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.