Guide to Visiting Brussels, Belgium – Our Tips on The Best Things to Do

Brussels has been one of the top items on our bucket list for quite a few years. Being the capital of Belgium, it would make sense that we would want to see a place which boasts diversity and is home to the European Union’s headquarters.

Having found a great price on flights, it was time to tick Belgium and Brussels off our list, but because we’re greedy we also threw in Bruges. If you’re interested in what we thought about Bruges and the things to do there, then check out our ‘Guide to Visiting Bruges, Belgium – Our Tips on The Best Things to Do’. We’ll ruin the surprise for you, we absolutely loved it, in fact Bruges is currently one of our favourite places in Europe, but we’ll let you discover why.

Interestingly after we booked and began to do our usual research, we discovered multiple guides stating that Brussels was boring and not the greatest city for a mini break. This felt like a huge let down, we just couldn’t understand how a major city and more importantly a capital could be boring. What made it worse, we had booked 3 nights there and so began to panic we’d waste our money. Brussels isn’t the cheapest place to visit accommodation wise, so it felt like we’d messed up.

After our research began, we were shocked by how much there was to do, especially for a place labelled as ‘boring’. We’re again going to ruin the ending and tell you that we found Brussels far from boring, in fact there was plenty to see during our time there.

Our trip was in September 2024, and it was predicted to rain for the entire week. Luckily, we missed it in Bruges, but there were a few rainstorms in Brussels that we couldn’t escape. But Brussels is a city which can accommodate any type of weather, so we still managed to explore this impressive place and remain relatively dry, although our raincoats certainly helped.

We’re hoping that by the end of this guide, whether you’ve booked your trip to Brussels, or you’re thinking about it. You will have everything you need to have an incredible time. Although we managed to do a lot in our short time there, we obviously couldn’t do it all. We’ll bring you as many of the attractions as we can and the information you need, so you can decide whether to add it to your list (this includes the ones we didn’t go into).

The best part about Brussels is that there’s plenty to see for free, so if you’re travelling on a tight budget then don’t worry, we have you covered. As we’ve already mentioned we tied in a trip to Bruges, but we also managed to spend a few hours in Ghent during the same week.

If our introduction hasn’t persuaded you that booking your trip is a great idea, then please keep reading and hopefully you’ll soon be enjoying Belgium waffles and beautiful architecture.

Where is Brussels and Why Visit There?

Brussels is the capital of Belgium in Europe, and it can be found quite centrally in the country which makes it a great place to fly into and explore. Its origins date back to the year 979, when a small rural settlement emerged on the river Senne. The Duke of Lower Lorraine ordered the construction of a fortress on behalf of Otto II who was a Holy Roman Emperor.

During the eleventh and twelfth century a fortress on the hill of Coudenberg was built for the Duke of Brabant, which led to more people being attracted to the town.

Brussels began to become an important commercial centre due to the fact it’s located between Bruges and Cologne in Germany, which were both large market towns. Although it had grown throughout the centuries, it was in 1830 when the Belgian revolution took place which led to the country’s independence. Leopold I was crowned the first king of the Belgians in 1831, and Brussels was chosen to be the capital.

Since the end of the Second World War, Brussels has been the hub for international politics and is renowned for being the home to the European Union and NATO. It’s also considered a national and international hub for rail, road and air traffic, making it Europe’s geographic, economic and cultural crossroads.

So why visit there? Because of its location and international influence, Brussels is an eclectic mixture of culture, from its architecture and food to the everyday people who call this cosmopolitan city their home. You’ll see some of Belgium’s most iconic tourist attractions from the Atomium which was built for the World’s Fair, to the Manneken Pis. There is so much to see and do, but also to taste, because Brussels is known for its food and drink. Whether it’s Belgium waffles, Frites or the tasty beer, there is plenty to try and enjoy during your trip.

How Long Do I Need in Brussels?

When it comes to big cities, we like to give ourselves plenty of time to see as much as possible, so we tend to go for three or four days. Having already booked two nights in Bruges, we knew our visit to Belgium was going to be a bit longer than normal. This led to us opting for three nights in Brussels, hoping that this was plenty of time to get everything done.

The length of time you’ll need will depend upon how much you want to see, but if you’re just heading to the main tourist spots, then you’ll find that two or three days is plenty of time. Brussels has a lot of museums, and these can eat away at your time, so you may have to be picky on your first trip there or book a little longer. We find that doing too many museums during our trips can be a little information overload, so we like to break it up with other types of sightseeing.

Another factor to consider is the time of year you’re going to Brussels, because the closer to summer, the busier it will be. Also, weekends and public holidays will bring more travellers than through the week. Remember that although Brussels is easy enough to walk around, there are a couple of main attractions which are located further away. If you struggle with walking far then you’ll need public transport, and this again can eat away at the time you have. To give you an example, the Grand Place to Atomium is an hour and a half walk away. We chose to walk there but ended up getting an Uber back, to make sure we had the time to get other things done.

If you have mobility issues, or you prefer to take your time and enjoy relaxing in local restaurants or bars throughout the day, then we’d look at booking four nights instead. Sometimes giving yourself more time than needed is a better option, because you can always pace yourself or simply enjoy being there.

Where to Stay in Brussels?

So, let’s start by saying that we stayed in an Airbnb by the Zinneke Pis, which was on the Rue des Chartreux. It was a great location, but in all honesty not the best accommodation so we’re not planning on making any recommendations.

But when it comes to a specific location, it can be a little harder to choose than in other towns and cities such as Bruges. This is a capital city and that means it’s big and attractions are spread over a larger area. The first step is to drill down on what you want to do and work out where in Brussels they are. Most attractions are around the Grand Place, so we’d suggest looking in that area. Within this location you’ll find restaurants, bars and shops are densely packed, so there are lots of amenities available to you. Also, from here a large amount of the attractions we will mention in this guide are close by.

What we found to be the most difficult part of deciding where to stay in Brussels, is that some of the other famous attractions such as the Atomium are on the other end of the city, as is the Planetarium and Mini Europe Park. But aside from these, there is little else around that area which makes it worth staying there for the duration of your trip.

Basically, the crux of it is, you want walkable access to the majority of your chosen activities and then work out how to travel to and from the rest. For us it made sense to choose accommodation options near the Grand Place and we have a feeling you’ll end up coming to a similar conclusion.

There are plenty of hotels, apartments and hostels within the area to suit everyone’s budget. In general, we found prices a little higher than in some of the other cities we have stayed in, but Brussels is quite a popular tourist spot so it’s to be expected.

The further out of Brussels centre you stay, the cheaper you will find accommodation. Of course, this means you’ll have longer daily commutes in, which sometimes makes your trip more burdensome. We have found that spending a little extra to get a good location is worth it.

If you want to consider other options then there is the Royal Quarter which is close to the Royal Palace of Brussels, or Sablon which is incredibly pretty and near luxury stores and antique shops. Finally, Laeken in the northern quarter which is by Atomium, but honestly we wouldn’t recommend it, because you’d need a taxi to get back and to the centre every day.

When to Visit Brussels?

This one is getting more difficult to answer, because the weather in Europe can be difficult to predict, but some seasons are better than others. Our trip to Brussels was at the end of September and we had rain forecast for the entire time, but thankfully we dodged most of it. September is normally a great time to head to Europe weather wise, but we’re finding that it’s better to prepare for all circumstances. Look online at weather apps to see what they’re saying and then plan accordingly.

Having an idea about seasonal changes can give you a great place to start, because you’re probably booking this trip a few months in advance. For most people it’s difficult to travel outside of school holidays, but if you can, then we tend to recommend Spring and Autumn months as the better times to visit. April and May, or September and October are the sweet spots, mainly because the summer can get incredibly hot and make it uncomfortable to walk around.

It’s not just the heat which can make the summer months unbearable, because they also tend to be the peak time for tourists. This can make it harder to get into those popular attractions, which is difficult if you’re trying to cram in a lot into a short space of time.

In contrast, you will find the queuing times shorter in the winter months, but the attractions may close earlier. This is why we recommend Spring or Autumn, because we had light until 8 or 9pm and attractions were open a little later.

Another consideration is public holidays in Belgium, because they can impact what is open. Aside from the usual Christmas, New Years and Easter, the bulk of the holidays can be found in May. There is the Belgium National Day in July, Assumption Day in August and a couple of holidays in November.

Hopefully by taking all this into consideration you’ll be lucky enough to find a sweet spot, where it’s not too busy and the weather it perfect. But as we said, it was meant to rain throughout our trip and thankfully it didn’t. We did end up with cloudy days, although they didn’t dimmish the beauty of Brussels.

What to Pack for Brussels?

This can be a difficult one to answer, it will depend on the time of year you visit this vibrant city. We packed with the expectation that it was going to rain the entire time, so ordered this Waterproof Quick Dry Jacket. Thankfully the jacket wasn’t needed in Bruges, but we did use it in Brussels.

Our advice to any travellers is to pack layers, especially if you’re in warmer seasons because you can remove if you’re too hot or wrap up if you need to. Obviously in the winter you’ll need to prepare for the cold, especially because many of the attractions are outside. The best thing to do is before you begin to pack, take a look on Google at the weather and temperature so you can gauge what to wear.

Clothing can range from the usual t-shirts and jackets, to something a little more formal for the evening if you’re heading out for a meal.

As you can imagine comfortable shoes are essential, because the best way to get around the city is by walking. You will get a lot of steps in, meaning it can be pretty tiring on the feet. Unlike Bruges, which is quite flat and condensed, Brussels can require a bit more effort with plenty of steps and slopes to contend with. But you also have distances between the different attractions, which will lead to your daily steps flying up. So, we wore our trusty old trainers to make sure we got through the day with our feet relatively unscathed.

Other than clothes, the rest of your case will be the usual items you would take anywhere, such as medication and plug adaptors. You will find plenty of shops to buy bits should you forget anything, so don’t worry too much.

Getting Around Brussels – Transport Options

After having been to Bruges where everything was so compact and easy to walk around, we found Brussels to be quite different. Yes, a lot of things are relatively close, but you will need to get those steps in to make your trip worthwhile. Brussels is the ideal size where it’s not too big, but also there is plenty to see, do and explore, which is the perfect city break.

If you follow our guidance then you will have booked closer to the Grand Place, which means that everything is a decent walk. There are a couple of attractions which are popular and a distance from this area, the main one being the Atomium. We were surprised by how far away it was from the city centre and the fact that public transport there wasn’t exactly direct. So, we chose to walk and ended up getting an Uber back to save our feet. The walk was quite nice because we got to see various neighbourhoods in Brussels.

Other than walking and Uber we didn’t use any public transport during our trip, but we have done the research, so we’ll tell you what’s available just in case you want to use it. Unlike Bruges where it felt like walking was the only real option, in Brussels there are multiple types of public transport you could use. We have read that the ticketing systems can be confusing and complex, but once you have your ticket then navigating the city is easy.

You’ll notice that we haven’t included hiring a car or driving to this list and there’s a very good reason why. Traffic in the city can be congested, and you may struggle to find parking, but even if you do it can be incredibly expensive. The better option is to leave the car in your hotel or only hire it until you get to Brussels, which is what we did.

Having driven for a short amount of time around the edge of the city, we were glad to get rid of the hire car as quickly as possible. We’ve driven around many places on our travels, but Brussels felt chaotic and difficult to understand. We have read that Belgian drivers are notoriously unconcerned with the rules of the road, and that backs up our experience. The rental company drop off was in a car park by the train station and finding it on the Sat Nav was incredibly difficult. All in all, this isn’t an option we’d recommend, so we’ve left it out all together and want to offer you more sensible suggestions.

Walking

This is the method we used to get around the city and we found it completely fine. Although there are steps and hills to some areas such as the Cathedral and Monte des Arts, most of the area is relatively flat and the main things you’ll contend with are cobbles and pavements. We know that not everyone has the mobility to walk all day, but if you do then it’s a great option around this exciting city. You can explore to your hearts content as you make your way to the next attraction. Of course, Brussels isn’t as pretty as Bruges, but there are still quaint little side streets which you may wish to wander down. This would all be missed if you took public transport everywhere.

Taking the above comment into consideration, we do like to add our list of attractions into Google maps. This is so we can move from one to the other without getting lost and wasting energy needed to get through the day. But it doesn’t mean you can’t veer off the suggested route on occasion if you see something pretty.

Bicycles

Belgium, alike many other European countries is a bike loving place, which tends to be a shock to many American and even British visitors. Being Brits, we never see the enthusiasm at home for cycling, like we do in our neighbouring countries. This is why we always tell our readers to watch out for bikes as they walk around, having nearly been knocked down ourselves.

If you want to get around the city faster and feel more like a local, then why not rent a bike yourself. There are a number of bike rental companies throughout the city such as Villo! and Pro Velo. All you have to do is download the app, link your card to an account and then choose how long you want the bike for.

Alike Bruges, some hotels offer complimentary bicycles, which can reduce the overall cost. Because Brussels can be quite a congested city when it comes to car traffic, it would make sense to utilise other options to bypass all the queues. The only issue we’d have is finding somewhere to put the bike when you’re in a tourist attraction. This maybe a great idea to get to and from Atomium, especially if you’re short on time.

Another option is a cycling tour around the city, where you’re given a bike and tour guide who will take you to the best spots and explain the history and any interesting facts. Again, there are lots of companies who offer this option, but we prefer to book through places like Viator.

Related Guide – Renting and Driving a Hire Car in the Amalfi Coast and Naples Region

Taxis and Uber

There are plenty of taxi’s available in Brussels, but as with most places they are expensive. We tend to prefer companies such as Uber and Lyft when we travel. The one time we used a ride share app in Brussels, we found there were plenty of cars available and the price wasn’t too bad. During our research we read that there is also a French ride share app called Heetch, which maybe an option for you.

In all honesty the only time we can think that you’ll need taxis or a ride share option is to reach the Atomium area, or for transfers to and from the airport. We have seen a cost of between 50 and 70 Euros each way being mentioned as the taxi fare from Brussels International Airport to the city centre.

We cannot see why you would need to use taxis to get around the city centre, and it may be wiser to opt for the hop on hop off bus instead.

Public Transport – Trams, Buses, Trains and Metros

In Brussels you have a combined bus, tram and metro system which is called the STIB/MIVB. This is because it is operated by a company made up of the French STIB and Dutch MIVB. All tickets are valid for trams and metros, but they are not for all buses. The reason is that although the majority of the downtown area buses are run by STIB/MIVB, the further out locations are not. The city’s outskirts tend to be ran by either De Lijn or TEC who have different ticketing systems. For most of you visiting though, it will more than likely be the STIB/MIVB regions you are staying in.

Although we’re not sure why you’d need to use trains, the Belgian train company is called SNCB-NMBS, again this is a split between French (SNCB) and Dutch (NMBS). Just remember that they will not accept STIB/MIVB, and that it is a completely different system.

• Trams – You’ll spot trams all over Brussels, so it makes sense to at least try them once if you have the time. Interestingly they are powered by renewable energy, but it’s the views which will have you grateful you tried this option. It’s amazing how the city seems to shrink and fit together as you wind through cobbled streets. The tram stops are pretty easy to find because they will either have signs or shelters beside the tracks. To purchase your ticket, you simply ask the driver who is sat in the front. The important part is that you pay attention, because the trams don’t automatically stop at each shelter. As you’re nearing the destination, press the button by your seat and the driver will stop at the next shelter or sign and let you off.
• Metro – As with the trams, you’ll also find there is clear signage to show you where the metro stops are. This is probably the fastest way to get around the city and the best option for getting to and from the downtown area of Brussels and Atomium. All stations have the STIB/MIVB ticketing kiosks, and you should find all signage is easy to understand. Once you’ve bought a ticket, you then scan it to open the gates. Trains tend to be frequent and normally on time, and from our experience of metros in Europe they are quite safe and pretty easy to follow. We found the metro in Paris to be a godsend, so if you want to see attractions which are further away then preplan your trip using the metro system. As you can imagine it can get very busy during rush hour, but that’s the same wherever you go. If you want to bypass tickets, then you can use contactless, simply tap your credit card or mobile (if you use Google Pay or Apple Pay) on the red scanners by the gates. Sadly, you can only use one card per passenger, but this is similar to the tube in London.
• Bus – As we mentioned above, the bus company that you would use will depend upon the area of Brussels. STIB/MVIB runs most buses downtown, while De Lijn and TEC cover the suburbs and sadly their tickets aren’t interchangeable. No matter the company, you can purchase tickets from the driver.
• Train – Although we can’t see the reason you’d need the trains in Brussels, you may want to use them to get to and from the airport. There are three main stations, the Gare du Nord in the north, Bruxelles Centrale in the centre and the Bruxelles Midi in the south. Most of the intercity trains will stop at all three. Trains run up to six times an hour between Brussels Airport to the centre, but just beware because Belgium trains are often delayed, and this may impact your plans. You can purchase tickets online, or at ticket terminals and station offices. Trains in Belgium have first- and second-class compartments which are indicated by the numbers on the doors.

Using public transport can be a great way to give yourself a break from the endless walking, especially when you consider that the STIB/MIV has 4 metro lines, 17 tram lines and 55 bus lines.

Generally, you should find most services will run from around 6am to midnight, although there are some night routes; more specifically for the airport. The night bus network is called Noctis and it has 11 routes which run Friday and Saturdays between midnight and 3am. You can find maps online showing the routes which cover most of the city.

As well as single journey fares (which include transfers during 60 minutes from the first validation), you can also purchase days passes and airport bus tickets. If you plan to use public transport often during your trip, then there’s a great way to combine any travel payments and that is with the BRUPASS. This type of ticket covers STIB/MVIB buses, trams and the metro, De Lijn and TEC suburban buses and SNCB/NMBS commuter trains.

The BRUPASS is loaded onto a plastic MOBIB card, which you scan as you get on and off the public transportation. You can buy the MOBIB card for 5 Euros, so it makes sense to get it if you’re in Brussels for a few days and you’d use it up. If you want a pass, then you can find them sold in kiosks and ticket offices at major train and metro stations. The BRUPASSES are available for single trips and blocks of 10 trips, as you can imagine the 10 is the most economical option.

There is a more expensive option called BRUPASS XL which you would need for day trips which are further afield on the SNCB-NMBS train network.

Related Guide – Guide to Visiting Paris

We thought we’d mention a final option of transport in Brussels which is the waterbus. It can be found on the Zenne canal between Brussels and the city of Vilvoorde, which is six miles north of the city centre. This option is available seven days a week between May and October, with more limited hours during the rest of the year.

Hop On Hop Off Bus

We will admit that we’re big fans of hop on hop off buses having first used them in New York. They were a god send for getting us around each attraction in a city we didn’t know. Even the audio guides as you drive around provided a wealth of knowledge. That being said, there are some cities we chose not to bother because it was easier to walk, or we didn’t feel the bus route warranted the price; Miami was a prime example of this.

The basic premise is that you can use the bus to get from one spot to another, with most being major attractions in the city. After you explore that location, you hop back on another bus and make your way to the next stop. For the first time around the bus route, if we’re not restricted by time, we like to just sit and complete a full circuit, so we get to enjoy it all and take in the audio history.

Related Guide – Guide To Visiting New York City

When it came to Brussels, we felt that we could walk to everything we wanted to see, so again this was another city we chose not to utilise hop on hop off buses. But there could be a multitude of reasons why you’d opt for this, whether you struggle walking distances or have poor mobility, you simply want a relaxing trip or you enjoy learning about cities as you go.

The hop on hop off in Brussels is called Tootbus and they have 1 or 2 day passes around the city. From looking at the route map there are 18 stops which cover quite an extensive area including the Atomium, meaning you will see a lot of the outside districts. You can use the buses every day with departure times starting at 9.30am to 6pm between March and September and 9.30am to 5pm between October and February. The cost currently is 35 Euros (September 2024) for 1 day, 42 Euros for 2 days and the buses tend to arrive at each stop every 25 to 30 minutes. But in all honesty, we have known pick up times vary because of busy traffic or roadworks.

Alike attraction passes, the hop on hop off bus provides access for either 1 or 2 days. To give you an example, if you bought a ticket 10am on Monday and have a 1-day pass, then you can only access the bus on Monday and not up to 10am on the Tuesday. We know of people who have bought and used their bus ticket from 2pm onwards, expecting it to carry over the next day, which sadly it doesn’t.

You can either buy your tickets online or onboard their buses at any of the stops, which is much easier than having to go to a specific ticket office.

Hopefully this has given you a good idea of what transport options are available around Brussels. You have plenty of options but as we have already indicated, there’s nothing better than simply walking and taking in the sights, smells and sounds of this impressive city.

Brussels Tourist City Tax

At the point we booked our Belgium trip, we had also booked our trip to Cologne, Germany. After having been to Cologne and realising they had a tourist tax, we investigated the tax in Belgium and was shocked to see that both Bruges and Brussels have one. This during our five-night stay in the country would really add up, but we’re beginning to realise that most if not all European cities are jumping on the tourist tax band wagon.

Related Guide – Guide to Visiting Cologne, Germany – Our Tips on The Best Things to Do

Upon our arrival we expected to be informed about the tax and pay for it. But strangely we were never asked in Bruges or Brussels, so we can only assume that it was included in our booking price.

Because of this we’re honestly not sure whether your tourist tax will be included in the booking, or you’ll need to pay for it when you’re there. From everything else we’ve read the tax is usually paid at the point you check in, but information online is a little spotty.

Generally, the city tax for Brussels is 5 Euros per night for hotels, and 4 Euros for other accommodation such as bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals alike Airbnb. Sadly, if we want to see these incredible places we have to pay the tax, but it’s worth making sure you have it in your budget if money is a little tight.

Brussels Card – Museum Pass

During our trip to Brussels, we didn’t use any attraction passes, but we have in the past during many trips around Europe and North America. They’re incredibly handy because they provide a list of attractions for your trip and after your initial payment, there’s no extra cost. Some of our favourite activities have been part of a city pass, which we normally wouldn’t have visited or paid for.

As you can imagine, a capital like Brussels will have its own attraction pass which offers free admission to 49 museums. On top of that you’ll also enjoy discounts on popular attractions, guided tours, shops, restaurants and bars around the city. You can either purchase a 24-hour pass for 33 Euros, a 48-hour pass for 45 Euros or a 72-hour pass for 51 Euros (September 2024). Depending on which pass you pick, you’ll have access to enter any of the 49 museums on their list for free. You activate the card when you enter your first museum.

Our advice would be to look at the list of museums available, the discounts on the other attractions and work out if the pass is worth the cost. We like to throw in the odd museum, but not enough that we’d consider paying for a Brussels Card.

Many people get caught out with the hour’s element, so we’ll hopefully clear this up for you here. If you purchase the 24 hours pass and you go into your first museum on a Tuesday at 10am, then you will have access for the entirety of Tuesday. The pass expires on the Tuesday and not Wednesday at 10am. The same happens if you have the 48-hour pass, in that you would be given access to the museums on the Tuesday and Wednesday and so on. Because of this if you arrive in Brussels at for example three or four o’clock in the afternoon, then it wouldn’t make sense activating your pass that day.

You can purchase the Brussels Card online via their site or the app, alternatively head to a few locations and buy it when you’re there. If you purchase online then you will receive a confirmation email and you can either print it, keep it on your mobile, or upload to the Brussels Card app.

Should you decide to buy it when you’re there, then you can head to one of the two tourist desks. You will be given the card in a paper format or via email depending on your preference. They can be found at the following addresses.

• Brussels Office Grand-Place: Daily from 9am till 6pm.
• Brussels Office Mont des Arts (BIP, Rue royale 2): Daily from 9.30am till 5.30pm.

The final option of where you can purchase the card is found in some of the more popular attractions, such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre, at Autoworld or at Choco-Story. Again, you will be given the card in a paper format or via email depending on your preference.

On each occasion, as well as the confirmation you will also receive a free information guide, a city map and museum map. When we’ve bought passes in the past, we have found extras such as these to be incredibly handy.

On top of providing entrance to multiple museums, there are enhanced passes which offer unlimited access to public transport. As above you can either purchase a 24-hour pass for 41.50 Euros, a 48-hour pass for 61 Euros or a 72-hour pass for 71.30 Euros (September 2024). The public transport in Brussels is operated by STIB-MIVB and is a great way of exploring the different areas of the capital. It includes the metro, tram and bus system, with most lines operating between 6am and midnight. But it also includes the Noctis night buses and line 12 to and from the national airport.

Finally, there is a pass which includes all the above and unlimited access to the hop on hop off bus option, which in Brussels is called TOOTbus. Again, you can purchase a 24-hour pass for 68.50 Euros, a 48-hour pass for 93 Euros or a 72-hour pass for 107.30 Euros (September 2024). As with other hop on hop off buses, they will stop at set locations around the city, normally where the top attractions can be found including the Grand Place and Atomium. During the journey you’ll discover interesting facts and some history about the city via audio guides.

For those of you eager to visit the Atomium, there is an additional extra on the Brussels Card that you can buy for 12 Euros for an Adult. This will not only give you free admission, but also immediate access to the Atomium, meaning that you can cut the line at the purchasing desk.

Examples of some of the museums available on the Brussels Card are.

• MIM – Musical Instruments Museum (MRAH)
• Sewer Museum
• Centre for Fine Arts – Bozar
• Van Buuren Museum and Gardens
• Wiels – Contemporary art centre
• Centrale for contemporary art
• Design Museum Brussels
• Comic Art Museum
• BELvue museum
• La Fonderie – Brussels Museum of work and industry
• GardeRobe MannekenPis
• Autoworld
• Fantastic Art Museum
• Choco-Story – The Chocolate Museum
• Train World
• Charlier Museum
• Belgian Chocolate Village
• Art & History Museum (RMAH)
• Musée de la Médecine (ULB)
• Belgian Beer World experience

As we mentioned above, you’ll also be given a list of popular sightseeing attractions, bars, restaurants and other businesses such as guided tours and outdoor activities, where you can enjoy discounts if you show the Brussels Card. They are revised on an annual basis, so it’s best to check the Brussels Card website to get more of an idea of what is available.

Whether you should buy the museum card is completely down to you. We managed to cover everything we wanted without it, but we didn’t go into many museums. It depends on what you like to do and see when you travel, and if the cost is worthwhile. If you are planning on lots of museums then the price of the pass is pretty good, even if you include the unlimited transport option. We only needed transport between the Grand Place and Atomium, because they are quite a distance apart. Everything else we managed by walking, but this will of course depend upon your mobility. Personally, this is only a viable option if you’re thinking about heading to the museums on the list. If you’re planning on using our guide, then many of the things to do are completely free or of little cost.

Our List of Attractions and Things to do in Brussels Belgium

This is probably the most important section of the entire guide and the main reason you’re reading it. Brussels has a raft of attractions and things to do, so there’s a likelihood that you may need to pick and choose, as it will be impossible to see it all in a short city break. Having said that, we still managed a lot, because many of the items on this list are historic sites and as such they can be done at any time and they’re free.

Our first night we managed to tick off a lot on our bucket list, including the Grand Place and Manneken Pis. Seeing the beautiful buildings which make up the Grand Place Plaza is a moment we will never forget.

We’ll begin with the favourites from our trip and then add in any we didn’t get the chance to do.

Manneken Pis – Peeing Boy

Let’s begin with one of the most popular attractions in Brussels, which for many shows the cheeky humour of the Belgian people. Designed in 1388 this little peeing boy is a beloved symbol of the city and was originally used to provide water to locals. The first statue was replaced in 1619 by the bronze version you see today and was commissioned by Brussels city council.

Manneken Pis (which means little pissing man) is only a 4-minute walk from the Grand Place. Simply follow the hordes of fellow tourists and you’ll spot him on the corner. He’s quite high up on a fountain basin and surrounded by iron gates, because sadly he has been stolen on more than one occasion. It is said that the first theft was in 1747 by a group of French grenadiers stationed in Brussels. After a lot of anger by the people in Brussels, the King of France, Louis XV offered a gentleman’s gown of Brocade, embroidered with gold for the little boy to apologise. But also, a sword decorated with the Cross of St. Louis. Then in 1817 Manneken Pis was stolen by Antoine Licas who was heavily punished and condemned to forced labour for the rest of his life. There have even been thefts in the last 100 years, more notably 1963 by students who took the statue for five days before handing it back to authorities and 1965 when it was broken by a thief and found by divers in the Charleroi Canal.

The small boy is only 50cm and as well as urinating into a fountain, he has generated a raft of legends. Some of the more famous ones include.

• In 1142 during a battle in Ransbeek, a two-year-old Lord (Duke Godfrey III of Leuven) was placed in a basket and hung from a large oak tree which overlooked the battlefield. This was done in the hopes that it would give his soldiers more courage. As they struggled in battle, the little duke is said to have stood in the basket and urinated on the opposing troops, which led to them losing the battle. Thus, the statue of a small boy peeing in memory of this victory and the street name where he stands being Rue de Chêne/Eikstraat (Oak Tree Street).
• Another legend from the 14^th century states that Brussels whilst under siege by a foreign power, was saved by a little boy who happened to be spying on the attackers. They had placed explosives at the city walls but as they were being prepared, the boy urinated on the burning fuse and put out the fire, thus saving the city.
• Then you have the legend of a young boy woken by a fire which he put out with his urine, helping stop the king’s castle from burning down.
• Or the son of a noble who abandoned a procession to urinate on the wall of a witch’s house. Angered by this action the witch turned the little boy into a statue.

It’s not only the legends which makes Manneken Pis such a popular tourist attraction. Depending on the day you visit, you may see the little boy completely nude or wearing one of over 1,000 outfits. Because of this we would recommend you head over to see him more than once during your city break; if you’re there for more than one day. When we visited, we saw him nude and the following day in doctors’ scrubs, but there is a published schedule posted on the railings around the fountain.

The tradition of dressing him in costumes began in 1698 when a governor gave him his first tunic. Additional costumes have been given by various presidents and dignitaries over the years, during their visit to Brussels. Since 1954 the costumes are managed by a non-profit association called The Order of the Friends of Manneken Pis. They review the many designed submitted each year and select a small number to be produced and used. If you’d like to see the many costumes worn by Manneken Pis then head to the Grand Place because there is a permanent exhibition inside the Brussels City Museum called the GardeRobe MannekenPis. Inside you will find costumes such as the gown offered by King Louis XV, but also more modern ones such as a bullfighter, Elvis, Dracula and Santa Claus.

Obviously with so much history and legend behind the Manneken Pis, this is a must do on your Brussels attraction list. But as we said above, if you can then aim to go more than once, especially because it’s so close to lots of other attractions. We loved seeing the little fella, and it only took a few minutes out of our day to stop and admire him before heading to the next attraction.

Grand Place – Central Plaza

The obvious next attraction must be the Grand-Place or Grote Markt, which is a central square in the historic area of Brussels, known for its decorative and aesthetic wealth. It is also a UNSECO World Heritage Site since 1998 due to the eclectic and successfully blended styles of architecture. Now sadly for us, during our trip to Brussels there was a festival in the plaza. This meant that there were stages being built and trucks in the way, so we didn’t get that dramatic first look. Fingers crossed for you it will be different, and you can enjoy the spectacular architecture which surrounds this small space.

Grand Place began in the 12^th century as a market square filled with houses and halls primarily made of wood. But it soon became a political and cultural hub, as well as the nerve centre of Brussels life. After the bombardment in 1695 by Louis XIV’s troops, it had to be entirely rebuilt. Although there are multiple buildings in the square, you’ll find your eyes gazing to a specific few, so we’ll focus on bringing you some information about them.

• Hotel de Ville or The Town Hall – One of the larger buildings in the plaza is also Brussel’s town hall. The oldest in the square and the only remaining medieval building, with its Brabantine Gothic architecture it is incredible to witness. The Hotel de Ville was built in the 15^th century and has a spire which is 96 metres or 315 feet high, capped by a statue of Saint Michael slaying a demon or devil. The façade is decorated with numerous statues that represent the local nobility, although most are from the 19^th and 20th century. Any original sculptures from the 15^th century are kept in the Brussels City Museum. As we researched for this guide, we discovered that the Town Hall is asymmetrical, because the tower isn’t in the middle of the building. Also, the left and right sections are not identical, which we didn’t notice. Legend has it that the architect of the building discovered the error and leapt to his death from the tower. After numerous periods of restoration, the interior of Hotel de Ville offers a neo-Gothic look which includes a ballroom, the States of Brabant Room and antechamber, plus a Wedding Room which was formerly the courtroom. If you have the time, then there are guided tours of the building on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.
• Maison du Roi – Across from the Town Hall is the Maison du Roi, which was originally known as the King’s House in the early 12^th At that point it was a wooden building where bread was sold, hence its name in Dutch being Bread Hall. In the early 15^th century, the original building was replaced by the large stone one seen today. It was used to house the Duke of Brabants administrative services and as such was called the Duke’s House, but then became known as the King’s House or ‘Maison du Roi’ in French. After many years of reconstruction due to damage through wars like the bombardment of 1695, the incredible neo-Gothic building is now home to the Brussels City Museum. It exhibits a variety of collections including the original 15^th century Manneken Pis and his vast wardrobe of small suits.
• Le Pigeon – This is the home where Victor Hugo resided during his exile in Belgium 1852.
• Le Renard, Le Cornet and Le Roy d’Espagne – This one building is home to the fabric traders guild Masion du Renard (Fox House) from 1690, Le Cornet (Boatman’s Guild) from 1697. Also, Le Roy d’Espagne which was once the baker’s guild, but it’s now a popular bar. On the building’s façade is a bust of Charles II of Spain who was King of Belgium during the 17^th

In 1990 the Grand Place was pedestrianised, making it easier to walk around and take in the beautiful architecture. Many of the Guildhalls within the square have been converted to shops, restaurants and brasseries, but there are still a few private houses. Alike when we arrived, you may find that there are festivities or cultural events held in the plaza. As we mentioned at the start of this, it sadly meant that we didn’t enjoy a clear view of the Grand Place. But there are some noteworthy festivals which make the inconvenience worthwhile. Among the most famous is the Flower Carpet where every two years in August, nearly a million brightly coloured begonias and dahlias are displayed in patterns which form a carpet like tapestry. Of course, during this time, the city will be incredibly busy, so it’s worth taking this into consideration when you book your trip.

The Grand Place is a wonderful sight to behold, and a great starting point each day, as everything else seems to span out from there. We visited the spot a number of times during our short trip, and we didn’t get tired of seeing the beautiful buildings.

Atomium

Most people have seen the Atomium but have no idea where it is or what it’s called. We knew it was in Brussels but had no idea what it was or why it was built. We stupidly assumed that being such a popular tourist attraction, that it would be easy to get to. But in reality Atomium is quite a distance from the historic area where the other activities can be found. We ended up walking from the Grand Place area to Atomium which is in Laeken (Northern Brussels), and it took an hour and a half. Although we don’t regret the experience because we walked through some beautiful areas of Brussels. It did eat into a chunk of our day, so we made the decision to get an Uber back. There are public transport options available, with the more direct one being the metro.

Before we give you the history and a little detail of what you can expect with Atomium, we will be completely honest by disclosing the fact we never went inside. We never mind paying for great experiences and the Atomium is 16 Euros for each adult, which isn’t the worst price we have seen for such a popular attraction. But during our research we saw guide after guide telling us that it wasn’t worth the money to go inside, and we were better simply enjoying the view from the outside. A friend who has been confirmed everything we had read, so we made the decision not to bother and instead enjoyed the plaza outside and took a million pictures. Because of this we cannot advise as to whether we think Atomium is worth the money. Some believe it is, whereas others think the views from the inside are disappointing.

So, what is the Atomium? It’s a modernist landmark which was originally the centrepiece of the 1958 Brussels World Fair. It was designed as a tribute to scientific progress, whilst symbolising Belgian engineering skills. You may be surprised to know that Atomium has over 600,000 visitors each year, making it Brussels most popular tourist attraction. The structure is 102 metres or 335 feet tall, and as such it is one of the tallest in Belgium. The nine 18 metre or 59 feet stainless steel spheres are connected into a shape of a unit cell, which could represent an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

The steel tubes connecting the spheres have stairs, escalators and an elevator, so that you can move around the six visitable spheres. Most of the space has exhibit halls which detail the design and building of Atomium (including Expo 58) with videos and photos. Then the top sphere which is accessible by the elevator has a restaurant with a panoramic view of Brussels.

Atomium costs 16 Euros (September 2024) for each adult and is open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm. As you can imagine it gets busy (especially between 11am and 3pm), so our advice would be to prebook your visit by purchasing tickets online.

As to whether you should visit; we’d definitely recommend going to see Atomium at a minimum.  The area it’s in has a few other attractions such as the Planetarium and Mini Europe Park, plus it is quite an impressive structure to see up close. If you want to go inside, then prebook those tickets but be aware that it doesn’t give you priority for entry. This means you may arrive and have long queues to join, so this may have an impact on whether you even want to bother.

Other reviews we have seen say that most of the spheres are empty with just a light display and then you have a long wait for the lift to go to the top one. Again, after you’ve seen the views you will have a big queue, because there’s only one lift to go up and down. Sadly, with popular tourist spots this is to be expected, but you’d have to evaluate if you considered the views worthy of the time and cost. Because it was quite a distance from the main historic area of Brussels, we didn’t think there would be much to see from the top, and many other guides have pretty much stated that. It’s a tough call to make, but we feel happy with the decision not to go in.

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula – Brussels Cathedral

Close to the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, otherwise known as Brussels Cathedral. We have seen a lot of Cathedrals all over Europe, and this one didn’t let us down with plenty of incredible architecture and Royal history. No wonder it is classed as one of the most important monuments in Brussels and the best part is it’s free to enter, after all it is a working church.

Brussels Cathedral is open between 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 3.30 on Saturdays and until 2pm on Sundays. Although you can enter freely there are additional areas where there is a small charge. The Treasure of the Cathedral is 2 Euros (this has the usual relics found in religious museums), the Crypt 4 Euros and the Archaeological Site is 1 Euro. But we chose to spend our time there just wandering around this huge building and taking in the architecture and sculptures.

Designed with a Gothic style (which seems to be reminiscent of many other cathedrals) at the beginning of the thirteenth century, it was built on the foundations of a Romanesque church from the eleventh century. The Cathedral was initially called the Church of St Michael, and it took three hundred years to complete, with further restorations being done from 1983 for six years.

After the relics of St Gudula were brought to the church, it was renamed the church of St. Michael and St. Gudula. This is because it was only designated cathedral status in 1962.

As you walk up a vast number of steps, make sure you take in the many sculptures which adorn the façade of the building. You will see photos of the Belgium Royal Family to the right of the entrance, who have had several weddings and christenings in the cathedral.

That first view of the main aisle in any cathedral is a special one and the initial thought we had was how big it is. One of the most beautiful pieces is to the right of the central nave, it is a Baroque pulpit from 1699. Firstly, step back and enjoy the sheer detail and beauty of the piece, but then take a closer look to see how intricately it has been carved from various pieces of wood. After the pulpit we loved the many sculptures along the temple’s columns which are the twelve apostles, and the vast stained-glass windows. The large window in the western façade is simply breathtaking, it was made in 1528 and represents the Last Judgement. Overall, there are fifteen stained glass windows adorning the cathedral.

Although we didn’t pay to get into the extra areas, we wandered around the church which had various chapels. One specific section had a service being performed and the most beautiful harpist playing, so we stopped to appreciate the music in this special location.

Even if you are short on time in Brussels, take a moment to go in and appreciate this spectacular building if you have the opportunity. It didn’t take us a long time and it’s the perfect stop between the Grand Place and Mont des Arts.

Mont des Arts – Mount of the Arts

We’ll start by saying that this isn’t an art gallery, it is in fact one of the most popular images that you will see when you Google Brussels. Mount of the Arts is a garden which is located below Place Royale. It is said to be a green transition between the upper and lower parts of the city, from the Royal Quarter and the Grand Place.

The Mont des Arts was the brainchild of King Leopold II, who at the end of the 19^th century wanted to convert the area into an arts quarter and as such bought out the whole neighbourhood. The plans included buildings which would accommodate various cultural institutions. To make the area more visually appealing during the Brussels International Exposition of 1910, the king ordered a French landscape architect to design a temporary garden on the hill. The results included a monumental staircase, cascading fountains and terraces which descended a gentle slope.

Although the garden was expected to be a temporary exhibit, it became a beloved green space. As such it was adapted in the 1950’s to become the urban complex it is today. It’s well known that the views from the Mont des Arts are worth seeing, especially during the warmer months when the flowers in the garden are in full bloom. Sadly, it was a little worse for wear when we visited, because we were heading into the cooler parts of the year. It’s not merely the gardens which make this is a spot of beauty, because you can also see Brussels Town Hall which is in the Grand Place.

We headed to the Monts des Arts after having been to the Cathedral. Although we knew it wouldn’t be as beautified as we’d seen in pictures, it still left a lasting impression. Make sure you see it from all angles and take a walk around the garden area itself. You will also see the most beautiful Carillion on the lower part on a covered passageway, which sounds wonderful when it plays.

This is quite a popular tourist spot in Brussels so as you can imagine it will get busy. You might want to head here early if you’re looking for those perfect Instagram pictures. But our advice would be to simply take in the views and appreciate the history.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

This is another popular attraction for visitors to Brussels, because the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is a beautiful shopping arcade. Designed in 1847 it was the first glazed shopping arcade in Europe. The fact that it is 200 metres (656 feet) long and covered by an impressive and elegant glass dome, is one of the many reasons that people flock to see it.

Although there were originally seven glazed arcades, only three survive including Galerie de la Reine, Galerie du Roi and the Galerie des Princes. Not only do they have numerous shops including jewellers, boutiques, chocolate shops and art galleries, but you will also find bars, restaurants, a cinema and small theatre. As you would expect in Europe the bars and restaurants have seating areas in the Galerie, so grabbing a coffee is the perfect way to sit down and take in this beautiful place.

Even though we loved walking through and looking at the architecture and endless pretty window displays, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert does get busy. The fact that there are areas of the walkways which are swallowed up by chairs and tables, doesn’t help. Many locals use the arcades as a thoroughfare as they link La Monnaie (the federal opera house of Belgium) and la Grand Place. We found ourselves using it multiple times to get around the city, so you’ll probably do the same and have the opportunity to witness this beautiful arcade more than once.

Musical Instrument Museum

We don’t mind the odd museum, but we tend not to spend our city breaks moving from one to the next. Most museums take a few hours to do, and you can feel a little drained from taking in so much information. But having discovered a love for musical instruments in the last few years, we knew the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) was a must for our Brussels list. The current entry price is 15 Euros (September 2024) which seems a lot, but for this incredible collection it’s not bad at all. Alike many of the museums in Brussels, the Musical Instrument Museum is closed on a Monday but it’s open the rest of the week between 9.30/10am and 5pm.

The building to the museum stands out because it is an Art Nouveau masterpiece built in 1899. It was formerly an Old England department store, which you can imagine as you wander around the floors and use the lift. Thankfully the museum is a mere 9-minute walk from the Grand Place and even closer to the Royal Palace.

What will have you spell bound about this museum is that there are over 9,000 instruments in their collection, with over 1,200 on permanent exhibition. It’s this vast range of music and instruments from all over the world which will have you engrossed for hours. But what really made this museum stand out for us is the fact you’re given an audio guide with your ticket. As you wander through the museum you will spot numbers next to some of the instruments. Type the number into the audio guide and you can hear how the instrument sounds when it is played. Some numbers even have videos of musicians from that culture or country playing the instrument. This quite frankly brought the entire museum to life for us, we really enjoyed that moment waiting for the music to begin and found ourselves bobbing along. Overall, we spent about 2 to 3 hours in there, we’re not going to lie at the end we got a little brain fogged with listening to so much music and reading a lot of information. Taking that aside we absolutely loved the experience, especially the beautiful pianos, harps and guitars. You will be shocked by how old some of these instruments are. It felt like there was a little something from every country and culture, which felt special to us as we believe music brings people together.

Bubble Planet Experience

Bubble Planet is an exhibition and although it has been open for a while, we’re not sure whether this is going to be a permanent attraction. So, if you like the sound of this activity, then our first suggestion would be to check out the Bubble Planet website. If you like what you see and fancy adding it to your list of things to do, then it’s worth noting that the experience is quite a distance from the hub of the other activities (35-minute walk from Grand Place). We walked there and combined it with the Atomium which was another fifty minute walk. All of this taken into consideration it can eat up a big chunk of your day, so is it worth it?

Bubble Planet is an immersive experience with different rooms which all feature a variety of bubble themed activities. We arrived at what looked like a business area and had to walk around a bit before we saw the signs for Bubble Planet. It looks like the location is a combination of office buildings and exhibition halls.

You can prebook your tickets online, but we decided to buy them when we arrived. It says on their website that ticket prices start from 10 Euros, but for adults it is more like 17 to 21 Euros. The price will change depending on the day of the week and the time, with weekend slots being more expensive. There is a VIP ticket which is generally a couple of Euros extra and includes the VR Experience, a skip the line option and one poster of the bubbleverse.

When you walk into the first area you’ll be met by a funky LED room with an ocean floor theme. This is the first of eight rooms which you move through, but the best part is that they are all interactive, tons of fun and ideal for taking pictures. We loved the Bubble Ocean room which was full of bouncing balls, or the Selfie room and the Bubble Bath which was a giant ball pool. There’s a VR section which comes at an additional price of 3 Euros and then an interactive shop at the end, in case you fancy buying a lasting reminder of the experience.

So, we’ll start off by saying, we had tons of fun in the Bubble Planet Experience and managed to take lots of fun pictures. But in all honesty, we didn’t think it was worth the admission price and felt disappointed that it ended so quickly. We visited on a weekday in the morning and it was full of people, so we can imagine it’s horrendously packed at the weekend, which is the time of the week you’re paying the highest price.

The reason we were enticed by this attraction, is because it reminded us of the Be Happy Museum in Krakow, which was selfie heaven and tons of fun for a much lower price. Yes, there were elements which were the same, but for an activity which is stuck in the middle of nowhere and took a decent walk to get there, it left us feeling a little cheated.

Bubble Planet is closed Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, but open Friday to Sunday and Wednesday. We recommend you check the site for opening hours, but it’s generally 10am until between 7.30pm to 9.30pm (depending on the day).

Jeanneke Pis – Peeing Girl

We’ve already brought you the Manneken Pis and his delightful history, but there wouldn’t be equality if they didn’t have the Jeanneke Pis. Although she has a little less history on her side and her location isn’t as impressive, she’s still worth heading over to see and you can tie a visit with a cheeky Belgium pint.

Jeanneke Pis is a little girl statue with two cute ponytails, who squats and pees for the public into a grey limestone base. Most of the time she’s locked away behind iron bars to prevent her being stolen, which has sadly happened to the Manneken Pis in the past.

She was designed in 1987 after being commissioned by a local restaurant owner and can be found near rue des Bouchers in the small cul-de-sac Impasse de la Fidélité; which is also home to the Delirium Café. This café or should we say bar, is popular for having an extensive range of drinks including more than 2,000 beers from around the globe. It’s a great place to enjoy a chilled vibe and relax for a while, but we will prewarn you that because many of their beers are original and specially brewed, you’ll find they are expensive. We paid 9 Euros for less than a pint and so didn’t bother buying anymore.

Anyway, we digress but if you spot Delirium Café, then you should easily see Jeanneke Pis. Alike her older brother she is also regularly dressed up in quirky outfits. Ok she doesn’t have the legends and tales of Manneken Pis, but she’s still funny and adorable. Plus, this attraction is free, close to the main areas such as the Grand Place and only takes a few minutes out of your busy day.

Everard t’Serclaes Bronze Monument

This bronze monument can be found close to the Hotel de Ville, which is the town hall in the Grand Place. As you walk through an arch way to leave the plaza area, it is mounted on the wall to the left (located on Buls Street). But why is this so special, and what is the significance to touching the monument which makes many visitors queue for the opportunity.

Everard t’Serclaes was a Belgian hero and his story dates back to the 14^th century, when Brussels was contested between the ruling Duke of Brabant and the Count of Flanders. Louis de Male the Count of Flanders disputed the succession of the Duke of Brabant and sent in Flemish troops to seize Brabant and Brussels. On the night of 24^th October 1356, Everard and a group of patriots scaled the city walls and led a rebellion against the Flemish troops, sending them fleeing and leading to the duke being able to return.

This heroic act was celebrated and led to Everard being made an alderman of Brussels five times. Years later when Everard was older, he opposed the selling of land to a local lord which led to him being beaten and dying shortly afterwards.

The monument of commemoration for Everard t’Serclaes was sculpted by artist Julien Dillens in 1898. So why do people touch, or more specifically rub it? Locals believe that the memorial is lucky and that rubbing the statue, especially the arm, brings you good luck, grants wishes and also means that you will visit Brussels again. The areas which are touched often such as the arms, the dog and the face of an angel are all quite shiny, compared to the rest of the bronze.

Not only is this ‘thing to do’ free, but it’s also close to other attractions and takes a minute or two, depending on how busy the area is. Of course, who knows if you’ll receive good luck from rubbing the arm, but it’s worth a go and is a nice little addition to your day.

Zinneke Pis

Most travellers heading to Brussels have heard of the Manneken Pis statue of the young boy peeing, but they haven’t heard of Zinneke Pis. This was the first thing we saw when we arrived in Brussels, because it was literally a few steps from our Airbnb on the corner of the street.

The Zinneke Pis or Het Zinneke which translates to ‘the mutt’, is a bronze sculpture erected in 1999 of a dog urinating against a bollard. It was created by Tom Frantzen and is a great example of the cheeky humour of the people in Brussels. It is said that the Zinneke Pis is a representation of the city’s stray dogs which hung around the streets of the Lesser Senne and were drowned in the river during the 16^th century.

We should note that unlike Manneken Pis and Jeanneke Pis, the Zinneke Pis is not a peeing fountain, it’s simply a statue. This little adorable canine is the perfect addition to your day and because he’s not as popular as the other two, you will find that there isn’t a mass of people trying to get pictures. So, get thinking of the perfect pose with this cute little fella, but if you can’t then simply imitating him will create a lot of giggles and a great memory.

Comic Book Trail

As to whether you bother will the full comic book trail or attempt to visit some of them, will depend on how much of a fan you are. Belgium has a rich comic art history which it is immensely proud of, with characters such as Tintin, Astérix and The Smurfs originating in the region.

From 1991 a Brussels Comic Book Route was introduced to celebrate the culture of these characters. It followed a collaboration between the City of Brussels and the Belgian Comic Strip Centre, with an aim to beautify empty walls and gables.

The trail which has over 50 murals features various Belgian and French comic characters. Most of them can be found in the central historic area of Brussels, but they’re also in the Laeken district which is near Atomium. Our first mural was our favourite, because nearby the Manneken Pis is Tintin and his hot-headed best friend Captain Haddock. We then wandered around the area and up many side streets looking for a few more, but we didn’t do them all because it would have taken up too much time. Interestingly as we walked from the Bubble Planet Experience to Atomium, we saw two or three murals. So, if you decide to walk then keep an eye out, because we’ll admit that they were pretty cool.

Occasionally new murals are added so even if you’ve done this before, then there might be a new one you’ve yet to see. It’s a great way to explore this incredible city and we found quirky streets we wouldn’t have walked down, had we not followed some of the comic book trail.

If you’d like a full list of the comic book murals, then check out the City of Brussels website and use their route map.

Commemoration of Peter the Great’s Vomit

You’ve got to love a free activity on your travels, especially something humorous which adds a chuckle to your day. So, when we heard about Peter the Great’s Vomit, we knew this was going to be one of the items we’d tick off.

Firstly, we’ll explain where the commemoration is, which we can assume is a bust of the great man himself. You need to head to the Parc de Bruxelles which is about a 15-minute walk from the Grand Place, but we will prewarn you there are a few slopes to contend with. Once you arrive in this pretty park you will head to the area which is closest to the Royal Palace. Finding the head of Peter the Great isn’t easy because it’s hidden away down a sort of ditch area, which doesn’t exactly look safe. We used Google to direct us because I don’t think we’d have found him on our own. The area has apparently been a site of prostitution for centuries, but we have a feeling it’s now where the homeless sometimes go for the night. Thankfully we didn’t get too muddy or fall as we made our way down.

So why is there a commemoration to Peter the Great and more specifically his vomit. Pretty much because this the place where the great Tsar once hurled. Thankfully no one has ever wanted to throw up (pun intended) a statue where we have been sick, or there would probably be quite a few of them.

It is told that on the 16^th April 1717, Tsar Peter Alexeyevich was feeling unwell after a night on the drink. Around 3pm whilst being shown through the town, the Tsar sat at the edge of a fountain and puked; to be fair it happens to the best of us.

In the 1800’s the area was cleared including all buildings, to make room for the Parc de Bruxelles. The two ditches, or natural pits were left by the parks designers who created an English garden theme with a sculpture park. Prince Demidoff donated a statue in 1856 to the park as a way to commemorate Peter the Great’s visit to Brussels. On the sculpture was an inscription which stated ‘As he sat on the edge of this fountain, he enabled its waters with the wine of his libations’. Sadly, the inscription is no longer there, but you’ll still find the bust hidden in the trees.

It’s a quirky addition to your trip and ideal for a few funny pictures, also why not take a few minutes to enjoy the park. Parc de Bruxelles (Brussels Park) is known as Royal Park due to its proximity to the Palace. It was the Duke of Brabants land and hunting grounds in the Middle Ages but is now the largest urban park in the centre of Brussels.

Petit Sablon Neighbourhood

During our research we read about the Petit Sablon Neighbourhood and expected this to just be a small insignificant part of our day. Especially when you’ve seen the many other architectural masterpieces of the city. But we really loved walking through this area and especially the beautiful Square du Petit Sablon, with the Église Notre-Dame du Sablon de Bruxelles in the background.

Petit Sablon is only a 15-minute walk from the Grand Place and the cute little area combines historic architecture, with modern artistic vibes. This unusual combination creates a quirky and unique atmosphere and one which we really enjoyed.

As you wander around, you’ll find information panels about the history of that area and the main sights. The town square known as Place du Grand Sablon has art galleries, local cafes, trendy boutiques and of course luxury chocolatiers. You’ll also find the popular antiques market on the weekends, where you never know what you can find.

We walked into the top of the Square du Petit Sablon and was taken aback at how beautiful it was. But as we walked past the many sculptures and saw the Église Notre-Dame du Sablon de Bruxelles in the background, we knew this was a special place. So much so that we even took a moment to sit and smell the roses, which is very unlike us. The Église Notre-Dame du Sablon is a 15^th century late Brabantine Gothic styled church, just make sure you look at the incredible sculptures around the door. It’s amazing to think that someone actually created such a beautiful building.

Depending on how long you want to spend strolling around, this could take you half an hour or even a few hours, if you stop for a coffee and mooch around the shops. However long you have to spare, we’d definitely recommend that you don’t miss out on this beautiful part of the city.

Black Tower in Brussels

Close to Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is the Black Tower, which is another one of those quick, easy and free items on your Brussels bucket list. The tower is hidden away a little and surrounded by modern day buildings, which makes it stand out even more. Interestingly this medieval tower was built at the start of the 13^th century and is one of the best-preserved remains of the first fortifications of Brussels. In 1937 the Black Tower became a monument and there is a plaque displaying its historic importance. If you’re nearby and have the time, then why not take a look and imagine what Brussels would have looked like when it was newly built.

Birthplace of Audrey Hepburn

Most people have heard of Audrey Hepburn who was a British actress with a hugely successful movie career, as well as being a fashion icon. She is legendary for starring in movies such as Sabrina, Funny Face, My Fair Lady and of course Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Interestingly though Audrey was born into an aristocratic family in Ixelles Brussels on the 4^th May 1929 and spent part of her childhood there. As a way to commemorate this superstar being born and living the first five years of her life at 48 Rue Keyenveld, a golden plaque was placed outside the house.

Now we’ll begin by saying that the area is a little off the beaten path from the normal touristy spots (it’s a 27-minute walk from the Grand Place). But it’s not far from one of the main shopping districts, so we couldn’t resist adding a little spending spree to our day (Audrey would have been proud). We decided to go and see the location because not only is it a quirky item to tick off, but it’s a freebie and we love having a few of those attractions on our list. Aside from the plaque there is a mural close by called ‘Breakfast at Ixelles’, but if you’re not the biggest Audrey Hepburn fan or you don’t have a lot of time in the city, then it may be worth giving this a pass. We enjoyed seeing another area in Brussels, especially because the street itself is narrow and quite pretty with cobblestones, giving it that uniquely European vibe.

The Royal Palace of Brussels

One of the places we hoped to see during our trip to Brussels was the Royal Palace. During our research we sadly discovered that it was closed to the public due to renovations. Because of this we merely stood and looked from the roadside, but even with that we were impressed by its beauty.

The palace is close to Parc de Bruxelles and a mere 15-minute walk from the Grand Place. We have read that it will be reopened for visitors in the future, so fingers crossed we can amend this section to give you our own personal experiences. Until then, if you have the opportunity to go and it’s open, then we’ll bring you our research about what to expect.

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium, although interestingly it is not used as a royal residence. The King and his family live in the Royal Palace of Laeken in Northern Brussels. But it is still the headquarters of the Belgian constitutional monarchy and provides state rooms where large receptions are held.

Originally called Coudenberg, the palace has been there since the 12^th century, where it was home to the Dukes of Brabant and Emperor Charles V. After having burnt down in 1731, building of the current palace began at the beginning of the nineteenth century and was commissioned by William I of the Netherlands. It was then remodelled during the reign of King Leopold II with the façade being completely change. Interestingly it is one of the world’s largest palaces with a floor area of 33,027 square meters.

The Royal Palace of Brussels is normally open to the public between July and the beginning of September. From what we can gather entrance is free and you can visit between Tuesday and Sunday, from 10.30am to 5pm. The tour around the palace includes specific rooms, which include the Throne Room, Louis XVI Music Salon, The Goya Room and the Mirror Room.

If you’re heading to Brussels in the summer and they’ve completed renovations, then go to the Royal Palace of Brussels website for booking details.

Mini Europe Park

Mini Europe Park is the ideal attraction if you’re planning on visiting the Atomium, because it’s pretty much next to it. It’s basically a miniature park which shows visitors the important monuments that can be found in the European Union. This includes a 13-meter-high Eiffel Tower and 4-meter Big Ben, but there are over 350 other miniatures which are a 1:25 scale of the originals. This amazing park which opened in 1989 covers around 80 cities from countries all over the EU.

Because Mini Europe Park is outside, it is seasonal, so make sure you check the website for opening times. But when we visited in September it opened at 9.30am to 6pm and was 23 Euros to enter. Many of the reproductions are complex in detail such as the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain. But it’s this detail which attracts over 350,000 visitors a year, and you can enjoy beautiful gardens with moving structures such as windmills, trains and boats: even an erupting Vesuvius.

In general, the park will take you about an hour, and you’ll enjoy a mixture of beautiful sculptures, interesting information on the countries and monuments, intriguing buttons to press and a fun quiz. It’s ideal to learn more about Europe and as we have discovered during our time in Brussels, they have a quirky sense of humour which can be found in the park (think Brexit). The only thing we found is that it was over incredibly quick, so the cost of entry didn’t quite match the experience. But if that doesn’t bother you then why not add it into your list of things to do. It may even inspire you for your next trip to Europe.

Related Guide – Our Guide to Travelling Around the Amalfi Coast and Campania Region

Additional Attractions in Brussels

Above is our list of attractions in the striking city of Brussels, but there are still others which we haven’t covered. These tend to be more museums, but we preferred to spend the short amount of time we had there seeing the city itself. To give you a comprehensive guide here are the attractions we haven’t covered, but you may wish to visit.

• Parc du Cinquantenaire – This urban park is close to the European Union Headquarters and although less lively than the Parc de Bruxelles, it’s still an impressive sight. The palace and arch were built to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the independent state of Belgium. The palace section is home to three museums which are Autoworld, the Royal Military Museum and the Cinquantenaire Museum.
• Planetarium of Brussels – The Planetarium is close to the Atomium so they’re perfect to combine if you’re in the area. As with other Planetariums you can enjoy the marvels of the sky as it is projected onto a 23 diameter, 360-degree screen. The many screenings include seeing a rocket launch, flying over the surface of Mars, approaching the rings of Saturn and visiting the International Space Station. We really wanted to go to the Planetarium having never been to one before. The problem is that there are only specific showings each day and they are quite sporadic, which means that you need to plan the time you arrive. This didn’t suit our trip at all, especially because we had walked from the historic centre of Brussels to Atomium. If we had wanted to see a screening it was another 4 hour wait, which simply wasn’t worth it to us. But if you can work it into your trip, then why not, it’s only 7 Euros.
• Brussels Botanical Gardens – Somehow when we looked back at our list for Brussels, we realised we never went to the botanical gardens and had no idea why. It’s only a 20-minute walk from the Grand Place, although from looking online there isn’t much else attraction wise in the area. This may have been the reason why we didn’t make it there. So, we can’t give you first-hand experience, but we’ll bring you a little of our research. The Botanical Gardens are in the North of Brussels and this urban park is separated into French, Italian and English terraces. The gardens were inaugurated in 1829 and offer a variety of plants, sculptures, winding pathways, ornamental lakes and water features. At the top of the garden is a glass building which is home to the Wallonia-Brussels Federation Botanique cultural centre. From looking online, the reviews of the gardens were hit and miss. Although it is a calming escape from the fast-paced city, many felt it was underwhelming and that there wasn’t much to see. Many botanical gardens we’ve seen in the past have been free, but this one costs 12 Euros which seems a little high. It’s open every day from 8.30am to 8.15 pm.
• Jeu de Balle Flea Market – Sadly another one we didn’t have the opportunity to visit, but it’s a 17-minute walk from Grand Place. This flea market is available every day between 9am and 2pm, and from our research it can get fairly crowded especially at the weekend. The market has lots of stalls with trinkets, old furniture and vintage clothing. It’s a bargain hunters dream, although there’s still lots of junk to wade through. If you find something and haggle a great price, then why not celebrate at one of the many bars and restaurants which surround the market.
• Museum of Brussels – This museum is a comprehensive overview of Brussels History in the format of sculptures, artwork and crafts. Open every day but Monday from 10am to 5pm, at a cost of 10 Euros each.
• Museum of Illusions – This is a fun interactive museum with exhibits which provide optical illusions. Open every day but Wednesday from 10am to 6pm and costs 14.50 Euros each.
• Museum of Natural Sciences – A Natural History Museum. Open Tuesday to Friday 9.30 to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm. The entrance cost is 13 Euros each for an adult.
• Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium – Art Museum of Dutch Golden Age and Flemish masters. Closed on a Monday but open the rest of the week between 10am and 5pm and costing 10 Euros to enter.
• Train World – From the first steam trains to high-speed options. Closed Monday but open the rest of the week from 10am to 5pm and costing 15 Euros to enter.
• Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History – History of the Belgium Army. Closed Monday but open the rest of the week from 9am to 5pm and costing 12 Euros to enter.
• Brussels Comics Figurines Museum – Bringing comic books to life. Closed Wednesday but open the rest of the week from 10.30am to 6pm and costing 14 Euros to enter.
• Horta Museum – The home Victor Horta built for himself in the late 1890’s. Closed Monday but open Tuesday to Friday 2pm to 5.30pm, then Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5.30pm and costing 14 Euros to enter.
• Belgian Comic Strip Centre – Dedicated to the history and evolution of Belgium comic art. Closed Monday but open the rest of the week from 10am to 6pm and costing 13 Euros to enter.
• Museum Margritte Museum – Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. Closed Monday, Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, then Saturday and Sunday 11am to 6pm. Cost of entry is 10 Euros.
• Autoworld – This is a museum with a focus on cars, both old and new. It’s a 40-minute walk from the Grand Place to Cinquantenaire Parc where the museum is based in the southern hall. The cost of entry is 15 Euros and it’s open daily from 10am to 5pm. They have over 250 vehicles whether they’re old, new or other modes of transport such as horse drawn carriages. Every two to three months Autoworld display a new temporary exhibit. It’s pretty much a love fest of cars and the Belgium automobile industry.

Our Brussels Top Tips

• Double Check the Airport – We’ll begin by saying that we messed up a little when we booked our trip to Belgium. Rather than flying into Brussels Airport, we had booked our flights into Charleroi Airport (this seems to be a standard with Ryanair). So instead of simply having a 50-minute train journey from Brussels to Bruges which was our first stop. We had the addition of a one-hour bus from Charleroi to Brussels because there are no trains. Sadly, having only discovered this the day before we flew, we decided to make alternative arrangements and drive from the airport to Bruges. This meant that we had a 2-hour drive instead of 3 hours on public transport. In the end this turned out to be the best result for us, as we could drive from Bruges to Brussels and make a little detour on the way and visit Ghent. Because we gave back our rental car when we arrived in Brussels, we had to get transfers from the city back to Charleroi Airport. Aside from the cost, we had a two-hour transfer due to picking up other customers and it left us feeling a little frazzled before we even got on our flight. Our advice is to try and book Brussels International Airport, because it will significantly reduce your commuting time and stress levels.
• Wearing comfortable shoes is a must – As you can imagine, you’re going to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Whether you’re walking around attractions or standing looking at beautiful buildings. This means that you will want to make sure that the shoes you wear are comfortable. They can also get pretty dirty, so it’s worth taking shoes which you don’t mind getting mucky or battered. We always travel in our comfy trainers and even they can leave our feet feeling sore at the end of a long day.
• Think about the weather – We’ve mentioned this already, but preparing for the weather in the place you’re visiting is essential to make it comfortable and enjoyable. Europe can be incredibly hot in the summer, but also have heavy rainfalls thrown in and Belgium is renowned for its wet weather. This is why you should prepare for anything, and by that we mean wet proof gear, umbrella, sun hat and sunglasses. Once you’ve checked the weather apps, you’ll have a better idea of what to take with you.
• Beware of bikes – Yep, you’re in Europe and that means one thing, lots of bikes. If you’re not used to it, you can get a little complacent which could lead to an accident. We nearly collided with a bike as we crossed a road in Amsterdam, purely because we didn’t realise how much they speed around. Bikes take priority, so as a pedestrian we just have to manoeuvre around them. In Brussels it didn’t feel as chaotic as many other European cities we have visited, but there is still a cycling culture there so it’s worth paying attention as you move around.
• Try the Belgium Waffles – Sometimes we try those touristy things, and they never live up to how we imagined them. But we’d honestly recommend trying some Belgium waffles, because we dreamt about them when we got home. For any vegans out there, you will find plenty of places offer alternatives for you and they taste just as delicious. You will have a choice of toppings, but we loved caramel and chocolate.
• Keep Some Change for the Toilets – We didn’t personally experience this in Brussels, but we did in Cologne Germany. We’ve read that it is a common thing in Brussels to have a Madame or Monsieur Pipi and they tend to be in fast food restaurants, stations, clubs and even shopping centres and cinemas. These toilet attendants clean the facilities and keep them tidy. They aren’t paid by the business whose bathrooms they clean and as such it’s customary for anyone using the facilities to pay a small fee of around 0.50 to 1 Euro. Because of this it’s worth ensuring that you have some change available should you need it. We have found more and more that venues and public facilities have a charge, so it’s not uncommon. If you prefer not to pay, then try and use the restroom when you’re in places such as museums.
• Monday Closing Times – This is becoming more prevalent in many European countries, and it may impact your trip if you are visiting on a Monday. In Brussels, Monday is a day off for many businesses such as smaller independent shops, but also museums and some restaurants. Just make sure you research the opening times for the attractions you really want to visit.

Should I Visit Brussels?

Before we got to Brussels, we felt a little downhearted about the whole trip, mainly because it was expected to rain heavily the whole time. We adore travelling, but we must admit that we find it unbearable in the rain. Then we messed up with our choice of airport, having booked to fly into Charleroi Airport instead of Brussels International. This led to us hiring a car to drive into Bruges and then Brussels, but it meant we could take a detour and visit Ghent. We mention this so that you don’t make the same mistake as we did, because public transport from Charleroi to Brussels is by bus only.

Taking all this aside we adored our time in Brussels, it was much more enjoyable than we expected. As you can imagine this is a city rich in history and culture, but the best part is that there is so much to see which is completely free. The fact that people have described Brussels as boring astounds us, there is so much to see and do, as you can gather from our list above. We had more than enough to fill our time there, even though we missed out on some of the more popular attractions such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Add in, that we managed to miss most of the rain as it only occurred later in the evening, which means all the worry about getting soaked was for nothing.

Having been to Bruges beforehand and falling in love with it, we honestly didn’t think Brussels could hold a candle to it. But we were shocked by how much beauty could be found everywhere, especially because we know how grubby some cities can be. We were a little cheated by the Grand Place Square, because there was a concert which led to stages being built in front of most of the main buildings. But even with that happening, we still felt astounded at the intricately designed architecture which surrounded us.

Although Brussels requires a little more walking and transport than Bruges, you can still get a lot done. Then add in the endless places to eat and drink, especially the many waffle places. We chose Veganwaf and ended up eating a daily lunch of waffles with chocolate and caramel sauce. The ideal way to keep your energy up through the day; well, that was our excuse anyway.

So should you visit Brussels, in our opinion yes! But we’re hoping we can encourage you to tie it in with a trip to Bruges, because why not treat yourself. We have fallen for this amazing country and its capital, and we’re hoping to visit again soon and explore some of the other areas.

If you do end up visiting Brussels, then make sure you tag us on Instagram, because we love to see what you’re up to as you tick off your bucket lists.