I visited Brussels 12 – 15 December 2009 and asked for tips on what to do and see in the Belgian capital in a Europe a la Carte blog post and on Twitter. I’ve collated these tips to help you get the most out of your trip to Brussels. You can also read “Why I loved Brussels“.

View from the Square over Brussels

Tips

Andy recommends Mary Chocolatier, the best chocolate I have ever had.

Tony Mallett editor of UpFront suggeststhat if you want something a bit whacky – we all know about the Manneken Pis, the little peeing boy, but given the Belgians’ obsession with all things lavatorial, there is also a peeing girl and a peeing dog – the Janneke and Zinneke Pis respectively.

Alison Cornford-Matheson author of cheese web says all this talk of beer and no one mentioned CHOCOLATE! Head to the Sablon area and be surrounded by the best chocolate shops in the world. Go to the Wittamer cafe for a to die for cup of hot chocolate.

Once you are warm and toasty, head to Grand Place for the Christmas lights show and continue through one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Christmas Light Show 2009, Grand Place, Brussels

If you get hungry grab some frites and a mug of gluwijn (mulled wine) and an oyster or two.

Brussels is far from boring!

GeekyTraveler recommends that f you like beer, you absolutely must make a beer pilgrimage to Cafe Delirium in Brussels. They have over 2,000 beers available for purchase and hold a Guinness world record. They have decent cheese and sausage for snacking as well, but really, it’s all about the beer. :)

Tweet tips

@eurapart The Christmas Market at place St Catherine is good. Ixelles the restaurants around Place St Boniface are good places to eat. The area around Place Flagey is Portuguese.

St Catherines Christmas market icerink and Big Wheel

@eurocheapo Please go to Mere du Nord seafood stand for lunch on St Catherine. Sooo tasty, fresh and – best of all – cheap!

@TartanAngel Had my first seafood platter in La Quincaillerie in my early days of overseas travel shows. Happy days!

@textorian L’Ultime Atome for beer; Matongé for taste of Africa; Les Marolles/De Marollen for its flea market, stoemp for lunch.

@rachelcotterill Buy the Brussels Card, then you can nip in & out of museums as it takes your fancy. The money museum was surprisingly good. Mokafe in the Galeries St Hubert does fantastic waffles at good prices.

Brussels waffle by adactio

@hackneye – Brussels is one of the best cities in the world to get acquainted with Art Nouveau. either taking a guided tour or getting an Art Noveau map from tourist office. Highlight: Musee Victor Horta. Don’t forget the beer!

Art Nouveau style Museum of Musical Instruments, Brussels

More Brussels Tips

We’ve plenty more tips for things to do in Brussels.

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