The principal attraction in Brussels is undoubtedly its Grand Place. Picture shows one of the many animated but narrow streets leading to it. La Rue des Bouchers alone is just a row of restaurants.
The Town Hall with its imposing and majestic spire stands out among all the buildings in the Grand Place. The Grand Place is known locally as Grote Markt meaning "Great Market". In fact it was one until 1959. While here you might want to get a city map costing 1 euro from the Tourism Office.
Also dominating the Grand Place is a row of guild halls or houses. Encompassing all trades and crafts, they were suppressed in 1795. A few of the guildhalls have been turned into cafes, shops and restaurants while the brewers' guildhall has become a brewery museum.
The King's House is another important part of the Grand Place. No kings ever lived there though. Starting out as a bakery, it has since been turned into the Brussels City Museum.
The spire of the Town Hall at the Grand Place in Brussels as seen from the Quartier Royal.
The Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg church is located at the Place Royale.
The Whirling Ear (Oreille Tourbillonnante) by Alexandre Calder in the Quartier Royal.
This is the "King's Gallery" of the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert (Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert).
The second half of the gallery is called the "Queen's Gallery" (la Galerie de la Reine). The glass ceiling of the arcade is simply magnificent. Among the fancy shops in this shopping mall there is one that sells only gloves and another only hats!
The historical Old England building which started out as a department store in 1899. It now houses the Musical Instrument Museum.
The Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in the Quartier Royal.
Don't ask me why but tourists from all over the world cannot leave Brussels without paying a visit to this little boy doing nothing but peeing...the whole day long!
THE ATOMIUM, A LEGACY OF WORLD EXPO 1958
The Atomium (atom + aluminium) was constructed for the 1958 World Expo in Brussels. It is as much a landmark in Brussels as the Eiffel Tower is in Paris.
For a starter how about croquettes au fromage et aux crevettes? (cheese and shrimp croquettes)
Served by several ports nearby daily, the fish here can only be fresh.
What? Fish again for dinner? But why not, since it's so fresh here!
Brussels' waffles (gaufres) are great. You can have one tourist-style (eating while walking, that is) in one of the street stalls on your way to the Manneken-Pis!
Belgium is not just famous for its mussels, fries, chocolate and beer! It's also famous for its shrimp croquettes and waffles with fruit and Chantilly toppings.