5 top spots for photographers in Brussels

I love architecture and cityscapes, and Brussels gives me plenty of opportunities to shoot these styles. Easily and inexpensively accessible by air and rail from other European countries, Brussels is an interesting place for a city break, or you can use it as a launching pad to explore more of Belgium, for example Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp are just a short onward journey by train.

Here are some of my top picks for photography in Brussels.

Grand-Place

Grand-Place is the UNESCO World Heritage centre of Brussels, a public square with beautiful cobbled stones and ornate facades which can be shot from all angles, but the town hall which points skyward is probably the most famous image.

Belgium is not renowned for its good weather, but why not use this to your advantage and capture reflections in the cobbles.

Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History

As an aviation nerd I had to visit this museum, regarded as one of the best war museums in the world with tens of planes, plus other military vehicles. The museum occupies two halls of the historic Cinquantenaire building. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.

Atomium

This landmark building inis like nothing you’ve ever seen! It was originally built for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. You can shoot here at all hours – early evening when the lights are on presents a cool sci fi look. Even when skies are overcast you can capture interesting black and white shots.

Berlaymont

The Berlaymont is a vast building of steel and glass that houses the headquarters of the European Commission. A line of European Union flags stands proudly outside. As a europhile this iconic image of Brussels and symbol of European togetherness is one I had to capture for posterity.

Jubelpark

This location is known as Parc du Cinquantenaire in French and Jubelpark in Dutch. It’s is a 74 acre park which has several museums and historic buildings surrounding it, but the shot I wanted was this location where underground traffic tunnels meet the surface, allowing for interesting long exposures and light streaks.