The Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula on Treurenberg Hill, Brussels, traces its origins to a 9th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Michael. In 1047, Lambert II, the Duke of Brabant, brought the relics of Saint Gudula to this location, for which purpose a Romanesque-style church was built. Over the course of 300+ years, it had transformed into the striking Brabantine Gothic edifice seen today.

Recognized as Belgium's national church, this cathedral plays a pivotal role in the country's ceremonial life, hosting royal weddings and state funerals, as well as the Te Deum celebration during Belgian National Day. A historic monument since 1936, it underwent multiple restorations, including, most recently, in December 1999, just in time for the wedding of Belgian Crown Prince Philippe to Princess Mathilda. These efforts not only preserved but also uncovered parts of the original 11th-century church which are now visible through strategically placed viewing glass spots on the floor.

Architecturally, the cathedral showcases a French Gothic façade with distinctive twin towers standing 64 meters tall. Unlike traditional designs that feature a rose window, this cathedral’s façade is marked by a large ogival window, enhancing its Brabantine Gothic distinction. The robust structure is supported by double-span flying buttresses adorned with pinnacles and gargoyles.

Approaching the cathedral through a grand staircase, visitors are welcomed into the interior dominated by twelve cylindrical pillars and an array of statues crafted by renowned 17th-century sculptors. The Baroque pulpit, featuring 'Adam and Eve Banished from Paradise' by Flemish sculptor Hendrik Frans Verbruggen, dates back to 1699. The cathedral also contains intricate stained glass windows that chronicle biblical and royal narratives from the 16th to the 19th centuries. In the evening, the window at the nave's base, depicting The Last Judgment, is illuminated from within, creating a captivating spectacle.

Adding to its historic ambiance, the cathedral is also a hub for music, housing two significant pipe organs and a 49-bell carillon in the south tower, along with the bourdon bell named Salvator in the north tower. In recent years, it has also become a conservation site for peregrine falcons which made their nests in its towers. This was further highlighted by the "Falcons for everyone" project featuring live-streaming for public viewing, thus marrying natural history with cultural heritage.

Tips:
Upon entering, be sure to pick up a leaflet providing information about the cathedral's history and details. Access is free, but a small fee is charged if you want to see the archaeological site beneath the existing floors inside the building.

Often credited as Europe's first "mall", the stately Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries in Brussels is a remarkable example of a 19th-century covered shopping arcade. The concept of a shopping gallery originated in Paris during the 1780s when King Louis XIV leased parts of his garden to shopkeepers. Their outlets turned the space into a social and commercial hub that later developed into covered galleries for the affluent.

Brussels saw the creation of seven such galleries during the 1820s and 1830s, yet the Saint-Hubert Galleries – designed by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar – is among the fortunate three that have endured the test of time. Officially inaugurated in 1847 by King Leopold I, the galleries quickly became a beloved haunt of the rich, offering a luxurious shopping and café experience regardless of weather. As such, they were precursors to other 19th-century European shopping venues like Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Passage in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Characterized by their Italianate Cinquecento style, the galleries feature glazed-arched shopfronts separated by pilasters beneath a glass-paneled roof with cast-iron framework. A deliberate bend in the galleries adds visual interest to the otherwise long, repetitive perspective. The covered structure is made up of two main sections, known as the King's Gallery and the Queen's Gallery, each measuring 8 meters (or 26 feet) in width and 213 meters (or 700 feet) in length, and a smaller side segment dubbed the Prince's Gallery.

In the past, the site hosted significant cultural developments like the first public showing of the Lumière brothers' moving pictures in 1896, and today houses among other attractions the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts and the Royal Theatre of the Galleries (inside The King's Gallery). The Queen's Gallery is best known for shops like Delvaux, specializing in leather goods, and Neuhaus, the pharmacy-turned-chocolatier renowned for creating the praline, which first opened its doors in 1857. It also houses the popular Passage Tavern restaurant. The Prince's Gallery, in turn, is home to the exquisite Tropismes bookstore.

The Galleries were designated a historic monument in 1986 while also being considered for World Heritage status by UNESCO.

Tip:
Climb to the top floor of the Le Pain Quotidien restaurant (whose name translates to 'The Daily Bread') for an elevated perspective and a unique view from the upper part of the galleries.

Grand Square-Brussels’ pride and joy-is the biggest show-off move of the Belgian capital. Some say it's the most beautiful square in Europe. Others say the world. Either way, it’s hard to argue when you’re standing there, dwarfed by a 15th-century Gothic Town Hall that looks like it got dressed for the Met Gala... and the neo-Gothic King's House-also charmingly called the Bread House (because apparently even royal buildings get carb cravings).

This cobblestoned stunner has been in the spotlight since the 11th century. Back then, it was a humble marketplace. A few hundred years later, it had a front-row seat to history-picture Inquisition bonfires and a couple of unfortunate noble executions (some sort of “light afternoon entertainment” for the medieval crowd)...

As Brussels bloomed, so did the square’s bling. Surrounding it are guildhalls that practically scream, “We have money and good taste!” Each one was built by a different trade-from haberdashers to bakers to brewers-and while the jobs have changed, the beauty hasn’t. Take Number 10, for example-once a brewers’ headquarters, now home to the Brewers Museum, so yes, beer still lives there. Circle of life.

Now, not everything has been smooth sailing here. In 1695, the French decided Brussels needed a “makeover.” So they bombarded the square for 36 hours straight. Miraculously, several buildings were rebuilt after that even better. Like Number 3, once run by tallow merchants, and Number 5, home of the archers’ guild, proudly rocking a phoenix on its façade-a little "burn me once" statement piece.

Today, in addition to being a history lesson with a stunning backdrop, the Grand Square is a vibe. Alleyways nearby are filled with centuries-old bars serving the holy trinity: Belgian beer, chocolate, and gossip. Butchers Street is your go-to for mussels and souvenirs and maybe some stretchy pants.

And if you time it right, you’ll catch the square in full party mode. There’s the biennial Flower Carpet-a psychedelic begonia explosion, the medieval cosplay of Ommegang, Christmas lights that would make the North Pole jealous, and concerts that echo through time.

Tip:
Visit in daylight to admire every gold-leafed flourish, and come back after dark for the light show. Around 10:20 PM, this square doesn’t just sparkle-it sings.

Resisting the allure of Belgian pastry shop windows is like trying not to smile at a puppy playing the piano – practically impossible! And let's be real, those scrumptious treats usually taste even better than they look. But, for those who want to march to the beat of their own biscuit drum, consider snagging some of the equally famous biscuits from a specialist like Dandoy. This historic bakery, established way back in 1829, churns out mouthwatering handmade 'speculoos' (Belgian spiced biscuits) and waffles that are dressed to impress with chocolate sauce, fruit, and whipped cream. With five branches sprinkled around the city, you can even cozy up in this one, which happens to have its very own tearoom – right off the Grand Place, no less!

The Brussels Town Hall-part municipal headquarters, part medieval masterpiece, and all-around showoff of the Grand Square. Built between 1401 and 1455, this beauty is the only medieval building still standing in the square. Rich in Brabantine Gothic flair, it was declared a protected monument in 1936 and added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list in 1998.

Despite its regal look, the building’s had its fair share of drama. In 1695, during the Nine Years' War, the French heavily bombarded the city. The Town Hall took a hit: fire gutted the interior, torched the archives, and turned priceless artworks into ashes. And yet, like a true diva, it survived.

Its present-day form-a tidy quadrilateral wrapped around a central courtyard-dates from the 18th century, when two extra wings were slapped on the back. Then came the 19th century, when restorers went full "Gothic revival" mode and added nearly 300 statues, gargoyles, and fancy flourishes-because subtlety is not the style for this kind of property. Each ornament nods to Brussels’ proud guild traditions and colorful past.

Speaking of drama, notice that the tower isn’t centered? Legend says that the architect, Jan van Ruysbroek, was so distraught over the lopsided design that he threw himself off the tower. Dark... But let’s be real-it was probably just a classic case of medieval planning chaos.

Crowning the 96-meter tower is a golden spire topped with Saint Michael giving a devil the boot. The current statue is a 1990s replica, but the original goes back to 1455. Inside, it’s all chandeliers, frescoes, and enough historic rooms to make your head spin. Check out the Gothic Room, the Prince’s Gallery, the Mayor’s Cabinet, and the crown jewel-the States of Brabant Room, with a ceiling that deserves its own fan club.

Tip:
You can visit the inside, but only with a guided tour-around 45 minutes long and available in French, English, Dutch, or Spanish. Spots are limited and sell out fast, so grab your ticket early in the day. Tours run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Just don’t show up on January 1, May 1, November 1 or 11, or December 25-because even grand old Town Halls need a day off.

If you are keen on chocolate and are in Brussels, then missing a visit to Planète Chocolat would be a crime! And even more so, given its central location at Rue du Lombard 24 – just a stone's throw from the Grand Place and Manneken-Pis. This place is unique in the sense that, apart from buying delicious handmade (of 100% cocoa butter) artisan Belgian chocolate in its variety (pralines with different ganaches, gayettes, mendiants, truffles, biscuits, and hot chocolate, as well as chocolate cosmetics and sugar-free chocolate), here you can also see for yourself the entire process of chocolate-making and taste the chocolate prepared before your very eyes.

Planète Chocolat was founded as a company and opened its store in downtown Brussels in 1991, having since become a true ambassador of Belgian chocolate worldwide. It is currently placed by GoEuro among the top 11 chocolate shops in Europe, and TripAdvisor ranks Planète Chocolat #3 for shopping in Brussels. The store is decorated with chocolate sculptures, including that of the Manneken Pis, the City Hall, and the Atomium – the landmark of Expo 58, Brussels World's Fair.

Planète Chocolat has elevated chocolate-making to the rank of an art, and today it plays a regular host to various events related to chocolate, such as demonstrations and artisanal workshops, during which the staff generously share their knowledge of the craft with those interested, seeing annually more than 50,000 visitors. With a mission to inform public about the origin and delights of chocolate, the Planète Chocolat museum retraces the history of cocoa. Also, each year the chocolaterie co-hosts a tasting session at the luxury hotel Breidenbacher Hof in Düsseldorf.

The name "Sablon" originates from the sandy marshland that once occupied the area until the 17th century. The Place du Grand Sablon serves as a hub for antiques and houses leading chocolate makers such as Wittamer and Pierre Marcolini; it's also a great spot for a satisfying lunch. In contrast, the Place du Petit Sablon park is adorned with statues representing the medieval guilds of Brussels. Between the two areas stands this 15th-century church of the Guild of Crossbowmen (or archers), a splendid example of Brabantine Gothic architecture, complete with a lofty nave and chapels embellished with sculptures by some of the most celebrated 17th-century artists.

The structure initially served as a place of worship for the guild members in the 1300s; however, a century later, it had to undergo significant enlargement to accommodate the influx of pilgrims drawn by the purported healing powers of its Madonna statue. The statue was acquired in 1348 through a daring theft from a church in Antwerp, reportedly carried out by a husband-and-wife team motivated by a vision, using a rowing boat. Although it's no longer present, a boat behind the pulpit commemorates this curious event.

Traditionally frequented by Brussels' elite, the church also served as a burial ground for affluent community members until the late 1700s.

Why You Should Visit:
To be awed by the grandeur, yet simultaneously feel the intimacy that sets this church apart from more conventional ones. The structure is exceptionally well-lit thanks to its numerous and striking stained-glass windows – some of the most memorable you'll ever encounter!

Tip:
Visit early on a Sunday to explore the antique market outside the church, adding to the overall experience.

Just around the corner from the Royal Square stands the grand and somewhat unwieldy Royal Palace, a rather solemn conversion of late 18th-century townhouses from the 19th century. The extensive project was initiated by King William I, who ruled both Belgium and the Netherlands from 1815 to 1830. However, the Belgian rebellion of 1830 marked the end of the joint kingdom, and since then, the kings of independent Belgium have spent little time in this palace. In fact, while it remains their official residence, the royal family resides at the Royal Castle of Laeken, just outside Brussels.

Each year, during the summer months (usually from late July to early September), the Royal Palace opens its doors to the public. Visitors can tour several of the palace's rooms and learn about the history of the Belgian monarchy.

A visit here can be worthwhile for a few reasons: the tapestries designed by Goya; the magnificent chandeliers in the Throne Room; and the captivating "Heaven of Delight" ceiling fresco, in the Mirror Room, composed of over a million jewel scarab beetles in radiating green and blue colors.

An even more intriguing option is to explore one of the mansions within the Royal Palace complex, the Hôtel Bellevue, at the corner of Palace Square and Royal Street. This mansion has been transformed into the BELvue Museum, which delves into the brief history of independent Belgium, with corridor displays focusing on the country's kings and rooms dedicated to Belgium as a whole.

The building's location is historically significant, as it was from here that rebellious Belgians fired upon the Dutch army as it attempted to cross Brussels Park in 1830. Original artifacts such as photographs, documents, and letters are on display.