Brussels in numbers
979 AD
FOUNDATION
1.2 million
POPULATION
AREA
162 km²
Why visit Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the home of the European Union. It is best described as 'cosmopolitan', something of which its inhabitants are very proud. Its growth in recent decades has made it a great tourist city, with a variety of cultural and gastronomic attractions.
All the circuits take you back to the Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This main square is surrounded by historic buildings and is the perfect place to see sound and light shows on important dates.
Its historic centre, museums and wide variety of culinary options make it a place with a personality all of its own. You can explore its medieval past and guilds, unwind in its divine parks and royal gardens or spy on suit-wearing executives in the distinguished European quarter - choose your own adventure!
We share with you 50 places to visit distributed in the following categories:
European capital and mother of cartoon characters. In multicultural Brussels, the past and the present coexist to transmit a lot of optimism and fun.
11 Museums, Galleries and Palaces
Few cities have a district designed especially for the arts. In the late 19th century, the hill was redeveloped and the collections of several museums were housed here. Other buildings were added over time, such as the Royal Library and the National Archives.
The majestic Royal Palace is built on top of a palace complex a thousand years ago, built among the marshes on the banks of the Senne River. Brussels is also noted for its thematic museums. They can be about chocolate, motor racing or musical instruments - whatever you prefer!
13 Monuments and Landmarks
From Brussels City Hall stretches the entire historic centre of the Belgian capital, with food names for every street. Another important tourist attraction in Brussels is the Manneken Pis, a statue of a naked boy that stands on a corner of the city. He is already a symbol of the city and is dressed in traditional costume at various events.
Further north, you can enjoy a tour of monumental landmarks such as the Atomium and the Laeken Royal Complex. Or you can head east to the European quarter, where renovated parts of the city show off its status as the seat of the European Commission.
9 Churches and Temples
During the European Wars of Religion, Belgium remained an important Catholic stronghold. The Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula is a great example of Brabantine Gothic.
Other almost millennia-old churches such as Our Lady of the Sablon and St Nicholas have stained-glass windows that rival the best of France's Gothic. The Basilica of the Sacré Coeur is a new jewel of the Belgian capital, with panoramic views of the old city once you stand on its esplanade.
14 Squares and Parks
Since the 1970s, every two years on Assumption Day (15 August), the Grand Place has been covered with a bed of a million flowers. With more than 8,000 hectares spread around its central ring, Brussels rewards your walks with ample green spaces to relax in.
The three largest are the Parc de Bruxelles, which connects the historic centre with the European district and in front of the Royal Palace; the refined Parc du Cinquantenaire and the sprawling Parcs de Laeken in the north of the Belgian capital.
3 Experiences and Activities
If you have some extra time left over after your tours, or if you prefer to get to know Brussels in a more "hands-on" way, we recommend several activities. You can enjoy an explanatory tour of the famous Belgian beers or get hands-on in a Belgian chocolate-making workshop, it's up to you!
List with 50 places to visit in Brussels
🏛️ Museums, Galleries and Palaces
1. Automobile Museum
2. Brussels Museum
3. Brussels Museum of Musical Instruments
4. Cinquantenaire Museum
5. Cocoa and Chocolate Museum
6. Magritte Museum
7. Military Museum
8. Musée Oldmasters Museum
9. Museum of the End of the Century
10. Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
11. Royal Palace of Brussels
🏰 Monuments and Landmarks
12. Atomium
13. Brussels City Hall
14. Brussels Stock Exchange
15. European Parliament - Station Europe
16. Fidelity Pass
17. Jeanneke Pis
18. Manneken Pis
19. Monument to Leopold I
20. Queen Astrid Monument
21. Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
22. Royal Theatre of Flanders
23. Tintin Mural
24. Viewpoint of the Arts
⛪ Churches and Temples
25. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
26. Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels
27. Church of Our Lady of Laeken
28. Church of St Catherine of Brussels
29. Church of St John the Baptist
30. Church of St. Mary Magdalene
31. Church of St. Nicholas
32. Our Lady of the Chapel
33. Our Lady of the Sablon
🌳 Squares and Parks
34. Agora Square
35. Botanical Garden of Brussels
36. Cinquantenaire Park
37. Elisabeth Park
38. Fish Market Boulevard
39. Grand Place
40. Leopold Park
41. Osseghem Laeken Park
42. Parc de Bruxelles
43. Place des Arts
44. Place Royale
45. Place St-Gudula
46. Queen Astrid Park
47. Royal Park of Laeken
🎡 Experiences and Activities
48. Belgian brewery tour
49. Belgian chocolate making
50. Royal Galleries St. Hubert
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