By Bus
Coach tours, which last 3 hours and operate throughout the year, are available from De Boeck Visit Brussels Line, rue de la Colline 8 (tel. 02/513-77-44). The cost is 20€ ($23) for adults, 18€ ($21) for students and seniors, and 10€ ($12) for children. Reservations can be made through most hotels, and hotel pickup is often available. Private tours can also be arranged. For high-visibility tours on a fixed circuit through the center, Open Tours (tel. 02/466-16-25) has open-top double-decker buses.
On Foot & By Bus
From June 15 to September 15, Le Bus Bavard, rue des Thuyas 12 (tel. 02/673-18-35), operates a 3-hour daily "chatterbus" tour at 10am from the Galeries Royales St-Hubert (Métro: Gare Centrale), a mall next to rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 90, a few steps off of the Grand-Place. A walking tour covers the historic center, followed by a bus ride through areas the average visitor never sees. You hear about life in Brussels and get a real feel for the city. The price is 8.75€ ($11). You don't need a reservation for this fascinating experience -- just be there by 10am.
ARAU, bd. Adolphe-Max 55 (tel. 02/219-33-45; www.arau.org; Métro: De Brouckère), organizes tours that help you discover not only Brussels's countless treasures but also problems the city faces. It runs 3-hour themed coach tours: "Grand-Place and Its Surroundings," "Brussels 1900 -- Art Nouveau," "Brussels 1930 -- Art Deco," "Surprising Parks and Squares," and "Alternative Brussels." You are advised to book ahead. Tours by bus are 15€ ($19), 12€ ($15) for those under 26; tours by foot are 10€ ($13). They take place on Saturday mornings from March to November; private group tours can be arranged year-round.
