Sightseeing in Brussels
Manneken Pis
The symbol of Brussels is a bit unusual, because after all, the Manneken Pis is a naked fountain figure that is making pee-pee. This little blankie also has more clothes in the cupboard than you do. Because over the years Manneken has accumulated more than 800 costumes that are worn on special occasions and can otherwise be admired in the “GardeRobe MannekenPis”.
Our tip: In the 1980s, the female counterpart Jeanneke Pis was created in the spirit of equality. So it’s best to say hello to both of them!
Grand Place
After a visit to the naked couple, you should stroll around the Grand Place. Here you will find the old town hall, numerous guild houses and other magnificent buildings that have made this beautiful square a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Place is particularly festive when Ommegang, a medieval festival, is held or when the Brussels Flower Carpet is rolled out: Then the whole square is transformed into a sea of flowers.
Council: Europe Building
The Europe Building is the home of the European Council and the Council of the European Union. This makes it not only an important political witness of its time, as the Council is also an architectural masterpiece. The cube consists of almost 4,000 restored window frames, which are illuminated in the evening by numerous LED tubes. Guided tours allow you to look behind the scenes and learn more about the work of the Council and the EU, as well as the architects and artists who worked on the building.
Important: Although the tours are free of charge, you must book in advance.
Atomium
A slightly larger and more impressive landmark of Brussels is the Atomium, built for the 1958 World Fair. The tubes and spheres are not only a popular subject for photography, but are also home to numerous exhibitions on the design, science and history of the Atomium. There is a restaurant and probably the fastest lift in Europe to take you to the top – for the best view in Brussels.
Art Noveau in Brussels
Brussels is a real treasure trove for lovers of architecture, as there are numerous beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, in German mostly known as “Jugendstil”. The architect Victor Horta, who built many of the hotels in Brussels, was the main architect. Today the Horta Museum pays homage to him in his former house and studio in the Rue Américaine. You can also visit his masterpieces such as the Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay and the Hôtel van Eetvelde in Brussels. The Swiss architect Michel Polak, who designed the Villa Empain, went one step further. It impressively combines Art Nouveau with Art Deco and Modernism and is now open to the public again and home to the Fondation Boghossian cultural foundation.
Museums in Brussels
Of course there are also some great museums in Brussels, which are not only fun on rainy days. The MIMA, Millenium Iconoclast Museum of Art, is the art museum par excellence and takes you on a journey through time of contemporary art, covering all creative fields.
The Magritte Museum is no less impressive: it is considered the largest Magritte collection in the world and houses over 200 works by the Belgian artist. “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” became a key phrase in modern art.
If you not only like to listen to music but also want to learn about it, go to the Musical Instruments Museum. In the beautiful art nouveau villa there are a total of 8000 instruments that vividly tell the story of music.
Mini Europe
At the heart of Europe, you can also take a trip around the EU: Mini-Europe makes it possible. It’s not only children who will have fun seeing the highlights of European architecture in miniature. The scale is 1:25 and there are miniatures of Big Ben, Venetian gondolas and the Eiffel Tower, among other things. How cute! You can also take a look at where you want to go with the camper afterwards. You can also join in the fun and you can once again bring down the Berlin Wall or let Vesuvius erupt in Mini-Europe. Who doesn’t like pressing buttons?
Royal greenhouses, Laeken
The Royal Greenhouses in Laeken also inspire both nature lovers and architects. The greenhouses and conservatory are beautiful examples of Art Nouveau, designed by Balat, whose apprentice was Victor Horta. The many pavilions house numerous tropical and subtropical plants and there is also an impressive botanical garden. If you want to see this, you have to plan your camping trip in Brussels accordingly, as the greenhouses are only open for viewing for a two-week period at the end of April each year. We say – it’s worth it!
Beer in Brussels
It is clear to everyone that beer and Belgium go hand in hand. But did you know that Belgian beer culture is so important that it was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 2016? There are 200 breweries throughout the country. Of course, you have to try it on a trip to Brussels. Leave your campervan safely and use public transport instead to drink your way through some of the country’s 2,500 types of beer without worrying. Start with a visit to the Cantillon brewery, the only brewery in Brussels that is still in operation and yet open to the public. The brewery even has a Michelin star!
It’s also worth taking a look at the calendar, as there are numerous beer festivals in Brussels during the summer. At these festivals, large and small breweries from Belgium and other countries come together to present the best of hops and malt. Cheers!