William Cook

In defence of Brussels, Europe’s most underrated city break

Why does it have such a poor reputation?

  • From Spectator Life
[Alamy]

Strolling around the Belgian Comic Strip Center, admiring the elegant artwork of Hergé (creator of Tintin), I wonder for the umpteenth time why so many of my British friends are so disparaging about Brussels.

It’s one of my favourite cities, but most Britons I know wouldn’t dream of planning a break here. They don’t know what they’re missing. I’ve been here countless times, yet on each visit I discover something new. It’s full of quirky shops and exquisite restaurants, and there are some excellent museums too. If your idea of fun (like mine) is nosing around art galleries and antique shops, with plenty of pitstops en route, you’ll have a terrific time. I’ve never eaten better than in Brussels – and the beer (and the coffee) is superb.

So why does this place have such a bad reputation back in Blighty? Mainly because it’s become a byword for Britain’s endless squabbles with the EU.

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