What to See and Do Brussels, Belgium

The Grand Place is the heart of Brussels, surrounded by richly decorated guild houses, the neo-Gothic King’s House, and the emblematic city hall and its bell tower.

The origins of Brussels can be traced to where the Saint-Géry market hall now stands.

The Sint Jacobs district used to welcome pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela and is now known for its artisan shops, local businesses and cozy establishments.

The Manneken Pis is a famous and amusing attraction, a testament to the Belgian sense of humor, often dressed in quirky costumes.

The King’s House is a neo-Gothic building located on the Grand Place.

The Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert are a stunning 19th-century covered shopping arcade, perfect for window shopping or a quick snack break.

The former Brussels Stock Exchange is an eclectic 19th-century building that has recently opened to the public.

The Cathedral of Saint Gudula has been towering the city since the middle ages with beautiful interiors.

The Royal Palace is a landmark to visit before moving on to the impressive Koningsplein.

The Koningsplein is an impressive square to visit after the Royal Palace.

The Palace of Justice is one of the largest buildings constructed in the 19th century.

The Atomium, originally the centerpiece of the 1958 World’s Fair, is a defining symbol of Brussels, housing exhibition spaces, observation platforms, and a panoramic restaurant.

Mini-Europe is a theme park at the foot of the Atomium featuring intricate 1:25 scale replicas of famous European monuments.

The Horta Museum, the former residence and studio of architect Victor Horta, is meticulously restored to its original state and open to the public, showcasing Art Nouveau architecture.

The Cauchie House is a beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture with golden elegance.

Le Cirio restaurant features stunning interiors and offers Belgian cuisine, including waterzooi.

The Belgian Comic Strip Center tells the story of Belgian Comics through its engaging permanent exhibition and houses a restaurant, a comic book shop, and a library.

The Old England building from 1899 is home to the Musical Instruments Museum.

The Musical Instruments Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of musical instruments, with a convenient audio guide.

The Place Royale is where you’ll find the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is a must-see for art lovers, featuring artworks from across history, including the Oldmasters Museum and the Magritte Museum.

The Oldmasters Museum features paintings by European painters from the 15th to 18th century.

The Magritte Museum houses the largest collection of works by Belgian surrealist René Magritte.

The Fashion and Lace Museum explores a distinct part of Belgian heritage: lace-making.

Enjoy a glass of Belgian beer in a laid-back area like around the Anspach Fountain.

The Delirium Café has held the Guinness World Record for the most beer varieties offered since 2004.

The Belgian Beer Weekend takes place on the iconic Grand Place where you can taste delicious beer from a variety of small and big breweries.

The European Quarter hosts a number of principal EU institutions.

The Parlamentarium features an immersive multimedia exhibition about the European Parliament available in all 24 official EU languages.

The Hemicycle is where members of the European Parliament convene during plenary sessions.

Parc de Bruxelles is the city’s oldest park where you can enjoy an afternoon stroll down its wide paths lined with statues and greenery, or relax at the Kiosk Radio.

Kiosk Radio is an outdoor bar in Parc de Bruxelles where you can even dance under the trees.

Jubilee Park features an almost 150-foot tall monumental arch surrounded by lush gardens and ponds, and several notable buildings including the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces.

The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces is located in Jubilee Park.

Elisabeth Park offers beautiful vistas and is crowned by Belgium’s largest church, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg is Belgium’s largest church, an Art Deco marvel with a cupola platform for 360° panoramic views of Brussels.

The Poelaert Place Ferris Wheel allows you to see the city from one of its highest vantage points and take in the grand scale of the nearby Palace of Justice.

You can catch one of Brussels’ finest views at the hill of Kunstberg, just by the city center.

Breathe in, enjoy the scenery and wait for the Mont des Arts carillon to ring its bells and play a little show at the stroke of every hour.