No not another tirade about the Eu but a request for any info/tips on what to do in Brussels from anyone who has visited. I am only there for the weekend so just wondering what highlights people would recommend to take in.

Thanks in advance

They'll make you trump.

If you go to the main square,there is plenty going on.Some really nice bars & restaurants,Also the main market.Enjoy!

Great local beers,try the mussels and chips with mayo,yummy

There is a BEER MUSEUM, for goodness sake. That's a BEER MUSEUM!
And free beer is included in the entry fee.

Brussels is great fun: Belgian chocolate, Trappist beers and waffles. The locals don't take themselves too seriously either.

Tell them you're an avid Remainer.

You might get a few free beers

HatfieldClaret wrote:Tell them you're an avid Remainer.

You might get a few free beers

Isn't that the ginger haired comedy creation of Leigh Francis?

I wouldn't call his work comedy.

Can't tolerate the man.

Do make sure you have the mussels down the back streets, quite a lot of the streets of the square are littered with cafes selling them where you can sit out and people watch.

OHH yes, and do make sure to stay away from the numerous jewelers if you have a loved one with you, although you could pick up a good bargain and impress at the same time

Do Mussels and chips taste any better in Belgium than they do here ?

Go and see the Manneken Pis, I'd be interested to see your thoughts on one of the supposed 'trip advisors top 10 must do things in Brussels'. Because, to be frank, I thought it was ****.

If you like your ale Delirium tremuns bar is fantastic, it serves hundreds if not thousands of different ales. Some super strength that will blow your head off.

Without intending to open up another unwanted debate, the EU Parliament is well worth visiting, but I'm not sure you can at weekend. The fact that we are leaving the EU is actually irrelevant, since virtually everyone who goes to Berlin queues to visit the Reichstag, and people from all over the world visit our Parliament and state buildings. It's very interesting indeed.
Don't forget to swap languages as you move from the lower part of the city (north)- Flemish to the upper (south) - French.!!
Seriously though it's a good city for a short trip and just about everyone speaks better English than you or I.It's officially a bilingual city but they all tend to learn their own language and speak to the other national community in English.

Belgium Beer and Chocolate are the best in the world.

Brussels is dead at the weekend because all the freeloaders and expense-laden 'public servants' - from the EU, NATO, MEPs etc all go home. But having those people out of the way is a good thing. You'll have the city almost to yourself and you can find tables in all the best restaurants and space at all the best bars....until Monday when they return.

The Atomium and the miniature Europe village are OK and walking round there. The main square is quite nice. I'll be honest though, one of the most "meh" European cities I've visited.

If you can, try to go to Bruges. It's only 45 minutes on the train from Brussels and there's loads to see there. A boat trip around the canals which criss-cross Bruges is well worth it as you can pretty much see the whole of the city in an hour or so.

We were there Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, had a look round Brussels on the Friday evening, spent much of Saturday in Bruges and had a look at the European parliament on the Sunday as well as venturing out to the Atomium. As mentioned above the Manneken Pis, just like the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen is underwhelming.

The main square is the hub of Brussels life and very picturesque. There are loads of decent restaurants in the streets of the main square competing for your business so you can eat well and relatively cheaply.

the_magic_rat wrote:If you can, try to go to Bruges. It's only 45 minutes on the train from Brussels and there's loads to see there. A boat trip around the canals which criss-cross Bruges is well worth it as you can pretty much see the whole of the city in an hour or so.

We were there Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, had a look round Brussels on the Friday evening, spent much of Saturday in Bruges and had a look at the European parliament on the Sunday as well as venturing out to the Atomium. As mentioned above the Manneken Pis, just like the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen is underwhelming.

The main square is the hub of Brussels life and very picturesque. There are loads of decent restaurants in the streets of the main square competing for your business so you can eat well and relatively cheaply.

I would agree with this. Been to Brussels a few times and not that impressed, apart from the main square, but Bruges is really nice.

Another little tip - don't ask for French Fries - I did, and was given a dirty look by the waitress and told "We don't serve French Fries, they are Belgian Fries"!

I'd also recommend Bruges instead of Brussels, Brussels is my least favourite city in Europe. Brussels has some beautiful architecture but it's dull.

Mind out for the thieves in Brussels railway station. They congregate around the central area and stairwells watching out for their prey. A couple of years back on a through train to Cologne, we had a hour wait their between trains. Our courier had told us the same story. I was outside M&S and watched two guys lift a rucksack off the handle of a guys case as it was behind him. He turned around just in time as the thieves just walked off laughing as if it was some kind of sport. If you keep your case / rucksack in front you'll be ok.

The Atomium in North Brussels next to Heysel stadium is worth the short underground trip - other interesting bits and bobs in the area too with some nice little eateries

Great with a bit of rasher mixed in and on your Christmas dinner.