Brussels

Brussels Basics

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Weather & Climate

Spring in Brussels is great for sightseeing, with temperatures ranging between 8°C to 17°C. It can get cold during the night, so make sure to pack some warm clothes. The summer is the warmest time to experience Brussels and the time when most tourists visit the city. The weather is still mild in autumn, so this is a good time to visit since the peak tourist season is over. Winters are wet and cold, but it’s a great time to enjoy the festive spirit of Brussels.

Crime & Safety

Brussels is generally considered a safe city! However, there are still some things you have to watch out for when visiting the city. The main risk is being pickpocketed in the street or when in public transport, so you should always be vigilant especially at train stations and subways. At night, try to avoid walking through Molenbeek, Anderlecht, Schaerbeek or Brussels North. Never leave any valuables in your car and remember that the official emergency number in Brussels is 112.

Hospitals

To find a hospital near you in Brussels, look on the website of the Belgian Association of Hospitals (Association Belge des Hôpitaux in French and Dutch). In the case of an emergency, you can call 100 or 112 for free and if you want to find the closest pharmacy in your area, there’s a 24-hour phone service available for information at 0903 99 000. Before visiting Brussels, make sure to buy medical travel insurance if you know you have a health condition.

Public Toilets

Public toilets can be hard to find in Brussels, but most train stations and some metro stations have them (De Brouckère, Louise). You can also use shopping centres, museums or cafes, but note that some require payment even from customers. If you want to find the toilets and urinals installed in the city, you can check the list of public toilets on the website of the Brussels local government.

Internet & WiFi

The official free Wi-Fi network in Brussels is called Wifi.brussels and has hotspots available on the main public squares (Grand Place, Place Flagey and Place Eugène Simonis), main roads and all metro and pre-metro stations. There are also lots of cafes and restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi to customers, so you can always stay connected using your smartphone, tablet or laptop. The hotels and hostels usually offer this option as well!

Tap Water

Brussels’ tap water is the quickest option available for anyone who doesn’t want to spend money on bottled water. It is completely safe to drink and the city also has some drinkable water fountains that are working in the summer, so don't hesitate to try it.

Local Language: More the merrier!

The three official languages in Belgium are French, Dutch and German. German is spoken by less than 1% of the population and Dutch (Flemish) is spoken in the Flemish communities. The most common language in Brussels is French, with around 80% of the population speaking it as their first language, so it’s always handy to know some travel phrases in French when travelling to the city. The majority of Belgians are bilingual and they can also speak or, at least, understand English, so you will not have a hard time getting around, especially in touristy areas.

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