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    DK Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent
    DK Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent
    DK Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent
    Ebook467 pages2 hours

    DK Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent

    By DK Travel

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    About this ebook

    Make the most of your trip to Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent with DK Eyewitness Top 10.

    Planning is a breeze with our simple lists of ten, covering the best that Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent offer and ensuring you get all the things. The pocket-friendly format is light and easily portable, the perfect companion while out and about.

    Inside, you'll find:
    • Top 10 lists of Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent's must-sees, including Antwerp Cathedral, The Grand Palace, and The Burg
    • Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent's most interesting areas, with the best places for sightseeing, food and drink, and shopping
    • Themed lists, including the best outdoor activities, historical sites, art galleries, Belgian beer, and much more
    • Easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day trip, a weekend, or a week
    • A laminated pull-out map of Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent, plus five full-color area maps


    DK Eyewitness Top 10s have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 2002.

    Looking for more on Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent's culture, history, and attractions? Try our DK Eyewitness Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDK Travel
    Release dateAug 13, 2024
    ISBN9780593957240
    DK Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent

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      Book preview

      DK Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent - DK Travel

      Cover Image for Top 10 Brussels

      Table of Contents

      Welcome to Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent

      Exploring Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent

      Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent Highlights

      The Grand Place

      Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts

      Musée des Instruments de Musique

      Horta Museum

      Comics Art Museum

      The Burg

      Two Museums of Bruges

      Antwerp Cathedral

      Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten

      The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb

      The Top 10 of Everything

      Moments in History

      Famous Belgians

      Belgian Artists

      Churches

      Art Nouveau Buildings in Brussels

      Museums

      Art Galleries

      Off the Beaten Track

      Children’s Attractions

      Performing Arts Venues

      Types of Belgian Beer

      Things to Buy

      Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent for Free

      Festivals and Events

      Excursions

      Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent Area by Area

      Central Brussels

      Outer Brussels

      Bruges

      Antwerp

      Ghent

      Streetsmart

      Getting Around

      Practical Information

      Places to Stay

      Phrase Book (French)

      Phrase Book (Dutch)

      Maps

      Acknowledgments

      Copyright

      Discover the world with

      DK Eyewitness

      Our travel writers report on what to see, eat, drink and do around the world, while the very best photographs and illustrations bring cities, regions and countries to life. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations around the world, from handy pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides - all available in both print and digital formats.

      Discover more at https://www.dk.com/travel

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      TopTen

      Clockwise from top: Lier near Antwerp, Blinde Ezelstraat, Bruges, waffles, Le Botanique, Brussels, Rodin’s The Thinker, Brussels, Grand Place, Brussels, Comics Art Museum, Brussels

      WELCOME TO BRUSSELS, BRUGES, ANTWERP & GHENT

      Brussels, the political capital of Europe, and the three great cities of Flanders offer extraordinary riches at every turn. They’re known for their fabulous art, and fashion, outstanding restaurants, some of the world’s best beer and chocolate, and a heritage that has flourished since the 16th century. With this DK Eyewitness Top 10 guide, they’re yours to explore.

      The splendours of the 15th and 16th centuries are showcased in the paintings of Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling and their contemporaries, housed in such places as the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts in Brussels and the Groeningemuseum in Bruges. This artistic brilliance soared again to new heights with Rubens, whose works can be viewed in the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten (KMSKA) in Antwerp. The architecture here is just as impressive: visit the medieval Burg in Bruges, the Gothic Antwerp Cathedral and the splendid Flemish Baroque Grand Place in Brussels.

      Cultural attractions apart, these are also walkable cities, adapted for modern living, with elegant shopping streets, lively cafés, star-spangled restaurants – and the world’s best twice-fried frites.

      Whether you’re coming for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide explores the best of everything these cities can offer, from the glass trumpets of the Musée des Instruments de Musique in Brussels and the cutting-edge contemporary art of the SMAK gallery in Ghent, to the enchanting backwaters of Eastern Bruges and the vibrant clubs of Antwerp. There are tips throughout, from seeking out what’s free to finding the liveliest festivals, plus easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent.

      EXPLORING BRUSSELS, BRUGES, ANTWERP & GHENT

      With so much on offer, these cities are at their best day and night, and there is much to see beyond the main museums and attractions. Part of the pleasure is ambling about the pedestrian-friendly streets and savouring time spent in the restaurants and cafés. These two- and seven-day itineraries will help you make the most of these four fascinating Belgian cities.

      TopTen

      Two Days in Brussels

      Day 1

      Morning

      Start at the Grand Place. Walk through the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert to reach the Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule.

      TopTen

      The Grand Place is dominated by Brussels’ magnificent town hall.

      Afternoon

      After lunch, head to the Musée des Instruments de Musique (closed Mon) and the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts (closed Mon).

      TopTen

      Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts is made up of three integrated museums.

      Day 2

      Morning

      Visit La Bourse, and walk via the Place Sainte-Catherine to the Église St-Jean-Baptiste au Béguinage. Wander through the Place des Martyrs on the way to the Comics Art Museum (closed Mon, except Jul & Aug).

      Afternoon

      Take a tram to the Horta Museum (closed Mon). Wander through the Art Nouveau streets around here.

      Seven Days in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent & Antwerp

      BRUSSELS – Day 1

      As day one of Two Days in Brussels.

      BRUGES – Day 2

      Morning

      Go to the Markt and climb the Belfort for a panoramic view. After, head for the Burg.

      Afternoon

      Walk to Groeningemuseum (see Two Museums Of Bruges; closed Wed), with its outstanding collection of Flemish masters. Explore the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk and then the Sint-Janshospitaal (closed Mon). Walk on to the Begijnhof.

      BRUGES – Day 3

      Morning

      Begin at Choco-Story and/or the Frietmuseum, then walk via the Sint-Walburgakerk into the pleasantly quiet district of Eastern Bruges to visit the Sint-Annakerk and the Volkskundemuseum (closed Mon).

      Afternoon

      Spend the afternoon at the extraordinary Jeruzalemkapel (closed Sun) and the neighbouring Kantcentrum, the lace centre, which has demonstrations in the afternoon on weekdays. Finish by exploring the streets of Eastern Bruges further.

      TopTen

      Jeruzalemkapel is a 15th-century hidden gem next to the Kantcentrum.

      GHENT – Day 4

      Morning

      Make a pilgrimage to see The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (see Antwerp Cathedral) in Sint-Baafskathedraal, then ascend the Belfort tower. Continue on to the Sint-Michielsbrug on the Graslei and Korenlei for the views.

      TopTen

      The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is the star attraction in the Sint-Baafskathedraal in Ghent.

      TopTen

      Korenlei, one of Antwerp’s attractive quays, is a pick-up point for boat trips.

      Afternoon

      Take a canal trip, visit Huis van Alijn folklore museum (closed Mon), then wander around the quaint Patershol district behind the museum.

      GHENT – Day 5

      Morning

      Take a tram to Ghent’s two great art galleries, MSK and SMAK (closed Wed).

      Afternoon

      Walk back across the Citadelpark to visit the STAM city museum (closed Mon) before returning to the city centre.

      ANTWERP – Day 6

      Morning

      Admire the guildhouses and town hall in the Grote Markt, then walk to Antwerp Cathedral. Visit the Museum Vleeshuis (closed Mon–Wed).

      TopTen

      Antwerp Cathedral dominates the medieval market square.

      Afternoon

      Visit the Sint-Pauluskerk, then continue further north to the dockside Museum Aan de Stroom (closed Mon).

      ANTWERP – Day 7

      Morning

      To avoid the crowds, get an early start at the KMSKA, then admire the decorative arts of the Museum Mayer van den Bergh (closed Mon).

      Afternoon

      Take in some radical contemporary art at MUKHA gallery (closed Mon), and visit the nearby FotoMuseum Provincie Antwerpen (FoMu) (closed Mon). To finish your trip, head back to the old city centre via the Museum Plantin-Moretus (closed Mon).

      TopTen

      FotoMuseum Provincie (FoMu) covers every aspect of photography.

      Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent Highlights

      8

      The magnificent architecture of the Grand Place, Brussels

      Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent Highlights

      TT Back to Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent Highlights

      DK

      THE GRAND PLACE

      Brussels’ Grand Place is the focal point of the city, a tirelessly uplifting masterpiece of unified architecture. Full of symbolic sculpture and gilding, for centuries this was the economic and administrative heart of the city. It was the setting for markets, fairs, pageants and jousts, for the proclamation of decrees, and for public executions. Even without its old political and economic prestige the Grand Place still hums with activity.

      NEED TO KNOW

      prac_info Hôtel de Ville: 02 548 04 47; guided tours start 2pm Wed, 10am, 3pm & 4pm Sun; arrive 15 min before; tour €8

      prac_info Maison du Roi (Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles): open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun; closed public hols; 02 279 43 50; adm €8

      prac_info Maison des Brasseurs/Belgian Brewers Museum: open 11am–6pm Wed–Sat; 02 511 49 87; adm €5

      Google Map

      There are two bar-restaurants here – both pricey, but worth it for their Bruxellois style: Le Roy d’Espagne at No 1 and La Chaloupe d’Or at Nos 24–25. ‘T Kelderke at No 15 serves classic Flemish dishes in 7th-century brick-vaulted cellars.

      A tourist office in the Hôtel de Ville is useful for information.

      TopTen

      Map of the Grand Place

      1. Le Cornet

      Google Map

      This elaborate building (No 6) was once the guildhouse of the boatmen. Its adornments include a top storey resembling the stern of a ship.

      TopTen

      Le Cornet

      2. Le Cygne

      Google Map

      The Swan (No 9) was rebuilt as a private residence in 1698, but in 1720 it was acquired by the Guild of Butchers. It later became a café, and Karl Marx held meetings of the German Workers’ Party here.

      3. Le Renard

      Google Map

      No 7 was a gildehuis (guildhouse) – the prestigious headquarters of the Guild of Haberdashers. A gilded statue of a fox sits above the door, reflecting the building’s old name (Le Renard).

      TopTen

      Le Renard

      4. Maison des Brasseurs

      Google Map

      Called l’Arbre d’Or (the Golden Tree), the brewers’ guildhouse (No 10) was designed by Guillaume de Bruyn. It is still used by the Confédération des Brasseurs, and houses a small museum of brewing.

      TopTen

      Maison des Brasseurs

      5. Hôtel de Ville

      Google Map

      The Town Hall was the first major building on the Grand Place. Largely rebuilt since its 15th-century beginnings, it still has its original spire, with a statue of St Michael killing the devil.

      6. Maison du Roi

      Google Map

      This medieval-style King’s House is home to the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles, a miscellany of city history, including costumes designed for the Manneken-Pis statue.

      7. Statue of Everard ‘t Serclaes

      Google Map

      Famous Brussels resident Everard ‘t Serclaes died here in 1388 resisting Flemish occupation. Superstitious passers-by stroke his bronze statue for luck.

      TopTen

      Statue of Everard ‘t Serclaes

      8. The Tapis de Fleurs

      Google Map

      Every even-numbered year for five days in mid-August, the Grand Place is taken over by a massive floral display known as the Carpet of Flowers.

      TopTen

      The Tapis de Fleurs

      9. Maison des Ducs de Brabant

      Google Map

      The impressive 17th-century façade at the southeast end of the square spans seven houses and is adorned with the busts of the Dukes of Brabant.

      10. Maison des Boulangers

      Google Map

      The bakers’ guildhouse at No 1 is coated with symbols, including six figures representing the essential elements of breadmaking. The unusual octagonal lantern on the roof is topped by a striking gilded statue of Fame.

      NOT QUITE THE REAL THING

      The guildhouses of the Grand Place are built largely in the Flemish Baroque style of the early 18th century. The architectural uniformity, however, reflects disaster rather than urban planning. On 13–14 August 1695, under the orders of Louis XIV, French troops led by Marshal de Villeroy lined up their cannons, took aim at the spire of the Hôtel de Ville, and pulverized the city centre. In defiance, the citizens set about reconstructing the Grand Place, a task that was completed in just five years.

      TT Back to The Grand Place, Brussels

      TT Back to Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent Highlights

      TT Back to Top 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent Highlights

      AROUND THE GRAND PLACE

      1. Rue des Bouchers

      Google Map

      Many of the streets around the Grand Place reflect the trades that once operated there. The Street of the Butchers and its intersecting Petite Rue des Bouchers are famous for their lively restaurants and colourful displays of food.

      TopTen

      Restaurants line Rue des Bouchers

      2. Musée du Costume et de la Dentelle

      prac_info Rue de la Violette 12 • 02 213 44 50 • Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun • Adm (free first Sun of month)

      Google Map

      This small but rewarding museum dedicated to historic costume and lace has a limited but choice selection of exhibits.

      3. La Bourse

      prac_info Bruxella 1238 • 02 279 43 50

      Google Map

      Brussels’ Stock Exchange, La Bourse is an unmissable feature of the city’s landscape, built in 1873 in the style of a Greek temple with columns and ornate decorative carvings. After years of neglect, the city finally renovated the Bourse, which now looks splendid. Its interior is used for temporary exhibitions and concerts. Nearby is the subterranean Bruxella 1238, which displays archaeological finds and the exposed ruins of the Franciscan convent on which La Bourse was built.

      TopTen
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