Introduction to Brussels

Your essential primer to Brussels

$309 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Duration: 3 hours
Location: Brussels

Photos & Highlights

Get acquainted with Brussel's main sites, history, and neighborhoods
Led by an expert in history or local culture
Grand-Place, Îlot Sacré, Royal Gallery, Brussels Park, Brussels Cathedral, and European Quarter

Tour Description

Explore Brussels on our 3-hour introductory tour with a local art historian or political scientist. Crafted to allow for a deeper narration of the city for curious travelers, this tour takes us through the city center as we discuss the city’s evolution from medieval foundations to modern political capital. Our route will include a range of sites important to the city’s diverse past including Grand-Place, Place Bourse, Brussels Park and the Royal Palace amongst many others. We will also take some time to have a break and try some local Belgian flavors, such as the famous fries. Enjoy Brussels with a Context Tour today.

Interested in a different city in Belgium? Take a look at our tour offerings in Antwerp or Bruges

Included

3 hours with a PhD or MA level guide

Itinerary Details

We’ll start our story in central Brussels, as we stroll towards the renowned Grand Place, the central square in the city. This site offers a fitting point to begin our introduction as we are surrounded by guild houses, the City Hall and the Maison du Roi. We’ll discuss the evolution of the square from a marketplace to a revolutionary meeting point to today’s UNESCO World Heritage site before we move into the picturesque cobbled streets of the Quartier de L’Îlot sacré. Other locations on our route might include the Royal Gallery of Saint-Hubert, a dazzling glass-covered shopping arcade (perfect for chocolate viewing) and the interior of Brussels Cathedral. We’ll talk about architecture as we soak up the Place Royale and discuss the site of the former Coudenberg Palace (of Charles V) that is now underground. To finish up, we may take some time discussing modern-day politics as we walk through Brussels Park towards Parliament, addressing questions about Belgian politics, the role of Brussels in the EU, and diplomacy today. Along our route, we may dive off into other areas of Brussels depending on our interests and our guide. We’ll also stop for a local degustation such as some triple cooked fries or Belgian chocolate.

We will leave one another with a more rounded understanding of this vibrant Belgian capital. We’ll have crossed the city, immersing ourselves in medieval history, diverse architecture, and local customs and traditions with our expert guide. We’ll leave one another with a more contextualized approach to Brussels.

For those interested in a more political tour of Brussels, please let us know. We can adapt our introduction tour to focus heavily on the different levels of political Belgium.

FAQ

What is a private tour?
Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Where do we meet?
We usually meet near Grand-Place. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with with a map, and 24-hour phone number for any last-minute issues.

What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your expert will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to be prepared; we encourage keeping an eye on the weather and bringing along an umbrella, sunscreen, water, or a hat as needed.

Is this suitable for children and / or travelers with mobility challenges?

Yes. We can adapt the route of our private tours based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party. Please share any specifics about your group’s needs in the notes section of your order and we’ll adjust your itinerary accordingly.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Robin

Robin Emlein holds a Masters degree in art history from the École du Louvre and a bachelor's in Dutch from the Sorbonne. Like many former Parisians, she now lives in Brussels, where she can freely indulge her love of Flemish art, arcane EU politics, "French" fries, and the extensive Belgian rail system. In her opinion Belgium is one of the Continent's best kept secrets, and she looks forward to sharing it with all those curious to discover this crossroads of Europe.

Natalie

Natalie has a PhD in International Studies with a focus on social-political and conflict studies in the U.K. but her first university degree was a Master in Cultural Studies from Ghent University. She has also completed a Journalism degree. Between studies, she mainly worked in non-profit organisations as policy or advocacy worker. During her PhD research, she felt the urge to do something more practical at the same time and therefore decided to combine her educational background with her interest and passion for sustainable tourism. Natalie founded a small-scale tourism enterprise in Lima, Peru where she lived for a while. She runs this social enterprise that focuses on alternative and local experiences now from Belgium with the help of a local team in Peru. Natalie has also been a core team member and researcher for the California-based organization Ethical Traveler for almost a decade. After living in different places around the world, she returned to her hometown of Ghent in early 2018 and started guiding visitors in Ghent and other Belgian cities.