Tourist Attractions In Brussels Most Visited

There are so many tourist attractions in Brussels. Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and the European Union save a lot of beauty, historic sites, and places of interest. Among European countries, Brussels has tourist attractions that should not be missed. Brussels became the two-time civilization. There is the grandeur of ancient European buildings that became a symbol of the splendor of this city in the past, besides also tucked modern skyscraper with a wealth of contemporary architecture. The city is like a time when a meeting between the past and the present.

Brussels has grown since the 6th century. Originally is a village in the plains of the River Senne, already previously as air cool area . The city of Brussels is now unforgettable as the city's most impressive parks in mainland Europe. This small town can be reached by all means of transportation by land, sea or air.

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital city of the European Union (EU) is a favorite tourist destination in Western Europe because flanked by large countries such as the Netherlands, France, and Germany. In Brussels you can find many interesting tourist attractions you must visit. The uniqueness of this city is having two official languages​​. French is the language most widely spoken in the city, then followed by the Dutch.

Brussels, capital of Belgium, is a paradise for lovers of architecture. Ancient buildings, museums, and monuments that scattered in almost all corners of the city.  Moreover, when looking for Belgian chocolate the most delicious in the world, Brussels is the place.

Here are most visited tourist attractions in Brussels you must see:

1. Grand place or Grote Markt

Img src: wikipedia

Grand Place is the central square of Brussels City. Town square surrounded by historic old buildings, is commonly used as a venue for many events. Some of the show such as flower festivals, ice skating, and many other events here. Many foreign and local tourists often enjoy meals in restaurants around the Grand Place, or just relax in the courtyard of the Grand Place. Guests can also buy a variety of unique creativity or souvenirs around the Grand Place. This area also is a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

2. Atomium

Atomium is a 103 meter high monument that was once used for Expo ’58. The monument is consists of nine steel balls connected by escalators. Visitors can enter the ninth steel balls to see the museum in it. Not only that, visitors can also see the view of the City of Brussels from top of the steel ball. Atomium is also sometimes called the Eiffel Tower of Belgium. Not far from the Atomium, visitors can see a miniature Europe in “Mini Europe”. Atomium and Mini Europe can be reached by tram or metro from the center of Brussels.

3. Manneken Pis

This is a statue of the famous little boy pee in Brussels City. Located not far from the town square (Grand Place). Many tourists take photos in front of this statue. In certain times, these statues are often given the dress of various countries. Manneken Pis has since several centuries been a major tourist attraction in the city.

4. Mini-Europe

Mini-Europe is situated at the foot of the Atomium, Mini-Europe is the only park where you can have a whistlestop tour of Europe in a few short hours. Mini-Europe hosts a set of scale models of famous European structures. Some of the models have moving parts, such as the Thalys train, which travels proudly past the historical monuments, rivers and streams of Mini Europe. It is definitely worth taking a camera and some children with you to play on some of the games and take photos with the miniatures, which are actually quite large.

5. Palace of Justice

The Palace of Justice is the Supreme Court of Law for Belgium. Commissioned by King Leopold II it was built between 1866 and 1883 by architect Joseph Poelaert in a neo-classical or eclectic design. Palace of Justice was the largest secular building to be constructed in 19th century Europe. Topped by a massive copper dome (24 000 tons) the building is 105 m high. It contains 27 large court rooms and 245 smaller court rooms.

6. Brussels Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Belgium is one of the most beautiful official buildings in Brussels. It is the official palace of the Belgium monarchy, and it is here that court ceremonies, royal audiences and state receptions are held. The Royal Palace is open to the public between July and September, when locals and tourists are allowed entrance to gaze in awe at its splendid rooms. Rooms of particular note include: the throne room -decorated with bas-reliefs by Auguste Rodin; the Goya Room – hung with tapestries modelled on paintings by the Spanish Court painter Francisco de Goya; the Mirror room ­ which in 2002 its ceiling and chandelier were decorated with the wing cases of 1.4 million Thai jewel beetles.

7. Town Hall

The City Hall of Brussels is a masterpiece of the Gothic civil architecture of the 15th century. The wealth inside also makes it one of the most luxurious city halls of the country. Behind the hall, the mayor’s garden is a picturesque and beautiful spot, containing the bronze “Ropieur” fountain. The town hall can only be visited by groups with an approved written request.

8. Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Coeur

Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Coeur is The fifth biggest church in the world, with an impressive interior and an amazing view over Brussels and its surroundings. The church is popularly known as the Koekelberg Basilica. The Basilica’s dome is open to the public which offers views of the city.

9. Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgium

Also called the Musée royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique or Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van Belgie, The Royal Museum contains over 20,000 drawings, sculptures, and paintings, which date from the early 15th century to the present. The museum has an extensive collection of Flemish painting, among them paintings by Bruegel and Rogier van der Weyden, Robert Campin (the Master of Flémalle), Anthony van Dyck, and Jacob Jordaens. The museum is also proud of its “Rubens Room”, which houses more than 20 paintings by the artist.

1o. Bourse (Stock Exchange)

It is one of the city’s most elegant 19th century buildings. The stock exchange does not contain the usual chaotic activities of stock brokers and traders, as all trading is now computerized. The building was erected from 1868 to 1873, and mixes elements of the Neo-Renaissance and Second Empire architectural styles. It has an abundance of ornaments and sculptures, created by famous artists, including the brothers Jacques and Joseph Jacquet, Guillaume de Groot, French sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and his then-assistant Auguste Rodin.

Here are major tourist attractions in Brussels:

1. Grand Place

Grand Place is a town square surrounded by old buildings towering. Formerly this place was the location of the execution of the prisoners and now has turned into an amazing tourist sites, and is often used as a venue of cultural festivals. There are three main buildings in the Grand Place can be visited, namely, town hall, house kings, and trade buildings (Guli House). Grand Place has been established as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Brussels Town Hall

Once in Grand Palace area you will be greeted by the old town hall tower with gothic style. The building was built in the 1400's by architect Jan Van Ruysbrueck architecture. At the top of the tower of the building is a statue of St. Michael who is destroying demons. It is an attractive building with arched windows, towers and adorned with sculptures.

3. Manneken-Pis

statue of a little boy being piss. There are many legends about the existence of the statue. One of them, a small boy named Juliaanske, or small Julian is releasing a fuse on a bomb by piss on it. A heroic act done by a child to his beloved city. Julian small statue has more than 600 costumes, costumes are used at certain times, such as Santa costume for Christmas. In a typical day, 'not just his urine clear water. Could syrup or beer that is often contested Belgian beer lovers.

4. Heysel Park and the Atomium

Heysel park, located in the west of Brussels, is dedicated to recreation and leisure. In 1985 the European Champions Cup tragedy took place in the Heysel stadium killing several spectators. It has been redesigned since then and renamed Stade Roi Baudoin (King Baudoin Stadium).

One of the highlights of the park is the Atomium. This is a glistening 102 metre (335 ft) high model of an atom made out of chrome and steel designed by André Waterkeyn. It was erected for the 1958 World Fair to symbolise a new 'atomic age'. It is an accurate depiction of an iron molecule that has been magnified 165 billion times. It comprises nine 18 metre diameter steel spheres connected by tupes, all of which contain exhibits.

5. Mini-Europe

Mini-Europe is a miniature park situated in Bruparck at the foot of the Atomium in Brussels. Roughly 80 cities and 350 buildings are represented. The park contains numerous live action models (train, mills, eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Airbus, cable cars, etc.). A guide gives the details on all the monuments. At the end of the visit, the “Spirit of Europe” exhibition gives an interactive overview of the European Union in the form of multimedia games.