10 MUST-DO IN BRUSSELS

Even though I live in Amsterdam and I'm planning to stay here for a while, I think Brussels is a very nice city and there are plenty of nice things to do there. These 10 must-do include some classics + my own tips ;)...

1 - Combo Terrace + BEER/Cocktail

The best thing to do in Brussels is probably to just hang out on a terrace, with a beer (because yes, you're still in Belgium) or a cocktail. I would need to write a whole article for all the spots you can go to, but here are some where local young people like to go

• Halles St. Gery: Located on Place St. Gery, one of the main party area of the city, it's definitely a great place to spend a night or a sunny afternoon!

• Le Roi des Belges: Really cool atmosphere, also a terrace there and you can even order food. Rue Jules Van Praet

• The Big Game: Really not my favorite one but there are TV screen covering the walls, playing some Box games and I think it makes the place kind of unusual. Good place for a couple of beers!

• The Celtica: Also a chill bar, and one pint costs 2€, so, if that doesn't convince you...

• The Mezzo: My wallet likes that one more particularly because until 10pm you get two cocktails for 8€ instead of one! And they are really not bad. It's also a nice place if you feel like dancing but not going to a club. It's right next to Halles St. Gery.

• Café Belga: Highlight bar of Flagey, another great neighborhood to party in Brussels.

• Delirium: Great collection of beers out there, typical Belgian! I dare you to taste as many beers as you can. Impasse de la Fidelite, 4A

2 - Discover one of the numerous parks

As is Amsterdam, Brussels is full of nice green areas that it would be a shame not to enjoy of! I would not be able to list all of them, but I know that Egmont park is a cute place and not too crowded, the Royal Park is nice to enjoy during summer because there are lots of young people sat there, having drinks and fun. In Meise, the Planten Tuin will amaze you by its colors, whether you are going during spring or autumn.

3 - Since you're still a tourist...

I would not say there are a hundred touristic places in Brussels but you better go to some of those if you want someone to believe you visited our city ;)

• La Grand Place is located in the old town of Brussels. The architecture there is quite impressive and every year in August, the space is be covered by a massive flower carpet!

• Manneken-Pis, because we know you've been dreaming about our little boy-peeing-fountain! The story tells that he turned off a fire by urinating on it! And if you'd like to see even more, Jeanneke-Pis is the girly version of it.

• L'Atomium is probably no stranger to you if you have any interest in Brussels. The one we call the Iron Lady is .. tall and can be visited from the inside. There is also a restaurant on the last floor and in you can see it lightened as soon as it gets dark outside. <Adults:15€ - Teenagers: 8€ - Children: Free - Senior: 13€>

• The Royal Greenhouses are said to be beautiful, you will find them next to our King's palace. <2,50€>

• Comic strip route: If you're a fan of comics, I can assure you that you're in the right city! In downtown Brussels, there are no less than 50 mural painting of famous Belgian comics. The brochure « Brussels, the comic strip capital » will help you to find all the murals. On sale at the visit.brussels information desks (2.50€) For more comic strips, you can visit the Brussels Comic Strip Center, a museum dedicated to the numerous Belgian comic book authors. Rue des Sables, 20 <Adults:10€ - Under 12: 3,50€ - 12-25: 7€ - Senior: 8€>

4- Marvel at some beautiful architectural sites

Botanique, la Place des Palais, the Cinquantenaire, Monts des Arts and St Catherine square. All of them are beautiful places to see. I love eating sushis on St Catherine Square, attending concerts on Place des Palais (in August at the Brussels summer festival or in may at the Iris Celebration), and chilling around Mont des Arts, located next to the royal library.

5 - Sunset on Place Poelart

Located five minutes from Louise Avenue (a nice shopping area) this spot offers you a superb view on Brussels. It overlooks the city at 63 meters, serving as parvis of the Brussels Court House. During summer there are sometimes event organized on Place Poelart and it's particularly pretty at sunset. A perfect spot for panoramic pictures.

Also, there is an elevator up there, that connects two areas of the city. While going down, you will find yourself in the Marolles neighborhood.

6 - What would "Visiting a new city" mean without discovering the typical food?

Supposing you've already made the wise decision to taste lots of beers, you now need to try the local food. It's not very sophisticated but still delicious! On the Menu: Belgian fries, mussels and Belgian Waffles. You can find them very easily in the city center. Moreover, there are some great restaurant in Brussels, so check out my article on that topic to find an address that suits your desires!

Another great tip is about this thing I've been doing some rare times with my mother. After shopping nearby, we would go try some "Pralines" at the Nehaus factory. You can try them all for free and they are absolutely delicious.

Postweg 2, Vlezenbeek 1602 (10 minutes walk from Erasme metro station)

7 - Brussels during Christmas holidays

Christmas holidays are probably nice everywhere, but if you decided to spent them in Brussels, you won't be disappointed. The whole city is animated by Christmas markets, Ice Skating fields, there is a huge ferris wheel on St Catherine square and a 20 meters Christmas three surrounding the Grand Place. Spending my time in the city center shopping or drinking mulled wine is the best!

8 - Flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle

This spot is an open-air antique market, and find Place du Jeu de balle very pretty. It is located in the Marolles neighborhood, and is open everyday from 8am to 2pm.

There are some nice restaurant nearby, and on the square itself: Pin-Pon, an old fire station now transformed into a great place to have a bite and a drink.

9 - Discover Brussels' nightlife

I think if you ask any young people in Brussels, they will know the main clubs because there are not that much of them. As a Techno-House music fan, I would first recommend you to go to Fuse, notorious for that genre and totally worth the trip. Other people will tell you about Bloody Louis, probably the most famous club but I've actually never been there. They play mostly Hip-hop music. The Zodiac and C12 are good clubs for Electro and Techno-House, but you'll only be accepted inside if you are 21+. For Rock 'n 'roll fans, Madame Moustache will do the trick. For all of those spots, the best thing to do is check the Facebook event :)

10 - Shop in some luxurious boutiques

Sablon is not only a pretty area but it is also a great one to do shopping and to have good dinners. On the main square you will find Belgian Chocolatiers, luxurious boutiques and good restaurants.

The royal galleries are THE example of luxurious shopping spot, and even if you care about your wallet, I would still go have a look, especially when Christmas lights are illuminating it!

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If you've done all of those, you're good to go!

- xxx