Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of Europe, is an underrated destination that is full of surprisingly interesting places to visit and things to do. Beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, quirky museums, futuristic monuments, playful street art, the best french fries (or chips, if you are from the UK) and delicious chocolate, there is so much the city has to offer. Read on to discover the best things to see and do in Brussels.
It is also a city of contradictions: both serious and playful, ornate and minimalistic, historic and futuristic, Brussels is full of surprises. From cutting-edge art to Art Nouveau architecture, and from comic strip murals to the best waffles ever, this city has so many layers that it can never be boring. Brussels may be small, but it sure has a big-city attitude.
A Few Things To Know About Brussels
It is a city rich in history and culture. Fans of historic European architecture won’t be disappointed here. At the same time, as the administrative centre of the EU, it can often be serious and businesslike. And yet, it doesn’t take itself too seriously: only in Brussels, you’ll find a statue dedicated to a cartoon.
Also, don’t be surprised to see street and place names in more than one language; Brussels is a bilingual territory, while Belgium as a whole has three official languages, French, Dutch (Flemish), and German.
However, Brussels isn’t the best option if you are on a diet. You can practically smell the waffles baking all over the place! Moreover, this is the birthplace of french fries (or chips, if you are from the UK). And if you add to the list the world-famous Belgian pralines, mussels, and beer, then you can kiss your willpower goodbye.
The nice thing about Brussels is that it’s quite compact. You can easily see the highlights and get a good idea of local life in just a couple of days. If you have an extra day or two, you can go on a day trip to Bruges, Ghent, or even Antwerp. Otherwise, you can explore deeper this fascinating, multifaceted city.
So let’s see which are the top things to do in Brussels, Belgium:
1. Grand Place (Grote Markt), Brussels Main Square
You can’t possibly go to Brusells and not see the Grand-Place (main square). Possibly Europe’s most beautiful square, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It is famous for its Gothic and Baroque-style buildings, many with ornate golden decorations.
The square has been a marketplace since the 12th century, while the majestic City Hall was built in the 15th century. Around the same time, the city’s merchant guilds built their headquarters around the square. Today, the ornate facades of these guild houses are the highlight of Grand Place, along with the City Hall.
Grand Place sits in the heart of Brussels and it is close to most of the city’s main attractions. If you visit around Christmas, you can see the splendid Winter Wonders light show at night, while in August the square gets covered by a huge carpet of flowers.
2. Brussels City Hall (Hôtel De Ville/Stadthuis)
While exploring Grand Place, if time allows, take the opportunity to visit the Town Hall. It is the centrepiece among all the ornate guild houses of the square, and its balconies are quite popular as a photo spot for newlyweds/
3. The Atomium And Mini-Europe
One of the most popular attractions in Brussels, futuristic Atomium is essentially a gigantic iron molecule. It was designed by engineer André Waterkeyn for the 1958 International Fair. The Atomium proved so popular that it became a permanent attraction. You can go inside, as it houses multiple exhibitions. It is quite an experience! If nothing else, you should go for the incredible panoramic views of Brussels the Atomium offers.
Moreover, if you have time to spare and the weather allows (it was, unfortunately, raining when I visited), you can check out the Mini-Europe theme park nearby. It features miniatures of more than 350 of Europe’s most famous landmarks, complete with visual and sound effects. Great for kids!
There is also another little surprise on your way out: the final bit of the escalator gets illuminated with futuristic lights and sound effects. Going down the escalator you’ll feel as if in a time- or space-travel tunnel. As a fan of science-fiction, this was the highlight of my visit (along with the view of Brussels at the top).
4. Manneken Pis (Peeing Boy) And His Family
I’m sure most of you have heard of the city’s mascot, the famous statue of the Peeing Boy (Manneken Pis). Popular with tourists and locals alike, this quirky and tiny statue near Grand Place is one of the city’s highlights. First installed in 1619, he is a clear sign that Brussels has always had a great sense of humour and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
But did you know it’s not the only peeing statue in Brussels? The residents are so fond of this naughty boy that over the years, artists have made him a peeing sister (Jeanneke Pis) and even a peeing dog (Zinneke Pis). Contrary to Manneken Pis, his peeing sister is rather difficult to find. You’ll find her on on the east side of the Impasse de la Fidélité / Getrouwheidsgang (Fidelity Alley), a small, narrow cul-de-sac off Rue des Bouchers / Beenhouwersstraat. As regards the peeing dog, he is forever lifting his leg to pee onto a street pole on the corner of Rue des Chartreux and Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains. That said, unlike his master, the peeing dog is not a fountain, but a regular bronze statue.
5. The Galeries Royales De Saint-Hubert
If shopping is more of your thing, then you can’t miss the elegant Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert. Even if you only do some window shopping. It is a beautiful Renaissance-style arcade built in the 19th century, with upscale shops, boutiques, restaurants, and even a cinema. Don’t forget to look up and admire the stunning glass roof, also known as the “umbrella of Brussels”.
With so many things on offer, from shops to restaurants, this is the perfect place to spend a rainy day in Brussels. Especially in colder weather, make sure you stop by Neuhaus chocolatier for the best hot chocolate in town.
6. Belgian Comic Strip Center (Centre Belge De La Bande Desinée)
Belgium is the birthplace of a great many world-famous cartoons and comics. Such as Lucky Luke, The Smurfs, Spirou, and Tin Tin, just to name a few. So it’s no wonder that Brussels has its very own cartoon museum, or more correctly, the Belgian Comic Strip Center.
The Comic Strip Center has over 60,000 works, covering the history of European comics from their very beginnings to this day. In addition, the Center often hosts temporary exhibitions that showcase different aspects of comic art. It is housed in a lovely Art Nouveau building, designed by architect Victor Horta (who has his very own museum in Brussels). This museum is as Belgian as it gets and if you visit, your inner child will thank you.
7. Treat Yourself To The Delicious Waffles Of Maison Dandoy
Ah, waffles! I could swear the whole country smells like waffles. Though I noticed this mostly in Antwerp, I don’t know why. Bruges has a whiff of chocolate, Antwerp smells a lot of freshly-made waffles, and Brussels, I am not sure… Perhaps french fries?
Anyway, the Belgians created the waffle so you can’t leave Brussels without eating at least one. Preferably more. And with chocolate syrup. There are two types of waffles in Belgium: the Liège waffle and the Brussels waffle.
The Brussels waffles are light and fluffy, crispy on the outside, soft inside, with the rectangular shape that most of us associate with what a waffle is. The Liège waffles (Liège is a big city in eastern Belgium by the way), are massively popular, thicker in texture, with a crispy coating of caramelised sugar. You can recognise them by their characteristic rounded corners and smaller size.
I suggest you try them both and decide which one you prefer for yourself. At any rate, you’ll find the best waffles (of either type) at Maison Dandoy, a true Brussels institution. They have eight shops in Brussels, but the easiest for visitors to go to is either the one in the Galleries Royales or the one near Grand Place. Oh, forgot to mention, they make amazing speculoos biscuits too.
