Top Things to do in Groot-Bijgaarden
Top Restaurants in Groot-Bijgaarden
10 Things to Do in Groot-Bijgaarden That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium including Floralia - Spring Flower Show, Grand Place, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Thermae Dilbeek, Train World, Rene Magritte House Museum, Neuhaus Factory Shop, Waer Waters, Chateau de Grand-Bigard, Guildhouses.
Restaurants in Groot-Bijgaarden
1. Floralia - Spring Flower Show
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
International Flower Exhibition
Reviewed By nadiboni
We visited Floralia with my family on Easter day when there was a special programme of Venetian masks strolling through the Gardens. The castle itself is imposing and the tulip displays are just gorgeous! You simply breath in the fresh air and admire thousands of colours and shapes. There is a rhododendrons garden which I think is permanently there and a tent with exotic flowers and beautiful flower arrangements, where we took way too many photos:). Recommended!
2. Grand Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Considered one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe, the ornate Grand Place is the center of Brussels, where many historic buildings dating from the 17th century are located.
Reviewed By Nicky A - Somerset, United Kingdom
We came here a few times, once for coffee/beer in a side café, once to find a geocache, and once to get some tourist information. The square is exquisite.
Wheelchair accessibility
It is bumpy, but perfectly doable. I was in my manual chair with husband pushing, and it was fairly hard work. The tourist information is upstairs so I had to wait outside. At the café I sat on the pavement next to my husband on the raised café platform.
3. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Overall Ratings
4 based on 663 reviews
The Koekelberg Basilica ranks fifth among the world's largest churches, after the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Paix in Yamoussokro on the Ivory Coast, St Peter's in Rome, St Paul's in London and Santa Maria Dei Fiori in Florence. Today, the church is in the first place a place of prayer for peace. The church is still used for celebrations of the parish or for big national celebrations. But the basilica is more than that. The basilica has also an important cultural function. It’s a magnificent Art Deco monument, there are two museums, there are yearly different expositions and you can enjoy a wonderful view over Brussels!
Reviewed By Galina R - Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
On our Hop on hop off tour of Brussels we decided to stop at the Sacred Heart Basilica.
There's no entrance fee, however if you wish to enjoy the panoramic view of the city you have to pay.
The basilica's interior decoration is rather modest. The windows paintings representing biblical scenes are beautiful and colourful.
There was also a small modern art exhibition.
The view from the outdoor Terrace is worth the visit.
4. Thermae Dilbeek
Overall Ratings
4 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By CK0909 - Brussels, Belgium
This place was a huge deception for me and my partner. This for several reasons.
To start with, note that the equipment starts to get slightly old. It is not a state of the art equipment anymore. When you arrive, I may say that the welcome is not more friendly than that... Quite cold welcome to be honest. The lockers are men and women together. Which is ok. But again, they look very 'not welcoming'. Terrible feeling compared to many other places that want to be for relaxation.
As someone else states, you need to be aware that it is "forbidden to wear a swimsuit" EVERYWHERE. No only in the sauna with a towel but also in the different swimming pools. Which is a bit awkward (no problem for being without it in the sauna though).
Also note that it is not allowed to have your own bottle of water (after a sauna for instance) but you have to buy it there.
And for many other reasons, it is not a "MUST VISIT" place but just a below the average spa. It is easy to park.
5. Train World
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 717 reviews
Train World is a showcase for the Railways of the past, present and future. We are not just another railway museum; we are more of a train opera. Visit us and spend an unforgettable day in the Train World universe. You will discover the most beautiful and unique pieces from the history of the Belgian Railways. We combine the fascinating story of the train throughout the centuries with a look into the future; a combination that has been deliberately applied in every story. You will find us in the Schaerbeek station, one of Belgium’s oldest and most original station buildings. Together with the new museum complex in the form of a sawtooth shape, this location represents a wonderful symbiosis of old and new in the Art Nouveau heart of Schaerbeek.
Reviewed By Lofty_76 - Manchester
A lot of reviews seem to focus on this being a place for kids, but adults too can be entertained for a good 2 hours. The exhibits are impressive and plentiful, spread over 3 huge halls, from the earliest days of steam right up to the latest Eurostar, Thalys or ICE trains. Thoughtful sections on history such as the living conditions of railway workers or the role of Railways in the holocaust gave gravitas and social context too. Very well laid out and the audioguide was excellent. Highly recommended.
6. Rene Magritte House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By RachelCockett
The Museum is in a residential area. A pleasant walk from the Metro. When you arrive you have to ring the bell. I arrived just as an English language tour was about to begin which was convenient. The guide was knowledgeable and showed how objects in the house, such as the door handles, had contributed directly to Magritte's surrealist symbolism. There is a display of personal objects and printed works. Good insight into Magritte's life.
Do this first museum first, then go the Musee Magritte Museum, where his major artworks are on display.
7. Neuhaus Factory Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By Zosia B - Mons, Belgium
Belgian chocolate is rich and a little goes a long way. At the Neuhaus Factory Shop you can definitely eat your fill. The chocolate is delicious and you can sample to your heart's (or stomach's) content. Do bring a bottle of water and if you want to sample as many pieces as possible, go with a friend and share. The bulk chocolate is the best deal since the boxed prices are the same as in the shops. Definitely worth a visit with out of town visitors or for your own gift giving needs.
8. Waer Waters
Overall Ratings
4 based on 282 reviews
Reviewed By Mark_Daemen - Ghent
The spa itself is modern and has a lot to offer: clothed and nude part with a lot of sauna options. Every hour you can chose for a pouring session. We liked them and were in 3 different ones during our stay. What could have been better? We arrived around 1 pm and asked if we could lunch in the restaurant open to everybody but they said staff was busy in the spa itself. No problem but strange. When we were in line (only one desk out of three open) suddenly a collegue arrived to open a second desk. Rather than asking for the next one to come to her desk she allowed for a rude couple to come from the back of the line to her desk. When we were going for lunch in the spa we couldn't sit at a table right away because first they wanted to take of the dishes and clean it. In the end of our session we had a 10 minute wait before we could pay while all three desks open. Would have been great to have a desk for check out, check in wellness and check in fitness.
A good experience but it could have been so much better.
9. Chateau de Grand-Bigard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Bellybops - Johannesburg, South Africa
We were lucky enough to to be in the area whilst the tulips were in full bloom. The chateau & entrance are very impressive but then you see the millions of flowers - just beautiful. I think they are really only fully in flower for about 3 weeks in Spring.
10. Guildhouses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 564 reviews
Reviewed By Neil K - Liverpool, United Kingdom
There's not really much to say as words cannot do justice to the absolutely amazing Guildhouses and the amazing Grand Place ( Grote Markt ) .
The rows of Guildhouses look magnificent during the daylight when you can appreciate the great detail of these wonderful structures but come the night time there magical when illuminated and it's hardly surprising that this square has been voted the best in Europe and so in my opinion the best in the world and is a Unesco world heritage site.
Besides the wonderful Guildhouses you have City Hall and the Museum Of The City Of Brussels and innumerable pubs,bars and restaurants in this square,which makes it Brussels number one tourist attraction by far.
Well worth checking out.
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