🇧🇪 Belgium

10 best places in Brussels

Brussels, capital of the EU, dazzles with the gilded Grand-Place, comic-strip murals around every corner, and no shortage of chocolate, waffles and beer.

Sight

Grand-Place

One of Europe's most beautiful squares, ringed by the gilded facades of guild houses.

Sight

Manneken Pis

The tiny bronze statue of a boy relieving himself, an oddly beloved symbol of Brussels humor.

Sight

Atomium

A futuristic 102-meter model of an iron atom, built for the 1958 World's Fair.

Museum

Royal Museums of Fine Arts

Masterworks by Bruegel, Rubens and Magritte anchor the royal quarter's grand museum complex.

Museum

Belgian Comic Strip Center

Housed in an Art Nouveau building by Victor Horta, celebrating Tintin and comic art worldwide.

Park

Cinquantenaire Park

A grand park framed by a triumphal arch and flanked by art and military history museums.

Café

Bar du Matin

A bohemian café-bar in Saint-Gilles, a favorite haunt of artists and students.

Restaurant

Comme Chez Soi

A legendary Michelin-starred temple of refined Belgian cuisine.

Restaurant

Chez Léon

The classic mussels-and-fries destination, serving Belgium's signature dish since 1893.

Market

Marché du Midi

Europe's largest Sunday market, thick with the aromas of North Africa and the Mediterranean.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Brussels?

Two days cover the Grand Place, the Atomium, the fine arts museums and the comic strip centre. A third day is best spent in Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp, all within an hour by train. The centre is compact and walkable.

What is the weather like in Brussels?

Mild and damp, with rain possible in any month, so bring a jacket whatever the season. May to September is the most pleasant stretch. Winters are not freezing but dark and windy, with Christmas markets to compensate.

Is Brussels safe?

Broadly yes, and the real nuisance is pickpocketing on the metro and around Midi and Nord stations. The area behind Gare du Nord feels rough at night and is easy to avoid. Violent crime is unlikely to touch a visitor.

What language do they speak in Brussels?

The city is officially bilingual in French and Dutch, though French dominates in practice. English works almost everywhere in the centre, in offices and around the EU institutions. If you plan to work here, French helps most, and Dutch once you move into Flanders.