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Brussels — travel, stays & events guide
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Brussels city overview
Brussels is a city in Belgium shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseBrussels Zaventem (BRU)
Known forBrussels, Capital city of Belgium, Brussels planning base 3, Brussels planning base 4
Population~196kcity context
RegionBelgiumBelgium
Time zoneEurope/Brusselslocal time
Founded580historical origin
City history
According to local legend, the origin of the settlement that was to become Brussels lies in Saint Gaugericus' construction of a chapel on an island in the river Senne around 580.
When Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, appointed the same Charles to become Duke of Lower Lotharingia in 977, Charles ordered the construction of the city's first permanent fortification, doing so on that same island.
In 1183, the Counts of Leuven became Dukes of Brabant.
This palace, famous all over Europe, had greatly expanded since it had first become the seat of the Dukes of Brabant, but it was destroyed by fire in 1731.
It remained with Austria until 1795, when the Southern Netherlands were captured and annexed by France, and the city became the chef-lieu of the department of the Dyle.
The former Dyle department became the province of South Brabant, with Brussels as its capital. Late modern In 1830, the Belgian Revolution began in Brussels, after a performance of Auber's opera La Muette de.
The Free University of Brussels was established in 1834 and Saint-Louis University in 1858.
In 1835, the first passenger railway built outside England linked the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean with Mechelen.
The construction of the North–South connection, linking the main railway stations in the city, was completed in 1952, while the first premetro (underground tram) service was launched in 1969, and the first Metro line.
On 22 March 2016, three coordinated nail bombings were detonated by ISIL in Brussels—two at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and one at Maalbeek/Maelbeek metro station—resulting in 32 victims and three suicide bombers killed, and.
In the early 13th century, the first walls of Brussels were built and after this, the city grew significantly.
Starting from the early 1960s, Brussels became the de facto capital of what would become the European Union (EU), and many modern offices were built.
Because of its location on the banks of the Senne, on an important trade route between the Flemish cities of Bruges and Ghent, and Cologne in the Kingdom of Germany, Brussels became a commercial.
Brussels Airport, in the suburb of Zaventem, traces its roots to a German military airport that was built in nearby Melsbroek.
Worth seeing
Brussels
Brussels is a practical Brussels planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city of Belgium
Capital city of Belgium is a practical Brussels planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Brussels planning base 3
Brussels planning base 3 is a practical Brussels planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Brussels planning base 4
Brussels planning base 4 is a practical Brussels planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Brussels planning base 5
Brussels planning base 5 is a practical Brussels planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Brussels planning base 6
Brussels planning base 6 is a practical Brussels planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Brussels before booking Brussels hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Brussels by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Brussels, BelgiumFlights & airports
Brussels Zaventem (BRU) arrival plan
- Brussels Zaventem (BRU)Brussels Zaventem (BRU), Brussels
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Rental cars
Brussels day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Brussels events in the shared event index yet.