Brussels, the European Capital!

Including a population of over 1.8 million, the metropolitan area of the Belgian capital is the largest in the country. Brussels has a rich national history but nowadays the municipality, due to its major role in the European Union and its geographic location, has become one of the most important places in Europe. Therefore this city attracts each year thousands of visitors. If you are one of these lucky people, you can easily find a good hotel in Brussels.

Indeed, since 1957 Brussels has hosted some of the major European institutions. That is why you can find the large and unique European Quarter in the east of the city. This area includes most of the current major European buildings such as the historical Berlaymont Building, which is only one part of the European Commission (60 buildings in total).

Built from 1962 to 1969, Berlaymont Building is considered as the headquarters and the symbol of the Commission. It has an unbelievable floor area of 240,500 m², where you could sit next to the President of the European Commission and the College of Commissioners. There you can learn the whole history of the European Union and you will feel like an Euro-MP in the heart of the European Union operation.

Moreover the Espace Leopold of Parliament and the Justus Lipsius Building of the Council are also interesting buildings which deserve to be visited. Obviously, according to all the politicians visiting every year, many Brussels hotels are located close to this quarter. You will find many luxurious hotels as well as more affordable ones.

You may be wondering which language people in Brussels speak? French, Dutch, German? In fact, it is a little bit complicated. When the Kingdom of Belgium was founded in 1830, the capital was almost completely Dutch-speaking. After the foundation the French expanded and today it is the majority language in Brussels. That is why nowadays 65% of Brussels residents speak only French and hardly 7% speak only Dutch. Anyway, all the hotels in Brussels and major attractions have English-speaking receptionists and guides.

In addition to these glorious European institutions, Brussels has many sights which deserve to be seen. Very small but symbolic and internationally known, the famous Manneken Pis, represents the cohabitation between the French and the Dutch in Brussels. In the old town, you must visit the Guidhalls on the Grand Place which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. If you want to see something awesome and unique, have a look at the Atomium in Heysel Park. Built for the expo 58, it has an impressive tall structure of 338ft made of nine steel spheres connected by tubes.