Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and one of the most important political and administrative centres in Europe. It is home to several institutions of the European Union as well as NATO, but the city offers much more than just its formal European role. Brussels is known for the historic Grand Place, Art Nouveau architecture, comic book culture, chocolate, waffles, beer and a pleasant urban atmosphere. It is an ideal destination for a long weekend, a business trip, a cultural stay or exploring Belgium.

Flights from Bratislava

You can fly from Bratislava to Brussels with direct Ryanair flights to Brussels South Charleroi Airport, with the airport code CRL. The airport is located approximately 60 km from the centre of Brussels. Ryanair operates flights from Bratislava to Brussels 3 times a week, and the flight takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Transport from the airport

• Flibco shuttle bus – the most practical way to get from Brussels South Charleroi Airport to the centre of Brussels is the direct Flibco bus connection. Buses operate between the airport and Brussels Midi/Zuid station. The journey takes approximately 60 minutes.
• Train – there is no railway station directly at the airport. However, you can reach the centre of Brussels by taking a bus from the airport to Charleroi-Central railway station and then continuing by train to Brussels.
• Taxi / private transport – taxis and private transfers are available directly at the airport. This is a convenient option especially for late arrivals, larger luggage or travelling directly to your hotel. The journey by car to the centre of Brussels takes approximately 50–70 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Car rental – you can rent a car directly at the airport. This is a practical option if you plan to visit other Belgian cities besides Brussels, such as Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp or Leuven.

What not to miss in Brussels

When visiting Brussels, you should definitely not miss these places and experiences:

• Grand Place – Brussels’ main historic square, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and surrounded by beautiful guild houses and the Town Hall.
• Manneken Pis – the famous statue of a little boy urinating, one of the best-known symbols of the city.
• Atomium – an iconic structure shaped like an enlarged iron crystal lattice, offering exhibitions and views of the city.
• Royal Palace – the official palace of the Belgian monarchy and one of the important landmarks in the city centre.
• Mont des Arts – a cultural district with museums, gardens and a beautiful view of the historic centre of Brussels.
• Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium – an important museum complex featuring works by old masters as well as modern art.
• Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert – an elegant historic arcade with shops, cafés and chocolate boutiques.
• European Quarter – the area with buildings of the European institutions, the Parlamentarium and modern architecture.
• Comic book trail – Brussels is famous for its comic book culture, and throughout the city you can find many murals featuring popular comic book characters.
• Belgian gastronomy – taste Belgian waffles, pralines, fries, mussels, chocolate and local beers, for which Belgium is famous.

Did you know?

Brussels is considered one of Europe’s capitals of comic books. Famous characters such as Tintin and the Smurfs come from Belgium, and the city is home to many comic book murals as well as a museum dedicated to comics. When visiting Brussels, it is also worth planning a trip to other Belgian cities – Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp are easily accessible by train from the capital.