Brussels Comic Strip Walk: Full Route, Map and My Favourite Murals

Planning the Comic Strip Walk in Brussels? Here’s everything you need to know about taking the route yourself, including the free official map, the city-centre route I’d follow, a little Belgian comic history and the murals I loved the most over several trips to Brussels.

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The first time I visited Brussels, I went in knowing about the waffles, beer and Grand-Place.

What I didn’t know was that on nearly every corner, cartoons would start appearing out of nowhere.

First, I looked up and saw Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock scrambling down a painted fire escape above Rue de l’Etuve.

A few streets later, Broussaille and Catherine were strolling arm in arm across an entire façade. Then Ric Hochet appeared in the middle of a rescue scene that looked like it was spilling out of the building’s real windows.

I didn’t know most of the characters’ names yet, but after one, then another and another, I finally thought, “Okay, this has to be a thing.”

Lo and behold, I’d stumbled into the Brussels Comic Strip Trail—which easily turned into one of my favourite discoveries from that first trip.

Every time I’ve come back to Brussels since, I’ve made time for it again.

Sometimes I’ll follow a section of the map. Other times, I’ll let a mural pull me off course between a café, museum and dinner—which, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to experience it.

That’s exactly why I think it’s one of the most unique things to do in Brussels.

You don’t need a ticket. You don’t need to recognise every character. And you definitely don’t need to complete all 80-plus murals. Even following part of the city-centre route is enough to make Brussels feel completely different on your visit.

Here’s everything you need to know to do it for yourself.

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.

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

Quick Overview: Brussels Comic Strip Walk

What Is the Brussels Comic Strip Walk?

The Brussels Comic Strip Walk—also called the Comic Strip Trail, Comic Book Route or Comic Book Walk—is a huge collection of comic murals painted across buildings throughout Brussels.

Rather than finding one tidy attraction, you’ll find characters spread across and hidden around the historical centre, the Marolles, Sainte-Catherine and the canal, Laeken and Haren and several other unassuming corners of the capital.

Some copy scenes from existing comic albums. Others were created especially for the wall. And the best ones use the building itself for the piece.

The official trail now has more than 80 murals, but please don’t take that as a challenge to see every single one in an afternoon (unless you want to).

For a first visit, I’d start with the historical-centre route. It covers 5 km, takes around three hours if you do it properly and passes plenty of the Brussels sights you were probably planning to see anyway.

My honest advice: pick one section, save the map and enjoy whatever fits around the rest of your Brussels day.

Why Is Brussels Famous for Comic Strips?

If you’re wondering why Brussels has gone to all this effort for comic strips, the answer is simple: comics are a very big deal here.

They’re often called the “ninth art”, and that title starts making a lot more sense once you see how seriously Brussels treats them.

In fact, Belgium gave the world some of Europe’s most recognisable comic characters and creators. Hergé created Tintin. Peyo introduced the Smurfs in the pages of Spirou in 1958. And publishers like Le Lombard and Dupuis helped turn Franco-Belgian bandes dessinées into a huge part of twentieth-century popular culture.

Far beyond the walls, you’ll discover more comic history inside the Comic Art Museum—set inside a former Victor Horta-designed textile store—and in specialist bookshops like Slumberland.

Comic Art Museum

As for the walk itself, it all began with Broussaille in 1991.

A damaged wall near Grand-Place could’ve simply become another advertising space. Instead, Brussels chose a comic-strip fresco. One painted façade became another, then another, until the project eventually stretched far beyond the historical centre.

Since 2021, you’ll also find QR codes next to the more problematic cartoons and artworks.

The Full City-Centre Brussels Comic Strip Walk Route

Now, onto the actual route!

This is the official historical-centre walk I’d follow on a first trip. It starts beside Brussels-Central, climbs through the upper historical centre, loops past Grand-Place and finishes around the lower-centre murals near Rue du Marché au Charbon and Rue du Bon Secours.

It fits especially well into my one-day Brussels itinerary or two-day Brussels itinerary, passing loads of places you’ll probably already have on your Brussels list.

Stop 1: The Smurfs at Brussels-Central

Start at Brussels-Central Station and head into the passage at Carrefour de l’Europe 3, beside Hilton Brussels Grand Place.

Once you’re there, you can kick things off with one of the most fun murals on the entire route. The Smurfs!

The enormous 207 m² scene is packed with little Brussels and Belgium references: the Atomium, chips, beer, waffles, Manneken Pis, the Flower Carpet and even football-playing Smurfs dressed like the Red Devils.

It’s very, very cute.

Stop 2: The Scorpion at Treurenberg

From the station, walk uphill towards the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula and continue to Treurenberg for a completely different comic world.

The Scorpion mural at Treurenberg 16 is all sword fights, dangerous dealings and eighteenth-century Rome. The character is a relic trafficker and adventurer, usually found somewhere between political plots and sinister catacombs.

Stop 3: Pass the Comic Art Museum

Comic Art Museum

Then continue towards the Comic Art Museum on Rue des Sables.

You don’t have to go inside during the walk, but if the murals have made you curious, it’s a very easy add-on.

The museum covers the artists, characters and publishing history behind Belgian comics—and sits inside a gorgeous, light-filled Art Nouveau building by Victor Horta, so there’s plenty to gawk at before you’ve even reached the exhibitions.

There’s also the Slumberland Bookshop inside for albums, manga, posters, figurines and illustrated gifts if you’re keen to pop in.

Stop 4: Walk Back Through the Historic Centre

Now head back towards the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and Grand-Place.

While strolling, you won’t have to choose between comic murals and the main sights. Just remember to keep looking up!

And of course, stop to see this guy...

Stop 5: Tintin on Rue de l’Etuve

Once you’re past Grand-Place, you can walk towards Manneken Pis and stop at Rue de l’Etuve 37.

The Tintin mural shows Tintin, Captain Haddock and Snowy escaping down a fire escape in a scene from The Calculus Affair.

It’s one of the most recognisable walls on the route, but the clever bit is how the painted metalwork mirrors the real fire escape.

Stop 6: Broussaille—the Mural That Started the Route

Continue to Rue du Marché au Charbon 39–41 for Broussaille.

At first glance, it’s a sweet and gentle scene: Broussaille and Catherine walking through Brussels together.

But historically, it’s the wall that started it all.

Inaugurated in July 1991, Broussaille was the first mural in what would eventually become the Comic Strip Trail. Instead of turning the deteriorating wall into yet another advertisement, the city decided to make it a home for art.

That one decision completely changed the look of Brussels and began what would eventually become an entire city-wide comic-art route.

Stop 7: Victor Sackville

A little farther along Rue du Marché au Charbon, stop at number 60 for Victor Sackville.

The English spy appears in a carefully researched First World War setting, and the mural was the second wall added to the route in 1992.

Stop 8: Ric Hochet on Rue du Bon Secours

Finish the main route at Rue du Bon Secours 9 with Ric Hochet.

Here, the journalist-detective is trying to save Nadine from an attack while Commissioner Bourdon watches everything unfold. But the best part is how the mural uses the actual façade, with characters seeming to occupy different floors and windows of the real building.

Artist Tibet originally sketched the scene for the wall, then later worked it into the album Le Trésor des Marolles. So instead of Brussels copying the comic, the comic ended up copying Brussels!

Need a food break? From the lower-centre murals, you can continue towards Sainte-Catherine or use my Brussels restaurant guide and Brussels café guide to plan your cartoon-exploring pit stop.

My Favourite Brussels Comic Strip Murals

Now, I genuinely think every mural you happen across adds something to the walk, and you have to choose your own favourites! But personally, I loved:

1. The Smurfs

Address: Carrefour de l’Europe 3, Passage Hilton, 1000 Brussels

Why I love it: there’s so much going on. At first you see one huge crowd of blue characters. Then the Atomium, Belgian food, Manneken Pis, local traditions and football references start popping out one by one.

It also sits beside Brussels-Central, so it can be the first piece of the route you see after arriving in the city.

2. Broussaille

Address: Rue du Marché au Charbon 39–41, 1000 Brussels

Why I love it: Broussaille isn’t the biggest or loudest mural, but it’s where everything started. Without this wall, there may never have been a city-wide Comic Strip Trail.

3. Ric Hochet

Address: Rue du Bon Secours 9, 1000 Brussels

Why I love it: the entire building becomes a comic panel, with Ric, Nadine and Commissioner Bourdon taking over the façade as though the real windows and floors have always been part of the action.

Which Official Comic Strip Route Should You Follow?

Official Brussels Comic Strip Trail

Lucky for you, it’s easy to choose a comic strip route in Brussels specifically based on how much time you have or which neighbourhood you’d like to explore.

Historical Centre: Best for a First Visit

The historical-centre trail is 5 km and takes about three hours. It combines the Smurfs, Tintin, the Scorpion and other murals with Grand-Place, the Galeries, the cathedral and Manneken Pis.

This is absolutely the one I’d choose when you only have one or two days in Brussels.

The Marolles: Best for Murals and Vintage Brussels

The Marolles route is another 5 km, three-hour walk with around fifteen frescoes in the neighbourhood alone.

Choose this one for Quick and Flupke, Billy and Buddy, Blake and Mortimer and Léonard, plus antique shops and glorious flea-market rummaging around Place du Jeu de Balle along the way.

Sainte-Catherine and the Canal: Best for Food and a Longer Walk

The Sainte-Catherine and canal route also covers 5 km in around three hours.

You’ll pass Cubitus, Spike and Suzy, Asterix and the huge Corto Maltese mural, with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops waiting between the walls. Basically, a very easy route to turn into an entire afternoon in Brussels.

Laeken and Haren: Best for a Separate Half-Day

The Laeken and Haren route is 7 km and takes around four hours using a mixture of walking and buses.

This one needs a little more commitment, so I’d save it for a dedicated outing—especially if you’re already going to the Atomium or Mini-Europe. Characters include Marsupilami, Tamara, Natacha and Gil Jourdan.

Unless you’re doing a fully comic-themed Brussels trip, I wouldn’t attempt all four routes in one visit. Instead, start with the historical centre, then add whichever neighbourhood makes the most sense with the rest of your Brussels itinerary.

How to Use the Brussels Comic Strip Walk Map

Do yourself a big favour and save the free interactive map from Visit Brussels before you head out.

It’ll show you the complete network of artworks, splits everything into neighbourhood routes and gives you the official background for individual murals. And because new walls are still being added, it’s far more useful than any old PDF floating around online.

Then save the Brussels Comic Strip Walk Google Maps route for the actual city-centre navigation. It keeps the main central stops together without sending you halfway across Brussels for one extra wall (made that mistake).

You can also pick up a printed comic-strip guide from the Visit Brussels information desk outside of the Town Hall.

Do You Need to See Every Comic Strip Mural?

Definitely not.

I know more than 80 murals sounds like a fabulous challenge waiting to happen, but they’re spread across the entire Brussels-Capital Region. Some sit minutes apart. Others need buses, trams or a completely separate neighbourhood outing.

In other words, it’d take you days on days and leave you with far less time for the rest of the best things to do in Brussels guide.

Personally, if it’s your first trip, I’d prioritise the historical centre and aim for around six to ten murals. That’s plenty of time to actually look at them, take your photos and still enjoy the cafés, food, museums and main Brussels sights around the route.

Not to mention, you’ll inevitably be surprised by artwork on your trip anyway. Some of my favourite moments were spotting a character when I wasn’t following the map at all!

What Else to Add to Your Comic-Themed Brussels Day

Comic Art Museum

If your walk has made you curious about Belgian comics, head to the Comic Art Museum afterwards.

Still widely known as the Belgian Comic Strip Center, it takes you through how comics are created and developed—all inside a beautifully restored Victor Horta building.

Brussels Comics Figurines Museum

The Brussels Comics Figurines Museum sits in Galerie Horta near Brussels-Central and the Smurfs mural. Its displays go beyond Belgian comics into American characters, manga, figures, sets, games and screen adaptations. It’s a particularly easy family stop before or after your city-centre walk.

Slumberland Bookshop

Inside the Comic Art Museum, Slumberland houses albums, manga, posters, postcards, figurines and comic art all in one bookshop.

It’s also great for getting a souvenir from your walk!

Maison Dandoy

For something sweet, the Maison Dandoy tearoom on Rue Charles Buls is close to the historical route and perfect for a waffle or speculoos break before you carry on.

For more food & drink stops on your comic-exploring day, use my guides to the best cafés in Brussels, Brussels restaurants and Brussels beer tours.

Self-Guided Walk or Comic Strip Tour?

For most first-time visitors, I’d keep this one self-guided.

You can book a private comic art tour, but the official maps are genuinely easy to follow.

I personally found it really nice to go at my own pace, stop for coffee and photographs, or skip parts of the route altogether to suit my trip.

With that said, there are plenty of other Brussels tours I recommend that would be great for your trip!

Practical Tips Before You Take the Comic Strip Walk

• Download the route before leaving: save the official trail and the City Centre Google Maps route while you have reliable Wi-Fi.
• Go during daylight: the murals are outdoors and technically available at any hour, but the colours, details and photos are so much better during the day.
• Wear genuinely comfortable shoes: central Brussels is walkable, but you’ll still get cobbles, slopes and plenty of time on your feet.
• Keep looking up: several murals sit on upper façades, inside passages or around corners you can easily miss while staring at the map.
• Scan the QR codes: selected older murals now include contextual information that explains the more problematic works.
• Don’t rely on an old PDF alone: new murals are added and routes can change, so use the live official map before heading out.
• Stay central: my guide to the best hotels near Brussels-Central Station will place you close to the Smurfs mural and the historical-centre circuit. I personally stayed at and recommend NH Collection Brussels Centre.
• Build it into your Brussels itinerary: this walk is much better when you pair it with sightseeing vs. treating it like one stand-alone attraction and missing important Brussels sights along the way (then backtracking). It’s also one of the things that completely changed my answer to whether Brussels is worth visiting.

Final Thoughts: Is the Brussels Comic Strip Walk Worth It?

Yes—100%.

The Comic Strip Walk is exactly the kind of thing that makes Brussels more interesting the longer you give it.

On my first visit, I knew absolutely nothing about the importance of Belgian comics.

Now it’s one of the first things I make time for whenever I come back.

Start with the Smurfs, the Scorpion, Broussaille and Ric Hochet. Follow part of the free map through the centre, look up often and let the murals bring Brussels to life on your trip—again…and again!

Have the best time.

Happy travels,

Candace x

FAQ: Brussels Comic Strip Walk

Is the Brussels Comic Strip Walk Free?

Yes. The murals are public works on streets and façades, so you can follow the Brussels Comic Strip Walk for free! You only need to pay if you add a museum, guided tour, food stop or transport to another neighbourhood.

Where Can I Find the Brussels Comic Strip Walk Map?

Use the free official Visit Brussels Comic Strip Trail map for the complete network of art. For the main central murals, use the Brussels city centre comic-book route in Google Maps.

Is There a Brussels Comic Strip Walk PDF?

I wouldn’t rely on an old PDF. Check the Visit Brussels information desk outside the Town Hall for the latest printed guide, or use the live official map, since new murals are still being added.

How Long Is the Brussels Comic Strip Walk?

The official historical-centre route is 5 km and takes around three hours. But you can easily see the main city-centre highlights in around 90 minutes, especially if you’re weaving the murals into the rest of your sightseeing.

How Many Comic Strip Murals Are in Brussels?

Brussels has more than 80 comic-strip murals across the capital region. They’re divided between the historical centre, the Marolles, Sainte-Catherine and the canal, Laeken and Haren, and other neighbourhoods.

Where Should I Start the Brussels Comic Book Route?

For a first visit, start at the Smurfs mural beside Brussels-Central Station, then continue towards the Scorpion, Grand-Place, Tintin, Broussaille, Victor Sackville and Ric Hochet.

What Are the Best Comic Strip Murals in Brussels?

My favourites are the Smurfs mural for its Brussels references, Broussaille because it began the route in 1991 and Ric Hochet for the way the artwork uses the building’s façade.

Do I Need to Know Belgian Comics to Enjoy the Walk?

No. I knew very little about Belgian comic history on my first Brussels visit, and finding the murals is exactly what made me curious. Even without the character knowledge, it’s brilliant public art and a much more interesting way to walk between Brussels sights.

Is Brussels Walkable Enough for the Comic Strip Trail?

Yes, the historical-centre route is very walkable, although Brussels has cobbles, slopes and busy pavements. The outer routes may require buses or trams, especially the 7 km Laeken and Haren circuit—but Brussels transport is very easy to use, and you can tap in using your contactless card.

Can You Do the Comic Strip Walk with Children?

Yes. The central route is especially good for kids! It’s free, colourful and very easy to shorten if you need. The Smurfs mural and the nearby Brussels Comics Figurines Museum are also really nice add-ons.

Should I Visit the Comic Art Museum Too?

Yes, especially if you want more context on the creators, the drawing process and the history of Belgian comics. You can get your ticket here!

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