Brussels

·         Be wary of the touts.

·         Do not get involved in any form of drugs.

·         In case you come across anyone who seems suspicious, maybe a drug peddler, it is best to keep away from such an individual. Often, the trend says that the drug pedlars tend to get away from such a situation and it is the tourists who face the trouble.

·         Do not entertain the beggars.

·         If you are eating street food, make sure you check for the quality before placing an order.

·         Whenever you buy a water bottle make sure you check that the seal is intact.

·         Do not buy a water bottle from the brand that is not known to you.

·         Always carry with you at least one identity card.

·         Do not flaunt your cash or valuables in a public place.

·         Do not leave any of your important documents in the hotel room.

·         Make sure you book a hotel in an area that is located near the attractions of the city.

·         Make a booking in a hotel that has a room safe.

·         Do not get overfriendly with the strangers.

·         If you hire a guide, make sure it is from a registered or a known agency only. 

The legal age for drinking in Brussels is 16 years. 

Grand Place (Grote Markt)

Situated in the heart of the Brussels Old Town, the main plaza of the city also known as the Grand Place is said to be one of the best preserved in Europe. Majorly the elegant character of the square is attributed to the unique architecture as well as the elegant guild houses with the magnificent balustrades, rich gold decoration, gables and ornately carved stonework. Major section of the place was laid between the period ranging from 1696 to 1700 in the Baroque style with certain influences from the Flemish. The history of the place is however older than this. The place was first established in the 11th century and soon evolved further so as to become the economic and political center of the city. This is the best sightseeing attraction of Belgium.  

Manneken Pis

Another must see attraction in Brussels is the Manneken Pis. It is situated along the Rue de l'Etuve and is considered to be the best known landmarks of the country. Usually visited by a vast range of tourists, the history of the attraction can be traced back to 1388. There is nothing significant known about the statue of the young boy urinating or probably who this young boy is but many refer to it as "the oldest citizen of Brussels." During all the major celebrations and festivities, the statue is dressed in costumes.  

Saint-Michel Cathedral (Sint-Michiels Kathedraal)

The Saint-Michel Cathedral is dedicated to St. Gudula and St. Michael. This Gothic church was found in the year 1225. However, it was completed only in the 15th century.  With a façade which is interesting and impressive, it is one of the most important places to see in Belgium. Rising above a broad flight of steps, the cathedral is crowded with 2 69 meter high towers.    

Visit to the Grand Place

The Grand Place is a Brussels‘s iconic destination. Often the starting tourist attraction that many who come here for a holiday see, it has often been regarded as one of the most breath-taking squares in Europe. Encompassed by exquisite buildings, the site is also listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can spot a number of lively cafes and restaurants here so once you are done with all the sightseeing here, you can sit down at any of those lively café or restaurant and grab yourself scrumptious meal. Embellished with impressive flower carpet, every two years in the month of August, if you happen to coincide your vacation with that, do not miss out on this tourist attraction.   

The waffles

Now, whether or not you have a sweet tooth, you’ll completely love the waffles of Brussel. The waffles in Belgium are so good that they will make your journey to Brussels all the more worthwhile. You can get the finest waffles in most of the cafes here however, if you wish to get your hands on the best one in the town, you really have to go to Maison Dandoy.  

The comics

Comics in Belgium is taken very, very seriously. With over hundreds of renowned characters like the Smurfs and Tintin, the country does have a rich tradition when it comes to comics. You can find a couple of shops in the city that specialize in the Belgian Comic Strip Centre. If you are looking something serious the comic strip route will keep you interested. It is indeed a great way of admiring the beautiful murals. This project started way back in 1991 and is still enriched with several new paintings.   

The chocolate 

If waffles are not your thing, chocolates can definitely convince you. Belgian chocolates are loved all across the globe. They’ll tempt you over and over again. Here in Brussels, you have a number of shops, where you can satiate your cravings. Make sure you happen to make your holiday to Brussels a sweet one.

The architecture                                                                                       

Brussels and Art Nouveau are synonymous to each other. It is this very place where Paul Hankar and Victor Horta designed the first Art Nouveau buildings of the world - Maison Hankar and Hotel Tassel. Besides visiting the Horta Museum, you can also admire the other Art Nouveau buildings which are just as brilliant in structure and architecture. They may include buildings like MIM and Maison Cauchie. Just walk around the city and you’ll get an idea on the magnificent architecture of the Brussels. On the other hand, what is fairly lesser known is the Art Deco heritage of Brussels. Fortunately, the the Flagey building, Van Buuren Museum as well as the Villa Empain are the fine reminders. More so, if you have a thing with architecture detailing, do go ahead and check out the beautiful doors of Brussels.  

The frites

Now, just like the waffles of Belgium, the frites are equally addictive. Of course they are not the healthiest or the fanciest snack you’ll put your hands on but they are definitely very crispy, tasty and indeed very cheap just like chips. You can get frites in several small stalls around the city. These are fried twice in beef tallow and come with different sauces. To be able to get your hands on the best frites can be one serious affair in Brussels as everyone will have their own kind of favourite however, you can try out at a location or two and decide for yourself. Take note, to get your hands on this snack, you’ll have to stand in a queue leading you to the stalls as most of the times, the stalls that sell frites are crowded. 

 The flea markets 

You may have heard it time and again that the best way to get a local flavour of the city is by visiting one of its flea market. And yes, it is every bit true too. Brussels organizes a number of street markets all around the city. So, no matter the day or the area that you are in, you’ll get a chance to explore one of them. One of the noisiest of the street market is the Marché du Midi conducted on Sundays. Others are fairly more lively and young. You can visit the Chatelain market conducted on Wednesdays. There are also some flea markets that are a junction for the foodies which includes the gourmet market or the Flagey market in the Sablon. You can also plan a visit to the flea market in Place du Jeu de Balle which is a market for the vintage lovers. Shopping at these markets can be a great fun in itself.

The beer

Belgians love their beer and Brussels is indeed an ideal place for both travellers and beer experts. Anyone who is curious to discover more about the local beer, this is the best place to be at. Belgium has a beer for every taste and there are a number of bars around the town from where you can grab a pint. Some of the best places to grab a beer include A la Mort Subite and Moeder Lambic on Place Fontainas. If not these, you can also visit the very source of the beer in the form of the local breweries located here. These include the En Stoemelings, Brussels Beer Project and Brasserie Cantillon. Belgium has a great nightlife so basically it is always beer o’clock here.      

The outdoor festivals

Belgium is an incredibly lively country. People of all nationalities and ages come here to enjoy the outdoor festivals that are celebrated here all round the year. Some of the best festivals that you can enjoy include the Fête de la Musique, Royal Park Music Festival, Food Truck Festival, Nuit Blanche, Jazz Marathon, Comic Strip Festival, Eat! Brussels, Ommegang and Belgian Beer Weekend. Basically, there is something for all of you. Besides these outdoor festivals a number of indoor festivals are also celebrated here. Attending these festivals is one important activity to do in Brussels.        

The day trips

Last but definitely not the least, you should definitely include Brussels in your itinerary especially if you are keen on experiencing some of the best day tours to a few other destinations both inside or out of Belgium. Just pick a city and hop on the train – Paris, Lille, Amsterdam, Cologne, Bruges or Ghent. 

Belgium enjoys a fairly standard temperate climate, with warm – if mild – summers and moderately cold winters. The cities of Belgium are all-year tourist destinations where you’ll love every minute spent.

In order to help you out, here’s a season/month wise breakdown for the best time to visit Brussels:

• March to May: One of the most pleasant times to visit Brussels is the spring, when temperatures range from 15 to 30 degrees. There is less crowd in the city during this time, due to lower temperature and hence, accommodation is cheaper.
• June to August: The summer months receive the highest number of tourists. The city's streets swarm with crowds and long lines often form outside the main attractions. Hotel rates are also on the higher side during this time.
• November to February: This is the winter season in Brussels and temperature often dip to sub-zero levels. However, crowds may still increase during Christmas or New Year.

The only way to travel to Brussel from India is by flight. One way flight tickets from Mumbai or Delhi will cost you between 20,000-25,000 INR any time of the year provided you book your flight at least two weeks in advance.

Spending just a couple of days in Brussels will allow you to see all of the major and most popular sights but if you are here for a week, you will be able to visit some more obscure, but equally fascinating attractions. 

Some of the best activities which you can’t miss out on your Brussels vacation are:

• Explore the unique architecture of Grand Palace
• See the impressive Saint-Michel Cathedral (Sint-Michiels Kathedraal)
• Climb the Brabantine Gothic tower and enjoy the amazing views
• Explore history at Maison du Ro
• Check out the curated comics at the Belgian Comic Strip Center
• Catch a glimpse of Manneken Pis
• Have a musical sojourn at the Musical Instruments Museum

Brussels is a hub of commercial activity but also a great place to visit on a city-break. It offers ample opportunities for shopping, sightseeing and seriously good food, and with its train connections to the rest of the continent, it makes a perfect first stop on a modern European tour.

Some of the best resorts to stay in Brussels are:

• Warwick Brussels
• Sofitel Brussels Le Louise
• Hotel Metropole
• Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo
• Steigenberger Wiltcher's Brussels
• Le Chatelain Hotel
• Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place
• The Dominican
• Stanhope Hotel
• Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels
• Hotel Le Plaza

Public transportation means include Brussels buses, trams, the Brussels metro (all three operated by the STIB as well as a set of railway lines (operated by Infrabel) and railway stations served by public trains (operated by the SNCB)

Some of the best means for public transportation in Brussels are:

• Brussels Metro: It is a set of 4 metro lines serving a total of 60 metro stations, most of them being underground.
• Brussels Trams: Brussels trams are an old transportation means in Brussels, operated by the STIB from 1954 on, but existing since 1869.
• Heavy Rail: The Infrabel railway network has a total of 8 lines all of which offer a correspondence with one or more STIB bus, tram and/or metro lines.
• Buses: The bus network in Brussels now comprise 360 km of bus line by day and 112 km by night and service the 19 municipalities of Brussels.