Grand Place is the cultural heart of Brussels. Located in the center of the city, this 12th century square features museums, guildhalls, cafes, restaurants and chocolate shops. It is the perfect place to visit for an evening stroll.
Two important architectural sites in Brussels are the Grand Place and the Atomium. The Grand Place is a mix of 15th and 17th century architecture--younger than the square itself--and, according to Victor Hugo, is the "most beautiful square in Europe." The Atomium is a 338-foot structure built for the 1958 World Expo and affords great views of the city from the top.
The Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts is a famous art gallery of more than 20,000 works. It heavily concentrates on Flemish painters and holds works by Bruegel, Rogier van der Weyden and Anthony van Dyck. A Magritte museum is scheduled to open soon.
The Musée Bruxellois de la Gueuze focuses on the microbrewing process of making beer. It is a tour through the Cantillon brewery, the only place in Belgium still making lambic beer.
The Koninklijk Museum voor Midden-Afrika focuses on Central Africa that dates back to the late 1800s. It is dedicated to ethnology and anthropology of the Congo region of Africa, though at first it was a colonial museum. It also features about 10 million stuffed animals.
