10 places to visit in the European quarter in Brussels
You may know the European quarter in Brussels with the European Parliament, but do you really know what is behind this place? Discover this quarter and its richness of all kinds. Visit the city from another angle with our Brussels Discovery Tour.
Where is the the parliament quarter?
How to talk about the European quarter without tackling the Parliament quarter? Indeed, Brussels is the capital of Belgium, but also the European capital. This place hides numerous institutions such as the Council of the European Union, the European Commission or even the European Parliament.
Go to rue de la Loi to discover the Europa building, the main headquarters of the European Council and the Council of the European Union. You will also find the Berlaymont nearby, a cross-shaped building that is the headquarters of the European Commission.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 21 Schuman
What are the parks to visit in the European quarter?
Enjoy our Tootwalk "European Quarter" tour on our app, available on App Store and Google Play. We offer you a wonderful walk through the remarkable monuments and parks of this quarter, thanks to a 40-minute guided walking tour.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 18 Luxembourg or 20 Cinquantenaire
LĂ©opold Park
The European quarter is also a green quarter. Three parks surround the European institutions. Take a moment to relax in the Leopold Park, a sumptuous English garden that was once a royal zoological garden. You can admire the peace tree and the bust of Jean-Jule Linden.
Not far from here, you can taste delicious traditional Belgian fries at the Maison Antoine on the Place Jourdan.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 19 Parc LĂ©opold
Cinquantenaire Park
Continue on your way to the Cinquantenaire Park. Built for the anniversary of Belgium's independence in 1880, this park is full of history. Mixing French garden and historical site, you will be amazed by all the cultural treasures that are there.
A large triumphal arch overlooks the park. By walking up to its top, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Brussels. You can also visit several monuments and museums such as the pavillon des passions humaines or the palace and its arcades, including museums such as the museum of weapons.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 20 Cinquantenaire
Ambiorix, Marie-Louise et Marguerite squares
Other places not to be missed are the Ambiorix, Marie-Louise and Marguerite squares, a group of parks organised in tiers. Go from one universe to another: French terraces in the Ambiorix square, English gardens in the Marie-Louise square and playful spaces in the Marguerite square. You will notice the artistic wealth of these places, by contemplating the Art Nouveau houses and other sculptures. Water, the central element of these parks, links them harmoniously together.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 21 Schuman
Brussels Park
Finally, finish your walk on a high note with the Brussels Park. Formerly called "Royal Park", this French garden, in neoclassical style, is the oldest in the capital. Cross its alleys to discover statues of Greco-Roman mythology, the Royal Theatre of the Park, the Vauxhall or the Royal Guinguette. Nearby you will find the Royal Palace and the Federal Parliament.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 12 Place Royale or 22 Palais Royal
Blue route: Hop off at stop 1 Gare Centrale
What places to visit in the European Quarter?
Take advantage of the richness of the European Quarter by exploring its highlights: the Parlamentarium, the House of European History, the European Parliament Hemicycle, the Autoworld Museum, the Natural Sciences Museum, the Wiertz Museum, the Place du Luxembourg and the Bright Brussels event.
Parlamentarium
Would you like to learn more about the creation and operation of the European Union, the European Parliament and the role of the Members of Parliament? Then go to the Parlamentarium, located in the Willy Brandt building, Place du Luxembourg 100. The place is open on Monday from 1pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Make sure to book your visit online or by phone. It is free, lasts 90 minutes and is available in the 24 languages of the European Union. You will learn all about European political history thanks to a 360° cinema, and you will discover the European Union through multiple stories with an interactive map on the ground.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 18 Luxembourg or 19 Parc LĂ©opold
House of European History
Located in Leopold Park, the House of European History is the ideal place to learn more about the history of Europe and the transnational events that have impacted the continent. Permanent and temporary exhibitions are available to the public.
From February 18, 2023 to January 14, 2024, discover the exhibition Jeter, which immerses us into the history of waste in Europe and traces the problems related to this phenomenon until today.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 19 Parc LĂ©opold
The European Parliament Hemicycle
For a complete immersion in the world of European politics, push the doors of the Hemicycle, the central element of the European Parliament. You can discover more about the functions and roles of the parliament, and maybe even attend a plenary session.
The Hemicycle is open from Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm and on Friday from 9am to 1pm, except on weekends and public holidays. If you wish to visit with a group, remember to book online.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 18 Luxembourg or 19 Parc LĂ©opold
Autoworld
Don't miss Autoworld, an automobile museum but also an emblematic monument of Belgian history, located in the South-East Hall of the Cinquantenaire Palaces. The museum is open from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm and from Saturday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm, until March 31st. Then, from April 1st, it will be from Monday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Admire more than 300 cars exhibited in the different thematic zones of the museum: Sport & Competition; Salon 1910; USA... The Media Room will give you more information about the history of the automobile and Autoworld thanks to a program of dedicated movies.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 20 Cinquantenaire
Museum of Natural Sciences
The Museum of Natural Sciences is also the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. It acts in favour of the protection of the environment, by realising follow-ups of the natural, terrestrial and marine environments. Visit its 16 000 m² of permanent galleries, such as the Man Gallery, the Evolution Gallery or the Mineral Room. Don't miss the Dinosaur Gallery, which is the largest in Europe!
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 18 Luxembourg
Wiertz Museum
This museum dedicated to the artist Antoine Wiertz, painter, sculptor and man of letters, will transport you into his spectacular universe of dizzying works, both romantic and frightening. You can find, for example, Les Grecs et les Troyens, a canvas of more than 8 metres long!
The museum is located at Rue Vautier 62 and is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 12pm and from 12:45pm to 5pm.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 18 Luxembourg
Place du Luxembourg
To take a break and relax during your outing, there is nothing like a stop at the Place du Luxembourg, located in the heart of the Cours LĂ©opold quarter. This cosmopolitan place comes to life in the evening, after work and is a rallying point for all those who work in the European district.
You will find many cafés and restaurants with diverse and tasty cuisines. Place du Luxembourg is a mixture of European cultures in one place.
How to get there?
Red route: Hop off at stop 18 Luxembourg
Bright Brussels
The Bright Brussels light festival will be held from February 16 to 19, 2023 in the European quarter, but also in the Royal quarter and the Lehon quarter. For the occasion, national and international artists have created about twenty light installations. Every evening from 7 to 11 pm, let yourself be dazzled by this sparkling show.
If you want to discover other quarters of Brussels, we offer you some ideas of activities for your outings.