so. Keep walking on Rue de l’Etuve until you Rue des Bogards. Walk towards the left and just keep walking straight ahead until you reach a big roundabout. On the other side of the roundabout you have Place du Grand Sablon.

3. Mont des Arts

Heading uphill from Grand Sablon (on Rue Lebeau), you’ll reach the Mont des Arts, or “Hill of the Arts. This beautifully landscaped area offers breathtaking panoramic views of Brussels and is home to the Royal Library and several museums. Stroll through the tranquil gardens and enjoy the art installations along the way.

4. Brussels Park (Parc de Bruxelles)

Descend from Mont des Arts along the avenue Cantersteen. As you reach Galerie Ravenstein, enter the building and you will walk inside a beautiful building with stores and cafes on the inside. This walk will take a while, but as you finish the walk on the other side, you will almost be by the entrance of the fantastic Brussels Park. This serene green space provides a peaceful contrast to the bustling city streets. You can relax by the fountains, admire the statues, or simply enjoy the natural beauty.

5. Place des Palais

At the southern side of the park, you find the magnificent Place des Palais where you find the Royal Palace, the residence of the Royal Family. It is an impressive neoclassical building that is particularly stunning in the evening when it’s illuminated.

6. Rue de la Loi and European District

Walk down Rue Ducale, and walk onto Rue de Luxembourg after some hundred meters. As you keep on walking, you will soon find yourself in the heart of Brussels’ European District. This area houses important EU institutions, including the European Commission and the European Parliament. Marvel at the modern and architecturally impressive EU buildings.

7. Parc Leopold and Cinquantenaire Park

If you have more time, walk along the avenue Rue Belliard. After a while, you can see the awesome Parc Leopold on your right side. If you have a lot of energy in your legs, take a stop there, have a short picnic, look at the Medieval Tower, and enjoy the sun. If not, keep walking straight ahead until you see Cinquantenaire Park in front of you on the left side. It is a gigantic park with vast green spaces, stunning arches, and museums to explore, making for a perfect relaxation stop.

Ending Point: Schuman Metro Station

There is a metro station on both sides of Cinquantenaire Park, so depending on where you end your tour, travel by metro from the Schuman Metro Station or from Merode station back to the center of Brussels.

This delightful walking tour through the center of Brussels encapsulates the city’s rich history, diverse culture, and captivating beauty. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply looking to soak up the ambiance of this charming European capital, this journey will leave you with unforgettable memories of Brussels. So put on your most comfortable walking shoes and set off to explore the heart of this fascinating city.

Public screening of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Brussels

Posted on May 31, 2018 by worldcityguides

The FIFA World Cup is approaching, and in a football-loving country like Belgium, people are getting excited. But, where can you watch the World Cup outdoors in Brussels?

According to an article posted on April 2018, there will be no public screenings of the FIFA World Cup in Brussels. Due to fear of terrorist attacks, they do not want large crowds to gather together on locations hard to secure for the police. But, there are some exceptions. The Edmond Machtens Stadium will be a place people can go to watch the football matches outdoor. This facility is easier to control, and thus people can watch the FIFA World Cup matches on a giant screen inside the stadium. Another place deemed suitable for the FIFA World Cup is Place du Miroir. The square is a bit outside the city center, but you can easily get there using public transportation.

Belgium is one of the big outsiders in front of the tournament, and the people of Belgium hope that their players can make it all the way to the big final. Belgium will play in Group G, and they will play against Panama (June 18th), Tunisia (June 23rd), and England (June 28th). This is considered an easy group, and everyone expects the last match against England to be the match that decides which nation will win the group, England or Belgium. You can see a full FIFA World Cup schedule and information on how to stream the event online here.

We will cheer for Belgium, and hopefully, De Bruyne, Lukaku, and the other Belgian heroes will bring gold and glory back to the nations as the World Cup is finished on July 15th.

Anderlecht vs Manchester United [Europe League quarter-final]

Posted on March 21, 2017 by worldcityguides

On April 13th Manchester United will come to Brussels to play against Anderlecht in the first of two matches between the teams in the Europe League quarter final. Can the team from Brussels stop the super stars in Manchester United?

Belgian football is on the move and this year there are two Belgian teams in the Europe League quarter finals. Not only will Anderlecht play against Manchester United on April 13th, but on the same day Genk will play against Celta Vigo (in Spain). The return match will be played in Genk on April 20th, so if you want to watch the match as well, then you will be pleased to hear that Genk is less than 100km from Brussels, which means you can be there in about 1 hour if you drive quickly.

Anderlecht vs Manchester United — Review News / Shutterstock.com

The match between Anderlecht and Manchester United will start at 21.05 on April 13th, and if you want to be there, then you can buy tickets for the match from Viagogo. If you feel more than satisfied just watching the match on your computer, on your Apple TV, on your Chromecast or maybe on your mobile device, then you can do so on Fubo TV. To find out more about how you can watch the Europe League matches on Fubo TV, just press the link.

Can Anderlecht beat Manchester United?

The answer to that question is without a doubt yes! Manchester United is a great team, but so is Anderlecht, and will not be surprised if this match will end with a 2-1 win for Anderlecht. That might not be the best result, based on the upcoming match on Old Trafford on April 20th, but it will still give them a fair chance. All we have to say is Go Anderlecht, and of course… go Genk!

While in Brussels do not forget to check out all the amazing attractions in town, which you of course can read about here in our Brussels Guide.

Belgium on the right track in Euro 2016

Posted on June 23, 2016 by worldcityguides

After a sad start on Euro 2016 with a loss against Italy Belgium is now back on track and they have been incredibly lucky with everything. In their first match in the knockout stage they will play against Hungary, maybe the biggest surprise in the entire tournament, who won their group in front of Iceland, Portugal and Austria.

Most people will say that Belgium is very lucky to play against Portugal in their upcoming match. Before Euro 2016 most people said that Hungary was among the worst teams in the entire tournament, and on the paper that might be true, but so far in the tournament they have played some fantastic football and their last group stage match against Portugal was probably the funniest match to watch so far during the entire tournament and it was the match with most goals so far (it ended 3-3).

The match against Hungary will be played on June 26^th at 21.00 and there is little doubt about the fact that Belgium are big favorites in front of the match. But, can Lukaku, de Bruyne and Hazard impress and play fantastic football when it is more important than ever? Or can Hungary surprise once again?

If you want to watch the match between Belgium and Hungary online then you can follow the instructions in this article to find out how it is done. The article will tell you how to watch the match on UK and German TV. To watch the match on Hungarian TV this article will tell you how it is done (in Hungarian).

We will of course cheer for Belgium in this match, but let us hope more than anything that there will be loads of goals, a fantastic match, a great atmosphere and that it will be a match to remember for a long time!

And great news for the winning team, because they will play against the winner of the Wales vs Northern Ireland match in the quarter final. Some people will call this an easy road to Paris and the Euro 2016 final, but time will show if it is as easy as some might say.

Belgium vs Israel

Posted on September 2, 2015October 3, 2016 by worldcityguides

On October 13th the last matches will be played in the Euro 2016 qualification stage, and this might be a very important evening to Belgium. There will be played some matches before that so the table might change before then, but in this match against Israel the team from Belgium might need 3 points to get a secure spot in the Euro 2016.

That is why Belgium needs all the support they can get at this match, so if you want to be there at the King Baudouin Stadium on October 13th to watch this match, you better grab hold of your tickets as soon as possible. Israel will also come to this match probably knowing that three points can give them either a spot in the Euro 2016 or at least a spot among the teams getting to the qualification matches, so this will be a tense match where Belgium will enter as big favorites with stars such as Fellaini, de Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard and Kompany in their team, all stars from the top leagues in Europe such as the Premier League and the German Bundesliga.

The match will start at 20.45 local time, so if you want to watch Belgium live, then go ahead and get ready. After all Belgium is one of the best football teams in the world at the moment according to the FIFA ranking, so have fun watching them!