ARAU Brussels – Best tours to discover Art-Nouveau gems
Each time friends or family come to visit me in Brussels, I try to book a guided tour with the association ARAU to learn more about Art Nouveau in Brussels. ARAU is an unconventional organisation, let alone for the fact that it was founded in 1969 to raise awareness against the demolition, in those years, of part of Brussels’ historical heritage to build new offices and road infrastructures, which forced inhabitants to move to the suburbs. Even today, ARAU is not only a reference for guided tours with architectural interest, but it also organises workshops and publishes studies about urbanisation.
ARAU is a good alternative to the more popular and tourist-oriented tour operators in Brussels. People living in Brussels know ARAU well because it is an active participant in BANAD festival (Brussels Art Nouveau and Art Deco), which takes place yearly and is a great opportunity to visit famous maisons de maîtres normally closed to the public during the year.
Last time I booked a private tour with ARAU we had a very kind and experienced guide. It consisted of a 3-hour walk to see Art Nouveau facades in the Ixelles district and ended with an exciting visit of the Hortamuseum, the private house of Belgian architect Victor Horta, definitively one of my must-sees in Brussels.
Next time you come to Brussels make sure you book a tour with ARAU and you’ll find out more about the Art-Nouveau gems in Brussels.
There’s so much more to discover
Discover more in Brussels
Royal Army Museum – Best panoramic view of the city
Upstairs you will find a relatively small rooftop and an amazing view of the city and the Cinquantenaire Park, almost worth the ticket price alone!
By
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Bintje – The best of fries
"Bintje" in Brussels is a great place for frites if you want a more elevated experience to eating fries. Plus, there are no crazy lines of tourists here!
By
Sarah
Filion
Filigrane – For the bookworms
"Filigrane" in Brussels is one of the biggest bookshops in the city but is also comfortable and of course has a nice selection of comics & graphic novels.
By
André
Corrado
Jardin des Sculptures – My zen place in Brussels
"Jardin des Sculptures" in Brussels is a little green oasis that forms a perfect combination of nature and arts. A true hidden gem...
By
Charlotte
Mewis
Centre Tour à Plomb – Cultural oasis
This cultural center organizes activities year-round from feminist conferences to cultural exhibitions. Check out their upcoming events before you go!
By
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
MOK Speciality Coffee – Hipster central
"MOK Speciality Coffee": my choice in Brussels as a self-proclaimed coffee snob. I like their hanging plants, the floating central, the pastry selection...
By
Sarah
Filion
WIELS – Museum, rooftop and garden
The old beer brewery has been turned into a contemporary art museum with an impressive rooftop view and a communal garden next to the train tracks!
By
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Beiruti – Lebanese food in the city
"Beiruti" inBrussels represents a new generation of Lebanese restaurants where authentic Lebanese food, prepared in open kitchens, reaches your table fast!
By
Charlotte
Mewis
Brasserie Des Étangs – Kid-friendly
"Brasserie Des Étangs" is an upmarket brasserie that exploits one of the strong points of Brussels: the large number of parks in the heart of the city...
By
André
Corrado
Cache-Pot – Coffee and green fingers
Extra large coffee and delicious pastries will keep you warm and comfortable while the many plants and pots on display (also for sale!) calm your soul and tickle your brain.
By
Stéphanie
Newport
Chyl – Healthy Lifestyle
Chyl is a very cute café/restaurant with an excellent plant game. It's the place you bring your girlfriends for a healthy brunch to cure your hangover.
By
Sarah
Filion
Download our app now and know your way!
Our Spotters' Local Favorites Only. Skip the Tourist Traps.
Find Nearby Spots and Navigate with Ease
Save Your Favorites and See Them on the Map
Know your way in Art & culture and navigate with ease!
✓ Full access to 0 local favorites. Zero tourist highlights.
✓ Get to know our 0 Spotters and ♥ their recommendations.
✓ Save favorites and show them on the map.
