See and Do in Brussels

With a wide variety of exciting activities and attractions in Brussels, expats are bound to discover something new to explore and enjoy every day. New arrivals wanting to get a feel for the city and its attractions should purchase the Brussels Card, which grants entrance to most of the city's museums and transport on buses, trams and metros.

It's also a great way to get familiarised with the public transport system. On the other hand, hop-on-hop-off buses are grand for those wishing to observe their new home from a good vantage point while going from place to place. 

Recommended attractions in Brussels

Belgian Comic Strip Center

The Belgian Comic Strip Center is one of the city's most popular attractions, where offbeat humour, vivid colours and fabulous illustrations abound. Visitors can enjoy an extensive collection of comic-strip art, with particular attention paid to Belgian native Hergé's Tintin.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

Brussels is home to Europe's very first shopping arcade, completed in 1847. This noteworthy attraction isn't to be missed. If the impressive and aesthetic architecture isn't enough to dazzle, peruse the shops, make a few purchases, and watch the world go by over a cup of coffee from one of the quaint arcade cafés.

Grand Place

The Grand Place is frequented by locals and tourists alike and is indeed well worth a visit. Spend the afternoon admiring the incredible architecture surrounding the square, peruse the stalls that line it, or enjoy a cup of coffee at one of its pavement cafés.

Brussels Town Hall

Architecturally speaking, Brussels Town Hall is one of the finest buildings in Brussels. It survived some of the worst bombings during World War II when nearly every other building on the Grand Place was destroyed. Take a tour of this magnificent building and discover the art, architecture, tapestries and history that lie inside.

Manneken Pis

One of the city's most noted attractions is the small Manneken Pis statue which stands proudly relieving himself atop a fountain basin. The statue represents Brussels residents' 'zwanze', or good sense of humour. There is a decades-long tradition of putting the statue in costume, with costume changes occurring every few days – so regardless of what time of year the urinating urchin is visited, he's sure to be dressed in the season's best.

Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate

Anyone with a sweet tooth should head directly to the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate for a decadent day of fine Belgian chocolate. The museum is a tasteful tribute to the country's famed love of chocolate. Visitors can even see the master chocolatiers at work and sample their wares.

Palais Royal

The original official residence of the Belgian Royal family, the Palais Royal stands as magnificently as ever in front of Brussels Park and is used for official functions and ceremonies. Tours take place during the summer months, allowing visitors to enjoy the palace's art and historical artefacts.

Royal Museums of Fine Arts

Expats visiting the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art will have the opportunity to view one of the finest collections of Fleming art in the world by artists such as Ruben and Van Dyck.