Things to Do in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels rarely tops the bucket list the way Paris and Rome do, and honestly I think that is exactly why I loved it. It is a capital that does not posture. It feels lived in, full of comic murals, good beer and a Grand Place that stops you cold every time you enter it. I covered it on foot over four relaxed days, and this is everything I would do again.

Photograph the Grand Place

It sounds obvious, but the Grand Place genuinely deserves every word of its reputation. Gilded guild halls tower over a cobbled square that is justly called one of the most beautiful in Europe, and every evening the buildings light up while a gentle sound and light show plays and the crowds lift their phones in delight. I am not ashamed to say I returned three times in two days.

Go at least once at dusk for the lights, and once in the early morning when the square is almost empty and you can hear your own footsteps echo off the facades. Climb to one of the cafes overlooking it for a coffee and a high view that will make you want to stay all day. It is completely free, which in a European capital feels like a generous gift, and it is the image you will carry home.

Track Down Manneken Pis

You cannot be in Brussels long before someone mentions the tiny bronze statue of the boy peeing, and the hunt for it is honestly half the fun. He stands on a corner a few lanes off the Grand Place, no bigger than a child’s hand, and he is regularly dressed in a changing wardrobe of little outfits that locals fuss over like a celebrity. The streets around him are crowded but cheerful, and I enjoyed shuffling to the front for a look and the obligatory selfie alongside the other travelers.

Souvenir shops nearby sell tiny copies in every size, and yes, I bought one. The statue is small and the crowd moves slowly, so go at an odd hour if you want a clean photo. Treat it as a fun errand rather than a serious sight; you will enjoy it far more.

Wander the Comic Murals and Comic Art Center

Brussels is the home of Tintin, and it feels like every second street carries a giant comic book mural painted up the side of a building. I spent a happy morning simply following a route between the most famous ones, spotting the Smurfs, spirits and a dozen other beloved characters splashed across ordinary brick. It turns safe, everyday lanes into an open air gallery, and it is the most distinctively Brussels thing the city does.

If the street murals pull you in, the Belgian Comic Strip Center is the wonderful deep dive. Housed in a glorious art deco former department store, it leads you through the whole history of the Belgian comic from its start to today. It is bright, funny and easily done in an hour. I left smiling and quietly impressed by how much character this city packs into its walls and its imagination.

Eat Mussels and Fries

Brussels is where I ate mussels every single day and never once got bored. The classic is moules frites, a big steaming pot of mussels in white wine and garlic with a cone of crisp golden fries, and every brasserie does it well. I found the best value in a modest bistro a few streets off the Grand Place, where a huge pot and a beer came at a friendly price and the bread kept arriving until the broth was gone. Order it with a local beer, because that is the pairing this city was built for.

For the fries themselves, seek out the street stands that fry them properly in beef fat; they come out crisp outside, fluffy within, and are served in paper cones that practically beg you to graze all afternoon. And if you are feeling brave, add a plate of carbonnade flamande, a rich, slow cooked beef stew simmered in beer, which is comfort food at its absolute best on a cool Brussels evening.

Explore the Royal Galleries and Parks

The Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert are a glass roofed shopping arcade from the 1840s, and they are a pleasure palace of chocolate shops, bookstores and old world charm. I walked them slowly, bought a box of genuine Belgian pralines, which is non negotiable, and then ducked into a cafe for a coffee under the delicate iron arches. It can get busy, but the architecture forgives the crowds easily.

When you need a breath of green, the Royal Park and the gardens around the Palais and the Parc de Bruxelles are close by. I sat in the park with a book one sunny afternoon and watched skateboarders and families drift past. Belgian chocolate, old arches and quiet green spaces, that is the city in three easy pieces, and each one is worth your time.

Drink Beer and Practical Tips

You cannot leave Brussels without a proper beer, and I did a small tasting at a cozy bar off the Grand Place, working through a dubbel, a tripel and a sour gueuze, and each one surprised me. The strong abbey ales and the fruity lambics pushed me into a whole new respect for Belgian brewing. Take it slow, because the alcohol rises quickly and you still have stairs and cobbled lanes ahead of you.

For the practical side, the city is compact enough to walk, but the metro and trams are cheap and easy for the longer distances. Book the comic center and the Musical Instruments Museum ahead in high season to skip the queue. And bring comfortable shoes, because Brussels is literally built for walking. I covered it over four relaxed days, and I would happily give it four more.