BRUSSELS

Nestled in the heart of Europe, Brussels is a city that wears its history with pride, balancing medieval cobblestones with modern arcades, resplendent Gothic churches with sleek European institutions. It is at once a place of art, diplomacy, chocolate, and waffles—and so much more.

HISTORY OF THE CITY

Brussels has ancient roots reaching back to early medieval times. Legend claims that around the 10th century, a fortification was built on an island in the Senne River. Over centuries, that settlement grew, fortified by dukes and counts, becoming a key town in the Duchy of Brabant. Brussels suffered its share of fires, floods, and political upheavals. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was shaped by the power struggles of the Habsburgs, the Spanish rule, and later by the Austrian Habsburgs. The French Revolution and Napoleonic period brought change; afterwards, Brussels became part of the newly independent Belgium in 1830. Industrialisation in the 19th century transformed the city, bringing railways, ornate public buildings, boulevards, and a growing population. In the 20th century, Brussels weathered two World Wars and emerged in the latter half as a center of European politics—hosting the European Union, NATO, and many international bodies. Its history is written in its architecture, its languages, its cultural mix.

POPULATION

Today, Brussels is a populous and diverse city. The metropolitan region holds more than a million and a half people, while the broader urban area spans even more. What makes its population especially notable is its multilingual, multicultural character: people from Flanders, Wallonia, and across Europe live here, along with large communities from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. The demographic makeup is young and international; you’ll find students, diplomats, artists, business people. The multiplicity of backgrounds means a richness in cultural traditions, foods, festivals, and languages.

LANGUAGE

One of the defining features of Brussels is its languages. The two official languages of Belgium are French and Dutch, and both have deep roots in Brussels, though French tends to dominate in daily life in the city center. In many neighborhoods, you’ll hear Dutch, French, and a variety of immigrant languages—Arabic, Turkish, African tongues, Portuguese, etc. English is widely spoken, especially in business, tourism, international institutions, and among younger people. Local signage, government documents, and public transport usually use both French and Dutch. In some places you may notice German, too, given Belgium’s multilingual structure. All told, Brussels is a place where many languages live side by side.

CURRENCY

Belgium, and thus Brussels, uses the euro (€) as its currency. Introduced in 1999 as an electronic currency and in 2002 as coins and banknotes, the euro replaced the Belgian franc. Prices are expressed in euros and cents; credit cards are widely accepted, though small businesses sometimes prefer cash for modest purchases. ATMs are common throughout the city.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT

If you visit Brussels, expect 230 volts AC electricity, with a frequency of 50 hertz, using the two-round-pin European plugs (Type C and Type E/F). If your device uses a different voltage or plug, you’ll need a converter or adapter. Hotels often provide adapters, but it’s safest to bring your own. Many gadgets (laptops, phones) nowadays are dual voltage, but items like hair dryers or irons may not be.

CLIMATE

Brussels lies in a temperate oceanic climate zone. This means mild winters and moderately warm summers, though “warm” rarely slides into scorching. Rain is frequent—showers, drizzles, overcast skies are common throughout much of the year. Winters (December–February) can be cold, with temperatures often dipping near freezing but seldom staying far below. Snowfalls happen but are usually light and transient. Spring brings increasing warmth and blossoms, though it can also be damp. Summer (June–August) offers the warmest weather, with temperatures typically in the low to mid‑20s Celsius (70s F), relatively comfortable though sometimes humid. Autumn is often beautiful—leaf‑coloured trees, crisp mornings, but also more rain. Because of the frequent cloud cover and precipitation, it’s wise to carry an umbrella or rain‑jacket almost year‑round.

TYPICAL FOOD

Brussels is a food lover’s delight. Belgian cuisine draws on hearty, regional traditions, and Brussels adds its cosmopolitan spin. Some of the iconic foods include:

• Waffles: Light, crispy on the outside, soft within. The Brussels waffle is rectangular and more delicate; elsewhere the Liège waffle is sweeter and denser. Adding powdered sugar, whipped cream, strawberries—or all three—is common.
• Chocolate: Belgium has a reputation for excellent chocolate. In Brussels you’ll find boutique chocolatiers, truffles, pralines, bars—rich, creamy, sometimes with surprising flavors like Speculoos, or infused with local beers.
• Frites (French fries): Often thick‑cut, twice‑fried, served in paper cones with a variety of sauces (mayo is traditional). Some shops specialize in frites more than anything else.
• Mussels with fries (moules‑frites): A classic dish—fresh mussels steamed in white wine, garlic, onions, parsley, accompanied by golden fries.
• Stoofvlees (Carbonnade flamande): A Flemish beef stew cooked slowly in beer and onions, with a deep, comforting flavor.
• Belgian beers: Although slightly outside “food,” the variety of beers is part of the gastronomic culture. From lambics to Trappist ales, you’ll find many local brews in bars and restaurants.
• Speculoos, chocolates, biscuits, local cheeses, and charcuterie also make frequent appearances.

Additionally, with Brussels being so international, you can find excellent offerings of cuisines from around the world—North African, Middle Eastern, Asian, South American—side by side with traditional Belgian fare.

TRANSPORT

Getting around Brussels is relatively convenient, though like any major city, there are traffic jams and occasional delays.

• Public transport: The city has an extensive network of trams, buses, and metros. The metro has several lines criss‑crossing much of the city and suburbs. Trams glide through many neighborhoods. Buses fill in the gaps. Tickets are reasonably priced; there are day passes, multi‑day cards, etc.
• Train: Brussels is well connected by train—domestic routes to other Belgian cities like Ghent, Antwerp, Bruges; international services to Paris, Amsterdam, London, Cologne, Luxembourg. Brussels has several major stations, notably Brussels‑Central, Brussels‑Midi (also an international hub), Brussels‑Nord.
• Bicycles, scooters, walking: In many central districts, walking is pleasant and often faster than driving. There are shared bikes and electric scooters scattered around. Cycling culture is growing, though roads and weather sometimes complicate biking.
• Cars and parking: Driving into the center can be challenging. Traffic congestion is frequent, and parking is expensive. Many zones are restricted (low‑emission zones), requiring cars to meet environmental standards. Taxis and rideshares are available.
• Airport: Brussels has a large international airport (Brussels Airport) serving many destinations worldwide. It’s well‑connected to the city by train and shuttle services.

SAFETY

For the most part, Brussels is safe—but, like many large European capitals, there are some cautions to keep in mind. Violent crime is relatively rare, but pickpocketing and petty theft are more common, especially in tourist areas, public transport, and around major stations. Always keep an eye on your belongings, watch for common scams, and be mindful at night in less central areas. Some parts of the city are more rough or less well‑lit after dark; it’s wise to stick to well‑traveled streets, avoid flashing valuables, and use registered taxis or ride‑sharing services. Local police are generally efficient, and emergency services (police, ambulance, fire) are well organized. As in any major city, awareness and a degree of caution go a long way.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Brussels offers many sights—some grand, some charming, some quirky. Here are the key ones:

• Grand Place (Grote Markt): The central square, a UNESCO World Heritage‑like jewel even if technically the city‑hall and guild‑houses aren’t UNESCO‑listed. Ornate, grand facades, golden touches, baroque architecture. It’s beautiful by day, magical at night with lights, and during flower carpets or festivals.
• Atomium: The futuristic structure built for Expo 58, shaped like a crystal magnified many billions of times. Offers exhibitions and panoramic views over Brussels. It’s emblematic of post‑war optimism and modern design.
• Manneken Pis: A small bronze statue of a little boy urinating; it may seem quirky, but it’s full of charm and local folklore. Costumed on special occasions; crowds always gather.
• Royal Palace (Palais Royal): While the king doesn’t live here, parts are used officially; the building is elegant, with lovely rooms, art, and gardens around. In summer it’s open to visitors.
• Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula: A beautiful Gothic cathedral, high vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and historical significance.
• Mont des Arts & Royal Museums: The area with beautiful gardens, views across city rooftops, plus museums of fine arts, modern art, music instruments, etc.
• Parc de Bruxelles / Warandepark: The large green space near the Royal Palace—good for walks, picnics, people‑watching.
• European Quarter: Home to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and EU institutions. Interesting for those keen on politics, architecture, and modern governance.
• Comic Strip Route & Museums: Belgium is famous for its comic strip culture—Tintin, the Smurfs, etc. There are mural routes, dedicated museums, and shops celebrating this heritage.
• Delirium Café & the food scene: For food and nightlife, many neighborhoods offer excellent restaurants, craft beer bars, chocolatiers, and cafés. Especially around Sainte‑Catherine, the Sablon, and Saint‑Géry.

OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS

• Cultural diversity and arts: Brussels is an artistic hub—museums, galleries, music festivals, street art, theater. The city supports both traditional and avant‑garde projects.
• Government & International Role: As the de facto capital of the European Union (though not officially declared), Brussels hosts many supra‑national institutions. Diplomacy, politics, and international law are daily business there. NATO is also headquartered here. For many, Brussels is a center of decision‑making in Europe.
• Economy: The service sector dominates—administration, diplomacy, finance, trade. Tourism plays a major role. Also, there are industries in food, publishing, design. The presence of EU bodies means many jobs in international relations, translation, consulting.
• Urban layout and livability: Brussels has a mix of dense old quarters with narrow streets, large parks, wide boulevards, modern business districts. Green spaces are interspersed with urban zones. There are neighborhoods very charming and pleasant to live in; public services are generally good.
• Festivals & Events: There are flower shows, music festivals (jazz, electronic, classical), cultural weeks, Christmas markets. Also, comic con events, food festivals, local fairs.
• Challenges: Like many big cities, Brussels faces issues: traffic congestion, pollution (air quality can suffer), maintaining affordable housing, integrating immigrant populations, keeping historic areas in good repair. Also, balancing growth and preserving heritage is always a concern.

Brussels is a city of layers: ancient and modern, local and international, serious business and playful quirks. Its history tells of medieval ducal power, religious turbulence, imperial rule, revolution, wars, and rebirth; its population is young, international, and multilingual; its languages mix Dutch, French, many others; it uses the euro, follows European standards even for electricity; its climate is mild but damp and changeable; its food is rich, comforting and inventive; transport is broad but sometimes imperfect; safety is reasonable but requires typical urban caution; attractions range from iconic to whimsical; and its importance radiates through culture, politics, economics and art.

For visitors and those who might stay longer, Brussels offers both the familiar and the strange, the tourist draw and the hidden alleyway. It rewards curiosity: tasting a new chocolate shop around the corner, discovering a mural celebrating comics, watching the city at dawn from a rooftop, crossing borders in language, feeling the pulse of Europe in its streets.