Very confused... I have read that Brussels is a beautiful "must see" city on some websites, but other websites say it is atourist trap that is dirty in many areas. HELP!!!

What is the true story??

Like most cities, some areas are very nice some touristy.
Very good museum of modern art (Delvaux , Magritte etc).
A day trip to Brugge recommended.

Whatever else it is, I think Brussels is not a tourist trap; it's not particularly oriented on tourism.

Is it nice? Well, all I can say is that I like it, but my preferences might not be shared by all. I think, though, that almost all would agree that the Grand Place is worth an hour of your life.

I too like Brussels. Some bits are dirty, nasty and can be dangerous, but that is true of any city. The centre on the whole is pleasant enough, and not really very touristy at all. The Grand Place is worth seeing. Manneke Pis is just round the corner from it.

I've been to Brussels a few times. I don't think it's a "must see" but definitely NOT a tourist trap! Grand Place and surrounding area (eg Sablon) is nice, and the fine arts museum is excellent (not just modern art, but it's got the best collection of Flemish Primitives.)

If you are into Art Nouveau, then it's worthwhile to venture out a little to check out Horta's Museum.

I actually like Brussels. Good food. Good beer. A few decent sites. And the price is right, at least on weekends, when all the business hotels give rooms away on Priceline.

I wouldn't make it the focus of a trip, but it is worth a night or two if it works for some reason - cheap flight into BRU, on the way from AMS to Paris, etc.

Brussels is nice for a quick weekend or perhaps even one day should be enough to see the Grand place, Sablon, and the street that has all the restaurants that open late into the night.

If it's your first time in Europe, then it isn't worth it. I stopped there on my way to Paris on the train and I enjoyed it, especially the chocolate shops and waffles. But I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

Interesting. A few of us seem to take a similar view, that Brussels is not a tourism city, but that we like it anyway.

There is hope for the world.