Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

12  INTRODUCING BRUSSELS

2 Days in Brussels across the road is also worth a
photo. Afterwards, take a walk
around the majestic Parc du
Two adults allow at least €90 Cinquantenaire (see pp78–9).
• Venture into the heart Autombile fans should not
of Brussels miss Autoworld, while the
Musée Royal de l’Armee
• Browse the boutiques
of Europe’s most historic warrants equal attention.
shopping arcade
• See how royalty lived 3 Days in Brussels
in the Quartier Royal
Two adults allow at least €125
• Get to to know the stylish
Day 1 world of the Sablon
Morning Any exploration of • Climb the Atomium and
Brussels should start at the The Manneken Pis, dressed in one of his see Europe in miniature
Grand Place (see pp46–7). Every many outfits
building on the square is a gem, • Hunt for bargains on
especially the Hôtel de Ville around the Parc de Bruxelles is the Rue Neuve
(see pp48–9), the city’s finest the Palais Royal (see pp62–3);
building. It is worth taking the do not miss the Throne Room
guided tour to fully appreciate with its superb chandeliers or Day 1
its ornate interiors. Often the impressive Hall of Mirrors. Morning Kick things off with
overlooked, Palais de la Bourse Behind the palace are the a walk around Le Botanique
just behind the Grand Place is Musées Royaux des Beaux- (see p53) before exploring the
really quite spectacular: La Arts de Belgique (see pp66–71). Quartier Royal (see pp60–61).
Bourse (see p51) itself boasts Plan your time carefully to Choose a collection to see at
sculptures by Rodin on its see everything you want to the Musées Royaux des Beaux-
façade. From here, make the here; the Musée Magritte is Arts (see pp66–71) before lunch.
short walk across to Rues de particularly great.
l’Etuve and du Chêne to gaze at Afternoon Enjoy a casual lunch
the Manneken Pis (see pp48–9), Afternoon The finest church in at one of the cafés on or around
still by far the most famous the city is the Cathédrale Sts Place du Grand Sablon (see
sight in Brussels. Michel et Gudule (see pp74–5), p72), then head for the quirky
dating from the 13th century. boutiques and antique shops on
Afternoon After lunch in The window above the main the streets of the trendy Sablon
the Grand Place, head for the entrance, depicting the Last area. Gawp at the splendour of
Galeries St-Hubert (see p51), Judgement, is a 16th-century the Notre Dame du Sablon
Europe’s oldest and most treasure. From here, the metro (see p72) before making your way
elegant shopping arcade. Next, at Parc makes it a short trip to to the Palais de Justice (see p73),
take the short walk north to Schumann, in the heart of the one of the world’s most impre-
the Comics Art Museum (see Quartier Européen (see p76). ssive 19th-century buildings.
pp54–5), a unique museum The imposing Belaymont
dedicated to the comic strip, building, headquarters of Day 2
which has become one of the the European Commission, Morning Pack a picnic of
city’s must-sees. If you have the is immediately recognizable. baguettes and ham and take
energy and the time, top off The equally bold Justus Lipsius the metro out to Stuyvenbergh
your day with a stroll around the
glorious Le Botanique (see p53).
The botanical gardens are no
longer here, but the 19th-century
glasshouse remains and the
surrounding park is gorgeous in
spring and summer.
Day 2
Morning Start your day with a
look inside the Notre-dame du
Sablon (see p72) before heading
into the Quartier Royal (see
pp60–61), traditionally home to
Belgium’s kings and queens.
The finest of the places built Majestic interior of Cathédrale Sts Michel et Gudule, Brussels

012-013_EW_Brussels.indd 12 10/01/17 11:04 am