Brussels Hidden Gems

Take a walk at the edge of Brussels

Brussels is one of the greenest capitals in Europe.here is even a ‘be green map’ where you can locate Brussel’s greenest places.One of its parks I enjoy the most is the Duden park. It’s one of the oldest in town, and also one of the hilliest. These remains of an old forest once belonged to a rich lace merchant, Guillaume Duden who donated it to King Leopold II on the condition it would be turned into a public park carrying his name, and so it happened a century ago.

Brussels Grote Markt

De Grote Mark is a really enchanting place. The City Hall, or Hotel de Ville, is the most impressive building in the square and it is a sight to behold inside and out. The Gothic architecture of its exterior will capture your attention on each and every tiny detail. Inside, sculptures, old tapestries and paintings adorn the walls. The tales told during the guided tour make it come to life, from Renaissance to present day.

Several of the other buildings at De Grote Markt are guildhalls, used long ago by early professionals to perfect their craft and pass their knowledge to future generations. You can spot them by the gold details on the facades. Directly across from the City Hall, another building captures our attention: the Bread house or Broodhuis which today hosts the Museum of the City of Brussels.

From necropolis to jungle

More than 200 different plant species can be found. They overgrow the dilapidated tombstones, chapels, mausoleums, and rusty Jesuses. this 1866 graveyard has slowly grown into a unique jungle since it was closed down in 1958.

Centraal Brussels Station

Brussels Central Station, officially Brussels Central, is a railway and metro station in central Brussels, Belgium. It is the second busiest railway station in Belgium and one of three principal railway stations in Brussels, together with Brussels-South and Brussels-North.

Vilvorde

Vilvorde, historically known as Filford in English, is a Belgian municipality in the Flemish province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the city of Vilvoorde proper with its two outlying quarters of Koningslo and Houtem and the small town of Peutie. The nickname for inhabitants of Vilvoorde is Pjeirefretters (horse eaters) because horse meat (specially steak) is a beloved food in Vilvoorde.

Coffee at the counter

I love standing at the bar, selecting my coffee from one of the 20 or so varieties available, and soaking in the atmosphere of its refreshingly diverse clientele. The strong aroma of coffee creates an oasis of contemplation amid the hustle and bustle of the city’s medieval center.