Located in the heart of Belgium, Brussels is a cosmopolitan city that tinkers on the edge of serious and frivolous. It’s known for the place where important world decisions are made (NATO, European Parliament,) Art Nouveau architecture, enlightening museums, and lots of other serious stuff.

On the lighter side, the city, and perhaps Belgium too,  is famous for the Manneken Pis, a humorous statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain, comic strip art, and a delightful shopping and dining scene.

Located a stone’s throw from London (one hour by plane), Brussels is definitely worthy of your European destination list. Here are the top things the capital and largest city of Belgium is known for.

The Unofficial Capital of Europe

Brussels is home to some important governmental and business institutions. As the seat of the EU, and much like Paris, London, and New York, it has attained global status around the world. NATO is headquartered in Haren, a municipality in Brussels, and the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU are located in the European quarter.

Visitors are welcome at the European Parliament building and its surrounding complex. Educational tours allow students to participate in role-playing, and adults can enjoy visiting the Parlamentarium.

Palais Royale

The Palais Royal (Royal Palace) is the official home of the royal family of Belgium. These days, the family spends their time at the Royal Palace in Laeken. Open for tourists in the summer months, the palace is a popular stop for tourists. A splendid interior, artworks, and ceilings covered in beautiful mosaic make it worthy of anyone’s itinerary.

The most admired room has a ceiling with a mosaic made of beetle wings. The building of the Royal Palace began in 1820 under the reign of King William. Leopold II had it rebuilt in Louis XVI in 1904.

Grand Place

Located in the Old Town of Brussels, Grand Place is a great place to visit while in town. It is the economic and political center for the city. It’s one of the best-preserved and most beautiful squares in Europe. The unique Baroque architecture of the guild houses feature ornately carved stonework, magnificent gables, balustrades, pilasters, and rich gold decoration.

The buildings at Grand Place were erected between 1696 and 1700, but its history goes back to the 11th century when it was first established. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Visit Grand Place both day and night for differing experiences.

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