Grand Place: Brussels' central square (Grote Markt in Dutch) is Belgium's most impressive site - UNESCO World Heritage, Victor Hugo called it 'most beautiful square in world.' Guildhalls (guild houses) with ornate Baroque/Gothic facades line square - gold trim, statues, gables, each representing medieval guilds (brewers, archers, boatmen). Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville, 1402-1455) features 96m Gothic tower, asymmetric facade, guided tours. Maison du Roi (King's House, actually never housed royalty) contains Brussels City Museum. Flower carpet event (biennial August) covers entire square in begonias - 600m² design, 750,000 flowers. Grand Place is Brussels' heart - café terraces surround square (expensive but essential for people-watching), evening illumination stunning, Christmas market December, beer weekend September. Allow 1-2 hours admiring details.

Manneken Pis and Belgian Humor: Tiny bronze statue (61cm) of urinating boy is Brussels icon - beloved despite/because of absurdity. Manneken Pis (1619, Jérôme Duquesnoy) has over 1,000 costumes donated globally, changed regularly based on events calendar, wardrobe at Brussels City Museum. Origin legends abound - boy extinguishing fuse with urine saving city, lost child found urinating. Belgian humor is surreal, self-deprecating - statue epitomizes this. Nearby: Jeanneke Pis (girl version, 1987), Het Zinneke (urinating dog). Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert (elegant 1847 shopping arcades near Grand Place) offer chocolate shops, cafés, luxury stores. Rue des Bouchers (Beenhouwersstraat) behind Grand Place is tourist restaurant zone - seafood displays, touts, mediocre overpriced food (eat elsewhere, locals avoid).

Atomium and Modern Brussels: Atomium (northern Brussels, metro from center 20 minutes) is 1958 World's Fair remnant - enlarged iron crystal cell model (165 billion times), nine spheres connected, 102m tall, escalators between spheres, exhibitions, panoramic restaurant, night illumination. Atomium symbolizes post-war atomic age optimism - retro-futuristic icon. Mini-Europe park nearby has 1:25 scale European monuments. European Quarter (Quartier Européen) houses EU institutions - European Parliament, Commission, Council - Schuman area. Parliament interior visits possible (free, book ahead). EU area is sterile, bureaucratic, but significant as Europe's political center. Parc du Cinquantenaire has triumphal arch, museums (military, art, cars).

Belgian Beer and Chocolate: Belgium has 200+ breweries, 1,500+ beer varieties - Trappist (monk-brewed - Westvleteren, Chimay, Orval), abbey beers, lambics (spontaneous fermentation - Cantillon brewery Brussels, sour), fruit beers (kriek cherry, framboise raspberry), strong ales. Beer cafés: Delirium Café (2,000+ beers), Moeder Lambic, À la Mort Subite (traditional). Belgian beer culture is UNESCO heritage - specific glass per beer, proper serving, appreciation. Belgian chocolate is world-famous - pralines (filled chocolates), truffles, quality cocoa. Chocolatiers: Neuhaus (invented praline 1912), Pierre Marcolini, Mary, Leonidas (affordable), Godiva. Grand Sablon square has chocolate shops. Belgian waffles: Liège (dense, caramelized sugar) and Brussels (rectangular, light) styles - eat from street stalls hot, toppings optional.

Art Nouveau and Comic Strips: Brussels is Art Nouveau capital - Victor Horta pioneered style, four UNESCO-listed Horta buildings (Horta Museum - his former home, others require tours or exterior viewing only). Art Nouveau features organic curves, ironwork, stained glass, integration of arts. Architectural walk available. Brussels is Comic Strip Capital - Tintin (Hergé), Smurfs (Peyo), Lucky Luke created here. Comic Strip Museum (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée) in Art Nouveau building showcases Belgian comics. 50+ comic strip murals throughout city - comic walk map available. Tintin shop on Rue de la Colline. Comics are serious art in Belgium - respect and appreciation.

Brussels Neighborhoods: Sablon (antiques, chocolate, upscale), Marolles (working-class, flea market Place du Jeu de Balle daily, authentic), Ixelles (trendy, multicultural, cemetery with famous graves, African quarter Matongé), Saint-Géry (nightlife, bars), Sainte-Catherine (seafood restaurants, former fish market). Brussels is bilingual (French/Dutch) officially - Flemish/Dutch north, Wallonia/French south, Brussels officially bilingual but primarily French-speaking (85%). Language politics sensitive. European institutions brought international community - English widely spoken, diverse dining, cosmopolitan. Brussels often underrated - lacks single iconic attraction like Paris Eiffel Tower, but charming squares, Art Nouveau, beer, chocolate, surreal humor, political importance make it worthwhile.

Practical Brussels: Brussels is affordable compared to Paris/Amsterdam but not cheap. Euro currency. Public transport: metro, trams, buses (STIB network, 24/72-hour passes). Brussels Card includes transport and museums. Petty crime exists - watch belongings especially at Midi station, tourist areas. Areas avoid: Gare du Midi surroundings at night, Molenbeek (though improving). Peak season April-September. Weather unpredictable - rain common year-round, bring umbrella/jacket. Summer mild (20-25°C). Winter gray, damp (5°C). Brussels is European Union capital - numerous international events, conferences, strikes occasionally. French/Dutch bilingual - respect by attempting French/Dutch greetings. Bruges (1 hour train) perfect day trip - medieval 'Venice of North,' canals, chocolate, lace. Ghent (45 minutes) also excellent. Allow 2-3 days Brussels proper, 4-5 with day trips.