10 Things to Do in the Brussels City Center

Elegant buildings, majestic squares, palaces, parks, gardens and museums to visit are just some of the things to see and do in Brussels. I invite you to explore the city that is also known as the capital of the European Union, as most of the EU institutions are based here.

To get the most out of this city, I am going to mix the past and the modern in this list, covering every corner of the city. Without further ado, let's begin our tour of the most popular attractions in the heart of Brussels.

The Grand Place is famous for housing some of the most iconic palaces and monuments in the entire city, an area that will bring us closer to discovering the great historical wealth of the capital. It is included in most guided tours of Brussels, which I recommend you join. It contains monuments such as:

• The Town Hall, considered an architectural gem and the oldest of those you will find in the square.
• The King's House, known as "Maison du Roi", was for many years the residence of the reigning monarchy.
• The City Museum.

This is an area where you can also enjoy a wide range of gastronomic and shopping options. For example, it is the perfect location for visiting some of the best breweries in Brussels and browsing the most famous shops selling chocolates, cakes and other Belgian delicacies.

Also known as Brussels Park, it is one of the locals' favourite places to spend their leisure afternoons in the city centre. It is famous for its activities open to the public in summer and winter, perfect for enjoying peaceful walks adorned with fountains, monuments and gardens.

In my opinion, it is one of the ideal places to include in your itinerary if you visit Brussels in summer, and there are other interesting places nearby , such as some of the best museums you have to see in Brussels.

• The Royal Museum of Fine Arts
• Or the curious Museum of Musical Instruments: housed in one of the most famous Art Nouveau buildings, it has an extensive collection of more than 1,000 musical instruments from all periods. Upon entering, you will be given headphones that automatically reproduce the sound of each instrument.

Belgium has a great comic book tradition, being the country with the most comic book authors per square metre. Tintin, The Smurfs, Lucky Luke... They all originated in this country. So, if you love this art form, you'll be in your element, as you can:

• Visit the Comic Strip Museum: it offers temporary and permanent exhibitions that allow visitors to discover the countless facets of comic strips. You will find original sketches, unpublished documents, three-dimensional reconstructions of the characters and interactive games that will transport you into a world of fantasy, whatever your age.
• Take the comic strip tour to learn all about the history of Franco-Belgian comics and see all the murals, street art and shops dedicated to this art form. Brussels is home to some truly gigantic murals featuring many of the characters most loved by readers.

Since it was placed in the old part of the Belgian capital in 1388, between L'Etuve and Chene streets, Manneken Pis has been one of the city's most beloved and representative symbols.

The statue of a naked boy urinating into a fountain has become famous for representing the liberal and independent spirit of the city's inhabitants. The original figure was made of stone and, due to its originality, was stolen on several occasions until it was replaced in 1619 by a copper one, which remains to this day.

On special occasions, and in accordance with important national events, it is traditional to dress up the statue. Currently, the wardrobe of the charming little man has more than 800 costumes, which are kept in the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles, located in the King's House.

Do you know his little friend?

You'll also be pleased to know that this particular feature of Brussels' geography also has a lesser-known female counterpart. In the opposite direction, near a small alley called Impasse de la Fidélité, you'll find Jeanneke Pis.

This statue depicts a crouching girl urinating with a mocking gesture and was created in 1987 on commission from the owner of a local restaurant. Today, it is a little better known, although less so than its counterpart, but both are usually included in most tours of Brussels.

One thing you can't miss is a visit to one of Brussels' best beer halls. One of my recommendations in the city centre is the Delirium Cafe, a place world-famous for its 2,004 varieties of beer from around the world, including some unusual ones such as chocolate, banana and coconut beers, and for its entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

In addition to beer, this bar offers coffee, a special gin tasting and other drinks such as whisky, tequila and vodka, which you can accompany with a select collection of appetisers featuring the city's best cheeses and cured meats. The café has friendly bar staff and waiters who can help you make your choice.

Although you can find many craft beer bars in Brussels, I want to tell you that you can go to beer tastings if you are a lover of humanity's most traditional drink. Something I highly recommend.

Every city has its own distinctive smell, and Brussels smells of chocolate. Round, square, ball-shaped, filled, bitter, liquid, frozen... The Belgian tradition of using cocoa is quite old.

If chocolate is a temptation for you, I recommend the experience offered by certain tours where you can learn how to make delicious Belgian chocolate bars. These options include Brussels Choco Story Tickets and tasting the preparations**.

It's a perfect activity to take a break and relax while sampling delicious Brussels chocolates.

A little bit of history

A few years after the discovery of America, the cocoa bean began its conquest of Europe. A delicacy for kings and rulers, the cocoa trade developed into a key industry in the Belgian economy.

But perhaps the most famous figure in this story is the pharmacist Jean Neuhaus, who in 1987 developed a novel technique to mask the unpleasant taste of medicines, using none other than chocolate. In an alchemy of this gift from the gods and by replacing medicines with different ingredients, he gave rise to one of the most famous chocolate houses in all of Europe.

I still think that tourist buses that tour city centres are a quick and easy way to get a good idea of a particular place and decide which places you want to explore in more detail.

Brussels is no exception, and I also recommend booking a ticket on a tourist bus tour of the city. This plan allows you to cover most of the city and choose when to hop on and off.

These tours usually have knowledgeable guides and offer audio guides in multiple languages, heating in the winter months and air conditioning in the summer.

Located in one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Brussels, stretching from the centre to the Place du Jeu de Balle, this neighbourhood is notable for being the site of one of the city's most interesting flea markets, i.e. second-hand and vintage markets.

This old neighbourhood of humble origins, with a bohemian and avant-garde character, is home to modern techno music clubs, pubs, independent fashion and music shops, record stores and antique shops, as well as art galleries exhibiting works by local and international artists.

We can also admire one of the most controversial works: the Palace of Justice. This imposing building covers 26,000 square metres, is over 104 metres high and has one of the most magnificent domes in Europe. Its construction began in 1883 and involved the eviction and demolition of 3,000 homes in their entirety.

If you have the time and desire to learn more about the historical legacy of the European confederation, I recommend exploring the Parlamentarium building, a free museum that takes visitors on a journey through the long history of cooperation between nations and shows what their representatives are doing to address today's challenges.

As I mentioned earlier, Brussels is also famous for being the seat of several important European institutions, such as the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and even NATO's military headquarters.

Upon entering the Parlamentarium, you can request an audio guide available in any of the 24 official languages of the community. It is open seven days a week and is accessible to people with reduced mobility or disabilities.

The Saint-Hubert Galleries are just a 10-minute walk from Brussels Park and offer more than 200 metres of shopping in a setting with stunning architecture.

Inside, you will find not only luxury shops and jewellers, but also terraces and chocolate shops where you can enjoy a delicious coffee. Some shops may be too expensive to buy anything, but remember that walking and looking is free.

Technically, in two or three days you can see most of the city, and by following my recommendations you can marvel at everything this city has to offer. Are you ready to embark on the adventure?

• Brussels offers a wide range of plans and excursions to other famous Belgian cities such as Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp, lasting one or several days. I recommend checking out the tourist attractions in these places and treating yourself to even more memories of this beautiful country.
• If you are on a limited budget, I also recommend consulting the available guides for free city tours or considering the option of purchasing the Brussels Card, which entitles you to discounts and free access to public transport and the Atomium.