Brussels Mini Guide
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the de facto capital of the European Union as so much EU activity takes place there. Arriving in Brussels you will fly into Brussels International Airport which is home to Brussels Airlines. Alternatively you may wish to fly with low cost airline Ryanair (fly from numerous locations from the
UK,
France,
Germany,
Netherlands and more) which means that you will arrive into Charleroi Airport to the south of Brussels. Pick up your Rhino car from either of these terminals and make the short journey into the city centre to save yourself money on taxis.
Brussels is a gourmand’s dream as it is unparalleled for the quality of the food there, especially the chocolate and the beer. To get a taste of the real Brussels, head to the main city square (Grote Markt) and brave the queues to get into Le Pain Quotidien (or daily bread). This is the flagship bakery and delicatessen which has now become a world wide chain. Taste the quality that made it famous for an unforgettable dining experience.
After lunch stretch your legs by taking a walk around the Grote Markt (La Grand Place) and see the attractive historic buildings which are occasionally lit up at night by a light show accompanied with music. Another amusing sight to see is the statue of Manneken Pis – a young boy peeing. The statue is said to have been made after a young child in a tree found a way to drive away invading soldiers in the Middle Ages. Brussels also prides itself on having many excellent museums and art galleries such as the Musee Du Cinema which is part of the centre of fine arts.
Other trendy parts of town include Ixelles- Elsene which has many good bars and restaurants; though don’t forget to take a bulging wallet with you. And of course you must try Belgium’s signature dish of Moules Mariner, which is steamed mussels and chips. There are in fact 19 communes to walk around and explore in Brussels. Among them are Saint-Gilles where you will get an impression of multi - cultural Belgium as there are large communities of
Polish,
Portuguese and other immigrant residents there.
The city itself is bilingual as people in Brussels speak both Dutch and French, though mainly in French. The level of English spoken In Brussels is often not as good as might have been expected so taking a French phrase book with you might be a good idea.
Whether you are going to Brussels on business or for pleasure we will have the right car to suit your needs. Our range of affordable prestige and luxury cars are particularly popular with business men and women. To make your reservation you can use our booking engine or contact us by phone, email or the new online chat facility.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and it plays host to many important organisations including the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Historically Brussels has been Dutch-speaking but nowadays it is more French-speaking. Brussels is also the seat of the Flemish community in Belgium.
More than one million people live in Belgium and car hire Brussels is the quickest way to find out more about its origins as a 10th century fortress town. The Grand Place Grote Markt is a focal point in the city and one that is best explored on foot once you park up and find the right spot.