Brussels offers the perfect alternative to Europe’s busiest capitals. From world-class beer and chocolate to comic book culture and art nouveau architecture, Belgium’s cosy capital delivers authentic European charm without the overwhelming crowds.
The refreshing alternative to Europe’s tourist capitals
The Belgian capital’s strength is that it doesn’t want to be the most incredible place on earth. It knows it will never provide the full-on attractions blitz of Paris, London or Rome, and thus offers something completely different: a contented cosiness.
It’s somewhere that can provide a dozen or so genuinely interesting museums without making you feel you absolutely must hurtle around them. It’ll then feed you hearty stews and let you get rosy cheeked on the best beers on earth.
It’s a city that somehow manages to underplay its importance – it’s the HQ of the European Union, after all – and provide a gently lulling vibe that quickly becomes highly endearing.
Why Brussels works perfectly for city breaks
The city is highly walkable, with most attractions within low-stress walking distance of each other. Those that aren’t are easily accessed via world class public transport.
And it does an excellent job of tapping into niches – whether art nouveau architecture, comic books, groundbreaking chocolate shops or weird and wonderful beers. It is a place that unashamedly lives the good life, but would sooner fry potatoes than fry your brain.
It becomes a city break that’s refreshing and replenishing rather than exhausting. Which is probably why so many Europeans regard it as a sneaky favourite to return to time and time again.
Art and architecture: From comic murals to art nouveau masterpieces
Brussels’ arty side hits as you exit the Brussels Midi Eurostar station. Here, a giant black and white mural of beloved comic book character Tintin, clinging onto the outside of a speeding train, adorns the wall.
It’s one of many such murals across the city, which is showing off its love of comic books by making the cartoons supersized. The Comic Book Route is mapped online at the tourist board website, but little pocket sized booklets can be picked up at the tourist information centre.
Why book the Brussels Card for your visit?
- Free entry to dozens of museums and attractions: Gain access to 48–49 top museums and cultural sites across Brussels for 24, 48 or 72 hours. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Skip-the-line at the Atomium (if selected): You can add an option to visit this iconic landmark without waiting — a major time saver. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Unlimited public transport (optional): With the transport addon, enjoy unlimited use of metro, tram and buses across Brussels during your pass validity. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Discounts on tours, shops, food & more: Benefit from reduced prices at partner restaurants, bars, shops, entertainment venues and guided tours. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Convenient digital format: Receive a mobile voucher or printable ticket, plus a free city & museum map — no need for physical tickets or vouchers. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Exploring Brussels’ comic book culture and Victor Horta architecture
The same applies to the Art Nouveau architecture route, but both will eventually lead to the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée. This looks into Belgium‘s obsession with comic books, and introduces you to the characters locals have grown up with.
It’s also in one of the most fantastic art nouveau buildings in the city, with intricate wrought ironwork and a glass roof designed by the style’s maestro, Victor Horta. Other sumptuous art nouveau efforts include the Musical Instruments Museum and Horta’s Solvay House.
Plenty more cluster in the St Gilles neighbourhood.
Why book the Brussels Card for your visit?
- Free entry to dozens of museums and attractions: Gain access to 48–49 top museums and cultural sites across Brussels for 24, 48 or 72 hours. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Skip-the-line at the Atomium (if selected): You can add an option to visit this iconic landmark without waiting — a major time saver. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Unlimited public transport (optional): With the transport addon, enjoy unlimited use of metro, tram and buses across Brussels during your pass validity. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Discounts on tours, shops, food & more: Benefit from reduced prices at partner restaurants, bars, shops, entertainment venues and guided tours. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Convenient digital format: Receive a mobile voucher or printable ticket, plus a free city & museum map — no need for physical tickets or vouchers. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Grand Place: Europe’s finest public square
Brussels’ true architectural feast for the eyes, however, is Grand Place. Arguably the finest public square in Europe, it is surrounded by centuries-old guildhalls, most of which plump for the most gaudily baroque decoration they can muster.
But they’re overshadowed by the soaring Gothic spire of the 15th century City Hall. Grand Place is Brussels’ centrepiece, and plenty of museums, bars and restaurants cluster around it, as horse and carriage drivers attempt to drum up custom for their romantic 30 minute clippety-clops around the surrounding area.
The futuristic Atomium: Brussels’ space age icon
For something radically different, hop on a tram to the Heysel area, where the 335ft tall Atomium stands proudly. Designed to look an iron atom, it has nine giant metal balls, connected by steel tubes with some of the longest escalators in the world inside.
More conventional art can be enjoyed at the Musées Royaux des Beaux Arts, where the emphasis is on the Flemish greats such as Rubens, van Dyck and Brueghel the elder.
René Magritte Museum: Surrealist masterpieces
Technically one of the six museums contained within the Musées Royaux, but in a separate building, the Musée Magritte concentrates solely on the work of 19th century Belgian surrealist René Magritte. It takes a biographical approach, tracing Magritte’s changes in style over time.
And, while many of his greatest works may be in other museums around the globe, he was nothing if prodigious – so there are around 200 paintings, many featuring his signature apples and bowler hats, on display.
A world class flea market
The Place du Jeu de Balle holds a special place in the heart for Brussels locals. In the idiosyncratic Marolles neighbourhood, this is where the stalls of the daily flea market unfurl their wares.
There are dozens of them to browse – some little more than a sheet laid out on the ground with assorted household detritus piled on top of it. But for every useless bit of crockery, hilariously outdated piece of electronics or irredeemably dog-eared book, there’s a gorgeous ceramic trinket or chronically undervalued antique.
Nosing through to find them is where the appeal lies.
Brussels’ diverse market scene throughout the week
It is by no means the only market in Brussels, either, with different squares home to different specialisms. Place St Catherine hosts a flower and food market on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, plus an organic food market on Wednesdays.
There’s a crafts and art market every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday at the Agora roundabout. And the Place du Grand Sablon holds an antiques market at the weekend.
Beer, chocolate and waffles: Brussels’ holy trinity of indulgence
Any thoughts of dieting while hanging out in Brussels tend to go quickly out of the window. The path is laced with temptations – and first up are the frites.
These are what we know as French fries, but all evidence suggests they are a Belgian invention. The Belgians are very picky about them, too, with an insistence on using locally grown potatoes.
Frites stalls are pretty ubiquitous, and offer a dazzling array of sauces to smother the fries in. Maison Antoine is particularly excellent.
Belgian waffles: The authentic experience
Offering serious snack-based competition are waffles. These were a Belgian invention, which were introduced to the US in 1962 at the 21st Century Exposition.
The Belgian version tends to be lighter, and with deeper pockets, than its American counterpart. Again, waffle stalls and shops are fairly commonplace, but should you be especially interested, there is a 90 minute Waffle Workshop in Grand Place which teaches guests how to mix and bake them.
Choco Story: Understanding Belgian chocolate excellence
More sweet-toothed education comes at Choco Story which provides a riveting journey through the history of chocolate, from Mayan delicacy to fiercely-protected Spanish Royal secret and today’s global chocolate industry. It also offers demonstrations of chocolates being made, with top tips on what makes Belgian chocolate special – usually higher levels of cocoa and cocoa butter, with cheaper ingredients such as palm oil shunned.
The beautiful 19th century Galeries Royales St Hubert is the best place to buy top quality chocolates, with several long-established high end chocolatiers there. Most famous of these is Neuhaus, which invented the Belgian praline in 1912.
There are also tasting tours that help you find the best chocolates in Brussels.
Belgium’s world-beating beer culture
Then there’s the beer, which is the best in the world, and if anyone tries to claim otherwise, they’re lying. The Museum of the Belgian Brewers in Grand Place is very popular, but it’s a so-so exploration of Belgian brewing heritage.
Tours and tastings at the Musée Bruxellois de la Gueuze are a better bet, and focus on the sparkling, twice fermented lambic beers that offer more of a distinctive taste experience.
Best of the rest: Other great Brussels experiences
Alexandre Restaurant: Modern Belgian fine dining
Brussels’ food scene goes well beyond fries and chocolate, with Alexandre being a great example of how exciting young chefs are turning fine dining from a stiff-collared thing to a youthful and lively thing. Rich dishes, with ingredients such as wagyu beef and truffle, are the name of the game here.
Musée Hergé: The ultimate Tintin experience
A short train ride south-east to the suburb of Louvain-La-Neuve, the Musée Hergé tells the story of beloved Belgian cartoonist Hergé. It delves into the creator of Tintin’s story in a remarkably playful building.
The inventive presentation makes for great storytelling, and it also tackles the controversies of the Tintin books – notably how colonial era-inspired racial stereotypes were phased out as Hergé met and spoke to people from the countries being depicted.
House of European History: Understanding Europe’s past
The House of European History takes a multi-level walk through Europe’s past, albeit with a suspiciously heavy emphasis on events since the Second World War. The innovative tablet guide system – where every item on display is meticulously mapped to explanations on clickable, personal, multi-language screens – is superb.
Musée BELvue: Belgium’s fascinating formation story
To hone in specifically on the history of Belgium – which is more interesting than most might expect – the Musée BELvue inside a handsome old palace shows how this mongrel state was formed through war, political chicanery and trans-European royal marriage.
Mini Europe: Kitsch continental charm
Cheesy in the extreme, but somehow incredibly endearing, Mini Europe provides a whistlestop tour of the continent’s grandest buildings, painstakingly made as scale models. The tiny cathedrals, castles, bull rings and abbeys are surrounded by little airports, ferry crossings and railways, while the national anthems blare out as you walk from country to country.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Book through them, and I earn a small commission.
More Brussels travel
Other Brussels travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How to find the best chocolates in Brussels.
- Planning a visit to the BELvue Museum in Brussels.
- What to expect on a first-time visit to the Atomium in Brussels.
- Guide to seeing the Manneken Pis in Brussels.
- Practical guide to the Autoworld car museum in Brussels.
