Beer, waffles and festivals - if this is what you’re looking for you will find them in abundance when you visit the country’s capital city (pop. 989 000). Brussels is the major gateway for the country: it is on the main routes heading inland from the Channel ports via the Flemish art towns and it is as well a convenient stopover on the train between France and the Netherlands.
Brussels took its name from “Broekzele”, or “city of the marsh”, which grew up in the sixth century on the trade route between Cologne and Bruges / Gent. Under the Habsburghs the town flourished, eventually becoming capital of the Spanish Netherlands. In the 19th century it became the capital of the newly-independent Belgium. Although nowadays, the city is often primarily regarded as a destination for businesspeople or diplomats — it is the headquarters for the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) — there is plenty to see and do for other travellers. ‘Manneke Pis’, plenty of impressive museums, delicious chocolate and a city centre divided into the upper and the lower town with a beautiful cathedral and the Oude Markt where you can enjoy your Belgian beers. Brussels requires a minimum of two nights to get a feeling for the city but an even longer stay should be planned if there is a festival in town. While Brussels is a safe city some areas are prone to crime, especially at night. Be careful when walking near the westward arc between North and Midi railway stations and Rogier and De Brouckere Metro stations.
Note: Brussels is an international city; for the two great parts of Belgians (French and Flemish-speaking) there is parity in Brussels. This means that every instance of the written word, from road signs to the yellow pages, has to appear in both languages.
