Brussels is best known as the main headquarters of the European Union (although many of its institutions are located elsewhere), but it’s also a great choice for travel!
It’s the capital of Belgium and Flanders, and the seat of the EU and NATO. Brussels and the entire capital region are officially bilingual, with French and Dutch having equal status.
Table of Contents
Brussels attractions
Grand Place (Grote Markt / Grand-Place)
The more than 300-year-old main square is the center of the old town, surrounded by guild houses. One of these is the Broodhuis, the building of the bakers’ guild, now the city museum.
The square is famous for its impressive architectural style, which combines Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements. Particularly impressive is the Flower Carpet (Tapis de Fleurs), held every two years, during which beautiful patterns are created on the square using thousands of begonia flowers.
From April to September, there’s also a musical light show that offers a wonderful spectacle.
City Hall (Hotel de Ville)
The most characteristic building on the Grand Place, with its spire visible from many points in the city.
Built in the early 15th century, it’s one of the best examples of Flemish Gothic architecture. Its facade is richly decorated with various Gothic elements such as lace-like stone carvings, statues, and arches.
One of the building’s most striking features is the tall, 96-meter high tower that rises from the central part of the building. At the top of the tower is a statue of the city’s patron saint, Saint Michael.
The interior of the building is also impressive, especially with the decorations of the Great Council Chamber (Salle des États) and the Lesser Council Chamber (Salle du Collège).
King’s House (Maison du Roi)
Also located on the Grand Place, it was built in Neo-Gothic style, and its lace-like facade offers a fairy-tale view.
Originally built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, it served as the city’s market administration building. The Neo-Gothic transformation took place in the 19th century when it underwent significant renovation and expansion.
Its name is due to the fact that the building once served as the official residence of the Belgian royal family. Today it houses the City Museum (Musée de la ville de Bruxelles).
t’Serclaes Monument
Located on the corner of one of the houses on the Grand Place, this monument is one of the city’s iconic attractions.
Éverard t’Serclaes was a Brussels nobleman known for his heroic deed. In 1356, when Louis, Count of Flanders, tried to capture Brussels, t’Serclaes recaptured the city in a night raid. This secured Brussels’ independence.
The central element of the monument is the bronze statue of Éverard t’Serclaes lying down. The statue is extremely detailed, depicting t’Serclaes in ornate armor and cloak.
Many superstitions and beliefs are associated with the monument. One of the most well-known beliefs is that touching t’Serclaes’ statue brings good luck and fulfills wishes. As a result, certain parts of the statue, especially the arm and head, are shinier from all the touching.
Manneken Pis
One of Brussels’ most famous and beloved attractions. The tiny bronze statue has become a symbol of the Belgian capital.
The statue is only 61 cm tall. The original has been stolen several times, so a copy is on display. The original can be found in the Brussels City Museum.
The statue is often dressed in various costumes. This tradition dates back to the 17th century. It has hundreds of different outfits that it wears on special occasions or national holidays.
There are several legends about its origin. One of the most famous stories is that a little boy saved Brussels from a fire by urinating on the flames. Another story says that a lost boy was found in the city, and this is how they commemorated him when he was finally found.
Mont des Arts
Located on a hill where several great buildings and a beautiful park can be found: Albert I Library, Gallery, and the Protestant Church (Église Protestante de Bruxelles-Musée).
In front of the park rises an equestrian statue of Albert I.
Carillon of the Mont des Arts
This tower is located on the Mont des Arts (Hill of the Arts), where we can see a carillon on its wall.
The carillon consists of 24 bells that play different melodies every hour. These melodies evoke various Belgian historical and cultural events.
A clock is also visible on the wall, surrounded by moving figures. The figures represent Belgian historical personalities and move when the clock strikes.
Royal Palace (Palais Royal/Koninklijk Paleis)
The official residence of the Belgian king and queen, although the family doesn’t live here but in Laeken.
Built in the 18th century, it gained its current form at the end of the 19th century. The site was previously occupied by the ducal palace of Brussels.
The palace’s interior spaces show lavish decoration, with rich gilding, artworks, and elegant furniture. Particularly noteworthy is the Hall of Mirrors, whose ceiling was covered by artist Jan Fabre with tiny beetle shells, creating a stunning green light effect.
Every year from July 22 to early September, except Mondays, the building can be visited for free. The exact closing date can be checked here.
Parc de Bruxelles
It’s worth taking a walk in the large park next to the Royal Palace. There are wide promenades, many statues, and two small ponds in the symmetrically arranged park.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Cœur à Koekelberg)
This is one of Brussels’ most impressive and well-known religious buildings.
The foundation stone was laid in 1905 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Belgian King Albert I’s reign. However, construction lasted several decades and was only fully completed in 1970, largely funded by donations from the faithful.
Various styles are present in the world’s fifth-largest church. It is 89 meters long, 167 meters wide, and the dome reaches a height of 93 meters.
It’s possible to climb up into the dome, where a circular terrace offers a magnificent view of the city.
Notre-Dame du Sablon (Église catholique Notre-Dame-du-Sablon)
A Gothic cathedral similar to French architecture, a monumental creation and a must-see in Brussels.
Its interior is worth seeing too, with an altar carved from a single block of wood and impressive stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes. These windows create a special light effect in the interior.
St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Michel et Ste-Gudule)
The truncated twin-towered church represents Gothic style, although it was originally built in Romanesque style.
The northern chapel houses some outstanding pieces from the church’s treasury, including an Anglo-Saxon reliquary dated to around 1000, which holds fragments of the Holy Cross.
The Roman style is referenced by the Roman crypt and Roman ruins.
Entrance to the church is free, but visiting the treasury, Roman ruins, and Treasury is paid! All information can be found here!
Atomium
Built for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, this structure is also one of the city’s symbols.
The Atomium is a 165 billion times enlarged model of an iron atom, consisting of nine steel spheres, each 18 meters in diameter. The spheres are connected by tubes 3 meters in diameter, and the whole structure is 102 meters high. The building is made of steel and aluminum.
Five of its spheres can be visited, three of which house permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as a panoramic restaurant.
From the top sphere, there’s a breathtaking view of Brussels and the surrounding areas. On a clear day, you can see as far as Antwerp.
All information can be found here!
Mini-Europe
An outdoor model park where you can see miniature versions of famous buildings from the European Union. Hungary is represented by the Széchenyi Bath.
More than 350 buildings from 80 different cities can be seen, each scaled down to 1:25. You can see the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and the Acropolis in Athens, among others.
All information can be found here!
Laeken
In this district, we find the royal castle, which is the home of the royal family.
North of the royal estate in the park are the Japanese Tower (Tour Japonaise/Japanese Toren) and the Chinese Pavilion (Pavillon Chinois/Chinees Paviljoen). Both were purchased by Leopold II at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair.
South of the royal estate is the Neo-Gothic Church of Our Lady of Laeken (Notre Dame du Laeken), which houses the crypt of the Belgian royal family.
European Parliament
The headquarters of the EU’s two executive institutions, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission, are located here. This is why Brussels is often called the capital of the EU.
The Parlamentarium is a visitor center where you can get information about how the EU works. Entrance is free!
La Cambre Abbey (Abbaye de la Cambre)
The Benedictine abbey, founded in 1201, is located in the southeastern district of Ixelles.
Nowadays, it houses an art school, the Belgian National Geographical Institute, and parish organizations, surrounded by beautiful French gardens.
Delirium Café
A paradise for beer lovers, this Guinness record-holding place.
More than 200 types of draft beer await visitors, where they can also try drinking from a 1-liter boot-shaped mug. Here, everything is truly about beer!
