Things to do in Brussels

11th Annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing

From a European Union headquarters visit to beer sampling, Brussels has activities for each of you!

	Discover Old Town The crown jewel of Brussels’ Old Town is the Grand Place, built as a merchants’ market in the 13th century. Tour the striking Gothic town hall or people watch from a café. Then, wander the surrounding cobblestone streets. Stroll through the Galeries St. Hubert, a glass roofed arcade lined with cafes, theatres, and luxury shops. Also be sure to see the Manneken Pis, the famous bronze sculpture of a boy peeing in a fountain.
	Galeries Royales St Hubert The "Galeries Royales St Hubert" (Royal St Hubert Galleries) in Brussels equal two hundred meters of listed monument. They were constructed by the architect Cluysenaer in 1847 and house a unique mix of cultural style and commercial spirit under a beautiful glass roof. They are without any doubt the most beautiful covered galleries of Europe
	Take a bus tour Hop-on, hop-off bus tours, offered by Brussels City Tours, give a good overview of the city’s most famous sights. Catch the bus outside Central Station.For those of you who like to ‘do it yourself’, take a walking tour of Brussels’ most upscale designers, explore the city’s antique and flea markets, or experience its beautiful green spaces.
	Visit the EU As the European capital, Brussels is home to the European Union headquarters. Take an audio-guided tour of the European Parliament, the elected body of the EU. During sessions, you can even attend a parliamentary sitting. Check for session dates here
	Ascend the Atomium Built in 1958 when Brussels hosted the World’s Fair, the Atomium is a cross between sculpture and architecture. It’s modelled after a crystallized molecule of iron magnified 150 thousand million times.
	From antiques to bric-a-brac From Sablon to the Marolles… so close and yet so differe nt, these two areas are gold mines for art lovers, collectors or bargain hunters. The antique shops and art galleries of Sablon are a chic museum in themselves, And next door in the Marolles there’s the more down-to earth flea market every morning on Place du Jeu de Balle!
	Chocolate Lovers The whole historic centre is a gourmet paradise with shop windows full of delectable pralines. The art and craft of chocolate-making is alive and well and living in Brussels! Learn about Belgian chocolate at the Chocolate Museum, then visit some of the Brussels’ most celebrated chocolate shops.
	Comic Strip heaven Comic strip fans feel at home in Brussels. There are entire bookshops devoted to new, second-hand and collectors’ comic books. There’s even a special trail which takes you past over 30 walls painted with comic strip characters. Comic strips have their own “museum” at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre.
	Did we mention that Brussels is also known for beer? For beer lovers there are ales, stouts, triples, krieks, gueuzes… to taste in cosy cafés or on sometimes sun-drenched terraces. There’s also one last brewery to visit in Brussels, still crafting their natural fruit beers. Belgium produces more varieties than there are days in a year, and many come with personalized glasses in which only that type may be served.