Travis

My girlfriend and I are traveling to Amsterdam, staying a five days, then taking a train to Paris for four days. Is it worth it for us to stop in Brussels for a night, I've heard it is really dull?

aj

We have stayed in Brussels several times and I have enjoyed the stay. I think the "Grand Place" is one of the most beautiful city squares I have seen. There are quite a few shops and restaurants around the area I found interesting. All that said I am middle aged but I did see many "young" people in the area. I would try to go to Bruges if you are in the area. It is a great walking town with lots to see and enjoy!

Dull

It's every bit as dull as Amsterdam.

lucretia

Brussels is really boring and somewhat depressing. I didn't find anything genuine characteristics that defined the city as opposed to a place like Paris where the food, culture, architecture, vibe is unforgettable. Brussels and Belgium as a whole is quite easily forgettable. Truthfully, I really hated my stay in Belgium. The people are snobby and they have such a hatred for the French! Skip it.

mpprh

Hi

Brussels is worth a stop.

And the food is probably better than in Paris. Check out the fish restaurants around Grand Place and St Katherines

Peter

xxx

IMHO, Brussels and Belgium are among the most underrated places on earth. I read some place that Belgium is a country for connoisseurs, not for the amateur tourist.

The amateur tourist goes for the things that are easy to appreciate, like Michelangelo (his mastery is undeniable), the Eiffel tower (few people would argue about it) or Paris as a whole (a spectacular city by any account).

Belgium, OTOH, require a lot more patience and understanding. It is not easy to appreciate Van Eyck, even if the quality of his work is on par with any of the more "famous" painters. You'll see plenty of Van Eycks in Belgium. The Grand Place in Brussels IS one of the most beautiful squares in the world. The Beaux-Arts museum in Brussels is amazing, and the quality of its collection rivals many other more popular museums.

Brugge is a dream, by any account, and Ghent is one of the most interesting places I have ever seen.

Belgian fries, waffles, mussels, chocolates and beer are better than any other on earth.

For me, Amsterdam is a day trip from Belgium, not the other way around.

Tina

I much prefer Brussels over Amsterdam. Brussels is a wonderful, fun city. I'd spend a couple of days there and then take the train to Brugge for a day or two. I can't imagine anyone calling Brussels dull??? By all means stay there. I've been to Amsterdam 3 times in the past 9 years....it's OK, but I much prefer Belgium anyday!

lisa

I did find Brussels on the dull side, at least compared to Amsterdam and Paris anyway.

But as much as I enjoyed Amsterdam, five days there would be a bit much for me. Three or four would be perfect.

If you want to go to Belgium for a day or two between Amsterdam and Paris, I would recommend Bruges over Brussels. It is absolutely charming.

Louis

Believe me, and I’ve been to Brussels many times, it's one of the most ugly and boring cities in Europe. Sure the Grand Place is nice, but after that, what? I think it has to do with the fact there are so many civil servants in this town (European Union, NATO, the Belgian government itself). Unless you are interested in Tintin and the entire Bande Dessinée scene, skip it! Get to Paris as fast as you can. You won’t regret it.

Marcie

By all means stop in Brussels!! If I were you I'd stay a night or two in Brussels and a night in Brugge as well. They are both nice cities in their own rite. I agree, you're spending too much time in Amsterdam. 2-3 nights there is plenty. You'll love Paris....now that's where you could spend months and still feel like you haven't seen it all. Marcie

alison

Brussels is not that pretty-looks rundown except for Grand Place. That's all that's nice.

Travis

People are so quick to snap and be mean, what's wrong with you people?! I don't know anything about the place which is why TWO MONTHS ago I asked the question, because I saw that quite a few other writers on another forum said it is to be a day trip at most. So why do people spend the time being a smart ass with their comments and just tell me what I want to hear, how nice it is! Since that time two months ago, I have knocked two days from Amsterdam and plan on spending two days in Belgium/Brugge, since the serious people have told me how nice and peaceful it is. We are only going to Amsterdam because many of our friends are going and we are meeting them. They are staying there for 11 days, I told my girlfriend I would go nuts in that city for that long, so I suggested Paris because I love it there, and thought we could stop in Belgium (since it's on the way) for a couple days, and not knowing anything about it is why I asked if Belgium is worth a couple days. Thank you anyways!

Mary

Your trip sounds fabulous Travis! I've been to Brussels, Brugge and Amsterdam. IMO, I would stop in both Brussels and Brugge. I found them to be interesting cities. I enjoyed Amsterdam as well and even went to the sex museum. I think they're all 3 nice cities to see if you haven't seen them but now that I've been to all 3 and spent several days in each, the only one that I could return to over and over again to is Brugge. It is like a fairy tale story! Brussels has some very industrial parts to it but the main area around the palace (close to the train station) is lovely and interesting. At night the Palace is lit up beautifully, there many out door cafes and lots of live music. It's a wonderful way to spend a warm summer evening. I would certainly plan to spend MORE time in Paris and LESS time in Amsterdam. Amsterdam has some pretty seedy areas but I'm still glad I went there. Enjoy your vacation. Mary

Darlene

I almost didn't go to Brussels based on opinions I found on this web site, but decided to give it a go. It is one of my favorite cities in Europe so far (have been to Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Nice, London, and others...) I found the people to be nice, and the chocolate and beer to die for. I loved the antiques area, and spent a whole day just browsing around and sampling chocolate, frites, waffles, crepes...I was glad I went and would go again for a few days anytime. I liked Brugge as well, but wouldn't stay longer than a day, it was too touristy.

sev

Travis, Who is "snapping" and "being mean"? You asked a question on a public forum and got sincere answers. You then have the gall to call people "smart asses" just because the responses are blunt and frank, but not worded the rosy way you had hoped. Have a nice trip. You're welcome anyways!

xxx

The comments that were made are personal opinions based on the question that you put forth. If you wanted to hear only about the nice things then I think you already answered your own question.

Joyce

Brussels is a large city. It has some drab areas, but also has many beautiful and historically interesting streets well worth seeing. I enjoyed walking around the town.

If you are passing through Brussels anyway, try to take at least a few minutes to see the Grand Place. The architecture is beautiful.

Vincent

Granted, Brussels is not an "easy girl", and, at first sight, there is nothing much to see beyond the Grand Place. But the food, the people, the museums (check out the Brueghels in the Musee Royal des Beaux Arts, and for serious bande dessinee fans, the Musee de la Bande Dessinee in a great Art Nouveau ex Department store), the antique market on Place des Sablons. As a Frenchman, I love going back again and again. That said, if you want to stop in one of Europe's greatest art cities between Amsterdam and Paris, stop in Antwerp. Europe's most underrated city: it's wall to wall historic buildings, great harbour, great atmosphere, hip city (the up and coming fashion centre in Europe), again, great food. My vote is for Antwerp (desole les Bruxellois, je vous adore quand meme ! )

Jim

I stayed in Brussels in between stays in Paris and Amsterdam (I was there on Sept. 11th, sadly enough.) While it may not seem to have as much to offer as those 2 larger cities, it is definitely worth a stop for a day or two. The Grand Place truly is truly magnificent and the Belgian chocolate (and waffles) are incredible. See the Mannekin Pis statue (on a narrow cobblestone road not far from Grand Place) and the museum in Grand Place with all of his different outfits from around the world is interesting, too. It was also fun to sit out and have dinner in a narrow, alleyway restaurant...though the meals I had in Brussels overall were nothing to write home about. But if you have time, definitely worth a day or two visit.

B

Message: I have stayed in Brussels for 3 months previously and love it. Though I agree that that aside from the Grand Place, there isn't very much to see. But the food is fabulous. I like the museums, and the antique market is great. Brugge is touristy, but worth a day trip. Antwerp is good too. Many other Belgium towns are interesting as well, though day trips would be sufficient. Would recommend Leuven too.