Ideas for Brussels

[I T S]

Anyone on here care to share any ideas what to do for 4 hours in Brussels starting at Midi station? Not somewhere I've been before

 

[Searle]

When I went there last year, I had about the same as you. I got the train/metro to Bruxelles Central, then walked towards the Grand Place, it's the main square from what I gathered. There are lots of cafes and chocolate shops around, along with an amazing beer shop too!

Incidentally I'm visiting there again tomorrow for a night, so I'll let you know if anything else is occurring :P

 

[317666]

It depends whether you're looking for transport-related or other things!

Transport-wise there is a four-line metro network and an extensive tram network (including pre-metro tunnel sections, and lines 39/44 from Montgomery are quite rural and worth a ride). Also, the main line Midi - Central - Nord features the world's busiest railway tunnel, in the rush hour the sheer amount of trains (some of them loco-hauled) passing through is a sight to behold.

Away from trains, there's Grand Place as Searle has pointed out, which is the main touristy area (nearest stop is Beurs on Tram 3/4). The Atomium is worth a visit but four hours is cutting it fine as it's up in the north of the city. Be sure to sample a couple of Belgian beers if you get the chance!

 

[I T S]

Cheers. Just doing something different for a day off....Been looking at a run to Bruges and back. Seems to work okay - And still time for a beer or two before the last one back to St Panc

 

[Capybara]

Four hours isn't a great deal and around Midi isn't the best area in the city. A Eurostar ticket gets you to Central anyway so the tourist bit around the Grand Place is worth looking at. If you like extreme beer it's a short walk from Midi to the Cantillon brewery where you can do a tour and have a beer - but it's very much an acquired taste.

 

[eastwestdivide]

I found the run from Brussels to Bruges a bit boring really.

 

[Hornet]

Beer.

 

[davetheguard]

Cheers. Just doing something different for a day off....Been looking at a run to Bruges and back. Seems to work okay - And still time for a beer or two before the last one back to St Panc

If you're looking to have a ride on a Belgian "domestic" train, you might be better just going as far as Ghent, which is almost as attractive but less touristy than Bruges/Brugge. It's got a tram system to ride on too.

Or you could go north to Antwerp (another tram system), and admire the fantastic Victorian trainshed, with modern through platforms underneath.

You can get a Eurostar ticket to any Belgian station for not much more than the Brussels price.

But whatever yo do, try the beer; some of the best beer cafes have 100+ beers and require a "beer menu" to show them all. Each sort of beer comes in its own distinctive glass. Some are very strong, so although you'll be drinking less than a pint with each one, be aware that it could well be stronger than a pint in terms of alcohol. Look out for Trappist beers (brewed by monks) if you can. Lots of places sell bottles & glasses to take home with you, but if you're planning to do that and enjoy a couple on the way back on Eurostar, make sure you take a bottle opener with you; Eurostar do not have one on board (not when I've been in need of one anyway).

 

[LexyBoy]

Goupil le Fol. You can have a nice walk though the Grote Markt and around on the way. Tram to Central station if rainy. Job's a goodun.

 

[theageofthetra]

Agree re Ghent, nearer than Brugge & just as interesting.

 

[Hophead]

That's 2 of you pre-empting my Gent tip-off :razz:. Note that the station is a way south of the centre (15 mins walk, say, or a short tram ride).

If you need Brussels bar recommendations, I have several (none near Zuid, though).

 

[gordonthemoron]

the Carillon Brewery is near Zuid

 

[dutchflyer]

WHat day?
On SUNdays, visit the Brusels Transport Museum-in summer also with old-style tramtrips to Tervuren.
I do not know where you have been before-a short traintrip may be to Antwerpen to gape at its old-renovated Central Station, now on 3 levels. Trains 4 per hour-weekdays taking 33 mins.
For a traintrip to the utter ugliest part of Belgium: take train to La Louviere-the old mining centre. Charleroi comes as a close 2nd.