Seeing the Sights of Brussels

There’s nothing quite like getting to explore a new city, especially when the city is filled with excellent things to do and see, and has well-priced hostels offering group accommodation. Brussels is close to home and is becoming more and more popular for a short break for groups of students or families.

Getting to and from Brussels is pretty straightforward; there are cheap flights from the UK and Eurostar is direct from London. Brussels, in Belgium, is the country's capital, with a history that dates back to a small chapel on the river Senee around 580 AD. Since then, the city has grown in both physical size and importance in European affairs. It is now the capital of the European Union and NATO. There are excellent group accommodation options in the Brussels' hostels and, once settled in, there are a few 'must-see' of the city. Your group should visit the Cinquantenair Museum, the Bibliotheca Wittockiana, and the Atomium.

The Cinquantenair Museum

Located in Cinquantenair Park, within very easy access of central group accommodation in the city, the Cinquantenair Museum is a part of Belgium’s Royal Museums of Art and History. The museum is home to some of the curiosities and diplomatic gifts of the 15th-17th centuries. Originally created as a collection in the Halle Gate, when it became too small, in 1889, the objects of antiquity were removed to the Cinquantenair Palace, which is home to the current Cinquantenair Museum. You can explore artefacts from pre-history to the Egyptians, Merovingians, and from classical antiquity. Be sure to seek out the colossal statue from Easter Island while you're there.

The Bibliotheca Wittockiana

For those interested in books and bookbinding, you simply cannot miss the Bibliotheca Wittockiana. Located to the south east of the city centre, in the area of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, the Bibliotheca Wittockiana is a museum dedicated to the art of books and bookbinding. Though it’s not in walking distance, group accommodation anywhere in the city will be able to access public transport and it is pretty easy to find your way out to the museum. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to the art of fine bookbinding and contains a unique collection that surveys bookbinding over five centuries. Since the collection at the Bibliotheca Wittockiana was a private one, the works are not an exhaustive history or sample of bookbinding, but they shows the collector’s wonderful taste in decorative books, with a particular German and Latin bent.

Atomium

Originally constructed for the 1958 World’s Fair, the iron depiction of a crystal magnified 165 billion times is now a museum. It's actually one of the most visited places in the city and can be seen on the skyline from many vantages, beckoning you to visit. The structure was only meant to stay erected for the duration of the World’s Fair, but its popularity saw it gain a permanent place in the city. Inside there's a museum exhibiting the history of the Atomium and the top sphere has viewing rooms. There is also a Mini-Europe, where you can explore the continent in just a few hours.

Ben Spencer works for Hostelling International. Offering more than 4000 hostels worldwide, their website dedicated to groups features 250 hostels specifically suitable for school trips, corporate team building trips and families. For the best group accommodation, join our community and say hi to the world. HI is the only global network of Youth Hostel Associations and a non-profit membership organisation with over 100 years of experience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.