What are the best things to do in Brussels?

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and one of the most dynamic cities in Europe is a great place to visit, filled with incredible attractions, iconic landmarks, and some of the most delicious cuisine you’ll ever encounter. With so many exciting things to do, curious travelers are sure to have an unforgettable time in Brussels. From top-notch museums and art galleries to exciting events and festivals, here are some of best things to do in Brussels.

1. Visit the Grand Place

No visit to Brussels would be complete without a tour of its picturesque Grand Place, an iconic landmark that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Believed to date back prior to the 11th century, the cobblestoned plaza was built as a symbol of wealth and has since become one of the most visited sightseeing spots in the city. Surrounded by 16th century tenement buildings, imposing guildhouses and beautiful historic churches, the Grand Place is also famous scene of numerous festivals and traditional events such as the Ommegang procession every July.

2. Take a Tour through Brussels’ Breweries

Brussels is known world over for its celebrated beer culture, home to some of the oldest breweries in Europe producing unique varieties of ales and lagers like Lambic and Kriek. For those looking to learn more about the city’s rich brewing heritage and tantalizing Belgian beer, there are several tours offered, at places like Brussels Beer Project and Cantillon Brewery, that cover some of the most beloved and oldest brewpubs in Belgium. Visitors will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the beer-making process, enjoy numerous free samples, and explore the history of craft brewing together with local experts.

3. Admire Art at the Magritte Museum

The iconic surrealist artist René Magritte is closely associated with Brussels and perhaps no other museum honours his legacy more than the Magritte Museum, located in the Mont des Arts neighborhood. From visionary suits and bowler hats to bizarre figures and dreamscapes, this is perhaps the most comprehensive collection of Magritte’s works that can be found anywhere in the world, offering an insightful look into the mind of one of Europe’s most enigmatic artists. Located on Rue de la Régence 3, this excellent gallery also showcases thousands of objects linked directly to the artist such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, posters, magazines and books.

4. Sample Delicious Chocolate

Another classic activity that should not be missed in Brussels is sampling some handcrafted chocolate. The city is rightfully celebrated for its artisanal chocolate, also known as chocolate pralines, with some of the most renowned chocolatiers residing here like Pierre Marcolini, Mary and Neuhaus. If sampling delectable chocolate delicacies is not enough though, then visitors can also visit one of several chocolate making classes around town that offer informative lessons on the famous Belgian delicacy from beginning to end.

5. Visit Mini Europe

For those interested in soaking up all the European cultures, Mini Europe offers a great chance to get a snapshot of over 80 landmark sights from across the continent that have been recreated here at just 1/25th scale. Perhaps you want to recreate history by throwing a crêpe from atop Notre-Dame de Paris or take a selfie at Trafalgar Square? All these beloved European attractions are present at Mini Europe located at Bruparck, including a 360-degree animated show called “Spirit of Europe” which captures the vibrant heritage of the continent.

6. Munch on Some Delicious Street Food

As with any big cosmopolitan city, there are plenty of interesting street food stands offering an array of delicious snacks around Brussels such as authentic Belgian waffles (gaufres), French fries (frites) and Belgian Frites (fritjes ), all of which are sure to tantalize anyone’s taste buds! To fully experience this unique aspect of Brussels’ cuisine, it can be fun to take an evening stroll through streets like Rue des Bouchers (“Butchers’ Street”) or Rue des Tanneurs (“Tanners’ Street”) for some exciting culinary experiences accompanied by great local beers and wines.

7. Explore Atalya Castle

Royalty has long played an instrumental part in Brussels’ history, with many kings and queens over centuries passing through the Belgium’s capital city on their way to other locations across Europe. Atalya Castle stands tall in this realm and boasts a long royal history due to its strategic location close to the Royal Palace in Laeken. It served for centuries as a royal palace for many royal families before being eventually destroyed by napoleon’s troops during their occupation in 1814. Today visitors can explore the ruins found here along with a huge park as well as learn about the history of Belgium and its royal families by visiting its plenty attractions including a royal museum located inside the castle complex.

8. Sample World-Famous Belgian Cuisine

Brussels is known for its world-famous cuisine and a visit here would not be complete without trying dishes like Moules-Frites (mussels with French fries), stoofvlees (stew), carbonade flamande (beef stew) or filet américain (finely chopped beef). There are plenty of great restaurants to try out such traditional Belgian dishes including Michelin-starred establishments as well as more informal bistros serving gourmet meals at reasonable prices. Be sure to also sample some delicious Belgian beers that pair well with any of these dished!

9. Catch Some Theatre at La Monnaie Opera House

La Monnaie is among Belgium’s most renowned opera houses located in the heart of Brussels and it offers an array of theatrical shows from classic operas like Carmen to more modern performances like Shoskazu Ishinabe’s “Narukami”. What’s even more exciting is that tickets for these shows start from just nine euros – making it an affordable but magnificent cultural experience for any visitor!

10. Have Some Fun at Le Cirque Imaginaire

Located off Rue Haute in central Brussels is Le Cirque Imaginaire (The Imaginary Circus), an amazing workshop where visitors can express their inner child creativity with an assortment of artistic activities ranging from face painting and mask making to storytelling sessions as well as circus acrobatic classes. Families with children will find this Cirque Imaginaire quite enjoyable while adults often join shows featuring internationally acclaimed illusionists or theatre plays that explore magical worlds through storytelling. No visit to Brussels would be complete without ticking off our list of best things to do! From exploring the world-famous chocolate shops to wandering around Mini Europe or catching a show at La Monnaie opera house, this fascinating Belgian capital has something for everyone during their visit! Another must-do while visiting Brussels is sampling its amazing selection of local beers from some of its oldest brewpubs like Brussels Beer Project. With so many fun activities lined up for travelers coming to Brussels, visitors here are bound to be enthralled by all this vibrant city has to offer!