Hidden Brussels

Besides famous and unmissable attractions such as the Grand Place, the Atomium or the Manneken Pis, Brussels holds countless interesting places you could easily miss while staying in Brussels. Here is a list of ideas for your visits:

1. City Hall of Brussels: I did myself spend years in Brussels before visiting it although it is quite difficult to miss. Guided tours are organized all year round on Wednesdays and Sundays. Tickets can only be bought at the tourist desk from 9 am on the day of the visit. 

You can also visit it once every two years in August during the Flowertime. It is then absolutely crowded so think about buying your ticket online in advance.

2. Justice Palace: Renovation is far from being finished but the Justice Palace is nonetheless an impressive building. It is one of the biggest administrative building in the world and certainly the most significant in this style since the antiquity. You can visit it every working day and one time per year layers are organizing guided tours.

3. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences: The museum is nice but what makes it really exceptional is its collection of Iguanodons. They are perfectly preserved and made history as from them was invented the term "Dinosaur". 

4. Coundenberg Palace: You will walk or take the tram above it but may never know it exists. Under the "Place des Palais" is the Coudenberg, or what is left of it. It is the foundations of what was the Palace of Charles V in Brussels. It is quite empty but instructive on the past of Brussels and a real curiosity.

And what you will not see !

5. Wiertz Museum: Located close to the European Parliament, this museum welcomes only 15 visitors a day. It is an immersive experience in what was the studio of the artist. It gathers drawings, paintings and sculptures.

6. Royal Palace: Still used for official receptions, it is only open to visits from end of July to end of August.

7. Royal Greenhouses of Laeken: Wonderfull Art Nouveau greenhouses in the gardens of the Royal Palace in Laeken. Only opens 3 weeks in April-May.

Green spots

Brussels city center is dense and although we have a nice park near the house you may want to spent a day off somewhere greener. Of course, you can take a train and go to the Ardennes or on the coast. But there are also great excursion spots closer. Here is a shortlist:

1. The Sonian forest : important forest in the south of Brussels. You cannot do it all in one day. You can start your walk at several locations. Here is a link to a map:

http://www.zonienwoud.be/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MAP_20160727_Zonienwoud.pdf

Best starting points are:

- Tervuren : It will take you 45 minutes from the house. Use tram 25 or 7 and switch to 44 at Montgomery. Go to the last stop.

Around the Royal Museum for Central Africa (definitely worth a visit), which has been renovated and opened to public end of 2018, you will find a nice park with lakes and large lawns. Close to the lakes is a small café, ideal for small refreshments.

You can extend your walk in to the Sonian forest and reach the Arboretum of Tervuren.

- Bois de la Cambre: It will take you less than 40 minutes taking tram 25 to Buyl or Marie José. It is maybe the most well-known park in Brussels. Around, is the ULB (French university of Brussels) and many impressive houses. You can take a small boat to a brasserie called Chalet Robinson standing on an island.

By bike, it is a good starting point to reach La Hulpe Castle in the Solvay Domain.

- Rouge-Cloître: Finally Rouge-Cloître centre is also a nice area to discover. It is less frequented and is still easily accessible taking tram 25 to Arsenal and then bus 34 to Sainte-Anne.

2. Meise Botanic Garden : Formally National Botanical Garden, it is simply one of the biggest botanical garden in the world. Greenhouses display impressive specimens. A new house on the wood will explain you everything about trees. And magnolias are just outstanding in the spring.

You can reach the garden in less than one hour taking tram 62 to Bockstael and then bus 250.

3. Forest of Halle: Further away you will need a car or patience to reach it (Itinerary). Often listed in books for "places to see in the world", it is a must do if you are in Brussels when bluebells are blooming. A site allows you to know the best moment to go (Official website). Just look, don't walk on them even for a picture. They are extremely fragile.

4. Gassbeek Castle: Also out of the city (Itinerary). The 13th century castle is surrounded by wonderful gardens. It can be visited from spring to autumn.

Shopping

The traditional two shopping areas in Brussels are the city center and Louise. In 2016 a new shopping center also opened near the canal.

- Docks Brussels : this new mall is unique in Belgium associating large shopping possibilities, coffees, restaurants, a cinema and an event area. It also holds an indoor leisure park Koezio. From the house, it is direct with the tram 7.

- The City Center : The Rue Neuve, City2 (Mall), and the shops around the Grand Place and Rue Dansaert, the city center remains a major shopping area. From the house, it is direct either with the tram 25 to Rogier (City2) or with the bus 65 to the Central Station (Grand Place).

- Louise : The Avenue Louise, the Avenue de la Toison d'Or and the Chaussée d'Ixelles holds a large variety of shops with mainstream brands largely represented on the Chaussée d'Ixelles and more exclusive shops on the Avenue Louise. From the house the tram 64 will take you to Porte de Namur (intersection of the Avenue de la Toison d'Or and of the Chaussée d'Ixelle).

Grocery

Around the house, the easiest way to go grocery shopping remains the Carrefour express located Place Bremer. It is 5 minutes away from the house and you will probably find there most of what you need.
However if you prefer bigger supermarkets you can try the Carrefour market 243 Avenue Dailly or the Delhaize Chazal located 22 Avenue Léon Mahillon.  

With public transports you can also go Rue des Tongres where you will find a GB, a Delhaize, a butcher's shop, a fish shop and much more.

More specialized or atypical, you can try :

- Farm: Ideal place to buy local, organic, loose products. It is a few stops away with tram 25.

- Le goût : Located near the park this shop sells bread, cheese, fruits, beverages, deli meals and dairy.

- Marché de la place des chasseurs ardennais : A nice market each Friday afternoons.

- Beescoop : Original but demanding concept. This supermarket only works thanks to the collaborative efforts of its members. You need to work 3 hours each month in order to be able to buy there. Products are mostly bio and from local producers.

The bars

These are the bars I would recommend within a walking distance :

- 1030 Café : New bar at the parkside, with a selection of artisanal drinks and musical performances.

- Live Central Park : A cosy atmosphere, a friendly team taking time for everyone, an excellent choice of beers and the possibility to have a snack. You will also find some books and board games in the afternoons.

- Ethylo: Only cocktail bar around the house, with prices mostly in the 10€-15€ range. You can also order their cocktails in the Maloma restaurant across the street.

- Buvette Sint-Sebastiaan : (For the summer) This is not really so much a cafe as a meeting place for archers, joggers, foodies, or anyone who wants to enjoy the sun in Parc Josaphat with a cold beer. As well as drinks, Sint Sebastiaan serves food (the crêpes and Friday Fish Parties are particularly noteworthy) and is an ideal vantage point from which to enjoy the view of the park.

- Copain : COPAIN is a real neighborhood bar where wine and beer lovers are always welcome with all their friends.

- Le barboteur : This self-styled ‘Bièrothèque‘ offers a selection of more than 250 artisanal beers, which are available for sale in the shop or available to drink at the bar.

Where to exercise ?

If you want to exercise during your stay in Brussels the easy way is the Stadium Kinetix sports club. With its 20,000 m² Stadium Kinetix Brussels is one of the largest sports clubs in Europe. Besides an expansive fitness room you will also find a multifunctional room, a large number of group classes and a 30 m swimming pool.

The Kinetix is at walking distance from the house, just across the park.

If you just want to jog, you can run around the Park Josaphat nearby. This is ideal for short training during the week. For longer runs, use tram 7 (or a bike) that will take you directly to the Bois de la Cambre. You will then get access to the Sonian Forest and its 5,000 ha.

Transportation

From the house, you will have many transportation possibilities. Indeed, stops at 100 m and 500 m can taken you directly almost anywhere in Brussels (click on the image to enlarge it) :

- Bus 64 direct to EU Institutions :

- Tram 62 direct to NATO :

- Tram 7 direct to the Flemish University and the Bois de La Cambre (famous park with access to the Soignes forest) and easy access to the French University :

- Bus 65 direct to central station and the Grand Place :

 

- Bikes are also available. City bike services are called Villo! You will find many stations in the area.