A city trip to Brussels is always a good idea. It is a destination that is easily accessible from the Netherlands. It is not expensive to get there. Once there, there is plenty to do. In fact, everyone should plan a city trip to Brussels at least once a year.
Even though Brussels is very close to the Netherlands, you really get the feeling that you are on vacation. French is mainly spoken and the architecture also reminds you of Paris. A city trip to Brussels is accessible and there is much to see. Are you planning your trip to Brussels soon? Then read on.
Transport to Brussels
Brussels is very easy to reach from the Netherlands. You don’t need to take a flight. You can simply travel by train, bus, or car. From the southern border of the Netherlands, it is just under an hour and a half drive to reach the Belgian capital.
If you don’t have your own car, there are still plenty of options to travel to Brussels. There are international bus services that can take you to Brussels. Flixbus is the most popular international bus service and has several pick-up points in the Netherlands. This is by far the cheapest option to travel to Brussels. You can already buy return tickets from €5.99.
If you prefer to travel by train, you have two options. You can choose the regular NS train. This makes several stops in both the Netherlands and Belgium. Or you can choose a faster way, the Thalys. With the Thalys, you are there quickly. You only stop in Antwerp in Belgium and you arrive in Brussels in no time. This does come with a price tag. In terms of time, it saves about an hour compared to the regular train from the Dutch border.
Visit the Atomium
Brussels has many famous attractions. The most famous is probably the Atomium. You can find the Atomium in the west of the city, in the Heizelpark. The Heizelpark is best reached by car or city bus. You can also rent a bike and visit the Atomium by bike.
The Atomium was built in 1958. At that time, a world exhibition with the theme of science was organized, and they wanted to present a special building. This became the Atomium. From the outside, the Atomium looks like a building made of spheres. These spheres are meant to represent iron molecules.
These iron molecules are very precisely replicated and magnified 165 billion times. It is a very special building and worth admiring from the outside alone. But once you have made the trip to the Atomium during your city trip to Brussels, you will naturally want to see it from the inside as well.
Inside the Atomium, you will find a museum including an observation deck. From the observation deck, you have a very nice view over Brussels.
You can also enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner in the restaurant. Keep in mind that if you want to visit the museum, you should purchase tickets in advance. Tickets cost €16 per person.
Visit the Grand Place
The Grand Place is another favorite attraction in Brussels. One you cannot miss. The square is the most beautiful square in Brussels, surrounded by historic buildings and the remarkable town hall. The Grand Place, also known locally as Grand Place, is a square where there is plenty to see and do. There is also a special legend about the Grand Place.
Legend of Grand Place Brussels
How much truth there is behind this legend, we will not know. It is a legend, a myth, but one that is interesting and has been brought up time and again through the centuries. It is about the architect of the town hall that stands on the Grand Place.
This was built in the 15th century. The architect completely lost himself in his work, and everything had to be executed exactly according to his wishes. He had also designed the tower next to the main building. He wanted this tower to be placed exactly centered in the middle of the building. This did not happen, and the architect could no longer handle it. He is said to have jumped from the tower and is said to still haunt the square to this day.
When to visit Brussels
A city trip to Brussels can actually be done at any time. Don’t let the weather stop you. They have the same weather conditions as we do in the Netherlands. But even in the rain, Brussels is a fun city to explore. In the summer, you can enjoy the many cozy cafes with outdoor terraces, and in the colder months, you can enjoy indoor events.
Christmas Market Brussels
Why many people also travel to Brussels in December is the Christmas market. The Christmas market in Brussels always goes hand in hand with an accompanying fair with many different attractions. The Christmas market in Brussels is also one of the largest Christmas markets in all of Europe.
The Christmas market starts at the Bourse and extends via the Sint Kathelijn square to the Vismarkt. There are on average about 250 stalls per year where you can buy the nicest Christmas decorations, eat the tastiest snacks, and drink the most delicious drinks. The ice rink is also set up around the corner from the Christmas market. So while shopping and taking a ride on the Ferris wheel, you can also show off your skating skills.
Discover the city with the Baja Bikes Brussels Bike Tour
Brussels is a very accessible city, perfect for cycling. The roads are just like ours. In terms of traffic, it is also comparable to us in the Netherlands. So you won’t have to get used to cycling in another city and can immediately explore the surroundings. However, it is useful to do this under guidance. Especially if you don’t know the city or don’t know it well, it is useful to know where you can cycle to.
You can book various tours with us. The most popular is the Baja Bikes Brussels Bike Tour Highlights. You will then cycle with your Dutch-speaking guide along dozens of highlights. You will see at least the following attractions:
Attractions to see during your bike tour
– Grand Place
– Manneken Pis
– European Quarter
– Art Nouveau buildings
– Colorful African district
– Chocolatiers
– Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
– Most beautiful comic strip walls
– La Monnaie
– Stunning city views
You can also choose to do a private tour with your own private guide.
Are you a student? Then book the student tour.
During the holidays, a special Christmas tour is also organized. Discovering the city by bike is a great way to see the city and stay active at the same time.