Things to Visit in Brussels: Beer, Chocolate, and Art Nouveau
See Brussels beyond the Grand Place. Covers medieval squares, comic book culture, world-class museums, EU quarter, Belgian beer bars, and the best waffle and frites spots.
Brussels' central square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's most beautiful. The ornate guild houses and Gothic Town Hall are best seen lit up at night. Every two years (even years) in August, the square is covered in a massive flower carpet. Free to walk through any time.
See Manneken Pis
The tiny bronze statue of a peeing boy is Brussels' most famous landmark and, honestly, underwhelming in size (61 cm). He has over 1,000 costumes displayed in the nearby City Museum. The female equivalent (Jeanneke Pis) is in an alley off Rue des Bouchers. Free to see from the street.
Tour the Town Hall (Hotel de Ville)
The Gothic masterpiece on the Grand Place dates to the 15th century. Guided tours (available in English) run on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The interior has tapestries and paintings; the tower (96 meters) cannot be climbed but dominates the skyline.
Visit the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
One of Europe's oldest covered shopping arcades (1847). The glass-vaulted galleries house chocolate shops, bookstores, a cinema, and cafes. The architecture is the real attraction. Free to walk through. Pick up Belgian chocolates from one of the artisan shops inside.
Explore the Mont des Arts area
The cultural hill between the Grand Place and the Royal Quarter has gardens with a panoramic city view, plus three major museums clustered together: the Magritte Museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and the Musical Instruments Museum. A half-day covers two of the three.
Museums and Culture
Visit the Magritte Museum
The world's largest collection of works by surrealist Rene Magritte, spanning three floors organized chronologically. Over 200 works including paintings, photographs, and films. Combined tickets with the adjacent Royal Museums of Fine Arts save money. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Tour the Belgian Comic Strip Center
Belgium is the birthplace of Tintin, the Smurfs, and Lucky Luke. This museum in a gorgeous Victor Horta-designed Art Nouveau building covers the history of Belgian comics. Interactive exhibits and original artwork. Entry is about 12 EUR. Fans of Herge and Peyo will spend 2+ hours.
See the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM)
Housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building, the museum holds 8,000+ instruments from around the world. Headphones at each display play the instrument's sound as you approach. The rooftop restaurant has one of Brussels' best panoramic views. Entry is about 15 EUR.
Visit the Atomium
The 102-meter steel structure (built for the 1958 World Expo) represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. The top sphere has a 360-degree panorama. The interior hosts exhibitions and a restaurant. Located in Heysel, 15 minutes by metro from the center. Tickets are 16 EUR.
Explore Art Nouveau architecture with a walking tour
Brussels has over 500 Art Nouveau buildings, more than any other city. Victor Horta's houses (including the Horta Museum) are UNESCO-listed. The best clusters are in Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, and around Avenue Louise. Self-guided tours with maps from the tourist office are free; guided walks run about 15-25 EUR.
Neighborhoods Beyond the Center
Walk through the Sablon neighborhood
An upscale area known for antique shops, chocolate boutiques, and the weekend antiques market on Place du Grand Sablon (Saturday and Sunday mornings). The Church of Our Lady of Sablon has stunning stained glass. Chocolate shops here are among the best in the city.
Explore Ixelles and Matongé
Ixelles is a diverse, artsy commune south of the center. The Matongé quarter (around Rue Longue Vie) is the African neighborhood with food shops, restaurants, and a vibrant street scene. The Ixelles ponds and surrounding Art Nouveau houses make for a beautiful walk.
Visit the EU Quarter and Parlamentarium
The European Parliament's visitor center (Parlamentarium) is free and surprisingly engaging: interactive exhibits explain how the EU works with a personal audio guide. The European Commission and Council buildings are nearby. Parc du Cinquantenaire at the edge of the quarter has a triumphal arch and three museums.
Wander through Saint-Gilles
A residential commune with excellent Art Nouveau facades, particularly along Rue Defacqz and Rue Vanderschrick. The Halles de Saint-Gilles (covered market) is a local favorite. The Parvis de Saint-Gilles square has a weekly market and some of the best affordable restaurants in the city.
Beer, Chocolate, and Food
Do a Belgian beer tasting
Belgium has over 1,500 beer varieties and UNESCO-recognized beer culture. Specialist bars stock 200+ beers, each served in its own branded glass. Start with a Trappist ale (brewed by monks), try a lambic (sour, spontaneously fermented), and finish with a strong Belgian blonde. Beers range from 3-8 EUR per glass.
Visit a chocolate shop and do a tasting
Brussels has more chocolatiers per square kilometer than any city on earth. The Sablon and Grand Place areas have the highest concentration. Many shops offer free samples. For a structured tasting, workshops run about 25-40 EUR for 1-2 hours. Belgian pralines (filled chocolates) are the signature product.
Eat Belgian frites from a friterie
Belgian fries are double-fried for a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, served in a paper cone with sauce. The classic topping is mayonnaise, not ketchup. Friteries (fry stands) near the Grand Place are tourist-priced; locals go to neighborhood stands where a large cone costs 3-4 EUR.
Try a genuine Belgian waffle
Two types: Brussels waffles (rectangular, light, crispy) and Liege waffles (round, dense, caramelized sugar). Street vendors near tourist spots add excessive toppings; the traditional way is plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar. A Liege waffle from a good bakery costs 2-4 EUR.
Eat moules-frites (mussels and fries)
Belgium's national dish: a pot of steamed mussels in white wine, celery, and onion, served with a mountain of fries. The mussel season runs September to April (the months with an R). A full portion is 1-1.5 kg of mussels per person. Rue des Bouchers is the tourist strip; locals eat in Saint-Catherine.
Day Trips
Day trip to Bruges
The medieval canal city is 1 hour by train from Brussels. The Markt square, Belfry tower, and canal boat tours are the highlights. Extremely popular, so go on a weekday and arrive early. Easily covered in 6-8 hours. Trains run every 30 minutes.
Day trip to Ghent
A less touristy alternative to Bruges with a stunning medieval center, the Ghent Altarpiece (one of the most important paintings in history), and a vibrant student-driven food and bar scene. 30 minutes by train from Brussels. The waterfront along Graslei is the scenic highlight.
Visit Antwerp for fashion and art
Belgium's second city is 45 minutes by train. The MAS museum, Rubens House, and diamond district are the main draws. The fashion district around the MoMu (Fashion Museum) is a pilgrimage for design fans. The train station itself (Antwerpen-Centraal) is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Brussels?
2-3 days covers the Grand Place, key museums, neighborhoods, and plenty of eating and drinking. With 4 days, add a day trip to Bruges or Ghent. Brussels is compact (the center is walkable in 20 minutes) so you cover a lot of ground each day.
Is Brussels worth visiting or should you go straight to Bruges?
Both are worth your time but they are very different. Brussels is a real city: multicultural, architecturally diverse, better food and nightlife, and has world-class museums. Bruges is a preserved medieval town, beautiful but smaller and more tourist-focused. Ideally, do 2-3 days in Brussels and a day trip to Bruges.
Is Brussels safe for tourists?
Generally safe. The center, Sablon, Ixelles, and EU Quarter are fine day and night. Avoid the area around Brussels-Midi station late at night. Pickpocketing is the main risk, especially on metro lines and near tourist landmarks. The metro is safe during operating hours.
What languages do people speak in Brussels?
Brussels is officially bilingual: French and Dutch (Flemish). In practice, about 80% of residents speak French as their primary language. English is widely understood in tourist areas, restaurants, and shops. Street signs and metro stations are in both French and Dutch.