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The bustling capital city of Belgium is the political center of the European Union, with a mix of historic neighborhoods and modern urban centers. Explore the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its opulent guildhalls, the stunning Town Hall, and the vibrant atmosphere of the square.
You will enjoy the major museums, many art galleries, and perhaps take a boat ride on the canal. Numerous little lanes and plazas lined with historic buildings will also catch your attention. Don't miss the opportunity to savor some of Brussels' famous specialties, such as waffles, chocolate, and a refreshing glass of Belgian beer.
When Belgium was created in 1830, Brussels was made the capital of the new country, and it was given a special status as a bilingual region. This meant that both Dutch and French were official languages in Brussels, and the city was not assigned to either of the two main linguistic regions. Over time, the population of Brussels has become increasingly French-speaking, and today the majority of the inhabitants speak French as their first language. However, Dutch is still spoken by a significant minority of the population, and Brussels remains an officially bilingual city.
Here are some of the many things you would enjoy, based partly on information from the Brussels Tourist Information Office:
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One of the most beautiful squares in Europe, this is the most famous place in Brussels. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is surrounded by beautiful guildhalls and is also a great place for people-watching.
As you stand in awe of the magnificent Gothic and Baroque architecture you'll notice the City Hall, one of the most beautiful in the country, a stunning masterpiece with its towering spire and intricate detailing.
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Also notice the Maison du Roi, home to the Brussels City Museum, and a series of private houses built at the end of the 17th century. The surrounding guildhalls, adorned with gold accents, house charming cafés and shops, adding to the square's architectural richness and lively atmosphere.
Just a stone's throw away from the Grand Place are the The Royal Galleries Saint-Hubert, one of the oldest (1847) covered galleries in Europe, as beautiful by day as by night. Formerly nicknamed the “Umbrella of Brussels”, this Florentine Renaissance-style passage remains the most beautiful testimony to the commercial boom of the city before the arrival of the department stores. The ingenious canopy supported by a series of self-supporting curved arches has fish scale tiles that allow better ventilation of the place and exclude any condensation.
From the Grand Place, make your way to the iconic Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue depicting a wee little boy urinating. Although it may seem peculiar, this statue holds significant cultural importance and has become a symbol of Brussels' irreverent spirit. Don't forget to check if the statue is dressed in one of its many elaborate costumes, as it is known to be frequently adorned. Nearby, you can discover the vast wardrobe of Manneken Pis at the GardeRobe MannekenPis Museum.
The Place Royale is an 18th-century masterpiece built on the ashes of the Coudenberg Palace, and has retained its historical function as the “executive power district”. You’ll find the neoclassical Royal Palace, the “office” of the Belgian King, at the Place des Palais, bordering the Place Royale. Opposite is the Parc de Bruxelles or Royal Park, whose gardens are open to the public during the summer months and provide a serene escape from the bustling city center.
The streets bordering the park are also part of the same neoclassical ensemble. For instance, on the other side of the park, you will see the Palace of the Nation, the seat of the Belgian Parliament. At the Place Royale, with the statue of Godfrey of Bouillon at the centre, you’ll discover the Church of St. James on Coudenberg that resembles a Greco-Roman temple and a series of similar, harmonious mansions.
As beautiful from the outside as it is from the inside, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is a treasure trove of art. In fact, it is the most visited museum in Brussels. This complex contains several sites, covering a variety of periods and themes, including the Old Masters Museum, the Modern Art Museum, the Fin-de-Siècle Museum and the popular Magritte Museum. You will enjoy an extensive collection of works from Flemish masters like Bruegel and Rubens, as well as modern and contemporary art.
The Magritte Museum celebrates the life and works of the surrealist artist René Magritte, while the Comic Strip Museum showcases the rich history of Belgian comic strips, including the beloved character Tintin.
This district is arguably the most authentic and diverse part of Brussels. Here, you can often still hear the Brusseleir dialect being spoken. The Marolles (Marollen) have it all, from traditional cafés to trendy bars, family-run establishments to stylish new art galleries. Place du Jeu de Balle is the beating heart of this quarter, where the "Vieux Marché", a gigantic flea market, is held every day.
Marolles is home to hip techno clubs, trendy pubs and shops selling indie fashion, records and antiques. Around the central Place du Jeu de Balle, which hosts a daily flea market, there are modern galleries showcasing work by Belgian and international artists.
The colossal Palace of Justice, inaugurated in 1883, towers over the working-class district of the Marolles. At the time of its construction, this monument of 40,000 square meters of usable space was the largest building ever built and it’s still one of the largest courthouses in the world today.
Enjoy culture with a vista at this junction between uptown and downtown Brussels, which offers a delightful view in all seasons. Below, you can sit in the sumptuous gardens that lead to the statue of Albert I. The “knightly king” faces his love, Queen Elizabeth, whose statue stands on the small Place de l'Albertine on the other side of the road.The Mont des Arts is home to the KBR, the country's main library, and the KBR Museum, which houses the library of the Dukes of Burgundy and the Archives & Museum of Literature (AML). On the other side of the Mont des Arts you’ll find the Brussels Congress Centre Square. Within walking distance you’ll also find major museums and cultural institutions such as Bozar, the Musée BELvue and the Museum of Musical Instruments (MIM), to name but a few.
Created for the 1958 World Fair, this landmark with 9 balls represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times, to celebrate scientific discoveries and breakthroughs. Inside, you will find exhibitions and, most importantly, a stunning view of the Brussels-Capital Region from the top ball. Take an elevator to the top for panoramic views of the city, and explore the exhibition halls to learn about the building's history.
The Museum of Natural Sciences tops the list of the world's best dinosaur museums, which is hardly surprising given that it houses Europe's largest dinosaur gallery. With rooms covering all aspects of life on earth, the evolution of human beings, urban species and the creatures of the seabed, the Museum has something for visitors of all ages. You can even take a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific institute to which it belongs.
Brussels is the undisputed capital of the comic strip. The ninth art can be found everywhere, in shops, galleries, flea markets, festivals and more. And since 1991, the city's walls have been gradually covered with frescoes that pay tribute to the authors and their many heroes. You can turn down a street and come face to face with Tintin, Cubitus, Billy and Buddy, Blake and Mortimer or Corto Maltese. In all, there are more than 80 murals immersing locals, visitors and tourists alike in the wonderful world of comics.
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No visit to Brussels is complete without indulging in its gastronomic delights. Belgian cuisine is renowned for its waffles, chocolate, and beer, and you'll find countless establishments throughout the city where you can savor these treats. Sample crispy Brussels waffles topped with whipped cream and strawberries, or explore the diverse flavors of Belgian chocolates at renowned chocolatiers like Neuhaus or Leonidas. And for beer enthusiasts, the city is a paradise with numerous traditional breweries and cozy beer bars offering a vast selection of local brews.
Brussels is also home to the European Union, and you can visit the European Parliament and other EU institutions to gain insights into the workings of European politics. Take a guided tour to learn about the EU's role in shaping Europe's future and discover the fascinating history behind this unifying body.
Video from our 1992 archive. In the video we explore the historic heart of town all around the Grand Place. Like all European cities, it has many attractions including restaurants, shops and historic sites. Perhaps the most famous feature is the Manekin Pis, the statue of a little boy taking a constant pee. They claim the worlds oldest shopping mall, dating back nearly 2 centuries and still thriving today. Dont miss the excellent Museum of Ancient Art, with at least 40 masterpieces by important European painters, along with sculpture and decorative arts in a grand setting. We finish with a stroll along the Rue de Bouchers, lined with colorful but touristic restaurants, on our way to the Grand Place for an outdoor performance of Beethovens 9th Symphony by the Belgian National Orchestra.
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