Things to do in Brussels

The construction of this magnificent Cathedral began at the beginning of the 13th century at the request of Henry I, Duke of Brabant. This period is important because the first gothic style structures appeared in the region at that time. It took them over 300 years to complete this massive Cathedral.

The stain glass windows of the St. Michael and St. Gudula were designed by J.B Capronnier in the 19th century.

• View the Chapel of the Miracle of the Blessed Sacrament, which was built in flamboyant gothic style in 1534-1539.
• The entrance remains to the Romanesque Church can be viewed by visitors and it dates back to 1047.
• Marvel at the beauty of the Grenzing Great Organ with 4,300 pipes, 63 stops, and 4 keyboards.

The Cinquatenaire Park was built in 1880 for the 50th anniversary of the Belgium independence. The park is full of attractions and festivals are held here annually. The broad pathways lead to various museums like the Royal museum of armed forces, the Museum of Arts and Culture and Autoworld.

In the park, you can also view the Pavilion of Human Passions designed by Victor Horta. There is also a spectacular garden that leads you to three arches, the main one being the Triumphal arch. On top of the arches, you can see a bronze quadriga that has a 360 view of the entire Brussels.

• Attend one of the festivals held at the park yearly.
• Take a walk through the gardens as you admire the three arches.
• Visit one of the many museums that are just stone throw away.

Finding a reliable and cost-effective place to stay can be a hassle while traveling that is why we recommend you stay at the Radisson Red in Brussels. This hotel has everything from music, art, and fashion. It has the elegance of a French city and the Bohemian style of Amsterdam.

They offer standard rooms and spacious suits if you feel like soaking up the luxury. They also have events & games studios that you can use at your discretion.

• Get taken back by the music, art, and fashion that the Radisson Red has to offer.
• Choose between a standard or spacious room depending on your needs.
• Visit the events & games studio and let your creative juices flow.

This building was the financial hub of Brussels, housing the Brussels stock exchange. It was constructed in 5 years in 1868-1873. Today the Bourse acts as a museum and soon it will be converted into a beerhouse too. The stairs that lead into the museum is a popular gathering spot for students and tourist enjoying the scenery and architecture around the Bourse.

• Admire the historic art and sculptures housed in the Bourse.
• Check out the beer house that will exhibit the beer culture in Brussels.
• Grab a coffee and sit among the many students and tourist will viewing the great architecture.

If you get bored with the normal sights around Brussels then you should go to the historic upper part of Brussels known as Sablon. On your journey, you will find a Grand and Petit Sablon both offering an abundance of antiques, art, and delicious Belgian chocolate.

On weekends the Grand Sablon morphs into an antique collector’s paradise. The market has various antique dealers and booksellers; however, some of the items can be pricey.

• Move away from the normal sites and venture to the historic upper part of Brussels known as Sablon.
• Visit the Grand and Petit Sablon and find special antiques in the market.
• Indulge in the many selections of Belgian chocolate.

Throughout Brussels, you will find a key connection between the city and comic books. This relationship was forged in the 1990s and pays tribute to the characters and authors of the Franco-Belgian comics. When roaming the city you will find comic art on the walls of buildings in the city center and Laeken.

You can find around 57 comic book art throughout the city. These art selections include characters like Ric Hochet, Neron, Cori, Froud & Stouf and Leonard. You can get all of these locations of the wall-art here.

• Explore the comic book art on the walls throughout the city.
• Take a tour of the comic book route and learn about its origins and developments.
• If you are an artist you can join the many other artists in the Blank Canvas Exhibition.

Brussels is famous for its chocolate and award-winning beer. If you put those together with the nightlife scene you have got a recipe for a fantastic night out. Brussels offers many pub crawl activities that you can join solo or with your friends. The pub crawl experience begins at a central meeting spot at they have events every Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat.

On the beer experience, you will have the privilege of tasting 5 unique Brussels beers. You will also learn the secrets of the beers and an introductory course to how the beers are made.

• Enjoy the great opportunity to make new friends while enjoying a cold beer.
• Learn about beers and the beer-making process.
• Have a fun time bar crawling and experience some of the clubs plus 4 bars.

Since the Middle Ages the Gothic Style Notre Dame Du Sablon has been a site for pilgrimage. The late Gothic Church was founded in the 15th century but there was previously a small chapel located at the site that dates back to 1304.

The Notre Dame is one of the most beautiful structures in the whole of Belgian. In the interior of the Church, you will find a wooden pulpit made in 1697 and serves as one of the churches highlights.

The central nave of the Church has beautiful light streaming in from the glass stained windows which measure 15 meters long.

• Visit the 15th-century Gothic-style Notre Dame Du Sablon and witness the great architecture.
• The highlight of the Church is the wooden pulpit made in 1697.
• The light from the 15-meter long glass stained windows emit a beautiful ray of light that flows over the central nave.

The Cantillon Brewery is a must stop for any tourist visiting the area. It is not just a place to grab a cold beer but it also offers visitors various items at its markets like Cantillon memorabilia, t-shirts, stoneware mugs, baskets, and glasses to name a few.

• Have one of the craft beers made by the Cantillon brewing co.
• Visit the shop and buy items with the Cantillon logo.
• Enjoy a nice day out learning about the brewery while roaming the premises.

Brussels is relatively unknown in the culinary scene with neighbors France taking the spotlight in that regard. However, recently the people of Brussels have come out of their shells and reinventing their classic dishes with a touch of modern cuisines.

The best things to do in Brussels have to be various ancient and traditional meals they serve. You can visit spots like the Humphrey restaurant for a taste of Filipino/Belgian Unami smoked mussels. If you fancy a nice starter dish then you should check out the La Mer du Nord where the food is served on an upturned seafood crate, on the menu is razor clams, fish soup and the legendary croquettes served with a chilled glass of white wine.

For a complete list of eateries in Brussels check out this list.

• Explore the city and find that perfect eating spot with a Belgian flare.
• Enjoy smoked mussels at the Humphrey Restaurant with a Filipino/Belgian twist.
• For a fun and memorable experience visit the La Mer du Nord for an eating experience of note.

If you plan on visiting the Grand Place then you should fit in a visit to the Sainte-Catherine. This space is hip and trendy with an old-style Brussels feel to it. In this space, you will also find the Sainte-Catherine Church that was erected in 1874-inspired by the 16th century French Churches. The Church is a tourist magnet as it displays decorations complete with buttresses crowned with gargoyles.

• Enjoy the vibrant, trendy and old-style feel of the Place Sainte-Catherine.
• The Church is inspired by 16th century French Churches.
• The decorations on the Church are buttresses crowned with gargoyles.

Carine Gilson has been creating couture lingerie blending silk and lace for the past 30 years. Her designs have made her world-famous and her pieces are sought after all over the globe. While you in Brussels you can get the opportunity to view some of her best work at the Lace Museum. You can check her expo as it is open until 19.04.2020.

• Meet the brilliant fashion designer Carine Gilson.
• View some of her world-famous designs showcased at the museum.
• You will also get to chance to buy some of her newer pieces at the Fashion and Lace Museum.

The Le Botanique use to be a historic botanic garden before it was converted into a cultural center in 1984. The conversion was mainly for the French community of Belgium (Wallonia-Brussels Federation).

The primary focus of the Bontanique now is concerts and exhibitions of the visual and contemporary art. The Le Botanique puts a strong emphasis on photography and throughout the year they have dozens of expositions and activities related to art.

A new exhibition has just started named – The Sky is on Fire, by Emmanuel Van der Auwera.

• Visit this revamped botanic garden as it is now a cultural center.
• Join one of the concerts or view the many exhibitions they have every year.
• A new exhibition by Emmanuel Van der Auwera has just started.

One of Brussels main attractions is the peeing boy fountain known locally as Manneken Pis (little pee man in Flemish). The bronze statue was erected in the 17th century and is just 61cm tall. Not many people would describe this as art but the locals have so many stories and celebrations relating to this statue that it has become synonymous with Brussels culture.

The peeing boy is so ingrained in the society that the statue has a different outfit for every occasion or celebration throughout the year.

On some special occasions when the brass bands are out in full swing, they will take the peeing boy and hook him up to different flavors of Belgium beer and let it run out from his fountain tip for the public to consume.

• Witness the Manneken Pis fountain that is just 2 blocks away from the town hall.
• View the different outfits of the statue depending on what festival is being held.
• Drink from the tip of the peeing fountain when the brass bands hook him up to different Belgium beers.

One of the biggest museums in Belgium invites everyone local or tourist for an experience they will never forget. This is how the Royal Museums of Fine Arts see themselves and they do deliver on that expectation. At the museums, you can view many exhibitions from delightful drawings, artworks, masterpieces, sculptures, etc.

One of the permanent works on show is - The Originals Pieter Bruegel the Elder's masterpieces. Pieter Bruegel is one of the most famous painters from the Renaissance period. The museum houses most of his masterpieces and they are very rare and valuable.

• View the different exhibition from drawings, artworks, masterpieces, sculptures, etc.
• Join the Musicorum festival held daily at lunchtime during summer.
• View the MasterPieces by famous Renaissance painter Pieter Bruegel.

Many people describe this place as ‘beauty on a hill’, and if you visit here you will know why this is. On top of the hill, you will be mesmerized with great architecture views and surroundings. There are countless gardens and parks to explore that signify the rich wealth of greenery in the Brussels society.

The Mount of the Arts puts you near various museums and entertainment hot-spots that making this your starting point for exploring is a must-a selfie or two wouldn’t hurt either.

• Watch the city from the hill and take in the atmosphere as the day winds down.
• Take a walk in the gardens or the park and admire the greenery.
• Hop on over to one of the museums or just view the sculptures in the Mont des Arts.

If you are visiting Brussels in the festive season then you have to explore the Christmas markets. The market is located at the Place Saint Catherine and is held annually at Xmas time. You will find 200 wooden chalets that offer gifts and treasures that are perfect for the holidays.

If you don’t like shopping then you can also enjoy other activities in the market like ice skating, carnival rides, and a light and sound show. There are also various eateries and drinks to enjoy all in the spirit of the season.

• Find a perfect Christmas gift at the wooden chalet market.
• At the market, you can enjoy a light show, carnival rides or go ice-skating.
• The food and drinks served at the market are really good and worth the taste.

The most famous of all locations is Brussels has to be the Grand Place. It is the central square of the city with the most historic events taking place at the square. It is known worldwide for its decorative and aesthetic wealth. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Some of the events that took place at the square date back to the 1500s where the first Protestant Martyrs were burnt by the inquisition there. In the same era, the counts of Egmond and Hoorn were beheaded there.

Today, however, the square is used for festivals and cultural events. Events like the Flower Carpet are held every 2 years where 500,000 begonias are used. There is a huge Christmas tree ceremony held at the square every year with huge numbers of tourist attending, you have probably seen it in some movies.

• Visit the daily flower market.
• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and view aesthetic wealth.
• Take part in the Christmas tree ceremony.
• Visit the Flower Carpet held every 2 years.

This institutional bakery has been around since the 1800s and keeps on going from strength to strength. The speculoos recipe they use to bake their delectable biscuits comes from their great-great-great-grandfather. They still make it the traditional way with real butter, brown sugar and handcrafted wooden molds.

They also have a tea room where you can enjoy their delicious waffles with a cup of tea. An interesting thing they did is collaborate with a beer company to make buttered beer and brew the biscuit.

• The institutional bakery has been around since the 1800s.
• Their main attraction is the speculoos biscuit.
• There is a tea room that serves the best waffles.
• They recently created their own beer.

Through the visionary mind of Victor Horta in 1893 the new architectural style of Art Nouveau was born. Iron, steel, and glass are the main ingredients that were used to construct these amazing buildings. There are 10 must-see Art Nouveau buildings in Brussels that you must see namely The Horta Museum, The Tassel Hotel, The Autrique House, The Cauchie House, The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), The Max Hallet House, The Solvay House, The Eetvelde House, Foundation Frison Horta, The Belgian Comic Strip Center (BCSC).

• Visionary Victor Horta created the Art Nouveau style in 1893.
• The main architectural components for these buildings are steel, iron, and glass.
• There are 10 fantastic Art Nouveau buildings to see in Brussels.

The Parlamentarium is a must-see during your stay in Brussels. The Parlamentarium is full of European history and the inner works and processes of the European institutions. There are various interactive displays that feature European history and take a look at every EU country in more detail.

The Parlamentarium is very high-tech and is suitable for all ages. There is a wall where you can add a picture of yourself and join the decision-making game. It is something worth checking out if you are a history buff and want to leave your footprint in history.

• Learn about the inner working and processes of the European Institutions.
• Various interactive displays will let you focus more on detail on the individual EU countries.
• Take your picture and add it to the wall.
• Join in the decision-making game and be part of history.

It is rare to find a hotel that offers as much fun as the FunKEY Hotel. The hotel has 35 rooms that are decorated with different board game designs. The rooms are all-inclusive with WiFi, drinks, breakfast, snacks and each room has their own en-suite.

There is a huge array of games at the reception area for you to play. The hotel actually challenges the guest to take them on in any of the games.

• Stay in all-inclusive rooms with their own en-suite bathrooms.
• The rooms are all decorated in different board game style.
• At the reception desk, you can get to challenge hotel members to some of the games they have on offer.

Hortense is a hidden gem if you don’t know it’s there then chances are you will walk straight passed it. It is hidden away between the glorious buildings in Grand Sablon.

There is a grey sign that you should follow along with the candles along the street entrance. Once you are inside you are transported into a different world full of fun and a lot of cocktails.

• Get the chance to visit one of the hidden gems in the Brussels area.
• Follow the grey sign and the candles that are positioned outside the entrance.
• Sample some of the great creation of the mixologist.

The Place Poelaert is a beautiful and high-end part of the city. Similar in nature to the Grand Place they both offer various shops and eateries. Along the Place Poelaert, you will find open spaces where you can have picnics and enjoy some goodies from the local café’s.

There are numerous galleries that you can pop into while you take a stroll along the Place Poelaert. The photography moments are everywhere and a lot of Hollywood movies were shot on these locations.

• Grab a coffee and take in the atmosphere of Place Poelaert.
• Have picnics at the open spaces for family gatherings.
• There are a lot of photography moments all over the Place Poelaert.

The most famous parking garage in the whole of Brussels is Parking 58. People use it as a point to view the city and surrounds from the parking lot. The top floor is transformed into a garden in the summertime. It also doubles as a sky bar for the thirsty individuals.

• Visit the most famous parking lot in Brussels.
• Breathtaking views can be seen from the top of the 10^th
• The lot is transformed into a garden in the summertime.

Bars can be found around every corner so why does this bar make the list of places to visit you ask. Everywhere I look people are just raving about their delicious burgers; this is why I had to taste one for myself. They are unbelievable and not only that the atmosphere is electric at the Black Sheep.

• Enjoy an electric atmosphere at the Black Sheep.
• The burgers at the bar are the best in the whole of Brussels.
• The beverages served at the bar are very delicious and worth trying out.

The Crystal Lounge is a sophisticated and visually beautiful restaurant situated in the hub of Brussels. They serve a variety of cuisines like French, European, Belgium and International dishes. They also cater to vegetarian and vegan dishes.

The hotel is also a good place to stay if you are need accommodation. There is an excellent bar that serves some of the best cocktails in the city. The atmosphere is relaxed with a hint of class.

• Experience a sophisticated atmosphere that is visually beautiful.
• They offer a variety of different cuisines like European, Belgium, French and International dishes.
• Stay at the lavish hotel or grab a drink at the bar that serves excellent cocktails.

Destinations always have something unique to offer be it food, scenery or just the culture of the place. When visiting the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus you will be surprised to find the best beer in the world hidden away in the midst of this monastery.

The brewery was founded in 1838 and they only brew three types of beers. Over the years these beers have gained an international reputation for its taste and quality. The Westvleteren 12 is considered by many as the best beer in the world.

However, these beers are not brewed for conventional consumers and won’t be found in any store. The only place to get the beers in at the monastery and this is also just in small quantities. You will have to make a booking in advance to be able to sample this one of a kind beer. Many people believe this beer is worth the effort and expense.

• Visit a brewery that has stood since the 1830s.
• They only brew three types of type and has gained international recognition for its taste and quality.
• The Westvleteren 12 is considered by many as the best beer in the world.
• You will have to make a booking in advance to sample this delectable beer.

The museum was established in 2000 and is just around the corner of the central station and the Grand Place. The museum got its popularity from housing an impressive selection of extraordinary instruments. At the museum, you can view 7000 instruments and is currently an internationally renowned instrumental museum.

You will be guided by an infrared headphone that plays all the instruments as soon as you passed, the translation should not be a problem as music is a universal language.

• Visit one of the internationally renowned instrumental museums in the world.
• You will get to view over 7000 different music instruments from different eras and places.
• You will be guided by an infrared headphone that plays all the instruments as you walk past it.

The world is changing and Escape Rooms are popping out everywhere. The biggest Escape Room in Belgium does not disappoint with a surface area 500 square meters. There are 8 awesome rooms to escape from and different degrees of difficulty.

People from all over the world travel to these escape rooms to take on the challenge and the feedback received about the Enygma is very positive. You get to play in teams and escape from an ancient Mayan Temple, a school of wizardry, travel across the world, defeat the enemy of Sherlock Holmes and highjack the Nautilus Submarine.

• Join the thousands of visitors who have taken on the Enygma Escape Room.
• Play in teams and work together to figure the best way out of the different scenarios.
• The settings are designed by theatrical and machiavellian engineers.

Having fun on your trips abroad should be on top of your agenda, which is why the Paintball Braine-le-Comte is ideal for having heaps of fun. The indoor facility has both paintball and laser tag options for people of all ages.

It is situated in an old factory that is 4000 square meters. There are cloakrooms and a bar if you want to unwind after the activities.

• Have an awesome time with either paintball matches or laser tag.
• The old factory is 4000 square meters in length, enough space to move around.
• There are cloakrooms and showers at the facility.
• If you feel like unwinding there is a bar located on the premises.

The Furfooz Park has captivated many visitors with its woody hillsides and forestry terrain. There are very well positioned boards that indicate where to find the various Neolithic, Roman and Medieval remains.

Some of the paths and trails are quite slippery when wet and on occasion, you get very steep sections. The overall hike takes about 90 minutes.

• Take a 90 min hike around Furfooz Park and admire the woody hillsides.
• There are various Medieval, Roman, and Neolithic remains in the park.
• Some of the trails are very steep so be cautious.

This climbing and adventure center is ideal for that traveler seeking a challenge. In this world-class facility, you will find an indoor boulder room that is accessible to everyone.

The indoor and outdoor climbing rooms are the major attractions that this facility has. The competition among the other athletes is fierce but there is nothing wrong with a bit of harmless fun. The climbing room is open from 10 am till 5:45 pm daily. There is also a cozy bar and terrace for a relaxing time after an intense session.

• The Klimzaal is a world-class climbing facility.
• Athletes are very competitive and always ready for a challenge.
• There are a bar and terrace to relax after a session.

Fuse is one of the oldest running electronic music institutions in the whole of Brussels. It shot to fame in the mid-‘90s and has become an authority in the electronic scene. At the club, they usually host celebrated artists, labels and promoters. They have stuck with their original style of music and didn’t deviate from their model throughout the years. They encourage tourists to come and hear their sounds and have a great time.

• Visit one of the oldest music institutions in Brussels.
• Fuse is an authority in the electronic scene.
• They have stuck with their original sound throughout the years which makes them unique.