Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

Brussels, Belgium's capital city, is home to just under one million inhabitants. The headquarters of the European Union is located here, earning the city its nickname The Capital of Europe.

Brussels is a northern city, and visitors would be wise to pack a raincoat in the spring and summer and warm, weatherproof clothes in the fall and winter. Brussels is also a walking city, paved with many cobblestone streets; sturdy footwear is a must.

When making international telephone calls, the country code for Belgium is 32. Brussels' city code is 2.

City Orientation

Brussels Lower Town is centred around the magnificent Grand Place and the north-south running Boulevard Anspach. Most of the museums and the Royal Palace are located in the Upper Town, just to the east. Other districts of most interest to tourists include Etterbeek to the east, Ixelles to the southeast, and Heysel to the north.

The streets in central Brussels are winding and follow no logical pattern. A good map is essential for finding your way around.

Weather

Like in most other cities in northern Europe, the weather in Brussels can be fickle. In general summers are warm and winters mild, but this can never be relied upon, and it can rain at any time of year. Be prepared for anything.

Holidays & Business Hours

Most offices and shops are open from 10am until 6pm. In addition, many stores and museums close for an hour at lunch. The following holidays are observed by most businesses.

Coming & Going

Most major international airlines fly into Brussels National Airport, located ten miles northeast of the city in Zaventem. Non-stop flights from the United States and major European capitals are readily available. Express trains to the city's three main stations (Gare du Nord, Gare Centrale, and Gare du Midi) run every 20 minutes during peak hours and hourly during the early morning and late evening. Purchase tickets in the airport train terminal for €2.90 or on the train for an additional fee. A taxi from the airport to the city center will cost €25-30.

Brussels is also easy to access by rail since Eurostar service runs to and from London and the Thayls network connects the city to Paris and Amsterdam. These trains arrive and leave from Gare du Midi.

Making Your Way

Thanks to the Belgian passion for Grand Prix-style driving, visitors to Brussels are urged not to rent a car. Luckily, most sights are within easy walking distance, and an easy-to-use tram and metro system connects the outlying sections of the city. If you plan to make extensive use of public transport, consider purchasing a one-day pass or 10-ticket pass. They're stamped on entry into a train or tram, and all subsequent travel and transfers for the next hour are included.

Taxis in Brussels tend to be expensive but may be your only option for long-distance, late-night travel. Rooftop signs are illuminated when taxis are available. While a tip is included in the fare, it's common practice to "round up" and provide an additional small gratuity.

News & Views

Thanks to its small size and central location, Brussels is part of an extensive cable and satellite television network. American and British stations MTV, BBC1, BBC2, CNN and NBC are readily available. Check The Bulletin for TV listings in English. French-language Belgian stations are RTL and RTBF1 and 2. VTM and Ketnet broadcast in Flemish.

English-language papers such as the Wall Street Journal and the International Herald Tribune are available at most newsstands.

For classical music, tune into Musique 3 (91.2 FM), Studio Brussel (100.6 FM), or Radio 3.

Quirks & Curiosities

Though officially bilingual, French is the language most commonly spoken in Brussels, despite the city's physical location in the northern, Flemish part of Belgium.

Getting Your Bearings

The city's main tourist bureau (TIB) is conveniently located in the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) in the Grand-Place. The center not only sells maps but offers the Tourist Passport, a one-day card that provides unlimited access to public transportation and discounted admissions to many city museums.

Necessities - Post Offices

Airmail letters and postcards sent to the United States cost 90 cents. The main post office, located at Avenue Frosny 1, is open daily, 24 hours.

Common Courtesies

Restaurant and hotel bills typically include a service charge in your final bill; look for a line that reads service compris or service inclusief. Bellhops should be tipped €1.50 per bag. Be prepared, also, to present a mandatory "tip" (usually less than €1) to washroom attendants in train stations and at some restaurants.