There are many places to visit in Brussels, the political capital of the European Union. Quiet city, full of museums, parks, historic buildings and famous for chocolate, waffles, craft beer and one of the most beautiful squares in the world, the Grand Place, is one of those destinations that never disappoints.
While we could say that a weekend is enough to visit its main places, it is advisable to have more days and thus be able to visit other beautiful Belgian cities, which are a perfect complement to Brussels.
We have made a list of 10 places to see in Brussels, based on our two trips to the Belgian capital. The first trip is combined with Bruges and the second with Ghent, Leuven and Antwerp, fairytale cities that fall in love. We start!
1. Grand Place
The entire historical center and the city of Brussels revolve around the Grand Place, one of the most essential places to see in Belgium. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands out for the buildings that surround it, including the guild houses, the Maison du Roi, the Maison des Ducs de Brabant, Le Piegeon and especially the town hall or Hotel de Ville.
Being able to sit on one of the terraces of the square for a craft beer or some typical mussels and chips is one of the best things to do in Brussels.
As an extra we will tell you that every two years in August the square is covered with flowers forming a beautiful floral carpet, so this month becomes a good time to travel to Brussels.
A good option to learn more about the history of the city is to book this free tour of Brussels with a guide in Spanish. Free!
Grand place
2. Saint Hubert Galleries
The Saint Hubert galleries are very close to the Grand Place and it is another essential place to visit in Brussels. Completed in 1948, they became the first commercial galleries in Europe and a meeting point for artists of the time. Its magnificent glass vaults mixed with the cast iron that support them give a special charm to its more than 200 meters of travel and are a place of interest, which you can not miss in the city.
The Saint Hubert galleries are made up of 3 galleries: the King's Gallery, the Queen's Gallery and the Prince's Gallery, and they can be accessed by 3 different streets. Inside there are several luxury stores, famous chocolatiers, some jewelry and terraces where tourists savor an expensive coffee.
Saint Hubert Galleries
3. Brussels Cathedral
The Cathedral of San Miguel and Santa Gúdula, in Gothic style, is the most important Catholic church in Belgium. It began to be built in the thirteenth century and it was not until 1961 that the church acquired the name of cathedral. A few years ago it has been restored for what looks splendid, even being the scene of weddings and royal coronations.
Inside, the baroque-style wood-carved pulpit, the large stained glass windows and a large organ stand out, places that you cannot miss during your visit.
A good option if you don't have much time is to book the Brussels tourist bus that stops at the main points of interest in Brussels.
Visiting hours: every day from Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00. Saturdays from 07:30 to 15:30 and Sundays from 14:00 to 18:00.
Brussels Cathedral
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
4. Barrio del Sablon
In the elegant neighborhood of Sablon there are several places to visit in Brussels. You can start the route through the neighborhood stopping in front of the imposing Palace of Justice, for many years the largest building in Europe with a spectacular interior, with a lobby over 100 meters high.
In Le Sablon you can not miss the beautiful garden of the Place du Petit Sablon in which an antique market is held every Sunday. Walking through the Place du Grand Sablon and entering the beautiful Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Sablon would complete the visit to one of the most charming neighborhoods in Brussels.
Palace of Justice Hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00.
Schedule Notre-Dame du Sablono: every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Notre Dame du Sablon
5. Comic book route
Brussels and the comic have a relationship for years, as great comic authors like Hergé "Tintin"or Peyo"The Smurfs", they were born in Brussels.
The Comic Museum next to the Comic Book Route They have become two essentials for everyone visiting Brussels, even if you're not a comic book lover.
You can find up to three Comic Book Routes where you can go for a walk and be surprised to see the facades painted with murals of the most famous Belgian comics such as Tintin, Lucky Luke, The Little Spirou or the Gauls Astérix and Obélix, among others.
Also, if you are a big fan of comics, especially Tintin, you can't miss a visit to the Comic Museum.
A good option to complete the route is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish, one of the best tours and excursions in Brussels.
Comic Museum Hours: every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Comic Book Route
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish in Brussels by travelers:
- Excursion to Bruges and Ghent
- Excursion to Bruges
- Ghent excursion
- Excursion to Antwerp
- Amsterdam excursion
- More excursions and tours here
6. Atomium, one of the places to visit in Brussels
The Atomium represents an iron atom enlarged 165 billion times and is one of the symbols and one of the places to visit in Brussels. It was built for the Universal Exhibition of Brussels in 1958 and has a height of more than 100 meters and although it was criticized in its first years of life, today it is one of the symbols of the city.
In one of the stainless steel coated spheres you will find a restaurant from which you can enjoy panoramic and distant views of the city.
Visiting hours: every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can book the ticket here in advance to avoid the lines.
Atomium, one of the places to visit in Brussels
7. Royal Palace and Park of Brussels
The Royal Palace was for a long time the residence of the Belgian kings, although currently it is only the official palace of the king. Inside the palace stands out the great white marble staircase and several rooms such as the Goya room, the Hall of Mirrors or the Throne room.
The 18th-century French-style Brussels Park has several ponds, gardens and small forests ideal for walking and enjoying the tranquility.
Palace visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., only between the end of July and the beginning of September.
Brussels Royal Park
8. Manneken Pis
Near the Great Place is one of the icons of Brussels, the statue of Manneken Pis from the year 1619. The small bronze statue of a boy urinating in a fountain is always surrounded by a crowd of tourists taking pictures from all angles, So if you want to observe it well, it is best to go first thing in the morning or be patient.
One of the things that attract the attention of the Manneken Pis are the different costumes with which they dress it, since although it sounds strange, it has a wardrobe with more than 800 garments. Depending on the party or celebration they put on a certain dress or fill the fountain with beer or another drink.
In an alley, near the Great Place and in the opposite direction to the Manneken Pis, is the Jeanneke Pis, its feminine version, which we recommend you not to miss.
And if you haven't had enough to see these two statues, you can always look for the Zinneke Pis, the canine version. On the map below you have the exact locations.
Manneken Pis, one of the places to see in Brussels
Our recommended hotel in Brussels
The Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi Hotel, located directly opposite the Brussels Midi Station, offers spacious, comfortable and very clean rooms. They also have free Wi-Fi throughout and a very friendly staff.
For more information on the best hotels and neighborhoods we recommend you check this post of where to stay in Brussels.
9. European Quarter
If you have more than one day in Brussels it is interesting to visit the European district. In this neighborhood is the European Parliament and most of the buildings and institutions of the European Union. In addition to visiting the parliament you can see the Belayrmont building, official headquarters of the European Commission, the Justus Lipsius, headquarters of the Council of the European Union, the space and the Leopold park, and the Cinquantenaire Park and Palace, also very close, it find a piece of the Berlin wall.
The European Quarter is a bit far from the center but is easily accessible by subway.
Visiting hours of the Parliament: from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
European Parliament
10. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Located a little away from the center in the Koekelberg district, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is another of the places to visit in Brussels. This jewel of Art Deco is the fifth largest church in the world with its 167 meters long and 89 meters high. Built in 1905 by order of King Leopold II, it stands out for the large green dome and the two circular towers. Inside they impress its stained glass windows and you can go up to the terrace to enjoy one of the best views of Brussels.
Visiting hours: every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to visit in Brussels, add yours in the comments.
