Home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the capital of Belgium, Brussels.
Brussels combines the history of a medieval Flemish town with the enormous constructions begun after it became the capital of what was then a French-speaking country, as well as some remarkable modern buildings created, in part, to house the international organisations.
With a plethora of world-class museums and art galleries, as well as quirky tourism features like the Atomium and some lovely vestiges of old architecture in the old town section, the city has more than enough to keep visitors like you and me entertained for a couple of days.
Brussels is now bilingual, housing and legally recognising Belgium’s Dutch and French-speaking communities. It has become more international as a result of the influx of individuals from all over the world who came to work, many of them for the European Union. Brussels is Belgium’s commercial and educational centre, giving it a more realistic vibe than neighbouring cities.
The city’s atmosphere is difficult to describe. It appears to be highly business and bureaucracy focused at times, after all, it is the EU’s administrative centre, but it also appears to be laid back and not take itself too seriously at other times. Brussels is known as the “Capital of the Comic Strip” because of its long history of Belgian comics; consider Manneken Pis and The Comic Strip Centre.
Apart from historical and architectural treasures, Belgian cuisine has long been appreciated for fine dining, and gourmet offerings such as the local waffle, chocolate, fries, and beer. Your heart and head both would be happy after your visit to Brussel. Trying different cuisines is definitely among the top things to do in Brussel.
Brussel is a fantastic place to visit because of its multi-layered feel. The city certainly has something for everyone, with traditional European attractions like art and architecture as well as world heritage sites. This all adds up to a very distinctive blend, studded with a variety of Belgian quirks, and a vast treasure chest to explore for the curious traveller.
If you are a traveller looking to explore the best places to visit in Brussels. I have list down some of the very best of Brussels, for your convenience here is the Map of Brussels- Main Square.
Top 13 Places to Visit in Brussels:
1. Grand Place (Grote Markt)
I considered the magnificent Grand Place located in the heart of Brussel to be one of Europe’s most attractive medieval squares. It is a strikingly homogenous collection of public and private structures, most of which date from the late 17th century. The architecture depicts the period’s social and cultural life in this key political and commercial centre in rich detail.
You can enjoy multiple festive and cultural events, such as sound and light exhibitions and concerts held in the Grand Place. The Flower Carpet, the Ommegang, and the Belgian Beer Weekend are among the most notable and well-known. Grand Place is one of the most visited and best tourist attractions in Brussels.
2. Manneken Pis (One of the Best Place to Visit in Brussels)
The Manneken Pis has become one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Brussels. Built-in 1388, it is one of Brussels’ most well-known and well-loved symbols. It was originally intended to provide a source of water for many Bruxellois. It’s a little bronze statue that is 50 cm tall and shows a young child urinating in a fountain basin.
It’s in the old town, near the Grand Place, on the corner of rue de L’Étuve and rue Chene. I believe the tourism sites, as well as the photo opportunities, are well worth the trip to Brussels.
3. Saint-Michel Cathedral
The major Catholic Church in Belgium, one of the most notable landmarks in Brussels, is located close to the city centre. This absolutely magnificent cathedral was built in the Gothic style at the beginning of the thirteenth century and is dedicated to the patron saints of Brussels, St. Michael and St. Gudula.
The spectacular exterior is crowned with twin 69-meter-high towers, and the chapel contains multiple stained glass windows dating from 1540. From early in the morning to late in the evening, you may visit the Saint-Michel Cathedral, which also has a little park and benches where you can sit and enjoy the wonderful view. The Cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Brussels and has some historic features.
4. Comics Art Museum
The Comics Art Museum, another attractive site in the centre of Brussels, has been glorifying the creators and heroes of the 9th Art for over 30 years.
Permanent exhibitions are updated on a regular basis, and a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions allows visitors to explore the many facets of comic art. Famous characters pave the way for new experiences and a meeting with a universe where imagination knows no bounds. The Comics Art Museum is a monument to the pioneers as well as a view of contemporary comic art, with an amazing Art nouveau residence created by Victor Horta.
5. Place Royale (Koningsplein)
Following the fire that destroyed the Palace of Coudenberg in 1831, new structures were built around the area that is today known as Place Royale. All the buildings and structures surrounding the square have beautiful architecture. The Church of Saint Jacques-Sur-Coudenberg, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and the Magritte Museum, and the BELvue Museum are among these structures.
In the centre of the square is a statue of Godfrey of Bouillon, the leader of the First Crusade in 1096. Realizing that the ruins of the old majestic palace are beneath your feet can also be thrilling. These great sights are within walking distance of the adjacent BELvue Museum.
6. The Atomium
The Atomium receives international recognition on an institutional, cultural, and artistic level due to its one-of-a-kind structure around the globe, its symbolic nature, and its staunchly futuristic look. This powerful brand image opens up a slew of possibilities for collaboration, from renting out a portion of the building to co-branding and filming.
It is a cultural landmark in addition to its historical significance. More than half of its route is devoted to exhibitions focused on Belgium and digital arts.
7. Royal Museum of Fine Arts
Belgium’s Royal Museums of Fine Arts house the country’s most important collection of visual arts. Over 20.000 artworks and six museums depict our history from the 15th to the 21st century through paintings, sculptures, and sketches.
The Old Masters, Magritte, Fin-de-Siècle, and Modern (selection) Museums, as well as Antoine Wiertz and Constantin Meunier’s studios, provide a unique cultural heritage. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium’s holdings span the history of painting, sculpture, and drawing from the 15th to the 21st centuries.
8. Coudenberg Palace Archaeological Site (Brussels Must See)
For long years, all traces of this prestigious palace just vanished. These remains, however, are now a remarkable archaeological site with a network of underground corridors and chambers.
When you are in Brussels, you must see and tour the palace’s main buildings and take a stroll along with the Rue Isabelle, which is now underground. The best of the archaeological discoveries were made during the many excavations of the Coudenberg site in the Coudenberg Museum, which is located in Hoogstraeten House. There are many historical and hidden places in Brussels, which are not explored by many. You must visit these hidden secrets of Brussels, when you are in the City.
9. Mont des Arts
The Mont des Arts, located on the North-South axis that connects the lower, working-class section of the city to the upper, aristocratic part, has had a colourful history. As Expo 58 approached, the park established by Jules Vacherot at the behest of Leopold II in the run-up to the 1910 Expo vanished under the idea of René Pechère. The plan called for subterranean parking to be built as part of the project. This proposal has the benefit of reserving a beautiful view of plane trees and Brussels’ City Hall’s spire. One of my favorite and among the best places to visit in Brussels.
10. Notre-Dame du Sablon
Notre-Dame du Sablon church, which dominates Sablon Square in the heart of Brussels, was transformed from a chapel to a great gothic church between 1436 and the beginning of the 16th century, and properly illustrates the Brabantine Gothic style.
The Thurn Und Taxis family’s burial chapel, which was partly designed by Luč Fayd’herbe, should be on your list of ‘top things to do in Brussels‘. The church’s interior is beautiful, especially because of the magnificent stained glass.
11. Parc du Cinquantenaire
The Cinquantenaire site consists of a large collection of gardens with monuments and museums scattered throughout. They dominated it by a three-arched triumphal arch. Throughout the year, the park holds a variety of events, celebrations, fireworks displays, sporting events, concerts, and other activities.
The Pavilion of Human Passions, designed by Victor Horta, the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces & Military History, the Royal Museums of Art and History, and Autoworld, are all accessible via the broad paths. A bronze quadriga and an unsurpassed sweeping view of Brussels may be found at the summit of the three triumphal arches.
12. Place du Châtelain Market (Best Tourist Attraction in Brussels)
The Place du Châtelain plaza on Wednesdays in Ixelles transforms into a bustling open-air market selling everything from fruits and vegetables to meat, chocolates, flowers, and cheese. This part of Brussels is a busy place, surrounded by fantastic restaurants and pubs. While in town, stop by this weekly market for some fresh produce and flowers.
This venue has a lot of energy and a lively vibe that you will like. You can come here after work or from home to catch up with old friends while enjoying some snacks and drinks.
Location to Get Here: Marché de la Place du Châtelain
13. Cafe Belga
There isn’t a better word to characterise a spot that everyone who has visited or lived in Brussels has visited at least once. Cafe Belga, as it’s known among locals, is one of Brussels’ most popular pubs and an architectural landmark on Place Flagey, as it’s built-in a 1930s Art déco structure that once housed Belgium’s first national radio station. The imposing structure, which earned the nickname “Paquebot” (boat) because of its design, had been abandoned for years before Cafe Belga and the adjacent art theatre were born.
These were the 13 best places to visit in Brussels. But when you are in Belgium, there are many beautiful cities to explore nearby. Take a day trip to Antwerp, visit Bruges, and explore things to do in Amsterdam, London, and Paris. Traveling to these cities is very easy and cheap as you can get overnight buses from Brussels. There is also an International Airport in Brussels for those who wanna fly to other nearby cities or countries.
