Beautiful city, challenging access
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: February 2025
I have experience of challenges around: hearing and moving around.
Overall Rating
Good
I visited Brussels in my powerchair (Whill C2). I am an ambulant wheelchair user. The city is beautiful and interesting and we had a wonderful time and did a lot in our 4.5 days. I am very glad we went, despite the access challenges. The main challenges as a powerchair user were: Pavements - The pavements around the historic centre are cobbled and bumpy. The dropped curbs and usually 1 inch high or have steep slopes. I did managed in my Whill C2 but with a lot of bumping and the occasional push. Eating and shopping - This was the most challenging aspect of the visit. I found that almost all the eateries and shops had large steps at the entrance and no ramps. Even the ones listed as wheelchair accessible on google were not. In the summer you can sit outside at pavement tables with level access. There are also lots of takeaway windows for waffles and fries. I did not see any accessible toilets in eateries. I am ambulant so my husband lifted my chair in and out of places and I could use the standard toilets. We stayed in Novotel off Grand Place. This has level access and lifts but no adapted rooms. Our room was spacious and I had no problem getting my chair through the door. To book we called the booking agents and they talked direct to the hotel to check the access. We then booked online.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
I could access most sites and attractions that I wanted to in my powerchair. Places I did access in my powerchair: Sites outside - Grand Place, Manneken Pis, Jeanneke Pis, Galeries St-Hubert, Palas de Justice, Royal Palace, Comic Mural trails, EU Parliment Churches - Eglise St-Nicolas, Cathedrale des Sts-Michel & Gudule, Eglise Norte-Dame de la Chapelle, Eglise Norte-Dame du Sablon Museums - Margritte Museum, Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinee ( Comic Museum) French is the main language but most people we came across speak excellent English. Signs are in French, Dutch and English. Google translate worked well when we needed it.
Parking & Transport
Good
Eurostar from London- I booked the Eurostar by phone. Wheelchair spaces and companion seats are heavily discounted and are in Eurostar Plus. Our child was also upgraded and seated with us. You also have access to the business lounge at the station. Staff were helpful and assistance was seamless. Stations in London and Brussels are wheelchair accessible. Buses - the buses do have wheelchair access. Theoretically you press the wheelchair button on the side of the bus and the driver will deploy the ramp. We actually had to wave at the driver to do this. Payment is by card - tap on and off.
Accessible Toilets
Bad
Apart from in museums and art galleries, these seemed few and far between.
Staff
Excellent
Everyone we met was friendly and helpful.
