Things to Do in Brussels

Learn the history of a nation at Belgium's BELvue Museum, housed in the 18th-century Bellvue Hotel in the center of Brussels. Trace the story of Belgium from the Belgian Revolution, through World Wars I and II, and in its royal and political progression as you walk through its 12 rooms. Filled with historical documents and artifacts as well as engaging multimedia displays, each room represents a different crucial period in Belgium's history. The rooms are meant to be explored in chronological order. 

Photographs and royal items on display give a real sense of time and place. Curators strategically placed windows that look out onto some of the very places the museum tells the history of. Visitors can see the Mont des Arts and Brussels Park, crucial sites of the Belgian Revolution, from museum rooms and hallways. Temporary exhibitions also bring contemporary stories of Belgian heritage and politics to life.

Walking down the tree-lined Avenue Louise is the best way to experience the city's best in luxury and fashion. Belgian and international designer labels line the elegant thoroughfare, which runs adjacent to the Boulevard de Waterloo. Here you'll find upscale clothing shops for both women and men, with smaller, more affordable boutiques interspersed.

The avenue was commissioned by King Leopold II in 1847 to provide more direct access to the city's Bois de la Cambre area. Named for his daughter Princess Louise, it now serves as a main street in the heart of Brussels. Keep your eyes peeled for art deco townhouses, extravagant hotels, and small, manicured parks and gardens. The avenue is also home to some of the city's tallest office buildings. Or go for a leisurely stroll along the avenue's 2.7 kilometers and be content with window shopping and people watching.

What did the world's greatest historical figures say to others and to themselves? What were they really thinking? Find out at this display of letters, manuscripts and other texts selected for their significance. Many times additional insight into an artist's life provides context, understanding, and deeper meaning for their works. Personal letters and documents provide a peek into the lives behind public personas. The museum has more than 140,000 from prominent figures such as kings, emperors, writers, painters, musicians, politicians, and inventors who altered the course of history.

The permanent collection is divided into in four sections: art, history, literature, and science. There's sheet music from Mozart and Beethoven, cards decorated by Picasso, informal sketches from Matisse, original manuscripts of Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway, and letters written by Charlemagne and Winston Churchill, among others. Temporary exhibitions delve deeply into the life and works of a single figure.

The Royal Saint Hubert Galleries are a series of shops and restaurants in Brussels that are covered by panes of glass. They were designed by the architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer in 1847 and are often referred to as the umbrella of Brussels. The galleries are divided into three different sections: the Galerie de la Reine, the Galerie du Roi and the Galerie des Princes. The glass roof helps protect visitors from rain or cold weather. In the past, visitors had to pay 25 cents on Thursdays and Sundays and 10 cents on other days just to access the galleries. Of course today it is free to visit, and over 6 million people visit each year. 

The galleries have something for everyone. There are boutiques selling the latest fashions as well as more classic clothing. Accessories shops sell gloves, hats, umbrellas and more. Several jewelry stores are located here along with book stores, chocolate shops, and other specialty shops. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes for when you get hungry. The galleries even have a cinema and a theater in case you're looking for entertainment. Even if you're not interested in shopping, the Royal Galleries are a nice place for a stroll while taking in a bit of the city's history.

As the setting of one of the most illustrious battles in military history, Waterloo Battlefield requires very little presentation. The ultimate defeat of Napoleon and the French army, the glorious win of the Seventh Coalition; the Battle of Waterloo was somewhat short-lived in comparison to others but its length is in no way correlated to its significance.

Napoleon had been exiled to Elba by the Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1814; worried about his wife and son who had returned to Austria and concerned he would be banished to a remote island, he escaped and started governing again despite international threats. His return to power in March 1815 was a pacifist one, but his enemies did not believe in his noble intentions for one minute; a pan-European coalition emerged at the Congress of Vienna (the precursor of the United Nations), which aimed to provide long-term peace on the continent by settling critical issues surfacing from the Napoleonic Wars and balancing the powers; many European Great Powers refused to recognize Napoleon as Emperor of the French upon his return from exile. The Seventh Coalition mobilized large armies led by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian-born Gebhard von Blücher; they gathered at the northeastern border of France and prepared for battle. Napoleon’s strategy was to isolate the two armies and obliterate each one separately in order to avoid the invasion of France, but the French army was soon routed out - effectively ending Napoleon's rule as Emperor of the French.

The MOOF Museum, or the Museum of Original Figurines, is a museum in Brussels dedicated to comic strips. The museum features comic strip figurines, collection items, original comic strips and drawings. More than 650 figurines and original objects are on display, but the museum's entire collection consists of around 3,500 pieces, making it one of the finest collections of comic book memorabilia in the world. The museum has items from Belgian comics, such as the famous Tintin and the Smurfs, as well as American collections, manga and more. The figurines are displayed next to the original comic plates from which they originated. 

The MOOF Museum has something for everyone, whether you are a passionate comic book enthusiast or simply curious about the art form. At the museum, you can relive your childhood, learn about comics you might not be familiar with, and enjoy different pieces from various parts of the world. In addition to the figurines, there are large murals of your favorite characters. The museum often has special temporary exhibits as well as the permanent collection.

One of Belgium's Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum is devoted to the works of Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte, whose innovative creations are said to have influenced artists like Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns.

Visitors can discover the works of the Belgian surrealist on a self-guided tour, opt for an audio guide to learn more about Magritte's life and artistic influences, or purchase a combination ticket including entrance to the neighboring Fin-de-Siècle Museum and the Old Masters Museum. Entrance to the museum is included with the Brussels Card, while Brussels hop-on hop-off tours stop right outside. 

The Magritte Museum is located on Place Royale in central Brussels, just opposite the Palais Royal de Bruxelles and surrounded by some of the city's most prestigious art museums. The museum is well served by public transport, with the Gare Centrale train station a seven-minute walk away, the Palais and Royale tram stops nearby, and the Parc metro station a scenic 10-minute walk away, through the Parc de Bruxelles.

The museum is open daily, all year round. The quietest time to visit is on a weekday, but those wanting to take in the surrounding museums should be aware that many are closed on Mondays. 

The museum's permanent collection includes more than 200 of Magritte's works, including oil paintings, sculptures, drawings, posters, photography, and short films. It's the largest archive of the artist's work in the world and features favorites such as The Return, Sky Bird, and Empire of Light, as well as numerous paintings featuring Magritte's trademark bowler hats and birds.

Located just a 10-minute walk from Brussel’s bustling Grand Place, Place du Grand Sablon is a historic square at the heart of the Sablon quarter. It feels a world away from the busy city center, with striking medieval townhouses, stylish restaurants, terrace cafés, and a lively antiques market. 

The Sablon District of Brussels is an ideal spot for dining, shopping, or enjoying a peaceful glass of Belgian beer after a day of sightseeing. Visit on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour to explore the area’s maze of cobbled streets, or opt for a private city tour to learn about the square’s history and visit other Brussels highlights such as St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Royal Palace. 

While the star attraction is the weekend antiques market, the area around Place du Grand Sablon is also a popular stop on chocolate tours of Brussels, with Belgian chocolate shops such as Marcolini, Godiva, Neuhaus, Wittamer, and Leonidas located on and around the square. Place du Grand Sablon is also a good jumping-off point for visiting nearby attractions such as the Manneken Pis, the Mont des Arts gardens, and Brussels Park (Parc de Bruxelles). 

Place du Grand Sablon is a 10-minute walk from the Grand Place in central Brussels. The closest metro station is Louise, and trams 92 and 93 also stop nearby. 

Summer (especially July and August) is the most popular time to visit Place du Grand Sablon, when the weather is typically warm and sunny. Be sure to visit on a weekend to catch the famous antique and book markets, which are held all day Saturday and on Sunday mornings. 

The picturesque lanes of the Sablon District are ideal for strolling and the whole area is packed with art galleries, antique shops, and cafés. After browsing the market stalls on Place du Grand Sablon, make the short walk uphill to the Place du Petit Sablon, home to the beautiful late-Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Sablon. Close by, the Mont des Arts District is home to museums including the Magritte Museum, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

The Porte de Hal, or Halle Gate, is what remains of the city’s second fortified wall, making it one of the most historic structures in Brussels. Built to defend the capital city in 1381, it guarded the interior with a medieval drawbridge and moat. Though many of the other structures from this time period have since been destroyed, the Porte de Hal was used as a prison, thereby still standing and recalling an earlier age. The stonework and style of the gate’s tower still looks like it was lifted straight from the Middle Ages.

The museum goes into detail about the city’s fortification, history, and folklore. Various weapons and armor are on display, including the parade armor of the Archduke Albert of Austria. Here visitors can learn in depth about the trade guilds and battles that make up the history of Brussels. Three stories up a winding staircase take you to the Battlement, with panoramic views of the city. 

The Cinquantenaire District in Brussels is the area of the city surrounding the Cinquantenaire Park. The park itself was built to commemorate 50 years of Belgium's independence. Dominating the park is the Triumphal Arch and three museums. The museums located here are Autoworld, which showcases the evolution of the automobile throughout history; the Royal Museum of Art and History, which contains a wide range of art and artifacts from pre-history forward; and the Belgian Army Museum and Museum of Military History, which examines the development of military technology throughout history along with the major campaigns fought on Belgian soil. In the summer, the park hosts concerts, festivals, drive-in movies, and it is the starting point of the Brussels marathon.

This district, also known as the European District, is the heart of the European Union. The buildings that house the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of Ministers can be found in this area. This section of Brussels is also known for its many Art Nouveau buildings, trendy restaurants, and boutique shops. The entire area is populated with international people who work at the European institutions or at large corporations that have offices in Brussels.

This exploration of comic strips as art is appropriately housed in an Art Nouveau building designed by Brussels' most famous architect, Victor Horta. It traces the history of first comic strips through to the evolution of European comic books and present day pieces. The museum celebrates both the heroes and the creators of so many beloved comic strips. Many know of the Smurfs or the famous character Tintin of "The Adventures of Tintin," and the center's exhibit on imagination traces comic strip art from the development of Tintin in Belgium in 1929 up to 1960. Comic strips in French, Dutch, and English as well as from genres ranging from politics to science fiction and children's comics are all represented.

In addition to the permanent collections, visitors have the option to delve into animation, a reading room, a research library, and a conservation facility.

One of Brussels' newest museums, the Fin-de-Siècle celebrates the city's history as an artistic capital at the end of the 19th century. Though a tempestuous time politically, artists emerged during this time period that pushed the envelope away from classical traditions into modernism. Covering a span from 1868-1914, the museum chronicles the changing attitudes in art. Realism, Impressionism and Art Nouveau emerged during this time, ending only with the start of the first World War and with Belgium leading the way.

Historic collections of 19th- and 20th-century art are here explored with the newest technologies, like touch screens and interactive multimedia. Music, photography, and literature are represented as well, though less so than visual arts. Collections of the many facets of Art Nouveau, from furniture to decorative arts, are a highlight for many. With four floors to explore and many detailed descriptions throughout.

Blending the classic atmosphere of an American diner with the devil"“may"“care edge of rock "˜n' roll, the Hard Rock Cafe is much more than just a cafe "“ it's an international institution, and it was only a matter of time before the legendary restaurant made its way on to Belgian soil. Opening its doors in 2012, the Hard Rock Cafe Brussels has been enticing locals to swap their French fries and Belgian waffles for some all-American soul food ever since and there are few more atmospheric spots to tuck into a burger. 

Taking over a restored 16th-century building in the heart of the capital, fans of the Hard Rock Cafe will find all their favorites on the Brussels' menu, from Bar-B-Que Ribs to Wildberry Smoothies, but of course, the Hard Rock Cafe has always been about more than just the food. Like all Hard Rock Cafes, the Brussels franchise is crammed full of priceless rock memorabilia including items from legends like Bono, The Sex Pistols, Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley, as well as a stage costume worn by Madonna and a guitar played by Eric Clapton. Not only that, but there's a live music area, a late night lounge, a Rock Shop filled with Hard Rock-inspired merchandise and the innovative Rock Wall™ Solo, an interactive touch wall offering a virtual tour of the Hard Rock Cafe's 174 venues around the globe. 

La Maison Autrique was the first house built by Belgian architect Victor Horta, with early elements of his famous Art Nouveau style apparent in the design details. Although the entry and ground floor reflects the classic architectural style of the 19th century, when it was built, the halls and other rooms are illuminated by open space and natural light, an innovation at the time.  

The house is simpler than Horta's later projects, as it was built as a comfortable home for engineer Eugène Autrique and his family. It was completed in 1893, but was recently renovated and reopened to the public. With a striking exterior of iron pillars and columns, Horta's touch can be seen with the use of light and color in the home's intricate stained glass in the interior. The classic town house is at once both an embodiment of a traditional private Belgian home and the modern step toward Art Nouveau.

The Horta Museum in Brussels, Belgium was once the home of the architect Victor Horta. Horta is considered the father of the Art Nouveau style of architecture, and his house is a fantastic example of this style. He built the house for his own use and lived there from 1901 to 1919. The interior designs are original, including the mosaics, stained glass windows, furniture, and wall paintings. The museum also has a collection of furniture designed by Victor Horta as well as old photographs, scale models of some of his other buildings, casts and plans explaining his work. 

The museum consists of two buildings, Horta's house and his studio. He favored warm woods and wrought iron, and a tour through his home will reveal many interesting characteristics. Look for the shapes inspired by nature and art from Celtic and Asian cultures. Pay attention to the chairs, tables, lamps, door handles, banisters, and candelabras. Windows, including a stained glass skylight, let in lots of sunlight which accents the designs and gives the house a natural glow. The unique artistic details of Horta's home are everywhere.

Behind the facade of a dark, grey Neogothic structure lays a collection of artifacts that tell the story of the city of Brussels. This intricate building is known as the Maison du Roi ("King's House") and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The structure is also known as Broodhuis (bread market), a nod to its use as such in the 13th century.

From its early development to medieval era to present day, learn about the city's history through its tapestries, paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Altarpieces, porcelain and silverware round out the collection of historical objects on display. Exhibits cover everything from urban development to the social, political, and cultural life of the capital. Envision the past with 3D models to scale of the city in different time periods. Of particular note is the costume collection of the statue of Manneken-Pis, an emblem of Brussels said to have nearly 800 wardrobe choices.