I like Bruxelles

[hackunion]

Here's why














































And then it was off to Paris, which I liked too.

[Bedhead]

Me too - great shots

[Benonie]

Nice pictures of my capital!

[MolsonExport]

Plan on visiting both (Bruxelles and Paris) this month

[olga]

I did not like Bruxelles when I was there 15 years ago. But I like it in your photos!

[Stu]

Interesting city. Thanks for the pics.

[hackunion]

Thanks to you too!
I could definitely see why some people aren't fans of the city, it was definitely one of the most grungiest places I have been to in Europe. It was a big surprise to see so many areas of the city simply run down, and so many individual buildings abandonded and crumbling. I know for example that areas around train stations usually aren't the brightest places, but in Brussels it was quite surreal. I was joking with my friend that it's what the Bronx must have felt like in the 80s. I would have been less comfortable exploring the city without my friend. On the other hand, such contrasts between old and new, dilapidated and healthy, are things that I find intriguing - so I became quite drawn to Brussels after a few short visits. My greatest memories are the food, the retro transportation system, changing trains, and just walking around (and the exquisite art nouveau architecture of course!).

In comparison, here are some photos from my other Belgian adventures.

Antwerp




















Brugge






















Namur - which I used as my home base for five days

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

i was in Brussels for about a day a couple weeks ago, but i had a great time. A big surprise to be honest!

[mthq]

My most favorite city in the world!

I personally thought the rundown area between the main station and the old city center was cool although I really just walked past it on the way to the city center and didn't spend much time there. I'd love to go back as I hardly scratched the surface of that city.

[R@ptor]

Great photos.

Brussels is indeed a city about which most visitors have mixed feelings. On the one hand you have a lot of amazing districts with fantastic architecture (the Grand Place has IMO the most spectacular collection of medieval buildings anywhere on the planet), awesome art nouveau mansions all over the city, plenty of great restaurants, lots of cultural venues and the unique mix of Flemish and Walloon cultures. On the other hand some districts are shockingly rundown for a European city and are even slowly turning into crime-ridden no-go areas (particularly Sint-Joost, the area east of the Gare du Nord).
I wish the Brussels city government would finally get its act together and realize just how much more potential Brussels would have, if they started to clean up certain parts of the city.

Have you also been to Bruges and Ghent?

[SHiRO]

You chose a good city to like...

...and you present your case well!

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Brussels and Belgium in general, look fabulous. Is there a reason why so many speak poorly of it? Seems peculiar to me.