As the de facto capital of the EU and home to its three main institutions, Brussels is a major international political hub. It’s also a leading destination for corporate events, with tens of conferences, seminars and public forums taking place across the city each month. But while Brussels is best known – and, lets face it, hugely influential – in the political and business spheres, that’s really only a small part of what it has to offer. Dig deep enough, and you’ll find a friendly, cosmopolitan city with beautiful architecture and lots of old world charm. Mix in Belgium’s world-famous beer, chocolate and waffles, and your business trip can take on a whole new appeal. Heading to Brussels for a conference or a spot of wheeling and dealing? Here’s what you need to know. Getting There Your next step after landing at Brussels Airport will depend on the reason for your visit. Brussels main business district, the Northern Quarter (or Quartier Nord in French) is located, as the name suggests, just north of the city centre. If you’re in Brussels on EU-related business, however, you’re probably headed to the European quarter, which is located southeast of the city centre. The Northern Quarter Straddling the districts of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Schaerbeek and the City proper, the Northern Quarter is home to some of the tallest buildings in Belgium, including the Finance Tower and the Rogier Tower. Several popular conference centres, such as Area 42, the Diamant and the Hilton Hotel, are also close by. The train is the fastest and most cost-effective way to reach the Northern Quarter from Brussels Airport. The district is served by the Brussels-North railway station (Gare Du Nord). Just catch the train from the airport at level -1 and you’ll be in the heart of the Northern Quarter in about fifteen minutes. Trains leave the airport approximately every five to ten minutes, starting from 4:40am until about 12:15am. A ticket costs 8.60. The European Quarter Brussels European Quarter, formerly known as the Leopold Quarter, is home to several EU institutions, including the European Commission – housed in the iconic Berlaymont building – the European Parliament and the European Council. It also houses several embassies, thousands of administrative offices and well-known conference centres such as the Albert Borschette Congress Centre. As one of the most frequent destinations for business travellers to Brussels, the airport is very well connected to the European Quarter. The fastest and easiest way to reach it is via train. Go down to level -1 and catch line 12 to Schuman. The train hits all the most important stops and reaches Schuman station in about thirty minutes. Trains depart every five to ten minutes, from about 4:40am to 12:15 am. Catching A Taxi If you’d rather catch a taxi, you can do so at the permanent taxi stand just outside the main airport terminal. Whether you’re headed to the Northern Quarter or the European Quarter, the journey should take around twenty minutes, depending on traffic, and will set you back about 40. Licensed taxis don’t have to look a certain way; and may be any model car in any colour. However, they do need to have a yellow and blue licence sticker and a sign on the roof that says taxi. Treat cars missing these identifying marks with suspicion, as they may be unscrupulous individuals who will overcharge you for their service. Getting Around If you’re staying close to the city centre, walking is probably the best way to get around. At approximately 162 square kilometres, Brussels is rather compact; and most of its main areas are within easy reach of each other. The Northern Quarter is quite small, and a mere twenty minute walk away from Grand Place, Brussels main square and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The European Quarter, however, is a bit further afield; and nothing much goes on after office hours. If you’re in the mood for some sightseeing or even a bite to eat after a day of meetings, your best bet is to catch public transport and travel closer to the city centre. Brussels is served by an excellent network of buses, trams and an underground system (called the metro). Trams and the metro are the fastest and most convenient ways to get around. Single tickets cost 2 for one hour, meaning you can catch as many buses, trams or subway trains as you like within that time limit. You can also buy a day ticket for 6. Transport works from 6:00am until 11:00pm. Don’t forget to validate your ticket before you board, as otherwise you may risk being fined 55. You’ll also need to press the button on metro and tram doors, as these don’t open automatically. The best ways to reach the Northern Quarter by public transport from other parts of the city are via tram numbers 3 and 4, which stop at the Gare Du Nord, or metro lines 2 or 6 (stop at Rogier or Yser). The European Quarter is best reached via the metro. Lines one and five both stop at the European Quarter’s two major stops: Schuman and Luxembourg Square (Maelbeek stop). Whilst they are certainly quaint and charming, the narrow streets that encircle Brussels city centre are a nightmare to navigate by car. Traffic on the main thoroughfares can also get rather chaotic, especially during rush hour, so you should avoid driving at all costs. Local Treats As a country with a rich beer-brewing heritage, having a beer or two is essential if you want a truly Belgian experience. Craft beer bars dot the city, most of them sporting impressive selections and also serving traditional local fare. Bier Circus (a short walk from the Northern Quarter) and Moedoer Lambic (19 minutes away on tram 4), are very popular with the locals, and serve some excellent entrecôte (rib-eye steak) too. Follow that up with some traditional Belgian waffles or..
