Free tour of the European Quarter and the Atomium
A guided tour to come across the European quarter, the Cinquantenaire Park and the Atomium.
The most complete free tour (and private tour) in Brussels!
Sustainable tourism
Over 10 years of experience
Certificate of Excellence 2013-2019
Recommended by the Brussels Tourist Office
Free tour of the European Quarter and the Atomium
Description:
Free tour of the European Quarter of Brussels.
The most complete free tour (and private tour) in Brussels!
Join us and discover some of the historical and powerful places of Brussels! In this experience we will take you to the heart of the European Union, a modern yet commemorated neighborhood where important decisions are made. Then, from the European Quarter all the way to the Cinquantenaire Park and its Royal Museum Complex, learn about history in an absolute way! And finally, see the iconic Atomium monument of Brussels and the role it played in the Universal Exhibitionsin the year 58!
| This activity is available every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in “free tour” system (free payment) and every day with a private guide (you choose the day, the time of departure and the meeting point at your best convenience). |
Additional information
| Type of activity: | Free tour |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday |
| Time: | 10:30 am |
| Duration: | 4 hours |
| Language: | English |
| Meeting point: | The Grand-Place of Brussels in front of the City Hall. |
| Responsible tourism: | This activity respects the codes of responsible and sustainable tourism. |
Highlights:
- Come across the famous Atomium, the most photographed monument in Brussels.
- Enjoy the streets of the European neighborhood, get to know the history through the most unraveling anecdotes and photograph its emblematic buildings.
- If you are planning to come during the end of April or beginning of May, you could visit the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, an eccentric tropical paradise in Brussels where you can admire the collection of exotic plants.
- Discover the European Parliament “whim of God”, the European Commission and the Council to the European Union’s new building known as “the egg in space”.
Our guarantees:
- Responsible tourism: This activity respects the codes of responsible and sustainable tourism.
- We work in partnership with the Brussels Tourism Office.
- More than 10 years of experience.
- Certificate of Excellence since 2013.
- Free tour (Pay what you want).
- Private tour: you can also book this activity in private for you or your group.
- A private guided tour that offers a more exclusive experience to you, family, friends or corporate groups.
- Professional guides (English-speaking).
- Quick and easy booking (free cancellation*).
Itinerary:
Our guide will meet you at Grand Place at 10:30. Then we head off towards Central Station to take the subway in direction to Merode. As we leave the station, we will stroll through the famous Tervuren Avenue until reaching the Cinquantenaire Park. As we enjoy the monument’s architectural design built by King Leopold II, we will also see and talk about the Royal Museum Complex it shelters. Some of these are the Royal Museum of Art and History, Autoworld Museum, Brussels Air Museum and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History.
We then continue towards the heart of Europe, where we will arrive at Robert Schuman’s roundabout in which two out of the three main European Union’s institutions are based; the Berlaymont being the seat of European Commission, and the Justus Lipsius (actual Council to the European Union) with its new building known as “the egg in space”. Here, is where the Heads of State and Member States’ representatives hold the famous European Summits.
We leave this emblematic area to visit Leopold park, a former zoo. Here we currently find the European History Museum in a recently restored building. Interestingly, it was built by philanthropist Eastman Kodak, who invented the photo film and founded several dental institutes for poor children in some European cities. Additionally, we find the Ernest Solvay building, today an elementary school where the medallions of the engineers who worked for Kodak are located.
Then, we will see some European Institutions such as the Economic, Regional and Social Committees of the Union and the European Parliament. The latter has two locations, one in Brussels and the second in Strasbourg (the Brussels-based building is an unquestionably architectural beauty), known as the ‘whim of God’. Here we will have a break.
Then, we will go by subway to the most visited monument in Brussels: the Atomium, a 100-meter tall structure located on the Heysel esplanade, which houses the Belgian pavilions of the 1935 and 1958 Universal Exhibitions. This area also houses the Mini Europe park and the Roi Baudouin Stadium.
Finally, we conclude our tour by giving you the appropriate recommendations to move around Brussels, visit the near-by attractions or simply stroll through the Laeken park, the former Royal Domain of Laeken where Empress Maria Teresa of Austria’s favorite daughter used to reside, and even Napoleon. Today it is the permanent residence of the Kings of Belgium.
Please keep in mind, at the end of April and beginning of May, the Royal Palace permanent residence of the Kings of Belgium opens its doors to visit the famous Royal Greenhouses. Do not forget to visit it!
Practical information:
Price:
- Free tour: free.
- Free tour (pay what you want). Please, note that we recommend a minimum of 15 euros per person.
- Maximum 7 persons per booking. Groups of more than 7 people have a cost of 15€ per person.
- This guided tour is conditioned to a pay-as-you-wish fee. Bravo Discovery offers you Brussels’ top guides. With us, you will value our team’s quality. At the end of your visit, you will pay what you consider our guides deserve for their services.
- Private tour: 230€
- Private guide: 230€ (for groups of 20 people maximum. For larger groups, please contact us).
- Private transport (optional):
- Minivan (from 1 to 6 people): 200€
- Bus (from 7 to 20 people): 400€
- Possibility of transport by subway 10€ pp (on-site payment).
- Private guide: 230€ (for groups of 20 people maximum. For larger groups, please contact us).
When:
- Free tour:
- Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
- Private tour:
- Every day.
Starting time:
- Free tour:
- 10:30 a.m.
- Private tour:
- The choice is yours.
Duration:
- 4 hours.
Meeting point:
- Free tour:
- Grand-Place in front of the City Hall. Find our guides! They hold a white umbrella.
- Private tour:
- The choice is yours (The Grand-place of Brussels, your hotel or any other place in the city centre of Brussels).
Language:
- English (also available in French and Spanish).
Included:
- Professional guides (English-speaking).
- 4 hours of services.
Not included:
- Free tour:
- Transportation by subway (please come to the visit with a metro ticket already purchased. We recommend that you buy a day ticket for this tour).
- Food and drinks (optional).
- Private tour:
- Transportation by subway (please come to the visit with a metro ticket already purchased. We recommend that you buy a day ticket for this tour).
- Private transport (optional). Send us a message if you want to include this option.
Terms of service:
Participation:
- To ensure your participation, we recommend booking your tour as soon as possible.
- Free tour:
- Pay what you want: Bravo Discovery offers you Brussels’ top guides. With us, you will value our team’s quality. At the end of your visit, you will pay what you consider our guides deserve for their services.
- The number of participants is limited (groups of more than 7 people have a cost of 15 € per person).
- Participation in the “Free tour” is completely voluntary.
- Without prior booking, our guides reserve the right to refuse participation in the tour depending on the availability.
- We kindly ask you to be at the meeting point 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time.
- Private tour: guided tour with a private guide (groups of maximum 20 people).
Booking:
- Free reservation.
- You can book up to 2 hours before the beginning of the tour (please note that the number of participants is limited to 20 per group).
Cancellation:
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of the tour.
Frequently asked questions:
Size of the group:
To ensure the best service possible, our tours are limited to 20 participants per group. For larger groups, please contact us.
We have a team of professional guides who will accompany you at all times and who will adapt to your pace.
Free booking:
We advise you to reserve your place as soon as possible to ensure availability.
You can book up to 2 hours before the beginning of the tour (depending on the availability).
How to spot our guides?
That’s easy! Our guides hold a white umbrella with the “Bravo Discovery – Walking tour” logo on it.
We are a group:
We recommend our private guided tour. Or send us a message to receive a personalized offer.
Do you have more questions?
If you have any further questions or would like to get more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Hello, how can we help you?
Let's go, book your experience
Book now
Your tickets by e-mail instantly and free cancellation, without conditions, up to 48 hours in advance.
Gabriel Bravo (store manager) –
Your opinion is very important.
Help us promote and rate this “Free tour of the European Quarter” activity by leaving us a comment.
Bravo Discovery
We do responsible tourism.