The Best Things to Do in Brussels: Grand-Place, Comic Murals, Belgian Food & More

Looking for the best things to do in Brussels? From Grand-Place and the city’s comic strip murals to Matongé, Belgian food, beautiful gardens and very good beer—here’s all the places and experiences I’d prioritise for your first trip, from someone who’s given Brussels a try several times…

This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more information.

I first went to Brussels in 2018.

In fact, it was one of the first destinations I travelled to in Europe.

And honestly? I didn’t particularly like it.

I saw the famous square, found the tiny peeing statue everyone talks about and treated Brussels as the practical middle of a wider Belgium trip. It was somewhere to arrive, look around and move on from.

Which, I’ve since realised, is exactly how Brussels gets underestimated.

People compare it with the concentrated prettiness of Bruges or the easy cool of Ghent. They call it boring, grey or merely useful for changing trains and going somewhere better.

Then I came back.

And back again.

This time, I gave Brussels room to get interesting. I followed the Brussels Comic Strip Walk, spent time in Matongé, looked beyond the first wave of tourist attractions and started noticing the city for its quirky and incredible contrasts.

Its central square is one of the most elaborate in Europe, yet one of its best-known symbols is still a small bronze boy having a wee. Flemish masterpieces sit close to cartoon walls and French history. Royal buildings face a park where people drink coffee, listen to music and lie beneath the trees.

And within one day, you can move from Gothic churches and gilded guildhouses to Congolese restaurants, speciality coffee, comic-book characters and a bar with more Belgian beer than any sensible person could attempt.

So yes, see Manneken Pis, but also, give the city time to impress you beyond the peeing-guy thing. I think it may surprise you too…

Shall we?

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.

Quick Overview: The Best Things to Do in Brussels

Short on time? No offence taken. Here’s my quick take on the best things to do in the city.

23 Best Things to Do in Brussels

1. Start at Grand-Place

There’s famous squares you arrive at and think, yes, I can see why everyone comes here.

Grand-Place is one of them.

The square is enclosed by the Gothic Brussels Town Hall, the ornate guildhouses and the neo-Gothic King’s House, which now holds the Brussels City Museum.

Every façade seems determined to outdo the next, with gold details, carved figures, stepped roofs and a tower that’ll pull your camera out instantly.

But don’t just take a quick photograph and leave.

Come early if you want empty views, return after dark when its façades are illuminated, and make sure to see it from multiple perspectives. The square changes completely depending on whether you’re looking towards the Town Hall, the King’s House or the narrower streets opening around it.

P.S. – Grand-Place is also the starting point for my one-day Brussels itinerary.

2. Walk Through Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

A few minutes from Grand-Place, you’ll see a different kind of grandeur at the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert.

The glass-roofed arcade opened in the 19th century with cafés, shops, theatres and apartments all beneath one elegant structure.

It still works in much the same way today, with chocolate shops, bookshops, boutiques and coffee shops all ready for you to pop in.

It’s beautiful on a rainy day, a nice tuck-in in winter and one of the easiest places to fold into your first day with its prime location between Grand-Place, the cathedral and Brussels-Central Station.

3. Meet Manneken Pis—Then Keep Going

Manneken Pis is small. Very small.

And worth seeing because he’s part of Brussels’ humour and history, not because it’ll occupy half your morning.

The statue dates to the early 17th century and is regularly dressed in one of the hundreds of costumes associated with him, but there is definitely a mismatch between his international fame and his actual size…

Simply turn a corner off of Grand-Place, and you’ll see a crowd pressed around a fountain and realise the subject of all those raised phones is, in fact, a bronze boy relieving himself.

If you’re more interested than expected, continue to the GardeRobe MannekenPis to see selections from his wardrobe, or visit the Brussels City Museum, where the original statue is kept.

Then, carry on!

4. Follow the Brussels Comic Strip Walk

Personally, this is the experience that changed Brussels for me.

The Brussels Comic Strip Walk suddenly turns the city into something you have to search for. Murals appear across side streets, blank walls, corners and neighbourhood routes, featuring characters from Belgium’s long comic-book tradition.

I loved it because instead of moving only between the most obvious Brussels attractions, you begin paying attention to what’s above you, behind you and down streets you might otherwise ignore.

I followed the official route and genuinely loved it. It gave purpose to wandering Brussels for me without making the day feel like one long museum visit.

You can use the official Comic Strip Trail or follow my full Brussels Comic Strip Walk route, map and favourite murals.

P.S. – I wouldn’t try to find every mural on your trip (unless you’re trying to set a record or something). Choose one area of the route, then let the walk connect naturally with cafés, lunch and the other places you already want to see in Brussels.

5. Go Inside the Comic Art Museum

Comic Art Museum

Once you’ve seen the comic murals, you can take a closer look at the art at the Comic Art Museum.

Splashed inside the former Waucquez warehouse, inside you can follow the story of how a comic moves from an idea and first sketches to finished pages, before exploring permanent and temporary displays from Belgian creators, characters and the wider comic-art world.

I’d add it if the Comic Strip Walk is one of your main reasons for visiting, or save it as a very Belgian rainy-day.

6. Stop for the View at Mont des Arts

Mont des Arts connects Brussels’ lower historic centre with its upper museum and royal quarter. In other words, the views are gorgeous.

The formal garden sits in the middle, with clipped hedges, fountains and a long view towards the Town Hall tower. And it’s one of the best places to understand Brussels’ levels—literally—as the city climbs from Grand-Place towards Place Royale.

I’d stop here on the way to the Old Masters Museum, then return near sunset if the weather is behaving.

And of course, you’ll find Brussels’ daily dose of street musicians, skaters, commuters and fellow tourists here too.

7. See Flemish Art at the Old Masters Museum

For art in Brussels, I’d prioritise a pop into the Old Masters Museum.

Its collection moves through European art from the 15th to the 18th century, with Flemish and Southern Netherlandish works by artists including Bruegel, Rubens, Van Dyck, Bosch and Memling.

The museum sits within the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium complex near Mont des Arts, Place Royale, Sablon and the Royal Palace, so it’s easy to give yourself an art-filled morning without going too far.

If you only want to do one museum on your Brussels trip, I’d choose this one for Flemish masters and Belgian art history.

If surrealism is your priority, then I’d visit the Magritte Museum instead; it’s in the same area!

And if paintings aren’t calling your name at all, the nearby Musical Instruments Museum is the stronger choice. It sits inside the Art Nouveau former Old England department store, with instruments from around the world presented across four floors using audio and visual displays.

8. Pair the Royal Palace With Brussels Park

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s administrative residence and main workplace in the capital, and occasionally, you can visit inside too…

Even when the palace is closed, it’s worth pairing with Brussels Park (also called Warandepark or Parc de Bruxelles in Flemish and French) directly opposite.

Here you’ll find broad paths, statues, a bandstand and plenty of places to have a European read beneath the trees.

And in warmer months, the Woodpecker Royal Park kiosk is an easy way to turn your royal sightseeing here into a pit stop for coffee, lunch or an afternoon drink.

9. Go Inside the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula

The Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula sits above the central station area, with two stern towers and an incredible interior.

Construction began in 1226 on the site of an earlier Romanesque church, with the cathedral’s Brabantine Gothic form taking shape over the following three centuries.

The main cathedral is free to enter, although donations are welcome.

It’s especially useful on a rainy Brussels day and sits close to Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, the Comic Strip route and Brussels’ central museums.

10. See Brussels’ Art Nouveau Architecture

Brussels is one of the cities where Art Nouveau first properly took shape, so I have to give the movement its own stop.

Victor Horta completed the Hôtel Tassel in 1893, now widely seen as one of the founding works of Art Nouveau. From there, curved ironwork, stained glass, mosaics, plant-like lines and rooms designed as complete works of art began appearing across Brussels.

For the best single introduction, have a peek inside the Horta Museum, the architect’s own house and studio in Saint-Gilles. Much of the original interior remains, including the furniture, wall paintings, mosaics and stained glass.

If you’d rather keep walking, use this Brussels Art Nouveau and Art Deco route through Saint-Gilles and Ixelles, or if you’re a true art buff, consider a private tour with Horta Museum entry.

11. Spend an Afternoon in Sablon

Sablon is Brussels’ prettiest neighbourhood, and it’s easy to see why.

To explore, start inside the Gothic Église Notre-Dame du Sablon, then cross to Square du Petit Sablon.

It’s a small neo-Renaissance garden ringed by statues representing Brussels’ historic guilds, with beautiful symmetrical flowerbeds.

Then continue to Grand Sablon for antiques, chocolate shops and cafés. On market days, the square fills with art, jewellery, silverware, old books and the possibility of buying one or twenty-four things for your flight or Eurostar journey.

Sablon also connects neatly with Mont des Arts, the Old Masters Museum and Marolles, making it one of the best neighbourhoods to build into a second day in Brussels once you’ve seen beyond the obvious.

12. Rummage Through Jeu de Balle Flea Market

Right beside polished Sablon, Jeu de Balle Flea Market is a lot more lived-in and a lovely place to see local life in Brussels.

Here you’ll find tables on tables (and blankets) filled with old photographs, records, crockery, furniture, second-hand clothes and all the bric-a-brac you could dream of.

Go earlier if you want the best rummage, then continue around the antique shops, vintage stores, cafés and galleries on the surrounding streets.

For a particularly good entrance, start at Place Poelaert for the view across lower Brussels, then take the free glass lift down into the neighbourhood. It pairs perfectly with Sablon.

13. Explore Matongé

One of the most important things I did on my return trip was leave Brussels’ monument loop and spend time in Matongé.

Named after a district in Kinshasa, Matongé is Brussels’ best-known African neighbourhood. Its Congolese roots are visible across the galleries, food shops, salons and restaurants on the surrounding streets of Ixelles.

It was also a wonderful reminder that Brussels isn’t just a collection of Belgian monuments, but a multilingual city shaped by migration, colonial history and communities that have made it home.

Take time to wander the galleries and surrounding streets, then stop at L’Horloge du Sud—a cultural venue known for its divine—and I do mean divine—African food and events (just be sure to check current opening dates as they do take seasonal breaks).

Read More: Exploring Matongé Brussels: Black Culture, Food and My Favourite Stops

14. See the EU at Work in the European Quarter

Brussels may be Belgium’s capital, but it’s also one of the best places to see where the European Union comes to life, especially in the European Quarter.

Here’s a few bits to check out for your trip.

For an EU Parliament Introduction: Parlamentarium

The Parlamentarium is the best starting point if you want to understand what the European Parliament does without sitting through a political-science lecture.

Its multimedia displays move through European integration, elections, legislation, the work of Members of the European Parliament and the effect EU decisions can have on daily life. Available in all 24 official EU languages.

To Step Inside Parliament: The Hemicycle

Visit the European Parliament Hemicycle if you want to see the chamber where Members of the European Parliament debate and vote.

Individual visits can include a multimedia guide, a talk or, when the timing works, the chance to follow a plenary session from the visitors’ gallery. Make sure to check the official visit requirements before you go.

For Europe Beyond Parliament: House of European History

The House of European History sits inside leafy Parc Léopold with a permanent exhibition that moves through Europe’s development, conflict, division, migration, memory and attempts at greater cooperation. Entry is free, and I’d suggest spending around 90 minutes exploring.

All three sit close together, so choose one that genuinely interests you most. Before leaving, I’d also look for the two original sections of the Berlin Wall beside the Hemicycle visitors’ entrance—it’s one more reminder that European history here is not particularly distant.

P.S. – If you want to carry on exploring this side of Brussels, continue to Cinquantenaire Park. It was created for the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence!

15. Eat Your Way Through Belgian Food

Le Bistro on the left and Belgian fries from Patatak on the right!

It’s not a day of Brussels sightseeing if some Belgian food isn’t added to the mix.

For a first trip, I’d try fries, croquettes, waffles, chocolate and at least one sit-down Belgian meal. Or, for ease, take this 3-hour Brussels food tour for delicious tastings paired with a guided walk through the city centre.

Otherwise, for a sit-down Belgian meal and smaller stop recommendations (like for fries, croquettes, waffles and chocolate), use my where to eat in Brussels guide. And for coffee and brunch, check out my Brussels café guide.

16. Make Belgian Chocolate Yourself

1.5-hour Belgian chocolate-making workshop

Buying Belgian chocolate is easy. But if you’d like to go deeper with the age-old Belgian tradition, it’s time to make it yourself.

This 1.5-hour Belgian chocolate-making workshop will introduce you to chocolate making as you create truffles, mendiants and a personalised chocolate bar to take away after class (if it makes it that far).

P.S. – If you prefer to keep walking, check out this historical Brussels tour with chocolate and waffle tastings.

17. Visit Belgian Beer World Inside the Bourse

For something cool in the city, visit the former Brussels Stock Exchange—given a new life as La Bourse, with public spaces, restaurants, a roof terrace and the ever-iconic Belgian Beer World inside.

The beer experience will draw you into Belgian brewing culture before ending with a tasting and city views.

Below the building, you’ll find Bruxella 1238, with archaeological remains of a medieval Franciscan convent—bringing beer, architecture, city history and a rooftop hangout into one stop.

P.S. – If you’re keen on a smaller-group tasting and trying different Brussels bars, here’s my guide to the best Brussels beer tours and tastings in the city.

18. Make Time for Brussels’ Café Scene

The second time I visited Brussels, I made time to check out the café scene, and oh, was I impressed. Here’s my hits.

For specialty coffee near the museum quarter, try BOUCHE Specialty Coffee. For coffee and homemade buns near Brussels-Central Station, save BARKBOY.

In the Dansaert neighbourhood, you’ll find the iconic MOK Coffee, while The Unusual is fabulous for speciality coffee, Belgian hot chocolate and a central coffee stop near the cathedral.

But they’re just the beginning. Head to my best cafés in Brussels guide for the full coffee low-down in Brussels.

19. Browse Librebook

I almost always make room for an independent bookshop on my trip, and Librebook is a particularly Brussels one.

The multilingual European bookshop is in Ixelles, with literature, essays, children’s books and titles from across the continent. It also has a café where you can read over coffee, wine or Belgian beer.

Pair it with a visit to Matongé, and relish going beyond the tourist core and into local Brussels.

20. Stay Out for Belgian Beer or Live Jazz

The Music Village

Brussels comes alive at night, and it’s worth seeing it for yourself…

At Delirium Village you’ll find eight Belgian bars with an enormous beer selection to choose from. It’s busy and hardly hidden, but unmistakably Brussels.

For drinks around Saint-Géry, Mappa Mundo is also a lovely pick, with a lively terrace and fab late-night atmosphere.

For something similar, you can also tuck into The Hoxton’s Tope for cool cocktails and Mexican tapas.

If you’re feeling especially social—or travelling alone and keen to meet people—this Brussels pub crawl and nightlife experience is one to check out, with four bar stops over three and a half hours and a party guide (just bear in mind the crowd skews younger).

And if you would rather listen than shout over a bar, book a night at The Music Village, a happening central Brussels jazz club only a few steps from Grand-Place, or Sounds Jazz Club in Ixelles, another longstanding name in Brussels’ live-music scene. Highly recommend both.

21. Decide Whether the Atomium Is Worth the Detour

The Atomium is Brussels’ most recognisable modern landmark, with nine connected spheres representing an iron crystal enlarged to an almost absurd scale for Expo 58.

Although the outside is what you’ll recognise from photographs, the visit is much more than standing underneath it and looking up.

Here you can take the lift to the upper sphere for panoramic views across Brussels, then move through the Atomium’s futuristic tubes, escalators and exhibition spaces.

I’ve mentioned it closer to the end only because it sits away from the historic centre and deserves more time than a quick photograph between other Brussels attractions.

I probably wouldn’t squeeze it into a tightly packed one-day Brussels itinerary, but with two days—or a particular love for unusual architecture, panoramic views and World’s Fair history—I think it’s absolutely worth making the journey (and understanding the reality and deeply problematic past of the World’s Fair before you go).

You’ll need an Atomium entry ticket for your visit, which also includes the nearby Design Museum Brussels, around 150 metres away, making for a nice half-day outside the city centre.

P.S. – If you’re visiting with family, you can also pop into Mini-Europe next door, filled with miniature versions of famous European landmarks.

22. Take a Peaceful Pause in Brussels’ Botanical Garden & Park

Brussels has several polished city gardens, but the central Brussels Botanical Garden is well worth the stop.

The original botanical garden opened here in 1829, before the botanical institution and its collections moved to Meise in 1938. The central Brussels site remains a public park today, with French-, Italian- and English-style terraces, lawns, a rose garden, a pond and sculptures.

Overlooking the garden is the beautiful glass-fronted building that once formed part of the botanical garden, now Le Botanique, a cultural centre with year-round concerts and art exhibitions.

For the full botanical garden experience, I’d make time for Botanic Garden Meise, located just outside Brussels.

It’s an enormous 92-hectare garden home to around 18,000 plant species, the tropical Plant Palace and Bouchout Castle—just bear in mind that you’ll want to allow at least half a day for your visit!

23. Use Brussels as a Base for More of Belgium

Not only is Brussels worth visiting in its own right, but it’s also a very useful base for wider Belgium trips.

You can take an easy day trip from Brussels to Bruges, follow my Brussels to Ghent by train guide, or compare more options in my guide to the best day trips from Brussels by train.

If your time is limited and you want both cities without handling every connection yourself, I’d recommend this full-day Bruges and Ghent tour from Brussels, which is part-guided with free time in each.

Book your full-day Bruges and Ghent tour from Brussels

And if you’re visiting in spring you can also plan a lovely seasonal trip to the hidden Groot-Bijgaarden Castle.

Read More: How to Visit Groot-Bijgaarden Castle: Belgium’s Hidden Spring Flower Garden Near Brussels

Whichever you choose, just make sure to give Brussels at least one full day, preferably two, before heading off for somewhere else.

How I’d Spend One Day in Brussels

If you only have one day in Brussels, I’d focus on the historic centre, Mont des Arts, Sablon and one neighbourhood or experience that shows you more of the city.

Morning

Start at Grand-Place before the square gets too busy. Walk through Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, stop at Manneken Pis, then follow a central section of the Comic Strip Walk.

Lunch

Choose a Belgian lunch from my Brussels restaurant guide, or book the Brussels food tour and let lunch become part of your sightseeing.

Afternoon

Walk through Mont des Arts and choose the Old Masters Museum if art is a priority, or continue through Sablon for the church, gardens, chocolate shops and antiques.

If you’d rather see a less obvious part of Brussels, use the afternoon for Matongé instead.

Evening

Return to Grand-Place after dark, then choose Belgian beer at Delirium Village, drinks around Saint-Géry or live jazz at The Music Village.

Read my full one-day Brussels itinerary.

How I’d Spend Two Days in Brussels

Two days is my favourite amount of time for a first Brussels trip because it lets you see the main attractions without giving up every neighbourhood, café and museum.

With that said, I’d use day one for Grand-Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Manneken Pis, the Comic Strip Walk, Mont des Arts, Sablon and the Marolles.

And on day two, add:

• Matongé and lunch at L’Horloge du Sud.
• The Old Masters Museum or Magritte Museum.
• One European Quarter experience: the Parlamentarium, Hemicycle or House of European History, with Cinquantenaire Park if you have time.
• The Horta Museum or an Art Nouveau walk if architecture is one of your priorities.
• The Royal Palace and Brussels Park.
• More of the Comic Strip Walk
• A slower coffee stop from my Brussels café guide.
• Belgian Beer World or a Brussels beer tour.
• The Atomium if of interest.

Use my complete two-day Brussels itinerary for your trip!

How to Get to Brussels

Lucky for you, you can reach Brussels easily by train from several major European cities.

From London, you can take a direct Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Brussels-Midi/Zuid Station.

P.S. – Read my full guide to taking the Eurostar to Brussels from London for travel time, tickets and what to expect.

From Paris and Amsterdam, there’s also direct international trains you can easily use for your Brussels trip. Domestic trains also connect you easily to Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp.

Brussels has several major stations, so check which one your ticket uses before your trip. Brussels-Central is the most useful for the historic centre, and international Eurostar trains use Brussels-Midi/Zuid.

Read More: Brussels Tips: Everything to Know Before Your Trip

Where to Stay in Brussels

For a first trip, I’d highly recommend staying central enough to walk to Grand-Place, the Comic Strip route, Mont des Arts and Brussels’ main restaurants without making every day begin with transport.

I personally stayed at NH Collection Brussels Centre for my trip, a grand historic hotel on Boulevard Adolphe Max with a rooftop breakfast room, easy access to the central shopping streets and Grand-Place within walking distance.

It’s roughly a 10–12-minute walk from Brussels-Central Station, depending on your route and luggage, and close enough to return to your hotel between sightseeing and dinner if you need.

P.S. – Read my full NH Collection Brussels Centre review, or compare more options in my guide to the best hotels near Brussels Central Station.

What to Book Before Visiting Brussels

• Your Brussels hotel, especially for weekends, Christmas-market dates and summer events.
• The historical walking tour with chocolate and waffle tastings if you want a guided first introduction to the city.
• The Brussels food tour if food is one of your main reasons for visiting.
• The Belgian chocolate-making workshop, particularly for weekends and school holidays.
• Your preferred experience from my guide to the best Brussels beer tours and tastings, if there’s one you particularly want to take (like Belgian Beer World)
• Atomium tickets if you want a specific morning time or are visiting during a busy period.
• Any major museum or seasonal Royal Palace entry you want for a fixed day.
• The Bruges and Ghent day tour if your Belgium itinerary is short.
• Dinner reservations for smaller restaurants from my Brussels restaurant guide.

For more options, compare my full guide to the best tours in Brussels.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Brussels

The first time I visited Brussels, I didn’t have high expectations. The second and third times, I took more time to understand the city.

The difference was in exploring cartoon walls through the city, spending time in Matongé, sitting in Brussels cafés, wandering its best art museums, tucking into Brussels beer and discovering its nightlife and, above all, not expecting it to behave or look like Bruges or Ghent.

That’s where Brussels finally impressed me—and why I think it deserves the chance to impress you too.

Have the best trip.

Happy travels,

Candace x

FAQ: Best Things to Do in Brussels

What are the best things to do in Brussels?

The best things to do in Brussels for a first trip are visiting Grand-Place, walking through Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, seeing Manneken Pis, following the Comic Strip Walk, visiting Mont des Arts and Sablon, exploring Matongé, seeing one part of the European Quarter and making time for Belgian food, chocolate and beer.

What should you not miss in Brussels?

I wouldn’t miss Grand-Place, but I also wouldn’t let it become your whole trip. For my non-negotiables, I’d say Grand-Place, a section of the Comic Strip Walk, Mont des Arts, Sablon and one experience beyond the central tourist route—ideally Matongé, a food tour or a neighbourhood café.

What is Brussels best known for?

Brussels is best known for Grand-Place, Manneken Pis, Belgian chocolate, waffles, fries, beer, comic strips, Art Nouveau architecture, being the capital of Belgium and a major centre for European institutions.

Is Brussels worth visiting?

Yes, Brussels is worth visiting—especially if you give it more than a rushed stop between trains. It has excellent museums, distinctive neighbourhoods, Belgian food, comic-book culture, nightlife and some of Europe’s grandest central architecture. Read my full guide to whether Brussels is worth visiting to see who I think would enjoy it most.

Is one day enough for Brussels?

One day is enough to see Brussels’ main central attractions if you keep your route focused. You can cover Grand-Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Manneken Pis, a section of the Comic Strip Walk, Mont des Arts and Sablon. Follow my one-day Brussels itinerary for my full route.

What can you do in Brussels for two days?

With two days in Brussels, use the first for the historic centre, Comic Strip Walk, Mont des Arts, Sablon and the Marolles. On day two, add Matongé, one European Quarter experience, a museum, the Royal Palace and Brussels Park, cafés, Belgian Beer World or the Atomium. Be sure to read my complete Brussels weekend itinerary before your trip!

What are the best things to do in Brussels for young adults?

For young adults, I’d prioritise the Comic Strip Walk, Matongé, specialty cafés, Belgian beer tastings, a food tour, live jazz, Saint-Géry bars and Brussels’ nightlife. The Brussels pub crawl and nightlife experience is also good for a social night out.

What are some alternative things to do in Brussels?

For less obvious things to do in Brussels, follow the Comic Strip Walk, explore Matongé, rummage through the Marolles flea market, follow an Art Nouveau route, browse Librebook, visit the archaeological Bruxella 1238 site or book a chocolate-making workshop.

What are the best things to do in Brussels when it rains?

On a rainy day in Brussels, you can walk through Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, visit the Comic Art Museum, Old Masters Museum or Magritte Museum, see Belgian Beer World, go inside the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, join a chocolate workshop or settle into one of the cafés from my Brussels café guide.

What are the best things to do in Brussels at Christmas?

At Christmas, Brussels’ central squares and streets host the Winter Wonders programme, with markets, lights, food, rides and seasonal events around the historic centre. Grand-Place is also especially beautiful after dark. Exact dates and locations change each year, so check the official programme before your trip.

Can you visit the European Parliament in Brussels?

Yes. You can visit the Parlamentarium, see the European Parliament Hemicycle or visit the House of European History. They’re close together in the European Quarter, but check the current entry, identification and booking requirements for the Hemicycle before your trip.

Is Brussels good for families?

Brussels can work very well for families. The Comic Strip Walk is very interactive and fun for a few hours of exploring. You can also take up a chocolate-making workshop or visit the Atomium or Mini-Europe nearby. For a peaceful family pause, I’d also look at the Brussels Botanical Garden.

Is Brussels walkable?

The historic centre is definitely walkable, but just keep in mind Brussels is hillier and more spread out than it first appears. Grand-Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Manneken Pis, the cathedral, Mont des Arts and Sablon can all be reached on foot. But I’d use Brussels’ public transport for the Atomium or more distant neighbourhoods (just tap in with your contactless card).

Where should you stay in Brussels?

For a first trip, I’d stay near the historic centre or Brussels-Central Station so you can walk to the main attractions and use direct trains for your Belgian day trips. I stayed at NH Collection Brussels Centre and highly recommend it.

Compare more options in my guide to the best hotels near Brussels Central Station.

What should you book in advance in Brussels?

I’d book your Brussels hotel, any specific food, chocolate or beer tour, the Atomium during busy periods and popular dinner reservations. If you want a Bruges and Ghent day tour, book before your date fills up!

Plan the rest of your Brussels trip

Still planning? Here’s more of my Brussels guides to help you decide where to stay, what to book and how to make the most of your trip.

Before you book

• Is Brussels Worth Visiting? My Honest Review After Exploring the City
• Brussels Tips: Everything to Know Before Your Trip

Brussels itineraries and day trips

• One Day in Brussels: My Perfect Brussels Day Trip Itinerary
• My Brussels Weekend Itinerary: How I’d Spend 2 Days in the City
• Eurostar to Brussels from London: Travel Time, Tickets and What to Expect
• The Best Day Trips from Brussels by Train: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and More
• The Perfect Day Trip from Brussels to Bruges: Train, Tours & My Itinerary
• Brussels to Ghent by Train: My Experience, Ticket Tips & Day Trip Guide
• How to Visit Groot-Bijgaarden Castle: Belgium’s Hidden Spring Flower Garden Near Brussels

Where to stay and what to book

• The Best Hotels Near Brussels Central Station: Where I Stayed and My Top Picks
• NH Collection Brussels Centre Review: My Honest Stay in Brussels
• The Best Tours in Brussels: Walking Tours, Food Experiences and Unique Things to Do
• The Best Brussels Beer Tours and Tastings: Which One Is Best for Your Trip?

What to do and where to eat

• The Best Things to Do in Brussels: Grand-Place, Comic Murals, Belgian Food & More
• Brussels Comic Strip Walk: Full Route, Map and My Favourite Murals
• Exploring Matongé Brussels: Black Culture, Food and My Favourite Stops
• The Best Restaurants in Brussels, Belgium: My Favourite Places to Eat
• The Best Cafés in Brussels: My Favourite Coffee and Brunch Spots