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Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview With the exception of Grand-Place and the narrow streets nearby, sightseeing in Brussels is relatively crowd free. From a choice of some 70 museums, the visitor can view a favourite Rubens or Magritte, free from queues and crowds. All museums have bilingual labelling (French and Flemish). English is not always used, although English-language leaflets are often available. In recent years, signposting of Brussels’ top museums and major monuments has been improved, making sightseeing even easier. The icing on the cake is the opening of a new tourism centre in the beautiful Galeries Saint Hubert, in December 2002. The historic centre around Grand-Place – easily covered on foot – is home to a cluster of alluring museums, including museums dedicated to beer, chocolate and lace-making. Certain sights and sensations are obligatory, such as glimpsing the trickle of water flowing from the Manneken-Pis and stroking the bronze statue of the ghoulish Charles-Everard de T’Serclaes – said to bring good luck. However, the city has much more to offer. The public transport system works well enough to safely deposit the walk-weary tourist in Brussels’ distinct districts: the modern Quartier des Institutions Européennes; aristocratic Sablon, near the Place Royal; vibrant working class Marolles, south of Grand-Place; St-Gilles, with its splendid examples of Victor Horta’s Art Nouveau architecture; and Heysel, far out to the northwest, with its memories of the triumph of the 1958 Exhibition and the tragedy of the Heysel stadium disaster. Tourist Information Brussels International Tourism and Congress (BITC) Hôtel de Ville, Grand-Place Tel: (02) 513 8940. Fax: (02) 513 8320. E-mail: tourism-brussels@tib.be Website: www.bruxelles.irisnet.be Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (April-Dec), Mon-Sat 0900-1800 (Dec to Mar). Passes Available for €7.44 from tourist offices, the Tourist Passport offers cut-price admission to selected museums and popular attractions, as well as two one-day travel cards. The Musts of Brussels is also available, costing €15.62 and offering discounts on entrance to nine top attractions, including the Atomium, Brewery Museum, Comic Strip, Auto World and Mini-Europe. |
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