Brussels boasts one of the oldest covered shopping galleries in the world, but it isn't this one. That one is very famous and full of expensive shops. This one, however, was built by the same architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer a few years later. While the famous one retains an air of sophistication, the younger sister languished for years in obscurity and neglect. Not that I'm complaining. The lower rents allowed Galerie Bortier to fill with secondhand bookshops, rare books, prints and antiquities. In short, a booklover's paradise. I love the combination of old books in an old gallery and I always wander in if I have some time to kill in the centre (it's right next to the station).
The city of Brussels has finally realised the potential of this beautiful, overlooked gallery and is attempting to bring more life to it. As well as its myriad bookshops and stalls, the gallery can now boast a contemporary at gallery. B-Gallery, run by the municipality, dedicates 3 weeks to a solo exhibition by a young, upcoming artist. Definitely worth checking out as you peruse the books.
Rue de la Madeleine 55
€
free
Find your way with 295 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Entre Nous is a grocery and restaurant in Brussels close to Gare du Midi that's all about sustainability. Try their pasta salsiccia e broccoli...
by
"Mofelito Paperito" in Brussels is a stationery shop. However, it's far from traditional or old-school -- come here to discover modern Brussels design...
by
"La Laiterie du Parc" in Brussels is a new cafe housed in a fantastic piece of contemporary wooden architecture renovated from the 1900s & in the green!
by
"Parc d'Egmont" is a hidden oasis of greenery in the city of Brussels. When walking to the city centre, I always try to pass through here so I can stop...
by
"Maison d'Érasme" is what I'd refer to as a humanist's home in Brussels, formerly where Erasmus stayed now a fascinating museum, full of old manuscripts...
by
"Villa Empain" Brussels: a unique experience of a gallery. I always get blown away by the sheer opulence of the whole thing, straight out of Great Gatsby.
by
"El Turco" in Brussels is a Turkish/Greek restaurant where you pay your food by weight. I find their salads particularly original, with fresh ingredients.
by
From this Brussels spot in Marolles you can catch the "elevator" to go from "uptown" to "downtown"! And when you reach the top... believe me: THE VIEW!
by
"Bia Mara" in Brussels (on rue du marché aux poulets - kind of ironic!) is all about the fish and the chips. I just their beers, too...
by
"Nikolas Koulepis" is a Greek bakery in Brussels. Not only does it have my favorite tsoureki, ravani and spanakopita, it also has French-style desserts...
by
Every Tuesday evening, I go to "Kosmos Bar" in Brussels, a Greek-inspired joint together with friends. True to the Greek spirit, it closes pretty late...
by
295 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 295 Insider Tips