The Monocle Travel Guide Series – Brussels & Antwerp

It’s a boon and burden to Belgium that Brussels is the capital of both the country and the rest of Europe. There are many benefits to hosting this lofty seat of power but the city can also fall victim to the associated red tape. An hour away by train, Antwerp is a more relaxed affair, where the creative and cultural scenes almost outshine the city’s famous diamonds. For this guide we’ve toured both destinations and found plenty of gems throughout. We’ve sized up Antwerp’s stellar fashion offering and admired its architectural delights. We’ve taste-tested our way through Brussels’ finest restaurants and visited its most spectacular museums. Brussels may be the heart of the EU but unassuming Antwerp has long been one of Europe’s most prosperous ports. Join us as we drop anchor at both cosmopolitan hubs – and dip in and out of a few of Belgium’s smaller, canal-laced cities in between.

About The Monocle Travel Guide Series:
Monocle reports from around the globe in print, on radio, and online. As its editors and correspondents dart from city to city, they get to know the best places to rest their heads, stretch their limbs, and kick back with a contact in a hard-to-find cocktail bar. That information is now available in Monocle’s Travel Guide Series: a line-up of titles that speaks to you in an informed but informal way about everything from architecture to art, late-night bars to early-morning markets.

These are books that go beyond the traditional tourist beats to make sure you get the best out of a city—no matter how short your stay. Designed to be compact and collectable, they are also discerning; Monocle’s team won’t list a hundred places to eat but they will tell you where’s best for everything from some tasty fast food to something truly celebratory.

Cities are fun. Let’s explore.