Delectable chocolate shops and comic book murals rest amid grand palaces and cathedrals in Belgium’s dynamic capital.
Chocolate, waffles and beer lead the way to foodie holidays in Brussels. Enjoy these treats at every turn as you explore streets full of historical landmarks and museums brimming with fine arts. Expect to have a hard time putting your camera down, especially at Grand Place. Some call it the most beautiful square in the world, with gold-tinged guild houses and the majestic City of Brussels Town Hall.
Visit Brusselsin summer for outdoor music concerts or in September for the Belgian Beer Weekend in Grand Place. Come at the end of the year to see glittering market stalls and illuminated palaces during the Winter Wonders event for a magical Christmas in the city.
Things to do in Brussels
Photograph the Grand Place from every angle and enter the nearby Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert. One of Europe’s oldest covered galleries, it opened in 1847 and is filled with trendy shops and restaurants. Don’t miss out on a photo with the Manneken Pis fountain statue, the cheeky mascot of the people of Brussels. The original is housed in the Brussels City Museum.
Follow the Comic Strip Trail throughout the city’s galleries and streets enlivened with murals. Spot the Smurfs, Tintin and Victor Sackville on a self-guided route that crosses the historical centre and neighbourhoods including Sainte-Catherine. Along the way, see the Church of Sainte Catherine as well as chic boutiques and bars.
Brussels is the capital of the European Union, and you’ll learn all about it at the House of European History in the European Quarter. Leopold Park rests in the centre of the neighbourhood, with scenic paths winding through lush gardens. Stroll through the French-style gardens of nearby Cinquantenaire Park to get to the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History.
Art and culture in Brussels
Admire the stunning neoclassical architecture of the Place Royale. The square is home to the Royal Palace of Brussels and Brussels Park, where you’ll see statues from mythology and find the Royal Park Theatre. Opposite the park is the Palace of the Nation, otherwise known as the seat of the Belgian Parliament.
Below the Place Royale is the Mont de Arts Garden. You’ll cross through here to go between uptown and downtown. Among lovely gardens and statues, discover the KBR Museum’s historical manuscripts and medieval treasures. Within walking distance is the Museum of Musical Instruments and the BELvue museum, showcasing Belgium's history.
Set aside plenty of time to visit the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. The city’s most popular museum complex, it hosts the Old Masters Museum and the Modern Art Museum, among others. If you’re travelling with children, plan to take the kids to see a mini Vesuvius erupt among animated models of monuments at Mini-Europe. It’s just a short walk from the futuristic Atomium landmark.
Dining and nightlife in Brussels
Enjoy the village atmosphere at the Parvis de Saint-Gilles market while you shop for fresh produce and deli goods. The neighbourhood is a gastronomic favourite, with outdoor terraces and bistros serving the national obsession of moules frites(mussels and chips). Between art galleries and traditional cafés, the Marolles district is an authentic hub for bar hopping.
From Grand Place to Place Fontainas and Place du Grand Sablon, the city centre brims with patisseries, pubs and rooftop bars. Embark on a guided Brussels pub crawl to visit the most famous beer-drinking venues. Enjoy traditional wooden puppets with a show at the Royal Theatre Toone and put your dancing shoes on for jazz concerts at the Music Village.
Getting around Brussels
Brussels Airport is just a 20-minute train, bus or taxi ride from the city centre. Get around with ease between neighbourhoods via the efficient public transport system of the metro, trams and buses. Consider a Brussels Card, which provides free access to museums, along with unlimited access to public transport and hop-on, hop-off buses. The city centre is walkable and cycling routes offer a fun way to see the sights.
