Get into the Christmas spirit in Brussels
Are you looking for a destination for a Christmas city break in Europe this year? Here you have five reasons why spending Christmas in Brussels is an excellent choice. Our tips include our favourite places to visit in Brussels during winter season.
1. Christmas market
From November to January, the city centre turns into an original and impressive Christmas Market with more than 200 chalets called ‘WinterWonders’. Combine this festive ambiance with some fun on the wide variety of fairground attractions or ice-skating in the covered ice rink. Enjoy the Christmas events like the light parades that take place every Saturday, the concerts at the Grand Place or the choirs at the Saint Catherine square.
2. Its charming attractions
No matter the moment of the year, it is always worth to visit the most beautiful square in the world, the ‘Grand Place’ of Brussels. The little statue ‘Manneken pis’ has become a symbol for the city and a must-see for tourists as well as its feminine and canine versions: Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis.
It is also highly recommended to enjoy the panoramic views of the city at the top of Atomium and the exhibitions inside the steel monument and discovering all the main European monuments by a walk at Mini-Europe. Admire the 48 statues of the Petit Sablon, have a walk in any of the wonderful parks of Brussels like Parc du Cinquantenaire and take a picture at one of the most photogenic spots of the city: Mont des Arts.
3. The city of Art Nouveau and the 9th Art
Thanks to artists such as Horta, Hankar or Cauchie, Brussels is one of the best cities to discover Art Nouveau and Art Deco. You can find this art style in the architecture of some buildings as well as at the Fin-de-Siècle Museum and the Brussels Biennial.
Comic Strip plays also a main role in this city. There are several spots devoted to the 9th Art and specially to two of the most famous Belgian characters: Tintin and the Smurfs.Comic is also one thematic of the numerous shows of street art spread by the city. There are 50 original murals paintings in the city that to be discovered through the Comic Strip Route.
4. An enjoyable culinary experience
Apart from the well-known Belgian specialities as chocolate, waffles, fries and mussels, Belgium has many Christmas traditional dishes for offering during the festive season.
Warm up with a mulled wine or a traditional ‘Flemish gin’, eat seafood or stuffed turkey just like a local and complete your meal with a piece of Christmas log, a traditional chocolate cake with the shape of a tree log.
5. Central location in Europe
Given its location at the heart of Belgium and Europe, staying at Brussels can be an excellent option for discovering other Christmas Markets within a day trip.
Just by one hour of train, you can explore the well-known Winter Festival of Ghent, visit the oldest Christmas market of Belgium in Liège, celebrate the season at the Christmas market of Leuven or discover the picturesque seaside Christmas market from Ostend.
Other Christmas markets of European main cities as Paris, London or Amsterdam are also easily reachable by train or bus.
