Ixelles Architecture Walking Tour, Brussels

Ixelles Architecture Walking Tour (Self Guided), Brussels

Toward the end of the 19th century, Brussels went through an architectural renaissance when more than 1,000 buildings were constructed in the Art Nouveau style, making it one of the main centers for this type of architecture. Although hundreds of these buildings have been pulled down in the intervening years, hundreds more remain.

Many can be found in the streets of the Ixelles District. The main architect was Victor Horta and his life and work can be explored in the Musee Victor Horta, which is located in his former house and studio. These two buildings have been kept in their original Art Nouveau style and provide a good introduction to the district's architectural highlights. They feature recurring characteristics of Horta’s style, including elaborate masonry and swirling ironwork. Go to the Hotel Tassel, built by Horta for a scientist and professor. It is thought to be the first true Art Nouveau building. In the year 2000 it was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

For many more Art Nouveau wonders, tour the central areas of Ixelles and St. Gilles. Also, worthy of a visit is Place Flagey, a public square with a large Art Deco building occupying its southern side. If you are here on a Tuesday or Friday, you'll catch the food market. On any day, stop for refreshments in the square's Le Café Belga. This cosmopolitan café is a favorite haunt of artists and the young and hip crowd.
How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,500 cities, can be found on the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Ixelles Architecture Walking Tour Map

Guide Name: Ixelles Architecture Walking Tour
Guide Location: Belgium » Brussels
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Author: emily
Rue Africaine

2) Rue Africaine

63 and 65 Rue du Châtelain

3) 63 and 65 Rue du Châtelain

Hôtel Ciamberlani

6) Hôtel Ciamberlani

Avenue Louise 81, Hotel Solvay

9) Avenue Louise 81, Hotel Solvay

Place Flagey

10) Place Flagey

Place Flagey, Radio House

11) Place Flagey, Radio House

38 and 39 Avenue de Gaulle

12) 38 and 39 Avenue de Gaulle

Walking Tours in Brussels, Belgium

Create Your Own Walk in Brussels

Create Your Own Walk in Brussels

Creating your own self-guided walk in Brussels is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
The European Quarter Walking Tour

The European Quarter Walking Tour

Along with Luxembourg and Strasbourg, Brussels is one of the European Union’s de facto capitals. The office blocks of the European Quarter are mainly concentrated along and between two wide boulevards – rue de la Loi and rue Belliard – which Léopold II built to connect his Parc du Cinquantenaire with the city center.

Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour

Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour

As well as being Belgium’s political and cultural capital, Brussels is the spiritual home of its most significant churches. Historically, the city has been predominantly Roman Catholic, especially since the expulsion of Protestants in the 16th century. The pre-eminent Catholic temple here, located just a couple of minutes from the Grand-Place, is the Brabantine Gothic Cathedral of St. Michael...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Brussels Beer Tour

Brussels Beer Tour

Belgians are not very prone to boasting, except with things such as chocolate, fries and, evidently, beer. They treat beer the way the French treat wine: for the makers, it's a prized art; for the drinkers, it is something to be savored and discussed. They say that, on average, Belgians drink 150 liters of beer per year per person, and one would often see them sipping it from early in the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Brussels Introduction Walking Tour

Brussels Introduction Walking Tour

Brussels is a major European metropolis with a remarkable history and cultural heritage, renowned for its cuisine and gastronomy, as well as for its historical and architectural landmarks, some of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. The history of Brussels is closely linked to that of Western Europe, during which the city has evolved from a small rural settlement to an important...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Mont Des Arts Cultural Walk

Mont Des Arts Cultural Walk

Mont des Arts, meaning "hill of the arts", is one of the most important cultural sites in Brussels. A classic among the city’s vantage points, it offers a fine city garden and restored showcase of architecture, in addition to several great museums.

Start your journey by traveling towards the old part of the city, where you’ll find the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, greatly admired...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Grand Place Walking Tour

Grand Place Walking Tour

World-famous for its imposing Baroque-style buildings, such as the Town Hall, the King's House and the House of Dukes, the Grand Place of Brussels a whole is indisputably a masterpiece of human creative genius, with a special quality of homogeneity and coherency.

The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels

Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels

Belgium is world-renowned for its beers and Brussels is the best city to sample the huge variety of flavors. We'll show you the best places to buy them and to drink them. We'll even show you a family brewery where the liquid gold is produced right in front of your eyes! This tour is meant...
What to Buy in Brussels: 15 Ideas for Travelers

What to Buy in Brussels: 15 Ideas for Travelers

It's no secret that Brussels is not all about JCVD muscles and EU headquarters. Small country as such, Belgium abounds in signature items, such as beer, chocolates and... the peeing boy. All of these have made prime Belgian souvenirs for years. Now you can explore the Brussels gift scene in...